MATAKANA
16 TAMAHUNGA DRIVE
Building on an elevated site overlooking Matakana, Jenny Marcoft and Stuart Anderson were determined to future-proof their home. Jenny says she spotted the subdvision being developed six years ago and liked the ridgeline properties but it wasn’t until about 18 months ago that things fell into place and they bought what they thought was one of the more desirable sites.
The couple had architectural designer Rob Earley draw up plans for a house with a central living area and bedroom wings either side that would suit the family during their daughter Milly’s teenage years and could be used for extended family living later on.
“Even though we only have one child we thought she might want to live in this house one day when she was married and grandma could be at the other end of the house,” says Jenny.
To that end, the master bedroom has its own wing with walk-in wardrobe and full en suite while the other bedroom wing has a guest bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en suite, two more bedrooms and a bathroom.
On one side and adjoining the kitchen is the main lounge while on the other is a soundproofed media room. A third living space could be used as a games room, library or study.
“It was a combination of ideas that we had seen, and we had built before so we knew the type of living arrangment that we liked,” says Jenny. “And the site dictated how we built as well.” She says builder Carl Arthur made the process easy. “He was on site always and kept everything on track; nothing was an issue for him, and he used local tradies which was important to us. He also stopped me getting carried away with myself and blowing the budget.”
Sitting on an east-west axis, the house has most of its rooms opening to a north-facing deck with views of Mt Tamahunga. It was set back on the site to make room for a swimming pool on the northern side.
At the centre of the home, the kitchen-dining area is clad in painted brick while the bedroom wings are clad in cedar. The kitchen has a butler’s pantry, oak floors and opens via ranch sliders to a covered deck. Dark oak cabinetry contrasts with the white walls and surfaces of the kitchen, while black pendant lights over the breakfast bar provide interest.
“The rest of the kitchen is LED lighting so those overhead lights, which have a gold colour inside, give a lovely warm, golden feel in the kitchen,” says Jenny.
After trying various whites in other homes, Jenny says Resene’s ‘Black White’ is the colour of choice for the walls throughout because “when you hang paintings on the wall, they really pop”.
She says she resisted the temptation to use feature walls, instead using texture to create interest such as in the white hexagonal tiles in the kitchen splashback, some of which have a flower motif.
Neutral tones with brown or grey hues feature in the tiled bathrooms, in keeping with Jenny’s plan to create a sense of harmony in the home.
“The site is so peaceful that I wanted to make sure that the home captured that feeling and by keeping the tones all the same there is no jarring feeling.”
Having moved in during the first week of December, Jenny says it’s been a “bittersweet” realisation that they need to move on to a larger property so Milly can further her interest in miniature horses.
“We have three miniature horses and a fourth on the way and my daughter is on the competition circuit,” says Jenny. “We want her to be able to step out the door and work with the horses without having to travel.” Size: Land 1.16ha, house 279sq m (approx). Price guide: Over $2 million. Auction: March 2, 10am. Inspect: Sun, noon12.45pm. School zones: Matakana School, Mahurangi College. Contact: Shailenne Parkes, 021 117 9142, Bayleys. On the web: bayleys.co.nz/1220240