KEY POINTS:
A mother of four knew how to help design a home to suit a bustling family, and make the most of a reserve next door.
144A Riddell Road, Glendowie.
Deborah Downey opens the front door in a Desperate Housewives apron, laughing. Do we have to guess whether her family home - designed for four active boys and two busy parents - is more like that of Bree (immaculate, well organised) or Lynette (kid friendly, full of action)? The answer is a bit of both.
Deborah and her husband Shane knew exactly the sort of home they wanted to build to suit their expanding family, they just had to find the right spot.
Hours driving around the streets of Glendowie trying to lull baby number three off to sleep eventually paid off. They spotted this section on the edge of the reserve on the Wednesday and had bought it by the Saturday.
"Could you get any better than this?" exclaims Deborah, waving at the acres of park, the views of the Eastern beaches, and the Tahuna Torea nature reserve where the family cycles.
And there are less obvious benefits - a walking bus that escorts children to schools and pre-schools, a kid friendly neighbourhood, the enormous "back lawn" mowed by the council.
The family lived in the original 1940s cottage until they subdivided, then camped nearby in a tiny two-bedroom house while their dream home took shape.
And dreams helped: Deborah says for several years before she had strongly visualised how her family would live here, and, with an architect friend, narrowed down and refined the plans.
The couple chose to maximise living over three split levels, with family living on the middle floor with the best views of the park and sea, an adult retreat a few steps up at the quiet back of the house, and a kids' zone on the ground floor.
Beautifully finished beech floors and soft colours create a serene background for the busy family, the boys now aged 3, 5, 7 and 9. Outdoors, bach-like marine ply finishes remind the family of old-style holidays at their favourite Waihi Beach.
Deborah's thoughtful design details start with an enormous walk-in coat closet by the front door that corrals boots, sports gear, school bags into one dry, orderly spot.
The laundry room opens out to a sunny drying yard, hemmed with fruit trees and herb garden. The downstairs kids playroom opens onto a deck, a shell finished yard ("We're at the beach year round," says Deborah), and even a dedicated enclosure for the family's pet rabbit and guinea pigs.
A giant old fig tree - remnant of the original garden - produces fruit for Shane's favourite breakfast. Best of all, the gate opens on to the biggest playground for the boys and all their neighbourhood friends. Deborah's only maintenance work is delivering platters of food at regular intervals to the hungry hoards.
Those platters are put together in a kitchen cleverly designed to incorporate a kids' zone at one end away from the danger of tripping up the cook: a dedicated pantry holds snacks, breakfast and lunch items.
A further pantry is dedicated for baking, another opens up to hold homework gear and games. Crisp doors hide the mess when not in use.
A giant bay window is home to a pair of armchairs, for quiet moments soaking up the sun and views. The dramatic ceilings, and large deck open up the living end of the open-plan space.
The master bedroom is a retreat in cool, calm blues and frosted glass, hidden from neighbours and noise.
Deborah's enthusiasm for a well-designed life has meant that the family are now planning another project, so their slice of great living is available for some other lucky family.
VITAL STATISTICS
BEDROOMS: 5
BATHROOMS: 2+
GARAGES: 2+
SIZE: 470sq m, house 256sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $1.1 million. Auction May 16.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.30pm.
ON THE WEB: www.open2view.co.nz #152324
SCHOOL ZONES: Glendowie School (primary and intermediate),Glendowie
College, close to Sacred Heart College.
CONTACT: Pauline Brown, Ray White, ph 021 731 023.
FEATURES: Architect designed family home built in 2005 adjacent to Glendowie Park, with views through to Eastern Beaches. Three levels of family living, including sheltered outdoor gardens, second living room and well-designed storage.
