CONTACT:
Angela Rudling, Bayleys, 027 477 0176 or 215 3002.
House seems a woefully inadequate word to describe Selwyn and Julie Taylor's home. Even adding the adjective "luxury" doesn't cut it. It's not until Selwyn talks about their desire to build a masterpiece that you realise he has hit the nail on the head.
The two-storey concrete 656sq m home is a prime example of masterful design and construction, and perfectly complements its spectacular waterside location.
"We wanted something that made a statement, and I think we definitely got that," says Selwyn.
The section on the corner of Musick Point Rd and The Parade in Bucklands Beach was crying out for a grand home when the Taylors bought it in 2013. They got rid of a small cottage on the land, which has riparian rights, and set about creating something special.
The couple are no strangers to building large, luxury houses. Selwyn is in the construction industry and their previous home in Whitford was even bigger than this one.
They contacted award-winning Christchurch architect Cymon Allfrey, gave him a wish list and let him get on with it. "Once he got the gist of what we were looking for, he delivered," says Selwyn. "We're pleased with what he came up with."
The house was built by son Damien's company and Selwyn jokes that keeping it in the family meant he knew he'd get top-quality workmanship ... or else!
The contemporary concrete home makes the most of its stunning setting, with the main living areas looking out to the water just a few metres away.
"We wanted to get the feeling that you are on the water, and that's what we got," says Selwyn.
There are uninterrupted views to Rangitoto, breathtaking sunsets, and at night the sparkling lights of Glendowie are reflected in the water.
The rooms on the western side of the house all have floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the outlook.
As well as a separate double-height formal living room with a two-way fireplace, there's a huge open-plan living/dining/kitchen opening to the waterfront terrace on one side and an internal courtyard with a heated pool on the other.
"The courtyard is something we were very keen on," says Selwyn. 'It's very sheltered and has its own micro-climate. Just about all of the rooms on the ground floor have access out to it."
There's also an outdoor room that opens to the water, and the courtyard and can be enclosed thanks to Louvretec panels.
Image 1 of 10: A couple who believe they are living the dream. Photos / Ted Baghurst
Back inside, the kitchen features a striking Italian stone island, two ovens and a spacious butler's pantry.
Also on the ground floor is a powder room, lift, Selwyn's office, home theatre, a bedroom with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe, a spacious laundry and a full bathroom that can be accessed from the pool. A long corridor makes an ideal gallery for hanging art, and leads to the four-car garage and workshop.
Upstairs is another living area now used as a library and music room -- it's big enough for a baby grand piano. Two more bedrooms share a bathroom.
The master bedroom suite is accessed via a glass bridge that crosses the lobby below, and has been the ideal sanctuary for Selwyn and Julie.
It includes a sitting area with gas fireplace, a bedroom that looks over the water, a marble tiled bathroom/shower, and an enormous dressing room.
The house has all the latest wifi-controlled techonology, including state-of-the art lighting and security systems that can be managed from anywhere in the world with internet access.
There is a separate boat shed for Selwyn and Julie's Sealegs amphibious craft, and it's a piece of cake to drive it down a ramp straight into the water.
"The other week we took the Sealegs over to Waiheke, drove up on to the beach at Oneroa and went for coffee in a cafe," says Selwyn. "It only took about 20 minutes to get there and we didn't even get our feet wet."
The grounds have been extensively landscaped. Fruit trees, vegetable and herb gardens are tucked away in a service area.
It has been a dream to live in for the past two years, says Selwyn. It not only looks great but is comfortable, practical and great for entertaining. But with two of their three children now living in Australia, they are spending much of their time there, and it makes sense to downsize to a smaller home for when they are here.
