Beachfront with privacy. Peter and Nicki Treacy knew it was a big ask. But those two items were top of their wish list when they started looking for a holiday getaway in Omaha.
They chose Omaha for its proximity to Auckland, its great fishing, swimming and surfing and the populartown of Matakana. They bought the bach at 4 Parry Court because it fitted the bill -- beachfront, with privacy.
The house was built in 1995 and today it looks virtually new. Two-storeyed with cedar weatherboard cladding and floor-to-ceiling windows upstairs and down, it had a major renovation in 2006 and further work was done in 2013, with Leuschke Group Architects taking on the job of creating a stylish, modern holiday home that sleeps 10.
Timber floors, lots of willow and wicker furniture, a beautiful bleached teak dining table and a palette of soft beachy colours all contribute to the casual style of the house.
Peter and Nicki have often had crowds of friends and teenagers at the house and it's proved ideal for entertaining large numbers indoors and out. The lower level has two large bedrooms that each sleep five people in a stylish set-up of a queen bed and built-in bunks. Two guest bathrooms service this area and there's also a lounge area.
The living area is upstairs and opens on to a large, curved deck with a glass balustrade that allows wide views over the beach. An outdoor sitting area is sheltered by louvre screens. The couple added another deck on the side of the house closest to the road and enclosed it to give them a dining space protected from the breeze.
On this level there's also the master bedroom and en suite, plus a guest powder bathroom.
"I think we're a bit over-bathroomed," Peter says with a laugh.
The layout of the house provides ample privacy and they always marvelled that despite having quite close neighbours they always felt private.
"If the cars are in the garage, you'd never know we were here," Peter says.
They also like the fact that they're in a quiet cul-de-sac where the neighbours know one another and their kids play cricket in the street. It's a quick trip to the boat ramp, important to Peter who loves to fish, and there are lots of good walks nearby for the couple and their dogs.
The surf break is another bonus for Peter, who grew up in Dunedin and surfed at St Clair beach. He agrees the temperature at Omaha is kinder.
As well as overlooking the waves, the front deck affords views of the boats coming and going from Whangateau Harbour, Ti Point, Coromandel and the Barrier Islands. Once you're ensconced, there aren't too many reasons to move.
Image 1 of 5: This well-appointed holiday home is a blank canvas waiting for a family to add personality
Parting with the house has been a difficult decision, but with grown-up children of 22, 17 and 16 it has become difficult to arrange family get togethers at Omaha and Peter and Nicki are not spending as much time there as they used to.
"We have our own time pressures and the kids are going in different directions," Peter says.
He and Nicki also spend a lot more time at their vineyard in Central Otago. They bought land there more than 10 years ago and began to follow their dream of making great pinot noir.
