As the Mornington Peninsula enters our second COVID-19 lockdown, it is more important than ever that we maintain the sense of connection our local community is famous for! This is where ‘Behind the Dreams’ comes in. We’ll be meeting our vibrant, local building and design industry professionals for 10 fun, quick-fire questions.
Meet Phillip Tornello, Director of Stelson Homes, in Mornington.
Tell us about you! What brought you to the Mornington Peninsula?
Phillip: I have been in Mornington now for almost 6 years. I’ve grown up my whole life holidaying down the peninsula and love the beachy lifestyle.
How do you like to live?
Phillip: I love my job and work hard during the week, and love my wife and 2 boys. I love to spend time with them on the weekends as well as entertaining with friends.
What’s the highlight of your working week?
Phillip: Each day has its own highlights, I love seeing each jobs progress. Anything from a slab being poured, bricks being layed, frame going up, cabinets going in! Its just such a proud and rewarding feeling seeing all our hard work come together.
Describe your business in 20 words 😉, no more!
Phillip: Hands on builder/developer of quality custom homes, townhouses, extensions and renovations.
What do you do on a Saturday?
Phillip: Spend it with my wife and two boys. Usually consists of playing or watching them play basketball/football followed by an afternoon of catching up with friends and their kids over some good food and a few wines.
What’s your favourite house or garden trend at the moment?
Phillip: I just love clean, neutral and practical but still achieving the wow factor! I try to incorporate this into all of my designs and builds, as i believe a home should look as good as it was even 10 years or more after it was built. I’m not one for design trends that may be out of fashion in 12 months, but I also listen to my clients wants, and needs, and if that’s what they want then that’s what they get!
Your proudest business moment?
Phillip: Not sure i have one stand out moment, but each and every time I complete and handover a project I get super proud of what we have achieved. Its a team effort and I am thankful for all of the amazing suppliers and trades we have which allows us to get the results we strive to achieve.
What do you secretly wish clients knew?
Phillip: I wish they knew the time and effort we ,and all our trades put in on site on a daily basis to get the high quality finish and result. It’s not just what you see on the surface its whats underneath or behind the surface that is what will make the house last. Nothing we do it to the minimum standard, coming from an old school Italian background I was always taught by my father (whom is also still on the tools and a director of Stelson Homes) to go above and beyond and do more than what is required.
A few examples are; If it says to dig a stump hole at 600mm deep, dig it at 700mm. If studs in a frame can be spaced at 600mm put them at 450mm apart. It roof trusses can be spaced at 900mm, put them at 600mm apart. Its all these extra things that people don’t see when we are quoting jobs but are a standard for all our builds.
If you were a house… which one would you be? And why?
Phillip: I’d be a contemporary minimal home with water views and as energy efficient as possible. Because I am very neat and organised as a person and always conscious of the environment, so minimal impact on things like gas and electricity would be a must.
Thank you Phillip for sharing a bit about yourself with our Building Dreams community!
If you would like to learn more about Stelson Homes, visit: www.stelsonhomes.com.au Or follow on instagram: @stelsonhomes
