SCHOOL ZONES:
Coatesville and Riverhead schools, Kristin, Pinehurst, Albany Junior/Senior High.
CONTACT:
Debbie Manning, Precision, 022 348 3460 or 480 0061.
At 550sq m, this large, single-level home epitomises the ultimate in Kiwi living, says owner Tracey Collett.
The 80s-built Coatesville country home has been brought into line with a 21st century makeover that stays respectful to its original design.
"You don't lose all the 80s design, you just bring it forward," says Tracey. "The house was ahead of its time in detail. It is a cool house in the summer and it is warm in the winter because of the angles to the sun.
"And very few homes this size are single level; they often have a master bedroom that is upstairs."
Tracey bought the home around 18 months ago, originally on a 7ha block that she subdivided into four sections.
"Two have homes being built on them and we have rebuilt this home," says Tracey, who hired builders Voigt Construction and designer Deb Crowe from Board and Batten for the extensive renovation.
Tracey's vision was to modernise the home using 22.5mm vertical-grain cedar cladding and custom-made joinery, rebuilding the roof including re-pitching and re-waterproofing. Copper downpipes, nails and flashing and outdoor lights were used. They laid oak flooring and installed underfloor heating in all bathrooms as well as upgrading existing underfloor heating. They rewired, installed LED lighting inside, upgraded and replaced plumbing and added new fittings.
"The materials are solid, quality and they give the overall luxurious feeling," says Tracey.
"Everything we have done is oversized or over-spec'ed. A lot of people will put, as an example, 18mm cedar, we went 21.5mm; and instead of putting 180mm boards on the flooring, we did 210mm. The entire house is double glazed and all the fixtures, in terms of finishing detail on the outside, are copper. This is a really luxurious product that we have created."
Outside she has landscaped using mature plantings to complement the existing canopies, adding citrus trees, and potager vegetable and herb gardens.
"And we created the grand entrance to lead you up to the home. It needed it, it is such a beautiful home." This entrance is double height and has an atrium ceiling and custom-made cedar door. It is true to the 80s style with pitched roof that has window pockets at the top of the apex.
Image 1 of 5: Extensive renovation brings an 80s home up to date. Photos / supplied
"Deb said this is typical of a Balinese home where you have the central living and the bedroom pods off to either end," says Tracey. "You congregate in the middle for your joint living and then you have the master bedroom at one end and the children's and guest bedrooms at the other for independent living."
Deb says the Balinese influence comes out especially in some of the bathroom fittings and the furnishings in the children's lounge. "The home is fresh, with open spaces, lovely flow, and a colour scheme that is serene to live with."
The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home (plus office) has four living areas -- the formal lounge with open fireplace, family room, kids' lounge plus a fully equipped media room with drop-down screen and bar.
The new designer kitchen has a scullery/laundry behind it and is near the dining area (with spectacular chandelier), the formal entrance and the triple garaging.
The northern side opens out through sliding glass doors to the pool, extensive kwila decking and the cabana, flanked by two flat lawn areas. A floodlit tennis court is on the southern side.
"It is a big home all on a single level so it is amazing for entertaining, and it is safe for children," says Tracey. "For me it is like the ultimate fun family home for teenagers or young kids because it has a bit of everything in it and it is private, a great location with its own micro-climate and exposed to very little wind.
It is a home you can just walk into and live; you don't have to do a thing."
"Because it is on 2.2 hectares, there are still two paddocks where you can put your dream pony or ride your motorbikes. And there is potential to further subdivide."
She says another good feature about the property is the house is about 400m away from the road.
