SCHOOL ZONES:
Warkworth School, Mahurangi College.
CONTACT:
Jenni Marsh or Dianna Coman, Bayleys, 021 717 719 (Jenni) or 021 790 307 (Dianna).
AUCTION:
10am Thur, Dec 8 (unless sold prior).
*Plus OSP.
Like the river that flows alongside it, this Warkworth property has two different sides.
Owners Brett and Gillian Pendergrast and their family have spent three years enjoying the dual nature of this riverside home. It's located about eight minutes' walk from the burgeoning Warkworth township, yet offers a tranquil setting belying that distance.
The family had tasted some serenity through their previous property as they built first in a new subdivision.
Brett says: "We knew that feeling wouldn't last, but once all the other houses were built it felt pretty crowded and we really missed having space around us."
He and Gillian actually had their eye on this place the last time it was for sale but missed out on it first time around. "The house is made from a combination of cedar and stone and has been designed beautifully with lots of interesting angles," says Brett.
"The setting is fantastic. It's located down a right-of-way so it doesn't feel at all like you have a main highway address.
"It's a large section and you look out at the river flowing past right in front of us and at lots of bush and trees. It's so soothing sitting out on the deck, which wraps around the front of the house, listening to the water."
Having bought here, Brett, who's a machine operator and Gillian, who works in accounts, freshened up the exterior by having the cedar re-stained and the eaves painted.
The pair extended the concrete off-street parking facilities that accompany the internal-access double garage. They've comfortably been able to park four or five vehicles outdoors in addition to the powerboat they regularly take out around Martins Bay, Sandspit and Scotts Landing in search of snapper.
Stone pillars help define the portico-style covered entrance to the two-storey home.
Inside, a curved floor of river stones prefaces the hallway's hardwood floors, which continue into the dress-circle spread of living, dining room, and kitchen.
Image 1 of 5: Enjoy peaceful surrounds in a bush setting.
The living area flows out to decks that include an all-weather covered portion. They're a good place from which to contemplate the riverside ambiance with birds including tui, woodpigeons and kingfishers.
"We spend a lot of time out on those decks. We'll entertain friends and family out there or just have a drink and soak up the peacefulness."
Granite and stainless steel bench tops feature in the kitchen, which has solid timber cabinetry.
One of the three bedrooms downstairs is currently used as an office, accompanied by a remodelled main bathroom with under-floor heating, a renovated laundry and the garage.
Upstairs is devoted to the private master suite.
A sizeable deck looking out at the natural setting opens off the master bedroom with en suite and walk-in-wardrobe. Brett says: "You can escape up there and shut the door and just forget about the rest of the world."
The living area with stone feature wall and heat pump is spacious, which comes in handy when youngest son, Tane, brings a group of rugby or touch teammates home. The Pendergrasts sometimes pitch a tent on the lawn to amuse young relatives who also love feeding ducks in the river from the esplanade in front of the property.
They tackled the gardens upon moving in, remodelling them to make them neat and low-maintenance. They include vege gardens defined within raised beds, and fruit trees.
Tane's two siblings have already left home and next year he'll head away to university in Dunedin. Brett and Gillian plan to downsize and buy somewhere lock-up-and-leave, which they'll use as a base from which to travel more.
