Show and Tell, Oblique^™ Weatherboard

Bringing Jacks Point style to Ōamaru, this builder’s own home is a tribute to the versatility, durability and aesthetic advantages of Hardie™ fibre cement products.

When Mike and Kristina Lowe, owners of the Ōamaru-based building company McBrimar, decided to build a new showhome for their business they didn’t expect to fall head over heels in love with it. So instead of becoming a display home, their spectacular Ōamaru creation became their family home as soon as it was finished.

With an extensive construction industry track record, as well as first-hand experience from building their first home, Mike and Kristina were perfectly prepared for the task of materialising a dream home.

Their vision was to construct a semirural residence with breathtaking views, modelled on the striking home designs they’d seen at Jacks Point in Queenstown.

The couple chose Oblique™ Weatherboard by James Hardie as the primary cladding for this project because they knew and trusted fibre cement. Natural timber was used as an accent cladding, giving the home a bold, elegant façade.

“Owning a building company means we’re very familiar with James Hardie’s products. We’re big fans because they’re low maintenance and have good warranties. When we built our first home we used Linea™ Weatherboard for a modern villa vibe and this time we were keen to mix it up with a more contemporary Queenstown look. Oblique™ Weatherboard fitted this brief perfectly. We loved that you could alternate the widths and it handles black paint well.”

Inside the home, Kristina specified Hardie™ Groove Lining extensively. This product, known for its classic tongue- and-groove look, features prominently on the ceiling in the living room, shelves in the bedrooms and powder room, and on several feature walls throughout the house. Kristina appreciates the personality and charm that Hardie™ Groove Lining adds, especially when it’s used as a backdrop for art and cherished objects.

“If Kristina had her way, just about the whole interior would be Hardie™ Groove Lining,” says Mike. “We love the character it adds internally to a new build.”

While it skipped becoming a showhome, Mike and Kristina Lowe’s new family home was featured in NZ House and Garden, so it serves as a virtual showcase for architects, specifiers and homeowners who are considering the benefits of Hardie™ fibre cement products for creating beautiful, enduring homes.