Whangaparaoa - Riders on the storm

The elevation of this grand home makes for stunning views and an ideal wedding setting except in a cyclone.

82 Scott Road, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa.

One of the key features of this two-dwelling Stanmore Bay property became the focus of some wacky wedding memories when a freak cyclone hit the usually sun-drenched home.

Visitors to the lifestyle property are invariably drawn to the massive deck, which looks out over the landscaped grounds, designer cabana and 18m heated swimming pool to striking coastal views.

So it seemed natural to Grayson and Helen Furniss to choose the deck as the site to erect a massive marquee for their wedding reception in February 2004.

English-born Helen planned her wedding day bolstered by Kiwi assurances of February's fine weather. Cyclone Ivy had other ideas. Ferries to the planned Kawau Island wedding ceremony venue were cancelled.

Grayson's builder mates tried to plug the marquee leaks and lash it down against buffeting winds. Helen headed upstairs with her own bottle of champagne.

Helen giggles ``people still laugh about our wedding'' while Grayson adds ``everyone had a great time''. They took their vows in the foyer, nipped over to the neighbours for photos and joined 70 guests in a cyclone-pummelled marquee that threatened to take flight.

The couple met in early 2003, when Helen was visiting Auckland from Britain for a month, looking to buy a property before moving here. The day before she flew out they inspected this home and the view helped clinch the sale.

Nowadays its spacious layout houses the couple, children Shauni, 14, Jake, 12, toddler Brooke and Simba the German Shepherd. Helen is still entranced by the views from the deck.

Her gaze takes in the striking lines of the cabana the couple had designed and built, along with the adjacent 18m in-ground heated pool where she teaches swimming.

Beyond this the vista widens to encompass native bush and a horizon awash with sea and island silhouettes.

The outside may highlight Helen's occupation but the house and cabana are equipped with state of the art entertainment systems thanks to Grayson's business, Wavefront Audio.

The couple partially re-configured the main house's layout and re-decorated it throughout, as they found the previous decor a ``bit overpowering'' due to features such as mirrored tiles and carpet that continued up the wall.

Two plaster columns flank the grand entranceway, matching the home's plaster exterior. The foyer prefaces central living areas which spill out onto the partially-covered deck. This central hub includes a formal and a more relaxed dining room, and a living room offset by the curves of a new designer kitchen.

To one side is the master suite, with walk-in wardrobe and two-room en suite with spa bath. There is a separate laundry and a double garage roomy enough to cope with the family's quad-bikes and much more, with any overflow housed in a second garage.

At the other end of the main level are two more bedrooms, an office, bathroom and powder-room. Shauni must be the envy of her girlfriends, having the run of the upper level's two bedrooms, lounge, bathroom, storage room and a smaller deck with further arresting views.

A timber walkway wends its way from the main deck over landscaped grounds to the eye-catching modern cabana. It is stylish and self-sufficient, with a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and wide entertaining area, part of which closes off when desired to form a second bedroom.

Jake is paraplegic and the vast pool has helped develop his upper body strength. The family plan to move closer to his school to give him more independence.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 6+

BATHROOMS: 4

GARAGES: 3

SIZE: Land .7096 ha, house 310sq m, cabana 80sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $1.5-$2 million. Tenders close August 28.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-2pm.

ON THE WEB: www.premium.co.nz #TAK6747

CONTACT: Ron Clerke, Premium, ph 021 829 839 mob, 09 424 4439 a/h.

FEATURES: Sun-drenched property with two dwellings and spectacular views. Eighteen-metre heated pool beside cabana with a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and entertaining area.