Omaha: On the beach

VICKI HOLDER discovers a beach house in Omaha with a designer difference.

Brand new and ready to welcome a family, this adventurous yet immensely liveable home offers elegant beachside living in Omaha.

Designed by architect Ron Seeto, it is in The Cove, which is at the southern end of the beach with never-to-be-built-out views looking north-west over a reserve. Although sheltered from the wind, it's just a stroll across the sand dunes to the white, sandy beach.

The properties in this smart new half of Omaha Resort have been planned and landscaped to ensure the area avoids the haphazard appearance of the other end of the beach. The sites are larger, more thought has gone into their positions and every home meets strict design criteria. Consequently, the southern end is rapidly turning into an architectural show-and-tell, with the magnificent properties being designed by the cream of Auckland architecture.

Ron Seeto's signature is prominent around these parts, and this home, which he has nick-named The Bird, is a showcase for his skills.

Featuring wings like a bird, the two-storey home has living areas on the ground floor and four bedrooms plus two bathrooms above. The bedrooms open to a shared, north-facing deck with sea views.

Resembling big, old-style, rural water tanks, a curve of vertical batten-and-board cedar gives privacy from the street. It houses a tall, double-height entry passage lit by a skylight, from which all the spaces emanate. According to Seeto, this intriguing, lofty passage was inspired by Michelangelo's Laurentian Library. Wrapping around the stairwell, it provides a secondary link between the dining-kitchen area and the lounge.

Generous living areas form an L-shape around an entertainer's courtyard sheltered by the overhanging roof. Sail cloth extends from the western aspect for much-needed shade on hot afternoons.

Between two walls of glazed sliding doors, a sculptural fireplace is the focal point of the living area. Above the fireplace, a horizontal window gives a peek of the chimney outside.

A pale beech kitchen with Ariston stainless-steel appliances is adjacent to a generous scullery with masses of open shelving. Designed to accommodate food for long holiday periods, it has easy access yet it's tucked away behind the entry. Bifold windows above a honed concrete bench let the chef serve food to guests in the courtyard.

A door between the kitchen and the scullery leads to an internally accessed, fully-lined double garage, which offers additional living/sleeping possibilities. Automatic remote doors at both ends of the garage allow a boat to be brought in and stored securely in the garden.

Although it's a holiday home where people come to relax, attention has been paid to the small details. Polished concrete floors are broken up with strips of jarrah. Dramatic uplighting in the living area lets owners set whatever mood is desired to suit the occasion.

Upstairs, the children's area and a blissful adults' sanctuary are divided into two separate wings. The two bedrooms in the children's wing open to a third bedroom, which can be used as a bunk-room or a second lounge.

The planting around the house was designed by Soljans Landscaping to blend into the existing beachside location. Strappy grasses and silver astelias are combined with cycads, agaves and day lilies.

The slatted timber fencing has been stained the same natural bleached timber colour as the house cladding, while stone from the local Wharehine Quarry provides a sense of solidity in front. A gate at the end of the property opens to a reserve where a boardwalk takes the easy route to the beach.

Given the length of time it takes to get through the design consents and build a new home in Omaha, this luxurious architectural scene-stealer on its large landscaped site presents a particularly appealing option.

Vital statistics

ADDRESS: 17 Taumata Rd, The Cove, Omaha.

FEATURES: Architect Ron Seeto-designed beach house on large landscaped site; never-to-be-built-out, north-west-facing sea views; two living areas with easy flow to courtyards; large kitchen plus scullery; four bedrooms upstairs; two bathrooms; real fire; good storage; polished concrete floors; double garage with dual entry; external shower.

SIZE: Land area 856sq m.

PRICE: $850,000.

AGENT: Michael Dow, Harveys, Warkworth. Ph 09 425 8589 bus; 021 521 505 mob.