Mt Eden: Best laid plans

A modern family home achieves just the right blend of elegance and practicality, writes Catherine Foster.

37 Horoeka Ave, Mt Eden

When planning a new home for themselves and the five children from their blended families on what had been the site of a rundown block of flats, Liz and Wayne Ashworth decided they wanted a home that was both practical and beautiful.

"With five adult children between us we needed room to spread out," says Liz. They wanted space and sunshine, private corners and generous open living, and briefed architect Barney Milic to design just that. He came up with a concept that cleverly used New Zealand's most popular housing materials, brick and weatherboard, but with a light and witty touch that is all of the moment. An unusual brick, and a soft earthy colour on the weatherboards, link the enveloping scoria walls to the house and lead the visitor gracefully into a spacious tiled lobby, made more welcoming on a miserable day by underfloor heating.

The whole building has been designed to maximise the use of natural light. Lying bathed in a sunlight that defies the thunder, a large family room, streamlined Italian kitchen, dining space and formal living all flow seamlessly on from one another until the north-facing garden is reached through full height bifold doors. Mini outdoor spaces with more floor to ceiling doors and windows offer many other options for outdoor living. West-facing off the main bedroom suite is a sheltered deck that could be the perfect spot for private parent time or perhaps a spa pool, and east out of the kitchen and family rooms more sunny gardens lie sheltered behind the high stone walls.

Two of the bedrooms have their own luxurious en suites, while the other three share a fully tiled room with the latest bathroom toy of choice: the large free-standing bath. Italian taps and German sanitary-ware and high quality ceramic tiles in strong neutral tones complete the impression of being cosseted in luxury. For the mum on the run the laundry deserves a special mention. Liz describes it as her favourite room. Large and well laid out with storage and working room for everything, it would make light work of the family wash.

Leading off the lobby down a wide staircase is a well-designed office, a huge storage area and carpeted three car garaging. While the storage room is well-located (and fully wired) for use as part of an office complex, it is equally well-suited to being a wine cellar, a mini gym or simply a fantastic storage space for all the family toys. The office is perfectly set up for the work-from-home-professional or entrepreneur as it has separate access from Valley Rd and loads of off-street parking in front of the garages. These offices are fully wired with computer, phone and Sky TV access, as are all the bedrooms and living spaces upstairs.

The home is in zone for Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar.

It is also within easy reach of the cafes and shops of Mt Eden village and, for the one doing the family shopping, the Eden Quarter supermarket complex is just down the road. As an exceptionally large family home, with the comfort and low maintenance of a highly crafted new structure, yet with the discrete sophistication that echoes many of the older homes near by, it is a rare find in a city fringe location. Changes in their plans and constant business travel have persuaded the Ashworths to relinquish their dream. For the family lucky enough to purchase it, this is a house just waiting to become a home.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 683sqm, house 301sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $1 million plus. Auction July 27.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun/Wed 1pm-1.40pm. Or by appointment.

CONTACT: Ivan Koulin, Ray White, ph 623 3000 bus, 027 485 0876 mob, 634 2673 a/h.

FEATURES: Impressive architect-designed home in AGS and EGGS zones with huge living areas and a sunny outdoor entertainment area. Fully wired and heated for luxurious family living, with the added bonus of a separate street entrance for a spacious office and storage area. Separate access from Valley Rd.