Ramarama: Perfect paradise

This as-new, private hideaway offers a country oasis within reach of the city, as VICKI HOLDER reports.

A challenging do-up project in Ramarama so inspired its new owners that it became their overriding passion.

Pouring heart and soul into a radical transformation, John and Delma Harrison have created an idyllic hidden paradise that feels like a tropical resort, which is only 35 minutes from Auckland's CBD.

Well-known Auckland animal lover Bob Kerridge originally built the house in a sheltered, natural environment with its own warm microclimate, which is tucked into a valley bisected by the Maungatawhiri River. When he abandoned the property halfway towards completion, John Harrison took the reigns, intending to sell once he'd developed the landscaping.

Not one to do things by halves, John's wife, Delma, insisted that if they were to do the job properly, they would have to bring the home's interior up to the same high standard. And so began a mammoth makeover, where no expense was spared coaxing this near-new home to perfection.

As a publican - living the fast life in the busy entertainment industry - Delma saw the house, in its peaceful, hidden setting, as her salvation. "I found I would come away from the city and relax," she says. "It's an amazing lifestyle, well worth the drive out here. And it's so easy - just two minutes from the motorway."

As the property was developed it became so enticing that Delma semi-retired last April so that she could spend more time relaxing in the garden and the pool.

Two and a half years ago gorse crept to the edge of the drive and smothered the paddocks above the house. After clearing the weeds, John and Delma added a large free-form swimming pool with a waterfall in front of the house. Shipping in 90 tonnes of natural stone, they established gardens around the pool comprising palms and cycads for a lush, tropical setting.

They extended a deck on one side of the house from the master bedroom across the kitchen and living area. Lounging on the deck, you can peer down through the glass balustrade into the stream as it trips over boulders in the river bed below. The gentle sound of water is ever-present and the birds are drawn to this woodland haven.

Delma and John rearranged the boulders to create a garden just below the house on an island. They replanted the river valley as far as the eye could see with native trees and ferns. Grass rolls over the verges so it appears as a magical fairytale glade.

The house was well-designed, with good architectural bones and a soaring roofline. However, the exterior has been enhanced by schist columns and a pergola.

Inside, rich red kwila flooring heads along a deep aubergine-coloured passage, past an office and wine cellar, the guest bathroom and laundry, to a luxurious entertaining space. In this big, wide-open living area, the walls reach up to skylights 9m above. An imposing schist fireplace anchors the room to give the atmosphere of a country lodge between bifold windows opening to the deck.

Lit with uplighters and halogens, a semi-enclosed TV nook with built-in speakers off the living area offers a cosy space to retire to in the evenings. Bifold doors on two walls open the sun room around the corner to the deck.

Kitchen and bathroom designer Sue Gillbanks helped Delma design the kitchen and three new bathrooms using subtle greys and taupes for an appealing contemporary character. In the three bathrooms, simple, clean lines are set off with quality fittings. Each shares the same rustic floor tiles, glossy white wall tiles and designer basins, toilets and heated towel rails.

Beside the dining space, the kitchen is quietly unobtrusive in silvery grey cabinetry and herringbone veneer. It opens across a honed, grey granite bench so Delma can serve directly to the deck outside. An Ilve double oven and hob are teamed with a Miele dishwasher and Fisher & Paykel fridge-freezer.

A tall gallery leads to the master bedroom suite and a second bedroom next door. Surrounded by bifolds looking into the green of the valley, the master bedroom exudes a sense of calm. It features a soaring ceiling and, next door, an en suite of grand proportions. Cedar shutters control light and privacy in all three bedrooms and bathrooms.

There's plenty of room for guests who are lured by the intoxicating ambience. As well as the main house, a new self-contained apartment with a kitchen, living area and bedroom sits above the three-car garaging at the foot of the drive.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 1624 Old Great South Rd, Ramarama.

FEATURES: As-new, resort-style country oasis with architecturally designed, recently updated home; large landscaped pool with lighting; river runs alongside house in a sheltered woodland glade; large, open-plan living area with TV room and sun room; great outdoor flow to enormous barbecue deck; three bedrooms; three bathrooms; office; wine cellar; large laundry and storage room; separate new self-contained apartment with kitchen and fourth bedroom above three-car garaging; security gates.

SIZE: Land area 1.6ha.

AUCTION: 7pm, February 24, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Ara Tai Drive, Half Moon Bay, Auckland.

AGENT: Christine and Warwick Fowler, Ray White, Mountfort Estate, Bucklands Beach. Ph 535 8128 bus; 021 930 529 mob.