Town and country lure
99 SANDSPIT RD, WARKWORTH
Mike and Diane Kelly might have the big sky of the country above them, but they can still walk into town for a flat white coffee. It’s a fantastic spot, says Mike, of their 2ha block, which still has the cowshed that once supplied Warkworth with milk.
Their house was built in the 1960s, though not much of the original dwelling remains, as the previous owner carried out major renovations — not once, but twice, says Mike.
There are ceilings of macrocarpa from wood milled off the farm and limestone pavers taken from what was the farm’s quarry.
The elevated site features a huge flat lawn, which slopes away to a stream.
The Kellys have steers Woolly and Brindle (who love organic lemons) and Pete the cat.
Mike says the property would be great if you wanted horses or donkeys, a pig or sheep.
The gardens have a park-like quality with Diane’s sister, landscape architect Lisa Rimmer, as the designer.
Diane says there were hardly any natives in the garden when they arrived, so Lisa put in new plantings.
“It was all sort of very English and it didn’t move with the wind, so she’s put a lot of movement back into the garden, which is lovely to see.”
Mike, a business consultant who works from home, says the gardens are established and low maintenance.
There are the pinks and purples of cherry trees, magnolias and azaleas, as well as the greens of liquid amber trees and the various natives.
He and Diane like to sit on the garden seat with a glass of wine and look out at the hills.
Mike especially loves the views to Mt Tamahunga and the Dome of Dome Valley.
The lawn is so huge they have had large family and other gatherings here, aided by the expansive lounge/dining area and outdoor tiled deck, which blends seamlessly with the lawn.
The big lounge has a separate lounge off it which they call “the snug”, because you can close it up and sit by the fire.
Stained glass around the entry door features a kingfisher (in keeping with regular kingfishers who “work the lawn”), and around the corner is a studio where Diane paints.
This property has a lot of surprises, says Mike, and there is storage everywhere. The master bedroom has stained macrocarpa beams, a large en suite and walk-in wardrobe, plus doors to the outdoors.
There are two hot water cylinders, great when the house is full of people. Two bedrooms open to a wooden deck and a fourth large bedroom at the end of a hallway is big enough for a couch and has views over the town.
There’s a separate laundry to which they added a toilet and shower; a covered carport with a wall of cupboards; a separate boot room and a double garage, which houses the boat, paddle boards, windsurfers, bikes and other items.
Raised gardens at the back of the property have strawberries growing and there’s a vege patch in front of the kitchen.
The couple and their two boys lived in nearby Snells Beach for 20 years on a smaller block, but Mike says the boys outgrew the house.
The family wanted to be closer to town but still have land. They weren’t quite expecting to fall for something as special as this property, Mike says, but when they did, the deal was done within a few days.
Along with being able to walk into town, the property is near beaches and other settlements, such as Snells Beach, Matakana and the Tawharanui Peninsula.
The family is selling not to downsize but to upsize.
“We’re moving on because our son wants to perhaps go in together on a bigger property, a bigger block, so it’s a family opportunity to do something like that.”