Drawn here by fate
598 COWAN BAY RD, MAHURANGI WEST
June and Andy Fry aren’t ones for letting the grass grow under their feet. They’ve made a habit of renovating their homes then promptly setting off in search of their next project.
They lived in their previous home in Coatesville for nine years, which was a long time given their comparatively short tenure of the homes they renovated in the UK and in this country, to where they moved 23 years ago.
On completing their Coatesville home, the couple headed out for a drive to see what else was on offer. Countless weekend excursions later they discovered this sweet spot called Puriri Grove, one of the seven properties within the gated part of the Cowan Bay Coastal Estate.
Beneath long grass, they uncovered the elevated building platform ready and waiting for them. June saw it as a sign they were meant to live here.
“Our fate is written for us and we are just on that path,” she says. “It’s rural, it’s coastal and it’s a magical spot.”
They walked over the land, taking in its 360 degree views that include the Mahurangi River and harbour before engaging Ikon Homes to undertake their first new build.
June and Andy knew what they wanted and they specified tall doors, a high stud, lifestyle flexibility and architectural flair as key points. Style-wise, June wanted an industrial/rural/contemporary vibe.
“We didn’t want a house with too much of a theme, where people could tell the date it was
built.” Mono-pitched roof planes define the rooms of this cedar-clad house, which blends into the landscape.
Inside and out, this house offers privacy, seclusion and entertainment options including the master en suite with totally private views across the countryside.
Whatever the weather, there are sheltered outdoor entertainment areas quite apart from Andy’s separate allweather, bespoke games room adjoining his workshop.
Within the footprint of the house, the 3.7m high covered deck off the family room looks out across the infinity pool and the river.
The high stud of the family room was designed as the focal point, alongside the more discreet kitchen and dining areas with lower ceilings and laminate flooring.
Within the kitchen and butler’s pantry, June specified sleek lines with no drawer handles and complementary timber accents.
She also wanted the hob in the middle of the island bench, rather than underneath a “claustrophobic” rangehood. “This means I can see everyone when we’re entertaining and not feel shut away,” she says.
They didn’t rush into ill-considered product choices when putting the finishing touches on interior dcor.
June knew she’d found the right bathroom and laundry floor tiles when she found one with rustlook accents that suited her industrial aesthetic.
It took her a long time to find tiles in the right shade of green to complete kitchen and laundry splashbacks — but only a split second to choose the green for her front door. She wanted a statement colour as long as it wasn’t red.
“All around us the tones are earthy and natural. I saw the green and thought, ‘That’s it.’”
June and Andy always knew they’d live here for some time, although they never thought of this as their “forever home”.
Now their instincts are telling them it is time to downsize and go travelling.