Maungakaramea: Gem stone

This quirky home made of stone is far from the average rural retreat.

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

If you're sick of city life and keen on gardening, you'd better stop reading this straight away, because Talia Mana's groovy home and relaxing lifestyle in Maungakaramea could be just the thing to make you want to up sticks and head for the country.

The cool stone home is about 2.5km from the village and 20km south-west of Whangarei, and the design was inspired by renowned artist and architect Frederick Hundertwasser, who captivated New Zealand with the design of the Kawakawa public toilets.

Unique is the only way to describe this charismatic home with all the charm of a European farmhouse combined with some interesting features, including rooftop gardens and circular living areas.

Talia was smitten the first time she viewed the home and surprised that she was even contemplating buying it. "I wasn't looking at moving this far north. I was only planning to be an hour away from Auckland, but the house really captivated me because it is so unusual - a dream house. I fell in love with it," she says.

Almost finished, the home was about three years old and had been an on-going project for the original owners when Talia bought it about a year ago. Set in 1ha of gorgeous subtropical gardens, the home's character comes from the clever combination of rustic materials and European touches.

Talia, who has always liked stone homes, was intrigued by the circular lounges, farm-style kitchen and quirky features prevalent in almost every room. In fact, the overall package is not to be sniffed at. "I like the round architecture. Most homes are just square boxes," she says.

"It has some unusual features like gardens on two of the roofs, and in one of the bathrooms it has amazing tiles in a cool design."

Looking to escape from Auckland and be privy to some much-needed peace and quiet, the home had that certain something. And although the section is fairly large - well, for most city slickers, that is - this didn't deter Talia from wanting to live here.

"I really didn't think about the size of the land. I found the house and figured I could sort it out. It has been a learning experience for me as I have never grazed land before, so I didn't really know anything about it. But the local farmers have been very co-operative."

Leasing out the paddocks (16.84ha) to neighbouring farmers to graze cattle left only the 1ha of garden around the house for Talia, who confesses to not being a natural gardener, to maintain and develop.

Helped by her mother, Talia now says she knows all the names of the plants in the garden. And with thousands of dollars worth of plants - including aloes, palms, bromeliads, succulents, cabbage trees, yuccas, dragon trees, bird of paradise, pittosporums, roses, black taro, water lilies, olives, poplars, renga renga lilies and an orchard - that is no mean feat.

Although a lot of the garden was already landscaped, Talia has expanded the lush surrounds - all in keeping with the original plantings - and added stones around the garden beds to separate them into rooms and sawdust to keep the weeds at bay.

Talia says that although many of the plantings are young, in five or 10 years the garden will look amazing.

Finishing off the outside with a circular driveway that sweeps around past the home, Talia is well-pleased with her efforts.

Inside the house, behind its chunky front door, the 250sq m home is adequately proportioned with its three bedrooms, en suite, two living areas, large kitchen and upstairs loft-cum-study (which could be developed into another bedroom).

Giving the home warmth, macrocarpa is used in the cabinetry and doors, and the high stud with its exposed beams adds to the crafty ambience. The perfect back-drop for an eclectic mix of furnishings, the home has something for everyone. Although, Talia did wonder how she was going to furnish the circular living rooms. "It's not really designed for square furniture. You definitely need things that are curved."

A soothing and tranquil abode, a fireplace, which can be seen from the living area, and the plaster walls resembling concrete are central to the kitchen's welcoming farmhouse style, while pedestal basins and brass tapware solidify the bathrooms. Modern touches are introduced in the enormous master bedroom with its en suite and walk-in wardrobe, and large doors opening to the patio/barbecue area are perfect for alfresco entertaining.

About 100m from the house, a converted cowshed is adequately fitted out with a kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom. With its own parking, it is currently rented.

Sold as a complete package, or as the house and 1 ha of land, or just the 16.84ha of land with the converted cowshed, Talia admits if she didn't have to move closer to Auckland, she would be hard pushed to ever leave.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Tangihua Rd, Maungakaramea.

FEATURES: Unique stone three-bedroom home with a tile roof, tile floor and wooden joinery; en suite; two-car garaging with internal access; exposed beams and high stud; macrocarpa pantry, cupboards and doors; heating is by a wood-fire oven and a coal range; also an electric oven with a gas hob; upstairs can be developed into another bedroom - at present an office; rooftop gardens; stunningly landscaped around house; one-bedroom accommodation in cowshed.

SIZE: Land area 17.84ha; floor area 250sq m.

AGENTS: Sue Danks and Brian Marsh, Wrightson Real Estate. Ph Sue 021 276 5392; Brian 0274 983 809.