62 Ardern Ave, Stanmore Bay, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst
When Chris and Robyn Pearce started house-hunting three years ago they had one important stipulation: their new place had to have uninterrupted sea views.
They got that with the house they ended up buying in Stanmore Bay — plus a whole lot more than they hadn't bargained on.
"Once we saw this house, every other place we looked at was a 'no'. This was just far superior," says Robyn.
The striking Cape Cod-style home was built in 2010 by architect and master builder Malcolm McCall.
"He built it for himself to showcase eco-living, so it has very thick walls, double glazing, sustainable materials, and solar heating," says Chris. "We didn't expect to be getting all that, it was a bonus."
The solar panels are recessed into the roof — which has been pitched at exactly the right angle to get the maximum amount of sun — so they are barely visible. "They produce more energy than we can use — the excess goes back to the grid."
There is also a wetback fire in the living room and underfloor heating in part of the house, so combined with an abundance of insulation, the three-level house is very warm in winter.
Malcolm's clever design means there is no wasted space. Cupboards have been slotted into eaves and two extra rooms have been fitted into what could have been wasted attic space.
"There's a lot more to this house than you first realise," says Robyn. "He did a really great job."
Other bonuses include the office on the ground floor. Located by the front door and with external access, it has been the perfect spot for Chris, who runs his business from home.
Robyn also recently started working from home, and nabbed a bedroom on the first floor for her office. It has a wonderful water view plus French doors out to a balcony.
"It is such a lovely place to work," she says.
Back on the ground floor there is a bathroom, a separate lounge that can be closed off with cavity sliders and the large open plan informal living/dining/kitchen. Both this space and the lounge next door open up to a deck via French doors, and have a great outlook across the garden to Stanmore Bay.
"This is why we came," says Chris, admiring the view, "and we couldn't have asked for better."
"There's something very peaceful and tranquil about being able to look out at the water, and it's nice not to see roofs or aerials," says Robyn, adding that at night it's also spectacular because of the lights of homes on the other side of the bay.
The kitchen, with its polished wooden bench tops, tongue and groove cabinetry and large gas oven, is one of the highlights of the home.
It also has a separate butler's pantry, where any mess can be shut away. When the Pearces held a large party, the professional caterer they got in was very impressed with the set-up.
The laundry, which has access to the double garage, has a wall of cupboards and a door out to a sunny courtyard where the clothesline is located.
"It has all been so well-thought out," says Robyn.
On the next floor up, the master bedroom is generous, with a large en suite and a walk-in wardrobe. It also opens out to a balcony, and in summer the doors can be left wide open with no worries about security.
Along with Robyn's office and a "wet-room" style family bathroom, there are two further bedrooms on this level, which have views in the opposite direction towards Manly Beach.
Then there are the two extra rooms tucked into the roof on the third level.
Both have picturesque circular windows, and one has been converted into a library with built-in shelving a day bed.
Outside, there's plenty of room for entertaining or just lazing on the deck enjoying the view.
"We often sit here and watch dolphins jumping in the bay — we've even seen orcas," says Chris."
There's a walkway just along the street that leads down to Stanmore Bay, where the couple swim most days in summer.
And if they ever fancy a change, Manly Beach is just a few minutes drive in the other direction.
Robyn and Chris are sad to be leaving, but they're moving closer to a business they own out of Auckland.
"It'll be hard to go, it's such a fantastic house to live in, and it is not often you get a location like this," Robyn says.