CONTACT:
Simon Siddells, Ray White, ph 027 605 8067.
AUCTION:
February 11.
*Plus studio
**Plus off-street parking
New Zealand's film industry gave Auckland's West Coast beaches a huge boost in the 90s, featuring in films such as The Piano, and the Xena and Hercules TV series. Aptly, some stylish film folks have made the rugged and scenic Piha their 'burb; sleek designer pads sit comfortably beside typicalKiwi baches, places that have been owned by generations of families, and added to over the years with a hotchpotch of additions.
When freelance visual effects compositor Mike Robinson and stylist/set designer Carolin Manz bought their place, tucked in bush high on the hill, the hard work had been done. It was an original bach (Mike guesses it was built in the 50s or 60s), but already had a deck, decent kitchen and some of the boring stuff like insulation done. Which meant he and Carolin could do the interesting stuff. And they immediately spotted the location's potential.
"We'd lived in Grey Lynn, then Titirangi. We came out here and realised that for that extra 15 minutes of driving it was so worth it. It's so peaceful and relaxed. We sit in the spa and see the beach and watch the sun go down," he says.
The couple didn't want to "urbanise" the sweet old bach, but Carolin applied her professional stylist's eye to the interiors, which included updating the flooring with sustainable bamboo. Rather than "Grey Lynn-ise" the vintage bones of the place, the couple have opted for a relaxed beachy vibe with dark stained floors and plenty of white paint to complement their collection of mid-century furniture. The old bathroom is now a stylish white wet room, with a door opening to a second, outdoor, shower.
"We have lots of friends staying and they say it feels just like a tropical resort, our friends from Europe love it," says Carolin. Mike names it as one of his favourite treats -- the house is so private from neighbours that he takes his morning shower in the crisp air most days.
They smartened up the exterior too, by continuing the beachy vibe with gravel walks and rugged macrocarpa steps at the entrance. A huge deck opens off the living space via bifold glass doors, plus a great lawn complete with pizza oven.
Image 1 of 8: PIHA Streamlined living spaces blend effortlessly with the robust sensibility of a Kiwi bach,
The best thing the couple did was convert an old garage into a terrific studio -- which can be an office, guest room or second sitting room/den. In the studio, the couple have used left-over bamboo flooring to panel the walls, tucking the laundry door behind sliding doors of the same material. Carolin continued the Mad Men den look with vintage leather sofas, industrial lamps and a stack of sheepskin throws. She uses the smallest third bedroom in the house as her office.
The couple reckon the commute to the city is about 45 minutes, but in their industry they are lucky enough to work non-regular hours so can make the most of travelling off peak.
"We have lots of guests staying with us. We use the pizza oven, the spa pool and kids run around on the lawn. There are more and more young people living out here, we have some pretty awesome neighbours. Clive drops off snapper every so often," says Mike. They even have a vintage 1950s caravan tucked on the lawn that functions as a bar for parties and converts to a sweet guest room for overnighters. The new addition to the family, 9-month-old Finn, kicks back in the relaxed atmosphere, his parents say.
But the youngster is one reason they are selling. The couple plan to move to Berlin to be closer to Carolin's family and the city's creative buzz. Finn already has two passports and his parents have mixed feelings about trading the peace of their Piha home for the pace of a big city -- and an urban apartment. But the move does mean their beaut house and tranquil lifestyle are up for grabs.
