The dated 1970s bach at the top of the winding driveway wasn't much to look at. It was small and pink, with mirror film stuck to the windows.
Despite the attention-seeking colour, no eyes lingered long on the house when Lissa and John Grigson inspected it while out house-hunting at Whangaparaoa 13 years ago.
Their attention was caught by something much more striking in far more attractive shades -- cobalt, azure, turquoise. The bach lorded it over a jaw-dropping view of Tindalls Bay and Manly Beach. Orewa and Stanmore Bay were across the water.
Their 1-year-old in tow, the former Auckland city dwellers had decided to retreat to a more laid-back family-friendly beachside life. They sought a property with space and scope for a renovation or building project.
Not only was the pink house a prime candidate for knocking down, but it also sat on 2427sq m (three sections on two titles), backing onto a large private native garden. As well as enviable views, its elevated position and seclusion promised privacy.
"We fell in love with the property," says Lissa. "And we loved the lifestyle up here. We're so spoiled for beaches -- there are so many choices. If the wind or tide isn't right, you just go to the other side of the peninsula."
They bought it, figuring they'd launch into building within a year, but one child turned into two, and one year turned into seven.
By then, Lissa says, they knew exactly what kind of house would make the most of the views, the sun and the privacy. They worked with architectural designer Sue Cross to create a glass-dominated contemporary cedar home that had plenty of decks and outdoor living options, to suit any weather and time of day.
Image 1 of 9: Perched on a hill top, you can lord it over magnificent sea and city vistas. Photos / Ted Baghurst
It had to accommodate the evolving needs of growing children, provide entertaining and work-from-home spaces, and allow for the comings and goings of guests -- because views like that were destined to get a few.
"We wanted somewhere where everybody could have their own space," Lissa says.
They chose a three-storey design. The main living area is on the middle level, opening to decks to the east, north and west. The children's bedrooms and main bathroom are on this level, all opening to decks, as is the study, although the view is not conducive to getting work done.
Downstairs is the guest suite, a living area, kitchenette, en suite and deck. Even the garage down here has enviable sea views. And upstairs is an airy master suite, boasting views back to the city as well as the ocean.
They chose a neutral palette throughout: Asian-inspired dark timber floors and rice-paper features, a dark Celia Visser-designed kitchen that featured in a home decorating magazine, and Bisazza Italian glass mosaic bathroom tiles.
They've loved building and living in their dream house -- walking down a set of stairs to sleepy Tindalls Bay, strolling to Manly's restaurants and cafes, cycling to Gulf Harbour for weekend markets, playing golf, commuting by ferry, watching dolphins play, soaking up the sun and the sunsets.
But they've reluctantly decided it's time to move on and try a more rural lifestyle further north, giving the next owners their plans to build another dwelling on the property.
"The kids are now 11 and 15, so we thought if we're going to do the lifestyle change, we'll do it now," says Lissa. "We've just loved this place, and we hope another family can get the same enjoyment from it."
