Space to breathe 29 HOBBS RD, MATAKATIA, GULF HARBOUR
Screened with timber shutters on one side to provide shelter and a sense of enclosure, the portico looks out on to the garden.
Geoff Leigh will deny the four-car garage had anything to do with the decision he and his wife Ilse made to buy their property at Gulf Harbour. But it was certainly a bonus, and one of the many that came with the house built for flexible living options.
The couple begun their property search in the Kumeu area because they wanted a good-sized piece of land, but when they saw a photograph of this striking black and white house they were so attracted to it that they searched online to find out where it was.
They were surprised to discover the location was Gulf Harbour because, as Geoff says, “we thought: ‘where would you find that much space in Gulf Harbour?’.”
Sitting on a pristine acre, the house, built in 2011, won their hearts; first for the attention to detail and quality of the build.
“It was in perfect condition and it felt as if everything had been done right,” Geoff says.
They liked the grooved, painted walls, the ceiling details and the clever three-wing layout.
The single level house is mainly north-facing with three pavilions linked by glass hallways. Every room has french doors to the garden so it’s easily cooled in summer, and double glazing and a fire keep it warm in winter.
One pavilion contains the main living area which is open plan with a spacious kitchen, a dining area and a sitting area. The kitchen is large enough to accommodate a casual dining setting, and has a dash of Gallic style with granite benches, wooden floors, grooved white cabinetry and a three-in-one oven with a gas hob. A mantle with decorative shelving and incorporating a textured tile splashback has been built above the oven to continue the theme.
It’s an excellent workspace but there’s no fighting here about who cooks.
“I do all the cooking because I enjoy putting things together in the kitchen,” Geoff says.
The adjoining sitting area has twin bespoke timber barn doors as its focal point, and opposite these are french doors opening to a covered portico at the front of
the house which is the main outdoor living area. Screened with timber shutters on one side to provide shelter and a sense of enclosure, the portico looks out on to the garden.
Another wing contains the master suite with a carpeted bedroom, walk-in-wardrobe, tiled bathroom with shower and bath, and french doors to a private deck.
The third wing is an ideal kids’ or guest space with bedroom, bathroom and living area.
The landscaping was put together with the same attention to detail as the house, resulting in a simple, elegant garden that is easy to maintain. At the front is a formal lawn encircled by a white-flowering hedge, and alongside is a circular focal point which adds a sculptural aspect to the landscape.
An hour on the ride-on every couple of weeks takes care of most of the maintenance and Geoff says that it gives him time out to have long conversations with himself.