Waiheke Island: Beachy babe

At night, the bach gains stunning views of the lights across the bay.

VICKI HOLDER discovers an island paradise where the living is oh so easy.

Owning this little Kiwi bach on Waiheke Island provides one Auckland couple with an enviable dual lifestyle - part beach, part city.

When they're at home in Oneroa, Mary and Dean Gordon walk everywhere; to the restaurants, the bars and down to the beach, usually with the dog and cats in tow. They even walk to work, sort of. For work is back in Auckland and it takes just a few minutes from home to the ferry and just 35 minutes or so to commute from there.

The Gordons indulge in the laid-back holiday feeling every time they escape the city. Though their chic little bach is hardly the unglamorous abode they encountered when they first discovered it just over a year ago. Today, classic original beachy exteriors belie the tasty modern habitat created inside.

Originally, the Gordons were after land and were on the lookout for something close to the ferry, "because we wanted to get into the walking, community feel of the island".

They also wanted something close to the beach and with a view. Eyeing their retirement, they were looking to build for the long term. "But this bach was really cute and it had all the right ingredients."

Mary explains an elderly gent had built it in 1970 and it was still in its original condition. "It had plastic concertina doors between two bedroom rooms upstairs with a little lounge and kitchen. We took out the walls and opened it all up into one big room apart from the bathroom and toilet. It had windows but no deck, so we took out the windows and replaced them with bifold doors and built a huge deck, which opened the living area to the views and the water."

Now, the upstairs (where they sleep) is open-plan, like a sophisticated city studio. The downstairs area accommodates more sleeping quarters and great under-house storage.

Mary, who is an interior designer, has made everything extremely simple, clean and contemporary. She says it was easy, given that the 1970s bones lent themselves to a modern makeover, especially the sloping ceiling.

"It just needed an upgrade. The original architecture fits in well with today's crisp feeling."

The walls were clad in tongue-and-groove timber to give a more casual, beachy look. Painted in Aalto Gallery White, they have a smart, maritime look. "And they are low maintenance, because when you live in a bach you don't want to be working," says Mary.

A new kitchen was added with a large bench on commercial castors so it can be moved around to look into the living area or out through the doors to the water. The appliances are modern, including a gas hob and a combination microwave/oven, though most of the cooking is done on the barbecue on the deck.

Opposite the living area, library shelving is built around the one artwork hanging on the wall. Mary tried hanging up more pictures but found they only detracted from the main focus - the view.

The floors were sanded back and a sealant put on top. "We wanted to keep it casual. It's a bach after all," says Mary. "And we didn't want to make it like a home in Auckland."

To give a tropical island feel, the Gordons planted palms and bromeliads with olives around the boundary. They left the grapevines because they gave the property a real old Waiheke atmosphere.

During the hotter months, the Gordons lived here for months on end, coming home for a spot of fishing or visiting the cafes before winding down for bed. The deck was great for entertaining. At night, the bay turns into a fairyland of lights that twinkle out at sea.

"I love it," says Mary. "It's a really emotional decision to sell. It has been so relaxing. The moment you hop onto the ferry you feel like you're on holiday. Instantly you feel totally relaxed."

A change of plan has regrettably forced the Gordons to sell, but this great property in its superb location gives new owners many options for the future.