Dairy Flat: Total bliss

A six-year-old home with an Aussie flavour set in an idyllic rural setting offers a taste of paradise, writes VICKI HOLDER.

Tired of being able to reach out from the kitchen window and shake the neighbour's hand, a Ponsonby couple fled the city for the peace and quiet of Dairy Flat.

Six years later when they look outside they no longer see the city lights or hear the eternal hum of traffic.

"The air is crystal clear and the only sound at night is the moreporks. It's beautiful," says the owner.

The property attracts an assortment of bird life and animals, which come to feed or just have a nosy to the delight of the children. Ducks shelter in the pond. Deer from Riverhead Forest, 300m up the valley, sometimes make their way on to the lawn, giving the family just enough time to admire their graceful beauty before they shoo them back where they came from. Pukeko pick the worms from the lawns around the home. The owner says there's not too much to mow as a lot of his land is in native bush, which looks after itself.

When the owners found the property they fell in love with the river and stream that goes up through the bush to a waterfall. As soon as they discovered it wasn't theirs, they quickly bought the additional acre to rectify the situation.

They selected this particular piece of land because of the way it looks north to the sun, yet remains sheltered from prevailing winds behind the forest and bush.

Once they'd chosen their site, they scoured magazines for a design they liked until they hit upon a modern, clean-lined home in an Australian copy of Vogue. It was designed by Australian architect Caroline Pidcock, who also produced the concept for this home.

It has a particularly Australian character with broad verandas that wrap around the living areas and bedrooms. Bifold doors in the living area and french doors from the three bedrooms and study can be left open even when it's raining, so the family can enjoy a great indoor-outdoor flow for most of the year. While the roofline offers shade in summer, the house is not dark, as little square windows high above the veranda make a lovely play of light inside.

The solid plaster house is extremely simple, comprising three pavilions, including the double garage, which can be added to at any stage if the family needs more space. The main pavilion is a big, open-plan living area with a 3.6m stud height. It encompasses a large kitchen plus sitting and dining area, warmed by a log fire to the rear. Hard-wearing Alti doors, with aluminium on the outside and timber on the inside, match the rimu flooring and the beech veneer cabinetry of the kitchen.

A huge stainless-steel bench and breakfast bar separates the kitchen (with Smeg oven and DishDrawers) from the rest of the room.

A study, or fourth bedroom, opens directly off the entry foyer, so students who come to learn to play the piano don't need to enter other parts of the house. Three bedrooms line up for the sun along the north-western aspect.

The bathrooms, including the master en suite, are on the other side of the hall. The essence of simplicity, the family bathroom is clad with tiles on the floor and walls. The shower is open to the rest of the room so there are no walls to clean, and the only piece of furniture is a clawfoot bath. The toilet is in a separate space and the pedestal basin sits in the back entry. Those who come in from the garden can wash their hands as soon as they enter, which has proved a very practical, sensible idea.

About five minutes from Albany village, the university, sports stadium and soon-to-be-completed shopping centre, the property makes a family feel as if they have well and truly escaped. They can drive to Wenderholm and Orewa beaches, which are just a few minutes away, after work. They can explore the streams and play in the waterfall - utter bliss for city kids.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 166 Three Oaks Drive, Dairy Flat.

FEATURES: Peaceful, north-west-facing lifestyle property with large lawns, native bush, stream, river, pond and waterfall; six-year-old solid plaster home with three bedrooms and study; master with en suite; double garage; real log fire in living area; wrap-around verandas; living areas and bedrooms open to verandas.

LAND AREA: 4.82ha.

AUCTION: Midday, June 21, on site.

AGENT: Grant Thorrington, Harcourts, Browns Bay. Ph 477 0848 bus; 025 731 035 mob.