Guests glancing skywards from the dining table in the Cossey home could be fooled into thinking they're dining directly under the heavens.
A two-storey void appears to continue up uninterrupted to meld with the sky, although there's actually a glass panel high above forming part of the roofline.
"It's beautiful on a blue day; you'd swear there was nothing there," says Grant Cossey.
"This house is really light and open inside and that's one of the things that struck us when we first saw it."
That was more than 12 years ago, when wife Gill yearned for somewhere more modern than the Remuera villa they lived in.
"Also, we love sailing and liked the idea of living somewhere we could see the water. You get quite a view here over Hobson Bay and back to the city."
They'd intended to downsize when moving from Remuera as their son had left home and their daughter wasn't far off. But they were so taken with the lock-up-and-leave living here that they didn't mind the home was just as sizeable.
They're third up a shared driveway with space to park a car off-street, bolstering their internal-access double garage.
A curved front bay incorporating tall windows is a distinctive feature of the 1993 plaster home that Grant has maintained meticulously.
He has an eye for such things, now supposedly retired having been in furniture manufacture for 30 years, although lately helping out at a friend's kitchen company has meant he's set aside the morning ritual of taking Jack Russell Sophie to stroll with Gill to her morning train.
This location has suited their lives well, with Gill catching the train from Orakei to Middlemore Hospital for her role as Counties Manukau District Health Board's GM of surgical and ambulatory care.
"Our yacht is moored down at Okahu Bay and it's easy just to walk down there with a bit of gear when we're going away," says Grant. "And we're so handy to town. Last time we went to see Paul Simon he kept on going until after the trains had stopped so we just walked home from Vector Arena."
An internal sandblasted window in the entrance depicting flax fronds can also be admired from this level's roomy open-plan living area with gas fireplace.
Grant and Gill like to socialise and the layout here suits entertaining, which has ranged from a 25-guest sit-down meal in the lounge-dining area to meals often eaten outside on the generous deck.
Image 1 of 4: Out the window you see a sparkling harbour. Above you, a starry 'ceiling' to dine by
Kitchen cabinetry is in an attractive burr maple veneer. This level also has a bathroom and a bedroom they use as an office.
The Cosseys were mindful of their grandchildren's safety when they added glass to the upper level's void balustrading.
Other improvements include recent re-painting and reroofing.
Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate toilet are arranged around the void upstairs.
The master, with great views and an suite, and one other bedroom both open to their own little decks.
"When it's hot in summer you can just leave the door open through the night."
The lower level houses a second lounge, good for watching TV, which opens out on to a patio with vege garden. This floor has an under-stair storage cupboard that doubles as their wine cellar as well as the garage and the laundry.
Grant has a burgeoning interest in building rowing skiffs. Though this home is larger than the couple need, he's keen their next address will have workshop space where he can construct the 5.4m craft.
*This feature was first published on January 3 and was illustrated with incorrect photos. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
