KEY POINTS:
50 SYLVAN PARK AVENUE, MILFORD
Like many Kiwis, Sue and Murray Pearson set off on their OE with a backpack each. Eleven years later they returned with two containers of goods, a car and a child (Jo, then aged 4).
They settled on the North Shore, but always had a hankering to live on Lake Pupuke after falling in love with the area and the magic combination of water life and sunsets. They knew properties did not come up very often, so the minute their agent showed them a somewhat tired 1970s box 11 years ago they bought it on the spot.
"The area was just magic, we thought it would be fantastic to live here," recalls Sue. "We ended up selling our holiday house in Taupo because we have that lake magic all year around."
The couple renovated the property in stages, helped by Murray's knowledge of architecture (his company supplies software to the industry). Roger Langley developed the original concepts, opening the cramped house out to the decks and views on the south side and shaving off an unused room to create a sunny outdoor courtyard room on the north.
Allan Taylor Architects developed the concepts, with final renovations completed only a year or so back.
Sue and her brother planted a lot of the sub-tropical garden, calling in the professionals for water features and to refurbish the large pool area.
The property bridges two parks on the lake edge, which feel like private extensions of the lawn.
On the ground floor, the swimming pool terrace - complete with outdoor fire - has a gate directly accessing the lake. Daughter Jo and her friends would slide the kayak across the lawn and straight into the water, while her parents rejoiced in never having to drive her to crack-of-dawn rowing practice. In fact, they loved that the house became a magnet for teens all through Jo's high school years - often eight or more would sleep over in the enormous rumpus room (or one of the downstairs bedrooms).
Upstairs, Sue and Murray had their own private living quarters - a master suite with lake views, a large open plan kitchen and dining room and a sophisticated fire-warmed living room.
The couple retained the simple square lines of the 1970s architecture, but added wide decks and see-through shutters between rooms to offer views of the lake from all points of the house. The Creazioni kitchen, a combination of rich lacquer, frosted glass, stainless steel and marble has every conceivable fitting.
The north facing walled garden is a sun-trap all year around: the family have hosted dinners for 50 with tables spread between front and back terraces, all enjoying the wonderful views. There is also an outdoor office, currently used as a jewellery-making studio by Sue. But kids grow up, businesses are sold and the Pearsons are now ready for the next stage in their life: a small lock-up-and-leave property (ideally near the water they love so much) and back on the road travelling. Only with more comforts than backpacks, this time around.
SIZE: Land 895sq m, house 288sq m plus terraces.
PRICE INDICATION: $3.15 million. Sale by negotiation.
INSPECT: By appointment.
ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz #451273
CONTACT: Victoria Bidwell, Bayleys, ph 021 947 080.
SCHOOL ZONES: Milford Primary, Takapuna Intermediate, Westlake Boys High School, Westlake Girls High School.
FEATURES: Lakefront home recently renovated with separate study or fifth bedroom, formal living and a large rumpus leading out to the pool. Undercover boat parking.
