Looks can be deceiving. The view from Sue Wright's kitchen window across a beautifully manicured lawn to a pond surrounded by mature trees suggests that her home is in the middle of the countryside.
In truth, the property is a few minutes drive from the popular beach community of Red Beach in one direction and the motorway in another. Two minutes over the hill is Silverdale Centre, a rapidly growing shopping area with a supermarket, cafes and a bunch of stores to satisfy your retail needs.
Yet you'd never know that when you're at the home Sue shares with partner Chris. From the moment you drive down a long driveway off Whangaparaoa Rd and through the gates, it feels as if you've arrived at a grand country estate.
The elegant two-storey house is set in park-like grounds looking out over the pond, while behind it is the Weiti River. The gardens include beautiful magnolias, liquidambars, golden elms and palm trees, and there's even a bluebell walk that is dazzling in spring. Behind the house is an orchard of persimmons, feijoas, macadamias and citrus trees, and a flourishing raised vege garden.
It's a very tranquil setting, which is why it's hard to believe it's not miles away from civilisation.
"Sometimes all we can hear is the flapping of the ducks' wings on the pond," says Sue. "That's one of the things that I loved about this place when I first saw it, was that it was so peaceful."
Sue could see the potential when she bought the land 24 years ago. As well as loving the stunning setting, she also liked the fact that there was plenty of space to build a big family home.
A design and build company came up with the plans for the house, which faces north to not only make the most of the outlook over the pond, but enjoy all-day sun. It is thoughtfully laid out, with the main living areas at one end of the house, bedrooms and another living room at the other end, and the master suite upstairs.
Image 1 of 7: The flapping of ducks' wings on the pond may be the only sound you hear out here
The kitchen and family room at the far end have always been the most used part of the house and are linked by a cleverly designed breakfast nook, which features built-in seating around a table.
Sue's children, Jonathan and Rebecca, could sit there and do their homework while she made dinner in the roomy kitchen next door.
Glass doors open out to a generous patio with a covered pergola which is used like another room of the house. "We spend a lot of time out here -- it is ideal for entertaining," says Sue.
The formal dining and living next to the kitchen also open out to the garden, and the brick fireplace makes this a lovely warm and cosy space in winter.
Two of the downstairs bedrooms enjoy the view out over the pond, while the third is great for guests as it has direct access to the family bathroom.
Clever design work is evident in the bathroom, which features a wall of windows that look out at an enclosed garden, hidden behind walls.
"Nobody can see in, but you can lie in the bath and look out at the greenery," says Sue.
She uses the third living area at the western end of the house as a craft room, but it could also be a children's playroom, media room, or home office.
Upstairs, the master bedroom has a separate en suite and walk-in wardrobe as well as a sitting area, study and balcony.
Downstairs is the double internal access garage and a very spacious laundry/sewing room.
The layout of the property means it could be used as a B & B thanks to the ability to keep what would be the guest areas separate.
The house is too big for Chris and Sue now, so they're downsizing. "I don't think we'll ever find anything else like this -- it's such a lovely location," says Sue, a little wistfully. "We've been so spoilt, living here."
