Spoilt for Choice

Words by  Irena Brooks
MCK Photography MCK Photography

Stunning coastline vistas of Paritutu and the Sugar Loaf Islands vie with magnificent views of the mountain and ranges. But the views are only part of the story. 

The latest new home to be built at Tapuae Estate is a property that offers endless choice.

Set on one of the highest points of the exclusive gated community sited on the coast between New Plymouth and Oakura, this 4100sqm (one acre) section has one of the most enviable outlooks around.

Builders, Fast Fox Construction have teamed up with architect Kyle Ramsay, to design a house that makes the most of what the site offers. The result is a three bedroom family home that wants for nothing.

This house offers the best of both worlds in terms of lifestyle, views and design — sea and mountain views; indoor and outdoor living; a real family home and entertainers’ dream.

It has everything you want — and then more.

Yes, a double garage is great — but a triple garage is even better.

And an island kitchen would be terrific — so how about a massive butler’s kitchen too?

Yes you want a living area that takes in the magnificent views — but what about a second lounge/come media room to watch TV, sports matches and game with the kids?

Fast Fox Construction owners Jason and Fiona McIntyre, have come to know the site well — and it shows.

Fiona  is very familiar with the section and all it offers. Her parents, John and Mary Washer developed Tapuae Estate back in 2003 and lived in the original farmhouse that used to sit on this very site. When she and Jason moved back to Taranaki four years ago they purchased the vacant site and began plans to develop a high spec home on it.

“We’re really proud of our talented Fast Fox build team and expert local contractors who helped bring this dream home vision to reality.”

THE SETTING

Tapuae Estate properties include a 1/30th share of the working farm the development sits on (but without any of the work).

Viewshafts have been protected and owners have free use of all amenities, including bush-walking tracks, tennis courts and the pavilion party space.

On the day I visited the property was surrounded by beautiful brown cows.

It also shares a boundary with Okurukuru Vineyard — there’s even a gate where you can walk through to reach the renowned seafront restaurant, cafe and wine cellar.

The entrance to the house at 29 Washer Road takes in a commanding view of the mountain and Kaitake ranges.

At the front door there’s a floor to ceiling window you can look through to get a glimpse of the vista that extends to Paritutu and the Sugar Loaf Islands beyond. When the front door is opened the full effect of that picture window is revealed — and at night the view changes to a sparkling city portrait.

Built as if they were going to live here themselves, Fiona and Jason worked hard with architect Kyle Ramsay to make the most of the views while ensuring privacy. Windows were framed at just the right angle and made the perfect height, so sitting in the living area the views are just as good as when you walk in.

Designed like a T-intersection, each of the three wings of the house has a distinct purpose — living, sleeping and utility. It makes for a home that embraces logic and offers a seamless, flowing lifestyle.

Surrounding the open plan living area on three sides (north, west and east) is a wrap-around recessed deck that offers shelter from the elements while allowing in copious light and just the right amount of sun, depending on the time of year. Sliding doors offer easy access and ventilation with no banging of doors or windows.

“It’s a home designed for entertaining … designed in such way that the house is protected from the prevailing southwest winds,” says Fiona.

Glass is a key element of the design — essential really to make the most of the views as well as provide gorgeous light and the warmth of north-facing windows. The polished concrete floors in the living and service areas of the home provide a heat sink for the home, releasing stored heat from each day into the house at night.

Clad in iron-coloured steel and cedar with a mono pitch roof, the minimalist design conceals maximal living with quality fixtures and fittings throughout. The generous ceiling height (2.7m) imparts an air of luxury and space, while making the most of those views.

THE LIVING WING

The kitchen is the hub of the home — and what a kitchen!

With benches made entirely of a marble-look product called Hi-Macs, the sleek charcoal-coloured cabinetry is finished with polished chrome handles.

A full-length butler’s kitchen is hidden behind the back bench and cupboards. From here a servery window opens to the decking along the western side of the living area — ideal for handing through foods, drinks and cutlery.

Along with the copious drawers and cupboard space are fabulous touches like the double fridge and freezer that’s carefully concealed and integrated into the cabinetry. The large drawer beneath the waist-high oven, that offers plenty of vertical storage spaces to put unused racks and baking trays. The pull-out drawers of the pantry which offer maximum storage and ease of use. And the bar fridge in the butler’s pantry with a hanging wine rack directly above.

With copious bench space in the kitchen and the butler’s pantry, there’s also a dishwasher, rubbish receptacles, and a sink in both areas (one with luxury pull-out spot fittings), plus surely more storage space than you’ll ever need.

A dining area sits closest to the axis of the house, with a spacious yet cosy media room adjacent.

There’s also access to the deck here, which continues around three sides of the living wing, with options to add a spa bath to watch the stunning sunsets, and even a lap pool.

At the end of this wing is the lounge, with its fantastic vista of Paritutu and the Sugar Loaf Islands.

It opens out onto a massive covered deck that ensures you make the most of this area. Sunken flax plantings will soften and frame the view over time, while in winter or on cooler summer evenings, you can fire up the freestanding Metro Wood Fire. As an added bonus, the fire has a hidden heat transfer system in the ceiling, to provide extra warmth to the bedroom wing.

THE SLEEPING QUARTERS

Plush carpet delineates this wing from the rest of the house, providing comfort, warmth and quiet.

The carpeted hallway that services this area stretches from the foyer of the house to the master suite that sits privately at the end of the wing.

Closest to the foyer are two double bedrooms, which look out onto a sheltered and private lawn with the shimmering sea views beyond. Both feature roomy wardrobes that have been custom-fitted with drawers, hanging space and stackable cubbies.

Across the hallway is the main bathroom, divided into a separate powder room (with basin and mirror), and a long spacious shower room with vanity. 

Predominantly white with a charcoal-coloured marble pattern, the tiling is exquisite and evokes an air of luxury.

The shower is vast, with a dumping head and shower slide, while reflected in the large mirror above the vanity is an expansive view of the mountain.

Next to the bathroom is a double linen closet that provides a feeling of separation from the 

master suite that is situated at the end of this wing. The walk-in wardrobe of the suite mirrors this separation effect on the other side of the hallway.

Large and light-filled, the master bedroom takes in commanding views of both the mountain and sea … it’s the kind of sight that has you looking forward all night to waking up and taking in. 

On the end wall a window frames the sculptural lower limbs of a mature pohutukawa that was carefully preserved and became a visual anchor point for the house. You can literally lie in bed and watch the birds living in their own architectural masterpiece.

Sliding doors open out onto a private deck that overlooks the sheltered lawn area and gardens, while taking in that million-dollar view to Paritutu and the Sugar Loaves.

The en suite is even bigger than the main bathroom and features a double vanity, toilet, and shower big enough for two with dumping head and shower slide. The clever positioning of a window and a well-placed cabbage tree ensures you can see the mountain view without losing your privacy.

THE UTILITY WING

Dominated by the triple garaging at the end, all of the garage and workshop has been carpeted and the ply walls varnished to enhance the natural grains of the wood.

This wing also offers the best laundry space you will probably ever have.

A long bench space for sorting and folding, cupboards and closet space for storing everything once it has been dried, folded and/or ironed. A door leads to the lawn outside to accommodate a washing line of your choice. 

Massive water storage accommodates two 20,000L tanks (40,000 litres in all!)

Low maintenance landscaping complements the mature pohutukawa that graces the hill adjacent to the build.

This house is for sale through First National Leo Baas (see ad at bottom of this page) and viewing is by appointment.

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