Poetry in motion in Glendowie

46 Glendowie Rd, Karaka Bay, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

46 GLENDOWIE RD, KARAKA BAY, GLENDOWIE

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SIZE: Land 819sq m, main house 133sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: By negotiation. Interest expected well above CV of $1.09 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.premium.co.nz/15421

SCHOOL ZONES: Glendowie School and Glendowie College.

CONTACT: Wayne Maguire, ph 0274 223 377 and Richard Morgan, ph 021 879 796, Premium Mission Bay.

FEATURES: Beachfront home, built 30 years ago and designed to enjoy spectacular water and gulf island views. Separate self-contained boat shed provides additional accommodation. Handy to Glendowie schools and shopping facilities in the eastern bays

* No vehicle access, but boat shed for
kayak storage.

Rae has an eloquent reason for moving on from her beachside home of almost 30 years at Karaka Bay in Glendowie. "After a long-time allegiance to the sea, it's time for a change of allegiance, perhaps to the mountains of the South Island," she says. Rae has a way with words. She is a poet, in retirement after a high-intensity medical career that saw her working long hours.

Her partner, Marie, is a short-story writer.

Now, with high-pressure days behind them, it's easy to see how this home's idyllic setting has inspired these two in their creative work. Quiet and tucked away in Glendowie, Karaka Bay is accessed via a zig-zag path through the bush at the bottom of Peacock St, off Riddell Rd. Though not too far from shops, schools and other amenities, being in this bay feels like you're far away from the city.

"This place is like a counter-balance," says Marie. "There's respite here after a harsh day at work." Rae adds that at the end of her working days at Auckland Hospital she would "leave the city and its bothers at the top of the hill". Coming home to Karaka Bay was like "instant salvation".

Rae was first introduced to Karaka Bay by friends who lived here.

With only 10 properties in the bay, she had to wait a decade for the chance to buy.

The house she bought and moved into in March 1981 was designed by former architect Peter Walker, who is now a director of a marine design company. He had designed the house for himself, but sold it to Rae before it was completely finished.

Today, with its cedar board-and-batten cladding weathered to silver, the house nestles discreetly into its hillside site. Over the years, Rae has planted an abundant garden, with palms and flowering plants, as well as a thriving vegetable patch, accessed by shell pathways. Although the house is elevated above the beach, the garden's foliage provides privacy.

Inside, the house has a timeless appeal.

The palette of timbers includes rimu, kauri, pine and oak. Rae has reconfigured the living areas, but otherwise the house is as it was designed.

All rooms and decks, even the main bathroom, are arranged to capture either a panoramic view or a tantalising glimpse of the water and gulf islands beyond. The house is split into levels, with entry via the main living floor, which contains living and dining space, as well as the kitchen. Up one flight of stairs is the main bathroom, with a claw-foot bath, as well as three bedrooms, one of which doubles as a study.

This room is lined with built-in shelves, while a ladder provides access up to an additional loft sleeping area.

Downstairs from the main living level is another bathroom with laundry facilities.

There is also a solar-heated outdoor shower for washing off sand from the beach, as well as copious storage space.

In 1991, Rae commissioned architect Harry Turbott to design further accommodation for friends and family. The fully self-contained "boat shed" complements, but is separate from the main house. Its timbers include rimu, pine and cedar. The boat shed sleeps five to six people on built-in squabs in the main room and in a mezzanine level that also has its own entrance. "It's like a tramping hut ... but there's a serenity about it," says Rae. In the basement of the boat shed there's secure storage for kayaks and other equipment, with the beach only a few footsteps away. "You can take your kayak out and be on the water almost straight away. Immediately you're focused on the outdoors," says Rae. "You can discard formality and adopt leisure."