Lap of luxury in Dairy Flat

224B Bawden Rd, Dairy Flat, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

224B BAWDEN RD DAIRY FLAT

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SIZE: Land 1.3ha, house approximately 479sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $2.35 million. Tender June 1.

INSPECT: Sunday 1.15-2pm.

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/301613211

SCHOOL ZONES: Dairy Flat School, Long Bay College, Albany Junior and Senior High Schools.

CONTACT: Jo Lanigan and Carol Rockelrath, Bayleys North Shore, ph 021 279 5468 (Jo), or 027 616 3311 (Carol).

FEATURES: Elegant lifestyle property with solid masonry home opening to outdoor loggia and pool/spa complex.

The Pattersons only meant to check out this lifestyle property for renovation inspiration, but were so taken with it, they exchanged their city home for a lifestyle-block.

Jim Patterson reckons it reminded him of a graceful Cambridge horse stud, with its maple trees, post-and-rail fencing, barn complex and elegant home.

In late-2008 he, wife Lynette and children were living in Mairangi Bay in a three-level house that couldn't have been more suburban.

As Jim recalls: "We could hear the noise from the neighbourhood cafes and just about reach out and touch the neighbouring houses."

Their home needed renovation and advertisements for this Dairy Flat property prompted them to visit an open home just to seek some inspiration.

Lynette says, "We instantly fell in love with the house and its location."

Jim adds, "So we moved from the heart of the cafe scene to the heart of the countryside."

They were impressed by how warm the home was, being orientated due north and built of solid masonry with an asphalt tile roof.

The property was built by a developer as his own residence a couple of years earlier - and he'd spared no expense. The extravagant pool-spa complex was modelled on a pool he'd seen when holidaying in Las Vegas.

It gets lots of comments from visitors and features a rock formation with a slide into the pool, waterfall, multi-coloured night lighting and imitation glow worms.

The home is handily located so the Pattersons can be on East Coast Rd, the motorway, or at Albany's shops in minutes.

Situated well off the road down a long shared driveway, they enjoy privacy thanks to shelterbelts, but have neighbours close enough so they still feel they are part of a community.

The property's driveway is flanked by maple trees and passes a barn complex, with three stables and a tack room. There's a lovely flat paddock, should future owners have horses.

The internal-access garaging fits four cars.

The house features a striking entry portico. The foyer makes an immediate impression with its high stud and view through to the pool's rock "mountain". An elevated fish-tank set into the foyer wall can also be admired from the sprawling kitchen-family room behind. Lynette says the kitchen is superb for entertaining, with its rustic chandelier above, engineered stone benches, double ovens and roomy butler's pantry concealing any clutter. Living opens up to a fabulous covered loggia with a fireplace right next to the pool. It's great for al fresco dining or the overflow from parties.

The couple have two children still at home and there's more than enough room for them and dogs Mac and Riley. The Pattersons extended the formal lounge to make it extra roomy. They also enjoy the splendid media room with big screen, quintet of leather recliners and its own bathroom.

The home's dining room is warmed by the double-sided fire which also warms the loggia.

Four of the five bedrooms, including the master suite, have en suites with pebble tiling. Most rooms have walk-in wardrobes. There is plenty of storage, and a smart laundry.

With this sort of luxury it's no wonder Lynette says, "Every morning for months after we'd moved in we felt like we were waking up in a resort."

The Pattersons are selling as they're keen tennis players and intend to build a new rural home with tennis court.