Greenhithe: To the manor born

Straight out of one of England's home counties is this stunning country estate with grounds to match. By VICKI HOLDER.

June and Ian Hendry arrived in New Zealand on August 8, 1988, which is an auspicious date on the Asian calendar.

Having lived in Hong Kong for six years, the Scottish couple developed a healthy respect for Asian cultural traditions. They believed if they set the right time to begin their life in New Zealand, their future would be blessed with good fortune.

And luck did shine down on the Hendrys. Ian established a successful business, Sovereign Assurance. June attained her dream of finding the spacious, traditional brick, English country home with a huge garden and a swimming pool. Boasting tall ceilings, deep scotias and ornate cornices, it could have been custom-built to her specifications. The home was painstakingly created with quality modern materials, incorporating old world flavour using rustic bricks and traditional steel windows recycled from an old hotel in the city.

Coming from an apartment in Hong Kong, it seemed like the Hendrys had hit the jackpot. Bordered by a reserve and a pony club, this large estate seemed to satisfy all the requirements of a family with the best of country living close to the city.

Although the three-year-old home was what June envisaged, it needed to be further developed before it was perfect. Over the last 12 years, the Hendrys have done plenty to the property, grooming it both inside and out.

Originally, the beautifully landscaped grounds were bare. Now the vast lawns are planted with islands of green, and flowering camellias and magnolias ensure absolute privacy. A bog garden with a 1m-long eel in the pond entices from one corner. On special occasions the Hendrys' grandchildren race to the statues in the shrubbery to see what their "fancy ladies" have brought them.

As there was no connection between the house and the garden, the Hendrys added expansive decks and patios that reach across the rear part of the house. Now entertaining moves effortlessly from inside out to the garden. All the living areas downstairs open to the sun and several bedrooms upstairs ease out to a large balcony. Even the double garage and laundry open to an enormous deck.

When their daughter returned from Switzerland, they built a self-contained apartment for her downstairs. Now that she's moved on, guests get to use their own beautiful pale oak kitchen in the living area.

The basic kitchen in the family area of the house was replaced with a spacious redesign in solid American oak. The chef has a choice between the large, industrial-style Viking stove and gas hob or the traditional Aga beneath the brick chimney.

The living areas were refurbished in quiet, traditional style befitting an English country home. Drapes in the formal lounge off the marble foyer are understated so as not detract from the stunning design of the tall arched windows featuring classical steel joinery. Rust red drapes frame sweeping views of the garden from the dining room. A salmon-hued carpet with a small fleur de lys pattern flows throughout.

Three bathrooms were redesigned and underfloor heating installed in the en suites. In the guest apartment, the basin now perches in a traditional English timber vanity. The en suite from the guest room includes a spa bath. The one from the master bedroom has a richly grained oak vanity and matching makeup bench.

The home has four bedrooms, including that of the downstairs apartment. A large study upstairs could also be utilised as a fifth bedroom, although it has serious storage for paperwork along one wall.

In typical English country style, all the rooms are large - from the grand marble foyer beset with sparkling crystal chandeliers to the farm entry between the garaging and the kitchen.

Located behind pillared entry gates at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this picturesque property is just a short stroll from Greenhithe village. It invites a privileged lifestyle away from the stresses of city living.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 8 Faith Grove, Greenhithe.

FEATURES: English country-style estate with traditional homestead set in park-like grounds; large living areas opening to sunny, private terraces; new American oak kitchen with Viking and Aga cookers; self-contained living downstairs with another pale oak kitchen, sitting area, bedroom and bathroom; three bedrooms plus study upstairs; internal-access double garaging; underfloor heating in two of three bathrooms; heated swimming pool.

SIZE: Land area 4,475sq m.

AUCTION: August 6, at Bayleys Maritime Square auction rooms.

AGENT: Haydn Smith, Bayleys Culmer Realty. Ph 416 7788 bus; 021 971 171 mob.