Our Place: Seaside serenity

Producer and director Suzy at her Omokoroa home. Photo/John Borren

Name: Suzy Sampson
Occupation: Actor/director/producer
Suburb: Omokoroa

Christmas was always a happy time for the Sampson family at the laidback seaside community of Omokoroa.

Suzy Sampson's parents retired to a little cottage there 16 years ago and her siblings came together every Christmas to celebrate with them.

So when Suzy's parents pointed out that the house across the road was up for sale, Suzy pulled out all the stops to buy the property and make Omokoroa her home.

After a nerve-wracking, long distance house sale by telephone (she was overseas in Hong Kong), that year the extended Sampson family strode across the road to celebrate Christmas at Suzy's new abode.

"Now when I go to visit my Dad, as I'm leaving he says 'wave to me from your window so I know you're home safe'," she says. Adorable.

The 1970s house has been a complete rebuild. What started out as a renovation quickly became an entire rebuild, which took place in 2012.

Suzy now describes it as a "peaceful haven" with breathtaking, serene sunrises over Mount Maunganui.

The entire house was designed with love and Suzy had her extended family in mind. "I was fortunate to be able to start again on its build and so it's a reflection of who I am - there's nothing about it I would want to change.

Suzy says nothing had been done to the house when they bought it.

"All that's left of the original house is the fireplace in my bedroom (which was originally the living room) and the kauri floorboards which had been hidden away under disgusting green carpet. So it was an absolute delight to discover them in such good condition when the carpet was ripped up."

Suzy is producing and directing an open air theatre production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (at The Elms from January 31-February 11). She is able to work mostly from home on her theatre productions.

Our Place feature. Suzy Sampson and her Omokoroa home. Photo/John Borren

"When I can I like to get out on my paddleboard, or just potter in the garden. I set up the downstairs area as a drama studio where I ran Twice as Good Drama workshops for kids."

Beautiful artwork adorns the walls of her haven including works by friend Gabrielle Pool, Stuart Semple and local artist Emma Prill. It's impossible to pick a favourite as each has a little story, she says. One prize possession is a photograph of a little Ethiopian girl which she won at an auction fundraiser for Oasis Africa.

Suzy's favourite spot in the house is in the egg chair in summer "with my cup of tea contemplating the day ahead and watching the walkers go by and in winter sitting in front of the log fire being mesmerised by the flickering".

Suzy Sampson in her kitchen at her Omokoroa home. Photo/John Borren