Karaka: Pretty as a picture

VICKI HOLDER explores a picturesque home where fountains flow and the ocean laps at the bottom of the garden.

Wandering through the waterfront garden of this property in Karaka Park, you get the feeling you've stepped into a Constable painting. Rambling pink roses climb exuberantly over post and rail fencing along the cobbled drive. Sheltered paths weave alongside inky ponds where ducks float contentedly among the water lilies and a small dinghy tugs gently at a jetty.

All is quiet apart from faint watery sounds. A fountain rustles the surface of one of the ponds. Small waterfalls tumble over rocks, almost hidden in the lush, strappy greenery clinging to the edges. As the water is constantly recycled, it dashes along a narrow channel between the ponds, churning a wooden water wheel.

The planting scheme is the only difference between what the English artist might have painted and the scene at Ashbrook. Mingled with many deciduous trees and flowering shrubs, a mass of native ferns, trees and sub-tropical palms are fed by extensive automatic irrigation systems to ensure the gardens at this lifestyle property thrive in a coat of green all year round. The owners, Errol Hussey and Dianne Robinson, assure it's easy-care and a retired gent visits one and a half days a week to keep it groomed.

A large area down towards the Pahurehure Inlet was left in grassy lawn so the owners can land a helicopter here. And another grassy paddock stands empty between the house and the road, leaving room for a pool and tennis court.

Errol and Dianne bought the property eight years ago. The previous owners, Gwyn and Patricia Powell, originally designed and planted the grounds to create an award-winning garden. The house was built by Gwyn who is responsible for many other homes in the neighbourhood. He designed it so nearly all the living areas on the ground floor and most of the bedrooms above gain garden and estuary views. Most rooms also open through sliding doors to the deck, terrace or balconies.

Errol and Dianne totally refurbished the home 18 months ago in a neutral colour scheme, warmed by the rich patina of built-in cherry-wood cabinetry.

The sun-bathed living area downstairs extends from the family area and kitchen at one end to the formal dining room and lounge. At the far end, in front of the laundry and passage to the carport and two-car garaging, is a games room big enough for a full-size pool table. Tucked behind the family area is a home theatre with entertainment systems concealed inside a cherry-wood cabinet matched by shelving underneath the window. Images are cast from the ceiling-mounted projector onto a large screen, which comes with a surround-sound system and bass box. The screen is connected to the video and Sky TV digital and has inputs for video games.

The kitchen allows for easy indoor/outdoor entertaining, with bifold windows above the granite bench and a granite servery just beneath the sill. Cherry-wood drawers and above-the-bench bifold doors break up the expanse of beige lacquered cabinets.

Underfloor heating keeps the tiled floor cosy in the family area, while fast and effective infra-red ceiling heating throws warmth in the main bedrooms, home theatre and formal rooms. Elegant cream silk drapes in the latter areas maintain that warmth at night.

There are five bedrooms in total. Visitors stay downstairs in the guestroom, which has a Carrara marble bathroom opposite. Upstairs, the master bedroom suite, with sumptuous marble en suite and fitted dressing room, is slightly separated from the other bedrooms by a study. The master bedroom opens out through sliding glass doors onto a choice of two balconies, from which the owners can watch the tide weave its magic.

All the bathrooms are beautifully detailed with marble vanities, big mirrors, frosted glass lights and plentiful under-bench storage behind cherry-wood doors.

Tucked away in its tranquil waterfront setting in a prestigious subdivision, Ashbrook offers state-of-the-art living with plenty of room for relaxing or entertaining family and friends.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 47 Island View Rd, Karaka Park, Papakura.

FEATURES: Lifestyle property on the waterfront with prolific, well-groomed, irrigated gardens; 100 sprinklers in five separate zones; lawn sprinklers disappear when not in use; ponds; water features; helicopter pad; 11-year-old home, refurbished 18 months ago; five bedrooms; study; home theatre with entertainment system; games room; underfloor heating in kitchen runs on lower-cost night-rate power; infra-red ceiling heating in lounge, dining room, home theatre and main bedroom; monitored burglar alarm; Rosehill College and Strathallan College nearby.

SIZE: Land area 1.0010ha.

AUCTION: On-site at 1pm, November 17.

AGENT: Chris Amies, Harcourts, Papakura. Ph 298 6024 bus; 025 977 108 mob.