FEATURES:
Large solid masonry family
home built by Nautica Homes. North-
facing semi-courtyard entertaining area
with outdoor fireplace, oversized kitchen
and utility areas; extra garaging with rear
exit for machinery.
Six years ago, when Vicki and Richard Clague bought their 2ha block in open countryside between Coatesville and Riverhead it had nothing on it but grass.
"It was what they call a bare block," remembers Vicki, "but we wanted something that we could make completely our own.
"This had acompletely northerly orientation so we knew it would be warm, and I had dreams of creating a garden so I wanted something with good soil. This had both."
Eventually, the large, solid, masonry house that Vicki and Richard designed in conjunction with Nautica Homes' in-house designers stood long and low along the hillside. It sheltered what in the years to come would become Vicki's garden and wrapped around a three-sided courtyard with sweeping views across the countryside in the valley below. Bailey, 8, and Cooper, 4, play here under Vicki's eye as she works in the kitchen.
"It's perfect for the children because it's so sheltered and, because it's paved, they can ride bikes and things around and not get too muddy.
"There's an outdoor fireplace, too, so we can use it all times of the year."
Slotted in-between the courtyard and the lobby is an oversized kitchen with appliances to match. Vicki laughs as she points out the two ovens, two DishDrawers and two fridges that hide in its depths. "I love to cook so we use everything all the time. I get teased by friends over the two fridges but it's great to have lots of storage. I don't know how I'm going to do without them."
As expected in a house of this size and quality, there is oodles of storage and an envy-inducing linen cupboard. "I call it my go-anything cupboard," says Vicki, "because anything goes in there. This is one thing I will have to reproduce in wherever we end up living. I just couldn't do without it."
Continuing the doubles theme are two sitting rooms, one on either side of the kitchen and courtyard, and two eating areas. One is in the formal sitting room and the other takes the form of a row of barstools along the longest engineered stone counter top you could ever imagine. "This is where the boys eat most of the time, but sometimes we all sit down at the table. It all flows so well that it really is the easiest house you can imagine to live in," remarks Vicki. "I can be working here in the kitchen while the boys eat and we can chat. It all just works."
What also works is the layout of the bedrooms and bathrooms. Richard and Vicki's room is at one end of the house with its own bathroom and lots of storage, while the boys' rooms are at the far end, with their own huge bathroom bridging the space between the two bedrooms. Closer to the living areas is the guest bedroom and another bathroom. All are of generous proportions with green rural views.
In the years since the house was built, Vicki has worked hard to establish a garden which is just now beginning to come into its own.
"I don't know how many hours I've spent out here. We both have for that matter, but Richard's real love is his art collection and mine is the garden. The boys always say when Richard asks them where I am: 'In the garden of course', because I always am. It's become a real passion of mine."
Yet Vicki and Richard have made the decision to move. "We've decided we want to have the beach house experience with the boys while they are small enough to enjoy it with us. We're looking for something that will allow us to have both a nice family home and a bach. There'll still be a garden but I might have to do without the two fridges."
