Coatesville: Free rein

A property with a modest 1970s home has been transformed to make it ideal for horse lovers and family living.

146 Glenmore Rd, Coatesville

When people move out to the country they inevitably harbour dreams of wide-open paddocks, kids riding horses around the neighbourhood, and raising animals for calf club day. But be careful what you wish for.

When Wendy and Neil Baudinet bought their 4.9ha farm on Glenmore Road in Coatesville some 20 years ago, it was so Wendy could continue her horse riding. But daughters Olivia and Victoria (now 17 and 14) were so badly bitten by the horse bug that the family now finds they need more land for the girls' horses and have bought a bigger spread further up the road.

``Olivia got a great showjumping pony when she was about 12 and then it all took off,'' explains Wendy. ``She's gone through Young Rider all the way to the Australian Youth Olympics last year. Twelve acres is fine for about three horses, but we needed room for eight.''

The family is serious about its sport, driving most weekends to meets around the country. A large American style barn has loose boxes for three horses, a workshop and tack room, as well as room for a five-horse float. It also houses a neighbour's donkey, in typical country style.
``It is a wonderful place for kids, we always trained the pet lambs for championships,'' recalls Wendy.

``Neil was a champion tennis player, so always taught the girls to set goals and achieve their dreams, in sport and life. And we did this with this house, too.''

Neil eventually built his home tennis court, but more importantly, the couple transformed the modest 1970s home when the children were born to accommodate a busy family and the entertaining they love.

With the help of award-winning architect Ken Crosson, the house was re-shaped and extended up and out, its lines smoothed with concrete plaster and double asphalt shingles. Cedar windows and doors and rimu joinery create rich craftsman finishes, while insulation and underfloor heating keeps the house warm and toasty in Auckland's coldest winter.

A stylish kitchen and family room opens on to the extensive terraces with views across to the north and plenty of outdoor sun. In a morning courtyard off the laundry is a delightful potager and herb garden, a great spot for a quiet retreat on the bench Neil made.

Off the kitchen hub, the formal living (with a cosy Jetmaster fire) and dining rooms open to afternoon decks and the swimming pool. A pocket of native bush provides a soothing outlook for these rooms and the master bedroom above.

Crosson used wide hallways, changing ceiling levels and built in plenty of storage in the renovation. Only the former garage gives a clue to the original house. It is now transformed into a rumpus room or gym, with its own bathroom.

Three large double bedrooms and family bathroom on the ground floor are finished in subtle designer colours, reflecting the bush and garden outlooks.

Upstairs the master suite is almost a second house: a mezzanine sitting room leads into the study. Off the master bedroom, the en suite has a tub with views into the bush.

A walk through the dressing room leads to yet another sitting room, wired for theatre. With the addition of more windows, this space could be opened into an even larger room using the enormous roof cavity.

``The road is very quiet, and the kids were close to the pony club,'' says Wendy. ``They had their own little driveway through the bush from the stables to the paddocks. It has been such a beautiful house to live in. We'd always have friends over for entertaining, people could just spread out. But we're re-creating its mood further down the road on the bigger land.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 1+

SIZE: Land 4.9072 ha, house 350sq m, barn 196sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Properties in the area sell between $1.5 million to $3 million. Tenders close July 6.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-3pm.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz/450717

CONTACT: Tracey Free or Heather Hitchings, Bayleys, ph 414 0953 bus, 0274 803 334 (Tracey), 021 599 760 (Heather).

FEATURES: A Ken Crosson-renovated country house of solid plaster and cedar joinery. Swimming pool, tennis court and expansive lawns amidst mature gardens. A large barn with stables and fenced paddocks.