Castor Bay: La maison francaise

Penny Lewis visits a French-styled home where nothing was lost in the translation.

33 Beach Rd, Castor Bay.

Unlike many Francophiles, the owners of this Milford home had not always harboured a desire to build a home styled on their country of affection. But when Yvonne first pulled up outside a section on the hill above Milford's marina, she knew what sort of house they would build.

"I sketched the first drawing standing outside at the bus stop. I don't know where the idea came from, it just popped into my head," she says. The elegant French-style house was built 12 years ago, based on the concept Yvonne took to concrete specialist Firth. From there, she was introduced to architectural designer Harry Kleyn, who fine-tuned the owners' ideas. "It's a simple house and with its windows it looks a bit like the house on Playschool," she says.

Built from concrete block, the two-storey home also features a concrete mid-floor.

"I've always loved solid homes and wanted as much concrete as possible," Yvonne explains.

She spent hours researching traditional French house design, including the correct proportions for windows, shutters, beams and all the wonderful details that give her home its charm and authenticity. The book she consulted was in French, but she got around that by investing in two solid French-English dictionaries, which she consulted regularly.

More than a decade after it was built, the home is testament to Yvonne and her family's vision and translation skills. When you drive up to a crushed shell forecourt, the home's plastered concrete rendering and symmetry of the front door and windows is unmistakably French. The house has a welcoming, enveloping feel, although a high stud height makes it feel spacious and well-proportioned. Blonded, recycled kauri tongue and groove flooring gives added character, especially as it contains the pits and markings that show its age. Yvonne sourced the timber from a now defunct business in Auckland city. The timber merchant brought it up from an old dairy factory in Masterton, which had been built in 1880. "It was the perfect amount. We only had two planks left over," Yvonne says.

The entrance hall leads down to an airy open plan living and dining area, which features French doors that lead out to a Hinuera stone-paved terrace. In winter, a roaring open fire in the living area makes for cosy entertaining.

In summer, an abundant grape vine hangs over the terrace. Yvonne says there's nothing better than entertaining outside and enjoying drinks and nibbles in the afternoon sun.

The garden is true to European-inspired style, too, with more shell paving, mature olive trees and in summer the blooms of a climbing rose cover a nearby fence.

The bedrooms include an en suite and guest room downstairs, which can also be reached through a separate external entrance. Upstairs is another bedroom, in restful tones of cream, with extensive storage.

The master bedroom, also upstairs with a view of the sea, can only be described as enormous. With walls in a duck-egg blue plaster finish, it includes a walk-through dressing room, and en suite bathroom, complete with a deep porcelain bath.

A balcony off the main bedroom has a fantastic view of the tall buildings of Takapuna and the city beyond. It's even possible to see Auckland Museum.

Yvonne and family are moving on, but are staying in the Milford area. They'll miss the house, but feel it's time to bid adieu.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 540sq m, house 190sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: $1.3m-plus. Tender closes August 1.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Pamela Riley 021 949 401 and Sharon Deaker 021 427 783, Premium.

FEATURES: Solidly constructed concrete French-style home, full of authentic detail, open fire and gas heater, guest suite with separate entrance, easy flow through to fully landscaped section also in the French style. Spacious and private master bedroom with magnificent views.