SCHOOL ZONES:
Wainui, Waitoki and Kingsway Schools, Orewa College.
CONTACT:
Vi Davidson, Harcourts, 021 110 4362.
With busy working lives as an entertainment industry publicist and a builder respectively, Sandra Roberts and Mike Epskamp wanted a place in the country they could retreat to and relax with their two daughters.
It was a major project resulting in this large, luxurious five-bedroom home.
Mike designed and built the house and Sandra says it was a labour of love as Mike is meticulous in his work.
The family moved in before the house was completed, more as a circumstance than intentionally as they were given notice on the home they were renting during the build. But the transition was easily manageable as they moved into the completed bedroom wing which, Sandra points out, is bigger than most houses.
Sandra says they chose this rural 1.8ha section at Waitoki because "it's very country, rolling hills and green. It is quiet as well but it is close enough to the city to go in and work."
"We wanted to make it so the girls could go to school at Albany and I work in the city, that's about a half an hour drive from here. And we wanted somewhere we could run around, have some space."
Their vision for the large masonry home was somewhere they could relax.
"We have travelled a bit, too, so we wanted it to feel like a resort, to enjoy it and unwind."
Outstanding features of this executive home are the covered 14.4m pool with mood lighting and swim jets, and the lounge room beside this, as both have glazed roofs allowing the feeling of being outside even though you are under cover.
"We wanted all year round living," says Sandra. "That is why we have the glass roofs, it feels like you are outside but you are actually inside.
"We have the garden and pool inside so if it is raining or really cold, you can still enjoy your house. This pool doesn't need a lot of maintenance because you are not getting the leaves or dirt blowing into it.
"It is heated and there's a mineral pool as well, so you don't have to do a lot to it. You can just wander from the lounge to the pool and have a splash, you can go to the gym or the sauna; it's like being in a hotel."
Image 1 of 6: Luxury in quiet country setting with space to play is still close to the city.
It's these rooms, including the thriving tropical indoor garden, that the couple retreat to, especially on Sunday mornings when they browse the newspapers; but it's also a space they use for entertaining. "I'm in the entertainment media industry, so we made a fair share of noise over the years. We have had some good parties here for sure," says Sandra.
"Mike recently had his 50th birthday and we had about 70 people and most stayed overnight. Some inside the house, others camped in the paddocks, it was a fabulous night."
The glass-roofed pool room and lounge with the schist fireplace are next tothe family's other living area, which has the dining table, and opens to a covered loggia. The designer kitchen has a butler's pantry and adobe plastered walls like the poolside lounge. Flooring includes travertine floors imported from Turkey; and living space and bathroom floors are heated.
The home's northern wing has the five bedrooms including a guest room with kitchen.
"We built it because my mum and dad would come over for a month at a time from Australia, and Mike's mum would come and stay. We wanted them to feel comfortable and have some nice space. It is almost like a little unit."
There is also a large office near the swimming pool.
Sandra says the aim of the build was to have a timeless design.
"It looks like it has been sitting in this environment for a long time," she says.
"My favourite part is the indoor garden area with the glassed roof. It is always warm because you get so much light. And being a good Aussie chick, I like the warmth.
"We are selling because the girls are ready to go to university and it has become too big for us, so we are looking to get something smaller."
