When Andrew and Samantha Holmes move to the South Island for new work opportunities, they'd like to take their three-year-old house with them.
Designed and built specifically for their family of two boys and a big dog, it has worked perfectly as a family home.
The couple had been looking at property in the Awhitu area for a couple of years. They'd come to New Zealand from Britain with the idea of having a rural lifestyle, preferably somewhere with good access to beaches, and within easy commuting distance of the city.
This 6800sq m block was the most elevated of the five sections in the development and had direct line of sight to the Skytower, across the countryside and to the harbour.
They took their ideas to Signature Homes in Pukekohe and looked through the company's designs to try to find something that would work for them. They found one that ticked most of their boxes and modified it, widening the floor plan and adding an extra garage.
They ended up with a 263sq m floor plan that gave them three living spaces, four double bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office and three garages.
A covered outdoor patio area offers good space for outdoor living, and Andrew added a play area and covered space for the dog which, he jokes, cost more than some of the features provided for the human members of the family.
The exterior design betrays the family's English origins. It's a classic bungalow style in red brick and tile with white facings. But the inside, Andrew says, is very Kiwi with its adjoining open living areas. Their building company recommended a designer to give them creative guidance with the interior, and the brief was for the living spaces to have a connection so they could all be within earshot of each other whatever was going on.
A designated dining area was also essential because this family likes to eat together and dinner is always at the table, where they can share conversation about what's happened during the day. Andrew also put in a request for plenty of storage, including somewhere for wine.
The kitchen is therefore the hub and has a smart, contemporary look with black granite bench tops, deep red splashbacks, stainless steel appliances and detailing, and timber flooring. The adjoining sitting area is cosy with squashy leather sofas and charcoal carpet that carries through to the pool room, media room and bedrooms.
Andrew lists the soundproofed media room as his favourite space. It's a great getaway area for watching movies on the big screen.
"It's great to have a house with enough space that you can enjoy being a family, having friends around, room for the dog to play, and close to the Te Toro boat ramp. It's got everything."
