Titirangi - Cut out and keep

A cleverly designed home makes a bold statement in its bush setting.

51 Kohu Road, Titirangi.

Repeated trips to west coast beaches to run their dogs convinced Daniel and Clare Rogan that they should abandon the inner city for the leafy beauty of Titirangi.

``We lived in Eden Terrace and we used to come out west to the beaches with the dogs [Rottweilers Gemma and Kofi] all the time, and we just thought it would be a nice place to get out of the rat race,'' says Clare.

Daniel adds, ``We used to stop at Titirangi village and have a coffee and look at the real estate mags, and grew to really like it out here.''

Two years ago they came to view 51 Kohu Road. ``We had been looking for six months but when we saw this, we knew it was the one,'' says Daniel.

As a builder, Daniel was blown away with the detailing in the cedar-clad home.

``The quality of the workmanship and materials was one thing that impressed me, but also the extra effort that went into things like the cut-outs, the windows and the suspended ceiling.''

Coming down the driveway, the house has a striking presence in its bush setting. Windows are placed so you can see through the house and into the bush beyond.

A covered walkway cleverly connects the double garage to the house and encloses a giant ponga to dramatic effect. Cut-outs in the walls inside and outside the house allow light to penetrate and provide a series of interesting viewing points, as well as a sense of connection.

The glazed double-height entranceway takes you past the dining area and into the open plan kitchen and living room. The large kitchen has a gas hob - run off reticulated gas - and a breakfast bar.

The adjoining living area has aluminium sliders that pull back from the pillar-less northeast corner of the house to make it one with the deck, the swimming pool and spa pool.

Beyond the pool is a stand of regenerating bush that includes nikau, ponga and some fine kauri specimens. A concrete path that winds down the back of the section invites you to take a closer look.

The separate lounge, which also opens on to the deck, has a soaring, pitched ceiling - another unexpected feature that makes you feel there is a surprise around every corner.

It has a cosy feel given you step down into it, and with its gas fire and stone hearth.

Once again, the wall between it and the dining room is cut out. Upstairs there is another quirky feature in the gallery office, which is open to and overlooks the living areas and can be shut off with sliding solid cedar shutters.

John loves this space because he can stay in touch with what's happening in the rest of the house while he's working. In moments of raw optimism he's been known to yell out for a coffee to Clare when she's in the kitchen.

Beyond the office is the master bedroom which has a north-facing balcony with views over the treetops and out to the harbour. It also has a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite that connects with the toilet in the hallway via a sliding door.

The couple, who are expecting their first child, have no real need to move but as Clare says, ``Dan wants a project and this house is too done.''

Daniel agrees, ``We want to stay local, but I've got quite a lot of good ideas from living out here and from this house that I'd like to use.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 2+

SIZE: Land area 1414sq m, house 170 sq m.

PRICE: CV $600,000. Tender closes September 12 at 4pm.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12-12-30pm.

ON THE WEB: www.harveys.co.nz # TT3027

CONTACT: Jacqui Gardiner, Harveys Titirangi, ph 817 8011 bus, 021 894 940.

FEATURES: Architect designed house in bush setting with north-facing decks and living areas. Swimming pool and spa pool. Mains gas.