Country: A picture postcard from Coatesville

CEDRIC GRAY checks out this Mediterranean-style Coatesville property with views to die for.

No wonder Alma Patton speaks so fondly about her kitchen.

It is a room with delightful picture-postcard views that are hard to match in rural Coatesville, north of Auckland. Taking in a fabulous in-ground swimming pool in the foreground, the vista extends across the lawns and pasture to the Coatesville scenic reserve a few hundred metres away.

Alma and Ian Patton own a 2.0740ha property, which is screened from the Coatesville-Riverhead highway by mature trees and shrubs.

The Mediterranean-style house, which was built 20 years ago and extensively modernised recently by the Pattons, is at the end of a paved driveway lined by kowhai, rimu and several exotic species.

Facing north to capture the best of the views across the valley, it has four bedrooms, a large formal lounge, a pool-side open-plan kitchen and family living areas.

The office, the library and two of the bedrooms, including the master bedroom, are on the first floor, along with a rimu-clad bathroom and a spa bath.

The downstairs kitchen is a special favourite of Alma's. The features include granite benchtops, plenty of storage, and most of the modern appliances housed in separate cabinets. It is also within easy reach of the family areas, the laundry, the bathroom and the separate toilet.

The spacious double garage has automatic entry and direct access to the main living area.

The outbuildings include a substantial workshop or barn, where Ian has enjoyed indulging in his passion for restoring classic cars. It has an office on a mezzanine floor, an outdoor balcony and an entertainment area, which could easily be converted into comfortable accommodation.

The three well-fenced paddocks, which include about 60 mature totara, are in good pasture. A freshwater stream defines the property's rear boundary, which adjoins the scenic reserve.

The house is being marketed by The Professionals, Coatesville, at an asking price of $740,000. Phone Peter Page on 415 6777 for further details.