Not flashy, just honest, is how Leanne Chinnery describes her family's beach house at Mangawhai, and those were exactly the qualities that attracted her when she first viewed the big home overlooking the coast.
"My family has been going to Mangawhai for years and we all love the place," she says. "Dad wanted to buy a bach there so in 2010 we all went shopping for a beach house."
Leanne's father said he'd know the right place when he saw it, but it took quite a few open homes and visits to real estate agents before that happened.
"My brother saw this for sale and suggested we check it out so dad and my sister from Australia and I went and had a look. When we walked in I felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and family. It was a real home."
With five bedrooms, two bathrooms, two kitchens, various sitting areas and a pool room, the house was ideal for the 14 family members who planned to gather there.
The layout is well-designed for multi-family living. On the upper level is an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, along with two double bedrooms, a big bathroom and a separate lounge with wood fireplace with a stone surround.
On the ground level are three more bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchenette, a laundry and a games room.
On site there's also a shed with a 4m stud, ideal to accommodate cars, boats and campervans.
Set a short distance back from the shore in a quiet cul-de-sac, the house has expansive water views and a very large deck from which to take advantage of them.
6 Breve Street, Mangawhai Heads. Photo / Supplied
The decking spans the entire front and one side of the top level of the house, and is a popular place for sundowners and barbecues beside the brazier.
After the purchase Leanne decided a few additional creature comforts were called for. The carpets were past their use-by date so she replaced them and exchanged the old-fashioned drapes for sleek, thermal roller blinds.
Taps and shower-heads were updated, and the kitchen was kitted out with new stainless steel appliances.
"It didn't really need a lot of work," Leanne says. "Just paint and love."
6 Breve Street, Mangawhai Heads. Photo / Supplied
A palette of soft, natural colours allowed the sea views to take centre stage, and the ever-changing colours of the water are repeated in touches of blue inside - the island bench and splashback in the upstairs kitchen, and in the furnishings elsewhere.
The games room, which was a "bit dark and damp" got a makeover and has been a favourite hangout with younger members of the family.
"We go there a lot with our three daughters and their mates so there's often a cast of thousands and it's not unusual to see half a dozen of them sleeping in the pool room."
Underfloor heating makes the house cosy even on winter weekends and when Leanne took nine girlfriends there for an art retreat a couple of weeks ago - it was warm and comfortable.
6 Breve Street, Mangawhai Heads. Photo / Supplied
And the view, of course, delivers all year, whatever the weather.
The family has owned the property for nearly six years now, and no immediate replacement is planned, although there's the germ of an idea to build a little place on their Divinity Olive Estate at Mangawhai.
Leanne concedes that it won't be the same without a sea view. One of her great pleasures at Breve St has been sitting on the deck looking down on kids playing on their donuts in the water.
"I love the serenity you get from the sea views," she says. "Looking at the water is our happy place."
