Rainbow connection in Takapuna

13 Lake View Rd, Takapuna, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

13 LAKE VIEW RD TAKAPUNA

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SIZE: Land 1176sq m, house 380sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above CV of $3.1 million. Auction March 16 (unless sold prior).

INSPECT: Sun 2-2.40pm or by appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz/4101821

SCHOOL ZONES: Takapuna School, Takapuna Normal Intermediate, Takapuna Grammar and Westlake Girls and Boys High School.

CONTACT: Gary or Vicki Wallace, Bayleys, ph 309 6020, Gary 0274 988 585, Vicki 021 988 585.

FEATURES: Architecturally designed masonry home alongside Lake Pupuke with wide water views. Substantial layout flows out to terrace with pool and lake views; plus water's-edge lawn with jetty. Includes multiple living areas and master suite opening to sunny deck bolstered by office, en suite and dressing room.

The owner of this substantial masonry home has injected her own touches of drama to match its dramatic lakeside setting. Susie Macindoe says she didn't even know Lake Pupuke existed when she and her late husband Charles ventured across the Harbour Bridge more than 25 years ago in search of somewhere stunning to build. "But as soon as we saw it, we fell in love with the aspect, the lake and the tranquillity."

Architect Terence Hitchcock devised the plastered-masonry home based on their request for a large family home with plentiful indoor-outdoor flow and lots of big spaces.

The setting may be tranquil, but there's been plenty of raucousness over the years, thanks to children Natasha, Alexandra, Mi Mi and Matthew. The elder two have had stints flatting, but all currently live at home, with Alexandra and Mi Mi on hand today chipping in with occasional comments.

"She's definitely not boring," they declare, listening to their mother state she likes to keep the decor interesting. Many of the walls are now white and some of the hot-spots are toned down these days, but the master bedroom used to be lime green.

And for a good period anyone visiting the house could paint artwork on the walls of the now-sophisticated TV room. All the internal doors sport glossy lacquered finishes - many of them black - but there was a period when they were the striking shade of orange you'd find on a Monaro.

The exterior is a deep taupe, but Susie's love of colour (utilised in her background in the rag trade) has seen it formerly painted washed-out baby pink, then pastel yellow, then washed-out turquoise and then off-white. Big, usable spaces and abundant storage mean it's the sort of home which will work well whether future owners want to incorporate their own dramatic embellishments or adopt all-neutral decor.

A ban on motorised boats keeps the lake peaceful, but ever-active with water-lovers including triathletes, sailors and rowers.

The property is flanked by two driveways to two double garages. An entry pergola frames the path to the front door. Inside, an angular entry foyer introduces distinctive slate flooring which continues down wide steps to the lower level, which flows out to the pool.

The entry level is dedicated to an expansive master suite. It includes an office, which the couple initially used as a nursery. The master bedroom opens to a sunny north-facing balcony with dreamy views over the lake. There's also a big dressing room and a dramatic black and white en suite with spa bath that takes in prime lake views.

Downstairs the slate stairwell opens out on to a big open-plan kitchen-dining-family room revelling in more lake views. The white kitchen opens to a side courtyard and features a mirror-finish fridge-freezer. The family room with built-in sofas and fire opens to the hinuera-paved terrace by the pool.

The girls talk fondly of fabulous parties and the tradition to invite "orphans" around on Christmas Day. When they were younger you'd often find them down the garden steps, playing on the sizeable level waters-edge lawn or preparing to launch kayaks to row to The PumpHouse. They had a trampoline on the lawn and a multi-level tree-house in a twisted tree.

The ever-popular TV lounge with wide gas fire is dramatic. Its walls are painted black with a metallic shimmer, accented by curtains in a metallic gold and black print. The chocolate-hued den (which could be a fifth bedroom) has another fire and oozes cosy comfort. The games room opens to the outdoors and reveals Susie's fondness for striking colour with its purple walls, and black pool table and carpet. It incorporates the laundry along one side.

A bathroom is also on this level. A three-storey void extends from the ground floor to the upper level. The girls admit this doubles as their laundry chute, as well as illuminating the interior. And the younger generation gets its own upper level, with three big bedrooms and a big, smart family bathroom.

Susie is now selling because she feels the time is right for her to downsize from such a substantial property.