The importance of home ownership to New Zealand’s economy
Starry nights and the shifting magic of sunlight across their Warkworth property have charmed this family of four, finds ROBYN WELSH
”We get the most incredible natural light in this house, from sunrise to sunset. It is the most peaceful shifting light across the olive groves and the grape vines, and the early evening is just divine.”
Fe Grimshaw’s first view of her rural home as the new owner was the best ever, beneath a pitch black, starstudded sky.
Her husband Craig and their four children had driven up earlier in the day, in May two years ago, while Fe finished up a few outstanding sale matters related to their previous home in Devonport.
She felt her excitement peak as she swung into their road east of Warkworth. “It was incredible. It was pitch black — no streetlights — and there were the most incredible stars. It was just so peaceful and calm and, with the beautiful trees and the landscape on the way up, I couldn’t quite believe it.”
She’d seen all of this by day several times, after she and Craig tucked a note under the front door to see if there was any truth to the rumour that the owners were thinking of selling.
But when they finally moved in, Fe discovered still more about the magic of the light through the 180-degree views across the rolling landscape.
“We get the most incredible natural light in this house, from sunrise to sunset. It is the most peaceful shifting light across the olive groves and the grape vines, and the early evening is just divine. Even when it is pouring with rain, you can take in all of this view with all the doors open out to the loggia because of the way the house was built.”
Built in 2001, the house looks out across 80 mature olive trees, that Fe and Craig have been nurturing ready for pressing, and 18 rows of merlot and cabernet sauvignon vines that were part of the former Mahurangi River Winery land. There is also a pip fruit orchard and vegetable gardens.
Their knowledge of the history of the house is hazy, except for the plans by an unnamed architect which the previous owner left behind in the cupboard of the belowground wine cellar/tasting room.
The home’s rough cast, double-storey form features European terracotta roof tiles and European stone flooring tiles inside and out. There is a pool near the house and a guest cottage off the driveway out of sight of the house.
In the main house, all the requisite living and entertaining options are downstairs, as is one bedroom. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms with balcony views and a third bedroom and a study.
Fe and Craig have each run their respective health and wellbeing and corporate loyalty businesses from here with ease. “We thought we’d give it a go and it was excellent. The internet was better than what we had in Devonport,” says Fe.
With elderly parents in the Waikato, one twin son into road cycling and a daughter into horses, they’ve chosen to move to Cambridge, near the velodrome.
“We want to do the right thing by our parents and our children and we’re really excited,” says Fe. “Then we might even come back up here. Sale: Auction June 17
Contact: Kellie Bissett, Bayleys, 027 530 6843; Fin Higgins, 021 660 558