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SCORES OF PEOPLE travelled to Cane Grove on Douglas Estate to use the opportunity of the Open Days of Saturday 22^nd and Sunday 23^rdJuly, 2017 to view the new concepts of “affordable luxury”. Some were curious onlookers happy for a chance to get ideas from viewing a new home. But others were serious, pragmatic, first time home owners-to-be wanting to know whether a home of ‘luxury’ was within their reach. However, they may need a finance broker in New South Wales to help them to be able to afford it. It’s an aspirational goal but doable.

Hitherto, luxurious villa homes were expected to be spacious, expensive, with three to five bedrooms, have ocean front views and would cater to the rich non-resident buyer similar to those that enjoy the fantastic range of high-quality properties that Space station offers. But here was an opening which appeared to cater to the home buyer as well, with the choice of 2 bedrooms and upwards, the possibility of choosing one of six plans… and the promise of up-to-date comfort and modern conveniences. Furthermore, the to and fro of mortgage negotiations would be eliminated as banks and financial institutions, familiar with the project, would be there, eager to usher buyers into flexible financial arrangements…It was certainly worth taking a look!

The two-bedroom Copper Edition of the home, though small, did indeed boast of top-of-the-line features that one would normally link to luxury homes. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, modern lighting solutions, that were found through a wholesale electric supply company, and don’t forget that it was already wired for high-speed internet, smart TVs, and phone lines. Then along came home automation technology.

But what made these homes ‘elegant’ to the women was the luxury furniture and sophisticated decor showcased in the home. This will be hard to describe but high praise must go to Ruth Trotman of Ashley Home Furniture Homestore and Jacqueline Lawrence of SKN Homes who skilfully and artistically created a decor in the home that had patrons asking what would be the ball park price of the house if it included all the furnishings being exhibited

Their expertise was evident in the manner in which they adorned the walls, corners and tables. Bed linen, towels and curtains were well selected to exude comfort and elegance. They furtherenhanced the aura of the rooms with the use of appropriate plants in elegant plant stands or containers. More than one person remarked that the home decor was equal to any displayed in fancy magazines like the Architectural Digest. (see photos of the decor at middle pages)

What was impressive about this Open Day at Cane Grove was that there was a combination of private sector stakeholders making it easy for the buyer to do business. So one could talk, then and there, to the financial institutions that were willing to approve of one’s mortgage. National Bank, CIBC First Caribbean Bank Intl and TDC Financial Services were on hand to advise. And right there on the spot one was able to determine the price of one’s home depending on how many of the optional features were chosen.

St. Kitts and Nevis is now experiencing the rangeof homes available to any living in the metropolitan countries. No longer is this range available only for the high-end buyer but our nationals here and in the Diaspora can tread the path of comfortable living. Thankfully, there has been the steady removal of the ‘half a hog heads’ and in so many ways, one can see both the public and private sectors making efforts to upgrade the standard of living and expand the quality of life for all.

1. Callender