STREET-SMART
Passers-by stop to admire and even photograph this home, writes SANDRA GOODWIN
This striking home’s commanding presence on one of Westmere’s best streets has struck the right notes not only with its owners of 14 years but scores of passers-by.
Shane Compton says: “We both like the minimalist look, all its different materials and its commanding presence. Lots of other people do too judging by the number who stop and look at it or even take photos.”
Shane’s husband Richard says architect Guy Tarrant designed this home for its previous owners the Jansson family, including Alan Jansson who co-wrote and produced the song How Bizarre by OMC.
However, shortly after completion the Janssons decided they liked their previous set-up combining home and a recording studio.
This suited the Comptons who were looking for a home with more living space than the Herne Bay townhouse they previously lived in.
Shane says: “We pretty much liked everything about this place and we’d always liked this road which has a lovely neighbourly feel to it.”
Retired civil engineer Richard says: “I worked in concrete a lot so I love the concrete block walls and polished concrete floors, which have underfloor heating.”
Street-side, the main living floor dramatically cantilevers over its basement double garage with wine cellar, its streetfacing, large enclosed deck or outdoor room fronted with cedar louvres for privacy.
The stainless bench from the kitchen-lounge continues out into the enclosed deck area for barbequing purposes.
A big Fijian kauri island and built-in wall-unit are hallmarks in inside’s concrete-floored open-plan space.
Shane says: “It’s all so aesthetically pleasing; you look at so many aspects of it and think ‘well that was a clever idea.” The front entry path can be gated off from the patio with entry water feature.
The front door enters a towering double height atrium. This contains the staircase and a discretely tucked away powder room, while linking the main living with a two-storey rear concrete bedroom and bathroom wing.
Downstairs this wing has three bedrooms, one used as an office, plus a family bathroom and laundry room.
Upstairs is another living room where the Comptons watch television, opening to decks with glass balustrades and stellar views from the Waitakeres and around the water. The upper windows in the atrium stairwell are one of many areas where the Compton’s added blinds, seeing as the mezzanine study used to bake too much in the sun.
Richard says: “I like our master bedroom and en suite — they’re massive.”
The big bedroom anchors the bed against a partial wall, behind which a storage-rich walk-through dressing room accesses the delightful en suite which features a freestanding bath.
The couple say the double shower this incorporates was handy when they were both working, Shane in IT software.
The Compton’s evolved the grounds which introduce the home with sculptural clipped balls of lomandra and feature a big level backyard. Sale: Tender closes February 20
Contact: Kath Barnes, Barfoot and Thompson, 027 240 0015; Jacqui Vaughan-Kells 027 447 5401