SUBURBAN PEACE, EXPANSIVE VIEWS
Karen and Peter are reluctantly leaving their beautiful and peaceful entertainer’s home with its extensive suburban New Plymouth views across to the treetops of Barrett’s Domain.
The smart Titan-panel home down a quiet driveway at 17d Manukaka Heights sits on just over a quarter acre of flat land, which Karen and Peter set to work to landscape when they moved in nine years back. Their hard work came to fruition two years ago, providing the stunning backdrop for their outdoor wedding. The expansive lawn, large covered wooden deck and light-filled open living rooms beyond proved the perfect setting, Karen recalls. “There was plenty of room for our 60 guests. We’ll be sad to leave here. It was 18 months old when we bought it. There was absolutely nothing done outside, just the house and deck. It suited us perfectly. We wanted to put our mark on it. As soon as we walked in, we knew we wanted it.”
The couple are now intent on a new challenge and keen to move to a 10-acre property.
Parking at the Manukaka Heights home is no problem as there is plenty of room off the quiet right-of-way to park several cars, or a boat or campervan in front of the big double garage.
Inside the door is a well-designed house with the north-facing living areas all gaining maximum sun and warmth. The kitchen is impressive. Guests quite often get no further than the massive expanse of island bench with its stools tucked underneath where they can sit and chat to their hosts. All the Christmas dinner fare can be spread out here for the couple’s big blended family to enjoy.
Karen says the chef’s kitchen is a dream to work in. Storage is provided by a wall of cupboards including a pantry with four plugs for the toaster, etc; while extra-large drawers provide room for everything you could wish for. The double sink is perfectly placed in the island bench which is made of speckled-white manufactured stone. Under the windows is an extrasized freestanding oven with five gas hobs.
A clever “beam me up” electronic innovation has been fitted into the bench behind the hobs. Press the buttons and up comes a vertical extractor with lights. It’s Karen’s favourite toy. “It’s pretty cool. We put in a wide bench to fit it in.” The benefit was extra-deep drawers and no overhead distraction. Wood-look planking on the floor is recent, as is the plush carpet laid throughout the house. The openplan kitchen, dining and living room, with a wealth of windows, allows a range of choices for furniture. “We’ve had Christmas dinners for 30 people in here.” The heat pump is seldom needed as the house is so warm, but it provided excellent cooling in this year’s hot summer, Karen says.
Stacker doors open out on to an expanse of wooden deck and a concreted area leading to the expanse of green lawn. Most of the deck is covered with clear roofing and walled-in on the west to protect it from the winds. In the corner of the deck is the spa.
Sliding internal doors lead to from the open-plan area to the lounge they use to watch TV. This room, too, has access to the deck and magnificent views across the garden and bush beyond.
The hallway into the rest of the house has generous storage capacity - four cupboards, two single and two double. There’s also a convenient third toilet for guests.
The master bedroom has beautiful views of the Kaitake foothills, a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. Feature patterned wallpaper makes a bold statement. The remaining three bedrooms are also double bedrooms. One is currently being used as their study. The large family bathroom has a shower, toilet and bath and heated handrail.
The laundry is in the walk-through passage to the garage, which has plenty of room for such things as another fridge and a freestanding freezer. There is a back door out to the garden where a big shed boasts a fish-filleting table and a large vege garden provides a range of produce.
There is a prolific lime tree which fruits all year round, as well as pears, fully-laden feijoa trees, raspberries, a bay tree and a cranberry hedge.
The whole section is fully fenced with vehicle access available through the wide gates to the side of the house. A cherry blossom on the lawn features in springtime. “We play croquet out here,” Karen says. Birdlife abounds. Moreporks call at night and they have a close-up view of kereru as they swoop past on their way to Barrett’s Domain after feeding on the karaka tree nearby.
Views from the fenceline sweep down to Paritutu and the chimney, while from the other side there are glimpses of the mountain. “And the sunsets from this house are amazing. The sky turns red, orange and pink.”
A nostalgic view is that of the hill to the west where Peter’s grandfather farmed in the mid-1800s. Maori call the hill Tukupera, translated as whale’s tail, and that was what Karen and Peter have called their home.
The surrounding area, with Barrett’s Domain close by, has been well-trodden by Peter. “It’s been wonderful,” Karen says. “Peter walks every track with the dog.”
The neighbours are quiet and friendly. Every Christmas, they get together at the end of the culde-sac for a seasonal social. New owners here should appreciate that conviviality. 021 444 073 751 4909 leo.baas@tsbrealty.co.nz