Superb design blends styles with its focus on entertainment
By Jo Ferris
Entertaining is the focus, but it’s the finesse of this home that captures attention initially. Set in The Lakes on an upper ridge in the early stages of the estate, the house has an elevated outlook on life and is designed to take full advantage of the sun and outdoor living. First impressions present a home with contemporary lines. This is true in the main. An appreciation of fine furnishings and international influences however, reveal how this home adapts to any taste – from traditional formality to subtle farmhouse accents and industrial finish. This intriguing blend is introduced at the welcome – a soaring portico forming a spine that divides the home’s wings. A modern take on wainscoting wall panels catches the eye immediately. The contrast with the polished concrete flooring and sarked timber ceiling, with its bespoke chandelier, strikes at the heart of smart interior design.
This house is bold in the way it interlaces eras and styles. On the one hand it’s utterly modern in its approach. On the other, it includes traditional character with the likes of papered feature walls. The formal, fireside lounge enjoys two different outlooks – one looking west to the hills behind Tauranga Crossing, the other to the leafy seclusion of the garden at the rear.
The mood changes in the family hub, where the polished concrete flooring from the entrance continues into this area. Cooks will love the designer kitchen – gas hobs, double wall oven, built-in microwave and good workspace. The island unit - with its granite counters and waterfall bar-stool finish - is an invitation to gather. The flow to dining and family relaxation is effortless, while alfresco dining and lounging around the outdoor fire is integral to this home’s entertainment factor.
The master retreat commands king position at the rear – elevated in its own wing and with a private outdoor area. Linked cleverly with the alfresco lounge off family living below, it’s yet another feature which highlights the thought behind this home’s design. Three more bedrooms give options for guests and the sought-after provision for a ‘work-from-home’ study. A feature wall silhouettes the New York skyline with its stark memory of the twin towers. It tugs the heartstrings and is another reminder of life’s harshness; how things continue to change – and why people are looking for new ways of living and working. Beautifully, landscaped gardens grace this property. Layered, thanks to the site, the garden is as diverse as the home – different aspects, styles and themes blending together to form total symmetry. It is an elegant home, immaculate and set in one of Tauranga’s most soughtafter areas. Close to all The Lakes’ nature trails and Tauranga Crossing’s attractions, this property is a splendid way to make changes in this New Year.