Peacefulness resonates throughout this waterfront family home where a premium overhaul has complemented the house's 1970s architectural origins.
Owner Nancie Plested says: "I love its privacy and peacefulness. And that's the main thing people comment about - the privacy, plus the spaciousness and the view."
She says her home was built in the 1970s by one of the members of the Moodabe family, who spearheaded cinemas in this country. A few years ago, she took it over from a family member who'd renovated the home after buying it around 2005 directly from the original owners. "So this house has never actually been on the market before."
Its waterfront perch, down a long driveway, admires the sea against a backdrop of the summit of Rangitoto Island projecting above the Pt England Reserve. Nancie was drawn to the home's blend of fabulous entertaining facilities, bountiful accommodation and handiness to St Kentigern College, which her two children attended.
The spacious family home opens up wide to 2160sq m of grounds finessed by renowned landscaper Ted Smyth.
Three stepped carports angle into the front of the painted brick home, which also has a single internal-access garage with raised potager gardens nearby. The seaward side has lots of glass: windows and glass doors highlight a heated pool accented by a big built-in barbecue and a pergola.
A western lounge is a particularly tranquil spot, next to the formal dining room where a chandelier hangs from a sarked wooden ceiling high above. The refurbished kitchen with a wall of wide-opening bifold doors includes a double oven, Corian stone benchtops and DishDrawer.
Nancie loves the ever-changing view, which can include everything from scurrying kite-surfers to early-morning St Kents rowing teams.
The TV room/second lounge shows off brilliant in-built cabinetry added during renovations. Nancie uses the neighbouring room (with a laundry and extra toilet off one side) as a painting studio but it'd equally suit an office/study or games room.
Apparently the four bedrooms side-by-side in a pool-side wing are a legacy of the original owner having four daughters. Their floor space will fit larger beds but each also has the alternative of mezzanine beds, built-in along with study desks, wardrobes and other storage. This wing also has an impeccable family bathroom, a substantial "man-space" storage room below and an upper extended bedroom with en suite and walk-through wardrobe and its own seaside vista.
The upper master suite is a blissful retreat, with cabinetry by Paterson Crafted Furniture, including a subtle modern unit in front of the bed, from which a big-screen TV elevates. The walk-through wardrobe is a thing of beauty and a big luxurious bathroom conceals oodles of storage.
Nancie says she still loves spending time here now the children have gone, but the home is now much larger than she needs so it makes sense to downsize.