Torbay: Out of America

Massive views of the Hauraki Gulf are only one feature of a large Lockwood house on the Torbay cliff. Richard Pamatatau reports.

13 Gilberd Place, Torbay.

A lot of people like to personalise their homes and for Janet Girwood-Naddell, her authentic Lockwood house at Torbay was a clean slate awaiting her artistic touches.

She and her doctor husband Arthur were on holiday in New Zealand three years ago for a month, fell in love with the country and decided to stay.

They went home to Fort Lauderdale in Florida, sold up and moved back into the house which she has turned into a tiny bit of America and Africa combined, with an inimitable flair.

This house is solidly built with those warm wood tones that are a hallmark of the Lockwood brand - but with Janet's decorating style there have been a few changes.

First of all, the white bricks outside have been painted silver.

Janet admits that might not be to everyone's taste but white bricks were too hard to look after. And in a reflection of her African upbringing there are designs on them near the front door that reference Ndebele art forms.

Once inside the home the artistic journey begins with an intricate mosaic tiled floor that Janet created.

"People are able to step off the street into the house and know they are in a new environment," she says.

There is a lot of living space on the ground floor. The private living rooms, three bedrooms, a bathroom and laundry are to the left and can also be accessed from a double garage, that for the moment is full of Janet's art materials.

"The cars have to live outside."

To the right is a magnificent trio of rooms with high ceilings that are both open and private at the same time, anchored by a giant kitchen with storage space for Africa and all the usual features of a large comfortable home. There is a pantry and also big open racks for storing glasses which must have come in handy for the large parties that Janet and Arthur like to host.

She says her record is 120 guests and there was still room for more.

At present the dining room has a big eight-seater table, but Janet has extensions that allow it to seat more than 24 - her record is 36.

There is also a sunroom which Janet says is a great place to doze, read a book or paint.

The beautifully landscaped garden has access to the cliff path and magnificent Long Bay beach is barely a two-minute walk away for those who like a dip in the briny.

Upstairs is the master bedroom, with an en suite and a balcony that has the feel of being on a ship's prow.

The bedroom is reached up a wide staircase which finishes at the minstrel's gallery. This leads to a giant "American-style attic" which could be converted to a full-scale room if required.

Janet says packing up the home is sad but for Arthur, a veteran of the war in Iraq as well as Asian conflict, it is time to move home.

She hopes the home's new owner will have as much fun there as her family.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 986sq m, house 360sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $1.5 million-plus. Auction August 17.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Willi Bardohl, Bayleys, ph 027 4 922 925 mob, 414 0955 bus, Michele Wright 0276826751 mob, 09 414 0956 bus.

FEATURES: Authentic Lockwood home with massive views, minstrel's gallery, high ceilings, well landscaped garden, two minutes walk to Long Bay beach.