Our Nest: Room to grow in Maria and Asad’s Bellway Dingley

When your family is growing fast, you need a home that can adapt and grow with you – and that’s exactly what Maria and Asad found in their beautiful new Bellway home in the Midlands. Having owned a new-build Bellway home previously there was no question that their next step would be with Bellway too, and the 3-bedroom Dingley house style offered exactly what they needed, plus more.

“There’s just something about Bellway homes that feels right,” says Maria, who shares her home with her husband and two young children. “We were drawn to a new-build home because we wanted a fresh, modern space that suited our family’s needs without the hassle of renovations.

“Now almost a year in, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown. Settling in has been a dream, and watching our children grow in a home that truly feels like ours has made the move all the more special.”

Boasting an open-plan kitchen and dining area that looks out onto the rear garden, a separate living room, and three generously-sized bedrooms including one with an en suite, Bellway’s Dingley house style had all of the delightful details that Maria and Asad were looking for in their perfect new family home.

“We wanted a home with a welcoming hallway and a design where, as soon as you walk in, you get that beautiful view of the garden straight ahead. It felt open, airy, and just right for us.

“This home truly fits our lifestyle; the spacious storage in the downstairs cloakroom has been a game-changer, keeping everything neatly tucked away. The stunning breakfast bar area adds a touch of elegance, but one of the biggest pluses is that the third bedroom is actually spacious, giving us flexibility as the kids grow.”

Adding colour and character to a new-build blank canvas

Between looking after their children and remote working, Maria and Asad each spend a lot of time in their home and so designing an inviting and warm-feeling interior was of the highest priority.

Maria explained: “My style leans towards creating a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, where beige and neutral tones provide a calm and serene backdrop, while dark accents add character and depth to a room.”

Far from experiencing the ‘white box syndrome’ that many new-build home buyers encounter at the beginning of the decorating process, Maria embraced the unlimited potential of her interior and used it as an opportunity to authentically yet practically express her family’s individuality.

“When planning my décor, I looked for pieces that reflect our personality while keeping it functional for family life. The process involved choosing versatile, timeless furniture and layering in personal touches, like family photos, cosy throws, and the right lighting to create that perfect mood.

“It’s taken time to experiment with different layouts, but it all came together organically.”

After spending so much time on designing their beautiful Bellway home, it’s no surprise that Maria wanted to share her hard work and set up a dedicated Instagram account, @home_withmaria. Initially to connect with like-minded buyers on social media and find others with the same Bellway Dingley house style, Maria’s account has attracted thousands of followers and encouraged her to take her interior style more seriously:

“My husband encouraged me to set up the account after seeing how much time and energy I’d put into our home. He’s always said that he could see me taking on an interiors-related career one day because for me, it never feels like work – I just love it so much!

“What I’ve enjoyed most about decorating a new build home is that it’s like a blank canvas; you get to paint and decorate it exactly how you want, without any restrictions. I love having that freedom to style and personalise our home in a way that feels right for us.”

Reflecting on the process of designing a dream décor

Creating an Instagram-worthy new-build home interior takes time – especially in a busy family household – and Maria admits that she hasn’t always been patient in putting together their home décor.

“I think one of my biggest lessons in decorating our home was rushing to make decisions too quickly, as sometimes it’s easy to want to fill a space with furniture or décor just for the sake of completing it.

“But I’ve learned that it’s important to take time to really understand the space in our home and how we use it. You have to live in the space a little, and remember that it’s okay to make changes down the road as you figure out what works best for you.”

With their interior now feeling more complete, Maria can reflect on her achievements and the happy family home she has helped to create.

“My favourite room has to be my son’s room; it’s where we spend so much of our day, whether we’re playing or just having fun together. It’s a space filled with love and laughter, which is what makes it feel so special.

“However, the aspect of our home that I’m most proud of is how it flows, as each room complements the next, with a good balance of functionality and style. I’ve invested time into making sure there’s a sense of calm that runs throughout our home, which I think really ties it all together.”

While flexibility is built into every Bellway home, many buyers see the potential for their property to adapt to them even further, as lifestyles evolve and the needs of families change over the years.

“Looking ahead, we have big plans for our Bellway home,” Maria tells us. “We’re planning to extend the kitchen to create an even more open and functional space. We also want to professionally convert our loft into a small library and office area that will also act as a guest bedroom, perfect for our little bookworms and for my husband, who works from home most of the time.

“It’s exciting to think about how this home will continue to grow with us in the coming years!”

Whether you’re a first-time buyer starting out on your new home journey or you’re looking for the perfect next step up the property ladder, visit the Bellway website to explore your nearest developments of energy-efficient new-build homes, and discover more of the many fantastic reasons to buy new.

Visit the Our Nest page to read more inspiring Bellway homeowner stories, including how Beth and Ollie made their Bellway Mulberry work perfectly for home working, and why Vicky embraced dopamine décor to create her pretty pink Bellway Plane. If you’d like the chance to be featured in a future edition of Our Nest, share your interior style with us @bellwayhomes using our dedicated hashtag #mybeautifulbellway.