SCHOOL ZONES:
Oratia District School, Glen Eden Intermediate, bus to Avondale College.
CONTACT:
Nicky Malloy 0800 180 111 or Mark Malloy 027 718 0111.
AUCTION:
11 October 3.15, on-site
It doesn't take long to work out that Mark Wright is a man with an eye for detail.
The tidy driveway and neatly manicured garden at the front of the magnificent property he shares with wife Kelly and their four children are a dead giveaway.
"I work from home, organising music festivals, and I like my surroundings to be as perfect as they possibly can be," he says. "I guess I want to feel like the lord of the manor."
The grand old bungalow was moved to its current site from Parnell, about 20 years ago and subsequent owners have all put their stamp on it somewhere.
"The lady who owned it just before us was a kitchen designer and she certainly made a good job of this one," says Kelly.
"It's practically perfect in terms of the work triangle. I can empty the dishwasher and barely take a step in the process.
"We held a wedding here and the caterers fed 120 people with no problems at all."
The Wrights have changed the villa significantly themselves in the seven years they've owned it, adding a new bedroom, separate laundry and increasing the extensive wraparound deck and entertainment area.
The four good-sized bedrooms are complemented by a family bathroom with clawfoot bath and the walk-in wardrobe and elegant en suite adjacent to the master suite.
The colours throughout are rich yet restful, with period-style wallpapers and sumptuous silky drapes.
They have also built a substantial stand-alone complex -- perfectly in keeping with the age and style of the main house. It has an office, double garage and workshop, enormous pool room, double bedroom and bathroom.
The garage can be accessed at both ends.
Image 1 of 8: Discovery of luxury with its own private lake, jetty and island
"Being able to drive right through has actually been very useful," says Mark.
Outside lies a large, flat free-draining grassy area, which has been the scene of many neighbourhood cricket matches, rugby games, and a spot of golf.
"There's a hole down in front of the lake but I actually enjoy trying to hit the ball right over it to the other side!"
The lake is a major attraction. Mark dug it out himself on the site of a natural spring and lined it with geotechnical cloth. It even has an island and in summer it's an absolute magnet for the children and their friends, who love jumping off the jetty.
"I'm quite partial to a quick dip in the middle of the day too," he says.
With depths ranging from 1 to 3 metres, the lake is perfect for all ages.
"Even when we go away in summer the neighbours know that they are still welcome to come and use it," says Kelly, who trains for half-marathons by running circuits of the 4.06 ha property. When they're not enjoying their house and garden the family can always find plenty to do.
"There are bush walks nearby and of course the famous Oratia Farmers' Market," Kelly says. "Piha is 20 minutes' drive and the city's not far away at all, by bus or train."
The immediate neighbours are all very pleasant and Mark and Kelly will miss them when they move to their new home in the Waikato.
"I'm going back to my roots -- it's where I grew up," says Mark.
"Our new place is different but we'll eventually turn it into something very similar. This house functions really well and we both love the way it interacts with the land," they say.
