KEY POINTS:
A country home 30 minutes from the CBD was such a pleasure to build, its owners plan to do it all over again.
Mudgeways Rd, Taupaki, Northwest Auckland.
When Threassa and Gunter Langenbucher sit in front of their log fire in the family room of their
recently built country home, they sometimes discuss what they would change about their residence.
The home was built by GJ Gardner West Auckland two years ago with Threassa and Gunter adapting the design of the house plan. They upgraded the kitchen, turning it into an entertainer's retreat, added a sauna-spa room with two sides of glass sliding doors, and included an office off the double garage.
Boasting four double bedrooms, three bathrooms and a formal lounge and dining area - plus a picturesque setting in bush surroundings, the couple could really say their home is just what they ordered.
So, what would they change? Nothing, they laugh.
"I'm quite fastidious and we really haven't left anything out," admits New Zealand-born Threassa.
For this couple the building process has been a dream. After living at West Harbour in a home with harbour views, they decided they wanted to build their own home. German-born Gunter fell in love with the land at the end of a no-exit road in rural Taupaki in 2004, and set about designing a house.
Threassa opted for a specially designed kitchen, from Kitchenworks. There is high quality granite, a large gas hob and oven, huge pantry and a sink area looking over the deck.
"Every morning in the summer, I wake up and slide these windows open over the sink. It's wonderful," says Threassa. "I really love entertaining in this kitchen. During the summer it's great for barbecues, and in winter visitors can sit by the fire while I cook. I don't feel excluded."
The house is at the top of a concrete drive, nestled next to the extensive bush area on their property. The double front door leads to a foyer, with the formal lounge and dining area to the left. To the right is the kitchen and family room, with a fireplace.
Off the family space is the impressive master bedroom wing with a large walk-in wardrobe, en suite and a door leading onto the spa-sauna area.
"In winter, it's wonderful to get into the hot tub, completely open both the sliding doors and feel as if you're outside," says Threassa.
The sauna is German-made, and off this area the couple installed a separate bathroom for after-sauna cool downs.
A separate guest wing includes the main bathroom, and three double bedrooms, one of which Gunter uses as a home office for his printing business.
The main living spaces overlook the large patio area - ideal for barbecues. The couple also has breakfast - and often lunch - in this space every day in summer.
Former engineer Gunter opted for a solid brick and rendered building with a cavity system, and walls and ceiling insulated. Although on town water, the couple uses rain water for the laundry, toilets and the garden.
The couple loves the bird life that the wetlands and surrounding bush attract. Tui and wood pigeons are regulars. "We have a family of California quails who live nearby, and the other day we had a flock of gold-crested cockatoos in a tree near the house," explains Threassa. There are also golden pheasants, ducks and neighbouring peacocks that make visits, but the most famous guests are kookaburras.
They are reluctantly saying goodbye to their feathered friends as Gunter enjoyed the building process so much they are buying more land and doing it again.
VITAL STATISTICS
BEDROOMS: 4
BEDROOMS: 3
GARAGES: 2
SIZE: Land: 1.3ha, house 283sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: $1.4-1.5 million. Tender closes July 5.
INSPECT: By appointment.
ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz 365912
SCHOOL ZONES: Don Buck Primary, Massey High School, bus to Kristin School.
CONTACT: Jenny Thorpe, Barfoot and Thompson, ph 0274 966 424, 416 5599.
FEATURES: An idyllic, parklike setting in the Birdwood Estate, bordered by a picturesque wetland - home to a variety of birdlife - provides a backdrop for this near-new residence, built with a European influence. Heated tile and Tasmanian oak floors blend with pure wool carpet. Feature open fireplace can be converted to gas.