Idyllic slice of the country

38 William Potter Lane. Photo / supplied

38 WILLIAM POTTER LANE, KARAKA

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SIZE: Land 4.19ha, house 606sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $4 million-plus.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 3-3.30pm.

ON THE WEB: barfoot.co.nz/570208

SCHOOL ZONES: Te Hihi School, Rosehill College and close to ACG Strathallan.

CONTACT: Jane Wang, Barfoot & Thompson, 021 896 010.

AUCTION: June 29.

Karaka's post-and-rail fences and tree-lined avenues make for an idyllic rural setting, only 30 minutes from central Auckland when the traffic is good.

It's easy to see why Juan Lu fell for an expansive estate at 38 William Potter Lane in prime horse country. Set on 4.19ha, the property has eight paddocks, with those picture-perfect fences. It's a scene far different from apartment living in the city of Nantong, close to Shanghai in China, where she hails from.

Juan's son Kai is married to Juan Li, who has lived in Auckland for more than a decade. Speaking about what attracted her parents-in-law to buy in Karaka, Juan Li says, "She liked the environment here and it is a really nice house". Juan Lu bought the property late last year, but she is now living in St Heliers to be closer to Kai, Juan Li and grandson Matthew, who is nearly 3.

Tree-lined William Potter Lane is off Karaka North Rd. The entrance to number 38 has a secure gate with an intercom for peace of mind. The drive sweeps around to arrive at the forecourt of the house, which is a very generously proportioned 606sq m. Built around 15 years ago for a well-known jockey and his family, the house is designed to make entertaining a breeze. The house faces north and opens on to paved outdoor living areas, with a swimming pool and subtropical garden as the centrepiece.

From a portico entrance with schist columns, double-front doors open on to a timber-floored, double-height atrium. Straight ahead is a billiards room, which in turn flows on to a family living area, which is also accessed from the entrance lobby.

Image 1 of 5: This sprawling pad is an entertainer's dream. Photos / supplied

The home's succession of semi-open plan living spaces means the house has a light, airy feel but doesn't feel too cavernous. The tiled family living area in front of a gas fire is cosy, thanks in part to its sunken floor level, which makes it feel intimate and distinct from the adjoining dining area and kitchen. Glass doors in the billiards room and in a nearby carpeted sitting room allow spaces to be closed off without feeling hemmed-in.

The kitchen features cherry wood cabinetry and granite benchtops. There's a stainless steel double-door Bosch fridge and freezer, along with a pull-out fridge drawer in the island unit. There are two Bosch dishwashers -- one in the island unit and another tucked away out of sight in the generously proportioned butler's pantry. A separate media room, with specialised lighting, is just down the hall from the kitchen, as is a large study with built-in furniture.

This wing of the house also contains an extremely large bedroom with enough room for a sitting area. There is also a large bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe.

On the ground floor at the other end of the house is a wing with two further bedrooms, a large, designer-style bathroom and a separate toilet.

Up the wrought-iron staircase, there are three further bedrooms, a large family bathroom and a separate toilet. One of the bedrooms, with an en suite and large walk-in wardrobe, adjoins a sitting room. But as idyllic as this setting is, Juan Lu is enjoying living in St Heliers, so it's time to sell her slice of the country life.