All at sea in Westmere

231 Garnet Rd, Westmere, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

231 GARNET RD WESTMERE

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SIZE: Land 607sq m, house 200sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: CV $2.1 million. Set date of sales closes 4pm on April 28.

INSPECT: Easter Sunday 12-12.45pm.

ON THE WEB: rwponsonby.co.nz/PON20890

SCHOOL ZONES: Westmere School, Pasadena Intermediate, Western Springs College.

CONTACT: Tricia Lafferty or Kym Aikin, Ray White Ponsonby, ph 376 2186, Tricia 021 611 205, Kym 021 596 222.

FEATURES: Two-storey home in one of the most spectacular positions in the area boasts panoramic water views from almost every space. Other highlights include airy living area opening out to harbour views and large deck, plus double garaging with internal access.

Having bought and done up a house across the road, Jenny Grieve was quick to act when this waterfront property came on the market in 1995.

And you can see why, as the elevated north-facing home sits at the quiet no-exit end of Garnet Rd and enjoys all-day sun and panoramic views of the harbour.

The property might be close to the city, but the only noise here is the occasional cry of a seagull or tui warbling in the trees.

It's this serene setting that attracted Jenny, who is originally from Hawkes Bay.

"I'm a country hick and I like my peace and quiet; that's why I bought here," says Jenny.

She also enjoys the ever-changing harbour views from her home, the occasional swim and magical sunsets across the water. With riparian rights, it's also possible to build a jetty to service the property, but Jenny says she's not into boats, so has never pursued that option.

As you step off the street, a mature tree shades a fenced, concrete-paved courtyard beside the home's entrance, but once inside it's the views that draw you through the living areas and out to a deck that wraps around the north and west sides of the home.

Previous owners extended the weatherboard house to create more living space and a larger deck outside. The lounge facing the street is warmed by either an open fire or a heat pump and has sandstone floors that flow through to the adjoining casual living area and kitchen. Jenny loves the way the floors absorb the warmth of the sun - and also the fact they are easy to clean when the grandchildren visit.

A stone bench and breakfast bar form the centrepiece of the kitchen, but Jenny's favourite is the butler's pantry.

"I don't like clutter, and when people are here you don't want things all over your bench when you are entertaining," she says.

Cedar doors and windows open this space out to the sea air, views and deck, with a highlight being the bifold windows over a window seat that provide a beautifully framed harbour view. The covered and sheltered deck offers the perfect spot for watching life out on the harbour, and also provides a resting place for the two black-backed gulls that Jenny regards as pets. Phoenix palms and landscaped gardens leading down to the water enjoy an almost tropical microclimate.

Away from the living area is a white-tiled wetroom-style bathroom with a window facing out to sea and a glass door opening to the deck.

The master bedroom is also on this side of the house and has wide water views. A bedroom across the hallway looks west, up the harbour. The separate toilet beside this bedroom shares the view courtesy of a large one-way mirror that Jenny had installed in the wall between the two.

"I put that in because the loo felt closed in and I thought that would open it up," says Jenny.

Downstairs is another white-tiled bathroom and a bedroom that opens on to a paved patio that steps down to a deck overlooking the water.

Jenny says having an internal-access double garage is also a bonus, for the security and the fact she can drive straight in off the street.

If new owners wanted to remove the existing house and build, the section could cater for a substantial home, says Jenny. She had architect Andrew Patterson assess the site and draw up plans that showed it would be possible to build a 719sq m home over four levels.

"It's got a huge street frontage and a wide harbour frontage and no neighbours to ask," says Jenny. "Height-to-boundary restrictions are usually a problem when you are building, but that's not the case here."

Selling the home wouldn't be an option but for the fact that Jenny is returning to Hawkes Bay to be near to family. She has entrusted her brother to buy her a farm near Hastings that will keep her busy. As a keen owner of racehorses, she's already moved her animals down there and is hoping she can produce more winners - just like this waterfront home.