Country: A family affair

Freshly refurbished, with a heap of family members involved in the do-up, this property is truly a home sweet home, as CEDRIC GRAY reports.

With several members of the family engaged in the building industry, Andrew and Angela Lett knew that the emphasis would be on quality when they built their new home.

They chose the site carefully - just over a hectare on the western slopes of Scenic Drive in the Waitakere Ranges. The property shares a short, sealed, private road with six others and enjoys lovely bush and pastoral views towards Bethells Beach and Kumeu township.

In no way, however, can the property be described as a typical Scenic Drive retreat. The bush is at arm's length or, to be more precise, there is room for light grazing in two well-fenced paddocks, and the property has been beautifully landscaped. The native bush, for which the Waitakere Ranges is renowned, merely forms a frame around the picture.

The four-bedroom home, which was built 11 years ago, has been almost completely refurbished. With two builders, an electrician and a concrete worker from the family involved, Angela describes the work as a true family affair.

Built on two levels, the upper storey opens to a wrap-around balcony, to make the most of the glorious views and the indoor-outdoor entertaining. The central, modern kitchen is flanked on one side by a cosy family area, and on the other by a large, L-shaped lounge.

The master bedroom, complete with a stylish en suite, is on this level, and rather neatly incorporated in the design is a small office off the hallway.

The downstairs area is equally as appealing. Three double bedrooms share a central bathroom and a tiled lounge, which opens to a deck and a paved area alongside a delightful salt-water swimming pool.

The pool area has been planted with palms to create a subtropical feel, and it's well protected from the prevailing westerly winds.

Subtropical palms also flank the entrance to a stylish two-bedroom cottage on the property. Built three years ago, it features an open-plan design with cathedral ceilings. The main living space opens to a small balcony that overlooks an area newly planted with palms.

LJ Hooker, Kumeu, is taking the property to auction on 26 May. Contact Kathleen Vitasovich on 412 8876 for further details.