Elegantly European

Uncluttered and stylish, this fabulous home boasts a contemporary design and sensational views, as JENNY ELLIOT reports.

This Paihia house, as its name suggests, is stylishly European in an understated and elegant way.

Maison Abri means house of shelter and the name perfectly suits the uncluttered and sophisticated style of this home. First impressions are gleaned from the tree-lined driveway that winds through the mature gardens surrounding the house. Wooden shutters and a plaster finish in neutral tones hint at its inspirations.

Owners Ellen and Gary Sparnon have visited Europe often and wanted a contemporary European design to emphasise the sensational views that surround them.

Maison Abri is part way up the hill above Paihia. It is an easy walk to and from the beach, wharf and township but is elevated enough for views out to the heart of the Bay of Islands.

The mature gardens, with the beautiful trees and native bush, were established around an earlier home on the site. Palms and persimmons enhance the subtropical character.

Also nestled into the trees are two luxurious self-contained studio apartments that bask in all-day sun and have private decks with their own panoramic views. The apartments are being sold as fully furnished units and are fitted with air conditioning and central heating.

The entire front of the house opens up through glass doors to a large deck, which promises hours of alfresco living. The shutters can be positioned along tracks on the outside of the deck for shade, shelter and privacy.

The neutral colours and the extra high stud of the ceilings and doorways accentuate the home's tranquillity. Quality carpets are through the living area upstairs, the master bedroom and the downstairs living area.

The hub of the house is the kitchen. Imported from Italy, the main feature is a granite-topped, free-standing workbench with twin, double-sized sinks.

The kitchen faces across the open-plan living and dining area to views of the bay, and is perfectly positioned for inspired cooking. Ellen loves it and says they will use the same kitchen design again in their next home.

The shelves and cupboards are teak with stainless-steel fittings and opaque glass cupboard doors. The stainless-steel Smeg appliances include a six-burner gas hob and electric oven, a fridge-freezer and a dishwasher. A cook's television sits discreetly on one of the shelves. The striking colour on the kitchen walls has been carefully mixed to match the magnificent golden cypress at the entrance to the home.

But there is more to this kitchen than meets the eye. Behind its rear wall is a butler's kitchen. This is, in effect, a working pantry with its own sink where the messy kitchen tasks can be undertaken out of view. From the master bedroom, fantastic views across the bay can be indulged without even taking your head off the pillow. There is access to the deck through french doors on one side of the room, while two cedar louvre windows feature on the other.

The en suite has a shower, a toilet and a hydrotherapy bath, which is perfect for easing aches at the end of the day. Tower cupboards feature on each side of the double basins with Grohe chrome fittings. Access is directly from the bedroom or through the walk-in wardrobe on the other side.

The upstairs guest bathroom features a hand-painted frieze and gold paint-effect on the walls. The floors in this bathroom and the en suite are rimu. There's also a roomy office space.

Downstairs, the flexible layout is designed as a self-contained one-bedroom suite or as two guest bedrooms. A private balcony with extensive views completes the luxurious layout.

Maison Abri has been designed to take advantage of its magnificent site. The property accommodates paying guests in affordable self-contained luxury, and offers the perfect facilities and surroundings for home entertaining.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 10/12 Bayview Rd, Paihia, Bay of Islands.

FEATURES: An elegant European-style home with stunning views in the heart of the Bay of Islands; open-plan living area and Italian imported kitchen; master bedroom with en suite; guest bathroom and office upstairs; self-contained two bedroom guest unit downstairs and two luxury self-contained apartments nestled in native bush and surrounded by mature gardens.

SIZE: Section approx 1619sq m; floor area - house approx 700sq m, units 200sq m.

PRICE: $1.55 million.

AGENT: Jan Madden Real Estate Ltd, Century 21, Paihia, Bay of Islands. Ph 09 402 8638 bus; fax 09 402 8637.