Dairy Flat: Going bush

By SHARON NEWEY.

There'S going bush, then there's going bush in style. Which is what the owners of this elegant home did four years ago when they built on a mostly bush-clad section in Dairy Flat. Now they are moving on and leaving the joys of waking to bird calls for someone else to savour.

Being by the bush doesn't mean damp and dark. The house, designed by Sang Architects, nestles with its back to the mature trees and fernery, but the front has a view which explodes over the surrounding pasture, reaching far to the north and soaking up plenty of sunshine. Virtually the entire length of this side of the house opens to a meticulously landscaped garden and large entertainer's patio and deck. Fragrant gardenias and roses mingle with puka and palms. At the centre of it all is a dramatic moon gate, bearing the circular motif that is evident throughout the house.

At the main entrance, a circle is cut into the gate. Beyond that, an intimate and sheltered entry courtyard leads to double doors, stamped with a large circular window. The pattern is echoed in another round window framing a bush view on the opposite side of the slate-floored entry, and in the courtyard's simple landscaping.

Timber is another recurring theme. The house's cedar walls blend with the bush and inside, macrocarpa sarked ceilings soar cathedral-like above the living areas. A deep free-form macrocarpa mantelpiece sits above the Jetmaster fireplace.

Arranged with two bedroom wings around a central living area, the house is perfect for guests or teenage children. Although a little off the beaten track, it could be used as a homestay. A second two-bedroom dwelling on the property gives further flight to that idea, or could be rented out, as it is currently.

The first wing is to the right of the entrance foyer and contains a small living area with french doors to the garden, a bathroom, two bedrooms and a kitchenette. The second wing is a private master suite. A huge walk-through wardrobe is neatly housed behind a dramatic cobalt blue wall, and the tiled en suite is extra large with a separate shower, two vanities and a bath.

Bifold doors lead off the master bedroom to the garden and patio. The current owners talk about being gently woken not only by birdsong but by the dappled sunlight as it comes through the trees and plays across the windows.

The living area is also sectioned into two parts - a family room next to the kitchen, and the larger formal living and dining which opens to a spacious deck with boat-rigger-style balustrading for uninterrupted views.

A tall forest green feature wall provides the backbone to the living area and helps create a short hallway behind the kitchen. Here, the rich aubergine cabinetry melds beautifully with stainless-steel benchtops and Smeg appliances. Sliding windows above the bench open for practical use to the entertaining patio and also allow the cook to enjoy the view. Described as the most practical kitchen the owner has every worked in, it has the proportions of a farmhouse kitchen but the look of a designer apartment.

Back towards the front gate, a two-bedroom cottage is a good renter or could be used for guests who want more privacy. It has its own single garage and parking.

There are other neighbours at the cul-de-sac end of this rural road but they are tucked out of view. Many of them also have bush on their land and there is a long-held dream by these like-minded people to develop proper interconnecting bush walks.

Heading back towards Albany, only a 10-minute drive away, the only other living creatures in evidence are the odd pukeko, some black-faced sheep and a horse or two.

But then that's the best of living in the country but so close to the city - peace and quiet when you need it; or a bit of city buzz when you want it.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 169 Three Oaks Dr, Dairy Flat.

FEATURES: Easy-care, four-year-old, Sang-designed house with three bedrooms (two in a self-contained guest wing), two full bathrooms plus a guest toilet, family room, formal living, two fireplaces, master suite with en suite and walk-through wardrobe, separate laundry, double garage with workshop, extensive outdoor living, four water tanks.

SIZE: 256sq m house on 3.2ha (approx 85 percent in bush).

AGENT: Rob Kuypers, Harcourts Top Bays Realty, Albany. Ph 441 4200 bus; 448 2277 ah; 021 370 213 mob.