Reeling in a lifestyle property
A fishing rod was one of the measures that decided the purchase of this property by Ron and Janice 16 years ago.
The sea’s not far away, as the views from windows reveal, but it was the ceiling height in the lounge that was critical for Ron, Janice explains. ‘‘We had to have a ceiling high enough for Ron to put up a fishing rod to work on it.’’
The raked ceilings in the lounge provided just that. And the location of this property at 685 Plymouth Rd, just minutes along the Surf Highway from New Plymouth, allowed Janice an easy drive into her florist business in town. ‘‘It’s 15 minutes comfortably,’’ she says.
As a florist, Janice also appreciated the well-established gardens framing the house that provided perfect foliage fillers for some of her floral creations.
Those advantages made it an easy decision to buy this 1.3-hectare lifestyle property when they were looking to move off their coastal Warea farm.
Prospective buyers now will find plenty more to encourage their interest in this property. Family space in a peaceful rural environment is a popular combination that is beautifully presented here.
The best approach for visitors is the short drive up Koru Rd from SH45 on to Plymouth Rd. It’s a wider, smoother road than the winding option up the first section of Plymouth Rd.
A well-planted entrance then invites you up the concrete drive that curves around to the plaster-clad 1980s home sitting on a double basement garage. A glassbordered deck sits out from the upper level to add pleasing cover to the garage and the front door.
Inside that front door is an atrium-like foyer space filled with light. The glassblock wall to the side of the front door lets in light below, while a box window above the stairs allows the sun to pour into the upper area.
Living areas are ahead of the landing, an office opens off the landing, while the four bedrooms are along the hallway to the right. The living areas are semi-open and split-level with the lounge space an easy two steps above the kitchen-dining area and defined by a half-wall of earthycoloured tiles framing the free-standing cast-iron fire.
Ron explains that it is a diesel-fuelled fire, offering ease of use and energy efficiency. It’s very effective in keeping the home’s interior comfortable through the winter, he says. ‘‘You don’t have to cart wood inside . . . and there’s no ash!’’ There’s also a gas-fired central heating system, but Ron and Janice have found the diesel fire to be all they need.
The lounge opens out to that northfacing, glass-bordered deck at the front of the house, while the dining area opens to a generous, new timber deck that looks east and enjoys the morning sun. The latter is a great spot for a coffee to start the day, says Janice, while the main deck is large enough for family and friends to spread out for afternoon tea.
‘‘It’s a very elastic house for entertaining,’’ says Ron. They’ve regularly hosted gatherings of children and grandchildren and a lot of people can be accommodated here without feeling crowded.
Out here, you can also take in the sea horizon that is part of the appeal of this setting. A couple of the bedrooms also enjoy the sea outlook.
The immediate environment of gardens and rural surroundings is equally appealing, and a protected space for family times. ‘‘We are sheltered from the worst of the winds here,’’ Janice says.
That combination of sea horizon and garden plantings has ongoing eye appeal, Ron notes. ‘‘Every window has a different picture and every week it changes.’’
The lounge boasts a corner window seat that emphasises that appeal.
‘‘On a winter afternoon, it’s very pleasant . . . sitting here is just lovely,’’ adds Janice.
In the dining area, a wall of glass curves around a corner to a hinged exterior door that opens on to that morning deck. A clear roof cover links to an outside studio or hobby room that also has a toilet and shower. The kitchen adjacent to the dining room provides some of Janice’s favourite moments; on a clear day, the box window over the ceramic cooktop frames a perfect view of the mountain slopes. The kitchen is well appointed, with granite benchtops, generous cabinet capacity, wine-bottle storage and a glass-door display cabinet.
The master bedroom is first on the right along the hallway, enjoying the sun and light of its northerly aspect and the convenience of ensuite services. Three more double bedrooms, family bathroom (with a spa bath) and a separate laundry complete the layout upstairs. Downstairs is the double garaging and its internal access convenience.
More garaging is available in the separate double garage next to the house, although Ron has one half set up as his workshop. New owners can decide how they want to use the extra space.
More storage and equipment sheds are available on the property befitting its lifestyle focus. There are five paddocks around the house on which Ron and Janice usually raise three or four ‘beefies’ to keep the freezer stocked.
Harcourts consultant Pat McFetridge is marketing the property, which she suggests could also carry stock choices ranging from alpacas to horses, goats to sheep. ‘‘This property is just big enough; any more would be work, not a lifestyle,’’ Pat says.