Peter and Sheryl Moran's friends often joke that their household is like the one on the TV series Packed to the Rafters.
Like the Rafter family on the show, the Morans have adult kids who keep leaving home and coming back again.
"At least we've got plenty of space for them," says Sheryl, of Jayden, Ryan and Jess. Plus the layout of the house means that returning kids can have the downstairs area -- which consists of a huge bedroom with an en suite and a media room that could also be used as a bedroom -- to themselves.
"They can be down there and not under our feet, and if they've got visitors they can entertain without everybody being on top of each other," she points out.
The downstairs space is not only perfect for teenagers and older children, but it could also be useful for elderly parents or a live-in nanny.
"There are lots of options with this house," says Sheryl.
Her builder husband Peter built the home for their young family 22 years ago. They came up with the design themselves and say it has worked well for them over the years. As well as the bedroom, en suite and media room downstairs, there's also a double garage, a laundry and a storage room on the lower level.
Upstairs are three double bedrooms -- one of which is used as an office -- a bathroom and the large living/dining/kitchen area.
The living space was originally not open plan -- a wall had divided the lounge from the kitchen and dining area.
Image 1 of 5: This custom-designed beachside home offers plenty of living options.
"But we took it out a few years ago, and it made a huge difference -- it is a lovely big space now," says Sheryl. "I can't believe we didn't do that earlier."
The kitchen and two bathrooms were renovated four years ago and are modern and sleek. The house was also re-carpeted and painted recently.
Another change the Morans made to the property after living in it for a while was adding a swimming pool, which proved popular with the children and their friends.
Palms planted many years ago have grown tall and help to create a resort feeling in this outdoor area. Sheryl says her favourite place to be in the summer months is sitting on the patio alongside the pool.
"It's very relaxing and peaceful, and it is lovely to sit there with a book or a glass of wine."
A large deck off the living room overlooks the pool, and is a great place for al fresco family dinners as well as larger-scale entertaining. "We've had a couple of very nice 21sts here -- there is plenty of space to have lots of people."
When the Morans bought the section 22 years ago it was surrounded by farmland. Red Beach has changed a lot in the intervening years and now the area is much more built up, but the property's location down a right of way means it is private and quiet.
The area now also has so many more amenities, including the ever-growing shopping area just up the road in Silverdale and a good selection of cafes and restaurants in Orewa. The motorway makes it easy to get into the city -- it's only 25 minutes, off-peak.
Yet there are also all the benefits of living in a seaside community. There are several great beaches just a couple of minutes drive away, and at the end of the road is a walkway to Orewa, which is great for cycling as well as walking.
