Rob and Coralee Carr were looking for the good life when they bought their 3.2ha block at Karaka eight years ago.
Semi-retirement was the plan and they wanted a practical, easily operated, low-maintenance property that would give them time to relax. "And low housework input," Coralee emphasises.
It took some time to find the perfect spot but when they came across this block at the end of a private road they loved the peace, privacy and expansive rural views down to the Whangamaire inlet.
They'd seen a house they really liked elsewhere so had a fair idea of what they wanted to build, and started by asking their designer to set the house and other buildings on the site to make the most of the sun and views.
The complex was to include the house, garden, plus three Magnum horseboxes, a concrete tie-up and wash area, purpose-built yards, horse and cattle loading ramps and five paddocks for the yearlings Rob prepares for the annual sales.
Providing a safe environment for the horses was paramount, hence the quality post-and-rail fencing with full Sighter Wire electric cable on outriggers to all paddocks and additional electric wire on the rails.
Similarly, great attention to detail went into the planning of the house.
As well as firm ideas about low maintenance, Rob and Coralee wanted high-quality insulation, sound-proofing, laminated glass in the north-facing windows, wool carpet, halogen lighting, audio home theatre cabling, data in the garage, office and all the bedrooms, screens, ceiling fans, an internal vacuum system and more.
"I'm tall so I wanted the benches at maximum height," she says. "I find it a very easy kitchen to work in. There are more drawers than cupboards, and the walk-in pantry has lots of storage, and even a special area for storing platters."
Timber cabinetry, granite benchtops and island, a toughened glass splashback and tiled floors further contribute to the low-maintenance, practical design.
Adjacent to the kitchen are the dining room with its curved window seat, a sitting area and a lounge, all opening to outdoor entertaining areas.
"We have plenty of outdoor space on two sides of the house so we can choose where to be, dependent on the weather," Rob says.
The two did the interior design themselves, choosing the warm off-white Pearl Lustre as a backdrop for serene, natural tones in carpets and furnishings.
The house has five bedrooms with the master suite on the first floor taking in the rural views. It has a dressing room, en suite and a private deck overlooking the garden.
The landscape was designed by Trina Tully, and the house sits within a semi-circular lawn separated from the horse paddocks by curved post-and-rail fence. Apart from the aesthetic value, curving fencelines are better than corners when it comes to horses, Rob points out.
