Whitford: Beauty and comfort

Set in an idyllic location is this sensational yet practical home offering a rural lifestyle and spellbinding views. By VICKI HOLDER.

After years spent sampling the delights of Asian cultures, a family returned to settle down with many exotic treasures in an idyllic lifestyle property in Whitford.

Swapping exhilaration for the peace and quiet of the countryside, they built a home that doesn't miss a chance to savour stunning rural and coastal views.

Long and low, it looks due north across rolling green pastures and a natural bush reserve tucked down in the valley, which ends at Broomfields Peninsula. With the islands of the Hauraki Gulf stretching out in the distance, it's a sensational place that makes coming home well worth it.

Cleverly designed, the house features many angles that jut outwards. These create private, outdoor living areas from almost every room. The owners have a choice of sunny spots to entertain in while enjoying the views. Even the kitchen opens through a set of double doors to a sheltered, paved barbecue patio, partially enclosed by an arbour covered in violet bougainvillea. Built-in timber seating under the arbour offers guests a place to sit and watch the pet flock of black-faced Suffolk sheep squabble over dinner in the paddocks below.

The living areas are generous. Adjoining the big, farmhouse-style kitchen, an open-plan casual family space is big enough to comfortably house a sitting area around an enclosed Jayline firebox and an enormous round timber dining table. Topped with an impressive Carrara marble surface, the owner explains he shipped it back from Bali. Because of its impressive size, he's willing to part with it and leave it where it is.

Fine blue/green wool carpet in the seating area switches to terracotta tiles beneath the dining table and flowing into the kitchen. A track of tiles also runs around the edges of the room beneath the floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors. The windows are tinted, but the tiles help protect the carpet from fading.

The large kitchen features cream-coloured Fyfe cabinetry beset with Corian benches. A big corner pantry is complemented by substantial cupboard and drawer space.

Through double doors, the adjacent formal room is shaped to connect various areas, allowing several seating configurations at once. Offering the traditional comfort without the hassle of kindling, a log fire on the rear wall kick-starts into action at the flick of a built-in gas lighter.

Tall, glass climate-control windows open out either way to suit the direction of the breeze. Doors open to another terrace just outside the window, which is wired for a water feature. The entire outdoor area around the house can be lit by sensor lighting, which comes on at night. Controlled by the music system in the formal area, sound is piped to speakers throughout the interior.

A dedicated study beside the front entry is convenient for those who wish to work from home. If required, it could also become the fifth bedroom as it houses a wardrobe.

Lights automatically come on as you head along the hallways to the other four large bedrooms. The master suite, in its own wing away from the children, includes a large, fully-tiled en suite with a spa bath and separate toilet. Little luxuries make bathing more pleasurable, including a heated mirror, dimmers, a built-in hair dryer, overhead heaters and extractors. All three children's bedrooms open outdoors. The eldest daughter has a semi-en suite off the hallway and the family bathroom features dual entries to the hallway as well as the triple-car garage, so when someone comes in dirty from the garden, they don't traipse mud inside.

Similarly a boot/storage cupboard has dual access between the garage and the hallway. The linen press has doors from the laundry as well as the hallway, and another cupboard is accessed from both the kitchen and the hallway. Many practical design ideas make this beautiful country home exceptional.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 6 Wades Rd, Whitford.

FEATURES: Lifestyle property with five grazing paddocks and an orchard paddock; private and sunny; rural and Hauraki Gulf views; many outdoor living areas; two big internal living areas with fireplaces; four bedrooms, master with dressing room and en suite; three bathrooms, including two en suites; practical storage ideas; outdoor lighting; electric security gates; copper spouting.

SIZE: Land area 2.16ha.

AUCTION: 7pm, July 14, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.

AGENT: Wayne Rawson, Ray White Preview Realty. Ph 530 8060 bus; 025 824 662 mob.