Kohimarama: Memorable

Good design and a splendid location have made this Kohimarama home a fun-filled family retreat that's hard to leave, writes VICKI HOLDER.

A sun-kissed haven at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Kohimarama captures the simple, summery serenity of a rooftop hideaway in Greece.

As boundaries between the house and garden merge around the swimming pool and spa, the views from an elevated terrace reach across the harbour. On clear days, you can see as far as the Coromandel Peninsula.

While it's around 50 years old, this house has always been recognised as special by those who appreciate good design. Winning an architectural award when it was first built, the judges loved the extravagant use of glass in the expansive north-facing living areas.

A long-time friend of the owners, architect Henry Toung, later enhanced the original concept when he renovated the home. So seamless are the alterations, it's difficult to tell where any changes were made.

The dining area off the kitchen is now surrounded by glass on three sides. It's more like an outdoor room where you can imagine you're dining alfresco, as french doors open it to the terrace at both ends.

Broken only by the rhythm of timber framing and mullions, the glass helps to maximise the enjoyment of the sun, garden and views. Like a crimson bonnet, the bougainvillea that entwines the pergolas above the windows shades the interior in the heat of summer.

Set back slightly between the dining room and the master bedroom, the main living area has an easy, open feel. On wintry nights an open fire beneath a plastered chimney keeps the family warm.

Rich red matai floors flow through double french doors from the entry, while french doors also lead outside to the terrace. In summer, as soon as you step inside you cannot help being instantly swept up in the balmy garden atmosphere.

When the owners entertain a large group they extend the living space by shifting their bed from the room next door to the bedroom-cum-study behind. Flagstone floors give the room in front a relaxed, outdoorsy ambience, making it particularly well-suited to entertaining.

Most of the time, however, the bed stays where it is so that they can revel in the beauty of the garden. The adjoining room, with a small en suite, is used as a home office. Their daughters used to appreciate the spaciousness of the double bedrooms on either side of the entry. These rooms share a family bathroom, which is the only room in the house that interior designer Jill Goatcher of Intext has not turned her hand to. Art Deco-style pink and grey tiling recalls the original vintage of the home.

So well-integrated is the house and garden, it's difficult to imagine that the property once had an ordinary backyard. Hentry Toung created the outdoor living concept at the same time he altered the house. He decided that the sunny, north-facing setting lent itself to a Mediterranean-style garden.

Steps reach to a long "gin and tonic" roof garden, which is above an enchanting self-contained garden studio with its own bathroom and laundry.

Toung designed solid, block-and-plaster garden walls to add privacy and shelter. An artistic delight, the floor to the terrace is a pattern of waves created by the swirling effect of brick pavers. A beach under the pergola features a flotsam and jetsam-type theme created with an irregular scattering of bricks.

Walls inset with little lights enclose a sunken outdoor fire, which acts as a snug to give protection from the cool breezes. The owner assures that the design is incredibly effective, adding: "You can even sit out there in the winter."

Sue and Colin McLean, of McLean Landscaping, are responsible for the beautiful, restrained plant scheme that enhances several garden rooms. Low box hedging trimmed with mondo grass around the pool gives greenery without interrupting the views. A circular pattern of paving outside the master bedroom is edged with the strappy foliage of butterfly irises. Lasting all summer, they look like little white moths hovering against the walls. If the owners want to escape from the heat, they can retreat to a small, enclosed garden to one side that brims with the subtle scents of port wine magnolias and gardenias.

Just 300m from Kohimarama Beach, this heavenly home and garden hold many delicious memories. The owners have enjoyed watching their children splash in the pool, basking on the private sun terrace, sharing wine with friends around the outdoor fire and alfresco dinners under the pergola while watching the sun set. Now it's time for another family to enjoy these pleasures.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 28 Siota Cres, Kohimarama.

FEATURES: Architecturally renovated home and garden; pool and spa on elevated roof terrace; plant design by McLean Landscaping; four bedrooms, or three plus study; en suite; self-contained garden room with bathroom and laundry, plumbed for kitchen; double garage with covered walkway to kitchen; plentiful storage under terrace and house.

SIZE: 829sq m.

AUCTION: 11am, October 16, at Barfoot & Thompson's Chancery rooms.

AGENT: Jennie James, Barfoot & Thompson, St Heliers. Ph 575 9079 bus; 025 735 721 mob.