SCHOOL ZONES:
Beachlands and Maraetai primaries, Howick College.
CONTACT:
Brianne Bignell, Ray White, 021 400 979, 536 6922.
* Plus off-street for 6 cars
Robert and Janene Riedstra, and their three-month-old daughter, Caitlin, moved into a little old cottage by the sea 21 years ago. They spent the first year watching the sun and seasons go by as they planned their dream home.
The cottage was eventually removed and the family rented the bach next door while Robert, a builder, got construction under way on their house.
"We wanted to create something that had a very timeless feel," says Janene.
And the resultant home fits that bill exactly. It has shades of English manor cleverly combined with a laid-back kiwi beach-side vibe. The front entrance, proudly bearing the inscription "Kauri View 1995" has elegant stained glass windows surrounding a handsome door.
Once inside, the kitchen lies to your left. Crisp and neat, it has generous storage space and a sunny outlook. When the family, now including son Benjamin, are all at home, they eat breakfast in here and main meals in the formal dining room opposite.
The main lounge also enjoys a sea-filled vista, with French doors opening to the terrace outside. In winter the gas fireplace keeps things cosy.
"The wooden surround came from a 120-year-old farmhouse," says Janene.
Along with a generous family bathroom, there are three further bedrooms on this level plus a luxury en suite and vast walk-in wardrobe.
"We're all tall people in this family so having lots of room is important to us," says Janene.
There's also a home office, which could be used as a bedroom, and the internally accessed double garage has a laundry in the corner with pull-down stairs leading to the attic above. It's a big space with potential for further development.
The next level of the house is reached via a heart rimu staircase in the corner of the lounge.
Image 1 of 9: Clifftop property with pool and media room is only a ferry ride from CBD
A huge media room has provided a great hang-out space for Caitlin, Benjamin and their friends to enjoy watching movies on a giant screen.
The combined bar and pool room next door has been the scene of many lively adult parties.
"It's lucky the walls can't talk," says Janene.
This part of the house has a distinct whiff of English gentlemen's club about it, and the good news is that the pool table is staying.
"We couldn't possibly get it back down the stairs," she says.
With so much going for the house itself, the fact it also enjoys large manicured grounds and a more or less private beach, reached via 65 steps, only makes this property even more attractive.
Janene points out the relaxation rock -- a big boulder with a flat surface ideal for sunbathing. Benjamin keeps his dinghy nearby.
Across the water are Waiheke and Rangitoto islands. In the distance lies the city.
"There's a great ferry service that will get you there in about 35 minutes," says Janene.
As Caitlin and Benjamin prepare to make their way in the world, Janene and Robert plan to find a smaller house in Auckland and a Coromandel hideaway -- with retirement in mind.
Whoever buys Kauri View (which of course has a tall, proud, kauri on site) will literally not need to do anything at all. Meticulously well-built and maintained, this much-loved house simply needs a new family to fill its rooms with happy noise.
