Orewa: Flying visits

A 1970s-style home has been transformed into an upmarket waterfront bed and breakfast, writes Penny Lewis.

309 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa.

There's usually a crew of visiting seagulls perched on the balcony of Lesley and Grahame Gilbertson's beachfront home at Orewa. With names like Footy, Paddle and Stumble, they're familiar faces at the Gilbertsons' and can normally rely on being hand-fed some cheese or other delicacy. With an assortment of missing feet, legs and nursing various old injuries, they're a rag-tag bunch.

The errant seagulls aren't the only visitors the Gilbertsons cater for. The couple bought the home from Grahame's mother six years ago and then started a bed and breakfast business called Orewa Bach Luxury Accommodation. Since then they've had a steady stream of guests, mainly from overseas. The business is included in the Lonely Planet guide to New Zealand, so many of the guests arrive clutching a copy of the book.

Spread over two levels, with each featuring two bedrooms and a living area, the house is perfectly configured to accommodate up to two parties of guests downstairs and have private living quarters upstairs. This arrangement also has its merits when the couple's six step-grandchildren come to stay. The house has four bathrooms, three of them en suites, as well as a powder room.

The set-up hasn't always been this way though, as the house was a monument to 1970s dark wood, compartmentalised rooms and burnt orange wallpaper before the Gilbertsons embarked on a major renovation, which opened up the space inside and replaced a carport and rumpus room downstairs with the extra bedrooms. Lesley and Grahame had already affectionately named the house "the bach". This raised a few eyebrows at the local Carters building supplies when Lesley bought five toilets and said casually they were for "the bach".

Now, pale timber Swedish birch floors and white walls give the home's interior a fresh, clean style. The Gilbertson's colourful art, furniture and accessories look right at home here.

The kitchen, also white, was installed six years ago but still looks new. A large bank of cupboards hides clutter, including a home office/computer area.

Besides the beach-facing deck upstairs, there's also a deck on the other side of the house, where the Gilbertsons sometimes dine if there's an on-shore wind. Downstairs, guests have the use of a north-facing courtyard, as well as a generously paved area off the living space that leads straight down to the beach. Here, there's also a built-in barbecue for summer meals.

With a view straight out to the water and a reserve next door, the home feels very private, even though it's right across the road from Orewa's shops and cafes.

"It's great. There's a water feature in the reserve that's lit up at night which feels like part of our garden," Grahame says.

Even though the home has served as a base for a successful accommodation business, it would also work equally well as a private home. Lesley and Grahame are looking to move further north, where Lesley can further indulge her love of gardening.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 4

GARAGE: 1+

SIZE: Land 530sq m, house 200sq m (approx), decks 38sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Upwards of $1.6 million but properties have recently sold in this area in excess of $2 million. Auction February 25.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun noon-1pm or by appointment.

CONTACT: Barbara Larsen or Alan Dray, Century 21 Warkworth, ph 021 228 8833 (Barbara), 027 272 9164 (Alan), 09 425 8179 bus.

FEATURES: Absolute waterfront house on Orewa beach. Run as a B&B but plenty of other options. Short stroll to restaurants and cafes.