It's fair to say Andrea and Mike Beuvink are mad-keen about skiing. They like to hit the slopes as often as they can. Mike works as a ski instructor from time to time and they even have snow-related personalised plates on their cars.
In fact, the entire Beuvink family is passionate about skiing, with sons James and Ben avid snowboarders.
There are five children in the family -- Louise, Claire and James are aged in their 20s and younger siblings Ben and Kate are 11 and 10.
It was with this busy household in mind that Andrea and Mike moved from Parnell and bought a new house in Wiles Ave, Remuera, a year ago.
"I had never lived in a brand-new house before," says Andrea.
"And we loved the location. We're in the middle of Remuera, Newmarket and Parnell here."
There's a path at the bottom of Wiles Ave that leads down to the Shore Rd Cafe, so a coffee fix is never far away.
The couple are both financial advisors, dealing with investments, insurance and mortgages. Andrea sometimes works from home and says it's easy to pop out and visit clients as they live so centrally.
The Beuvinks' business is based in Northcote and the couple find it's an easy commute to get to the office.
Being busy with work and skiing, as well as a love of fishing and boating in the summer, meant the Beuvinks didn't want to be tied down with home maintenance. When they first saw 13 Wiles Ave they were impressed with its well-thought-out, easy-care design.
Image 1 of 5: Being in the middle of Remuera, Newmarket and Parnell, this home has plenty to offer. Photos / Ted Baghurst
The front door opens on to a spacious, airy atrium. To the left is the main living area, which can be closed off with cavity sliders.
The main living area in turn links through to a completely private, fenced deck. Steps lead down to a kids' garden, where Ben and Kate have their trampoline.
The Beuvinks have made their home even more easy-care by replacing the grass with artificial Tiger Turf, which looks like the real thing.
Back inside, the living area flows through to the crisp, white kitchen with a generous island bench and the dining space.
Adjacent is a second deck with glass balustrades, which overlooks a bush-filled valley and has enough space for a large outdoor dining table and barbecue.
"Mike loves the bush outlook and the birds here," says Andrea. "When we lived near Alberon Reserve, Mike would help set traps for rats and possums to protect the bird life."
The master bedroom suite is on the other side of the atrium. Also off the foyer is a powder room, storage cupboard and internal-access to the carpeted, double garage, where there are pull-down stairs to attic storage.
Downstairs, there's a spacious second living area opening on to the garden. There is a large family bathroom with a bath, three double bedrooms, plus a study and a single bedroom which has its own separate entrance.
The master bedroom being a retreat upstairs is ideal for the age and stage their family is at, but a family with younger children could easily all be accommodated downstairs, with the upstairs bedroom becoming a luxurious guest suite.
After a year of enjoying this home, the Beuvinks are selling as they don't need so much space. The older children have moved out to go flatting.
"So there's only the three of us here now," Mike says.
