A busy family routine with adult children and various business commitments meant that a life lived here in the house, just as it has stood for many years, felt pretty good.
Each evening's routine of pulling up at the door and settling down to eat, lounge and entertain overlooking the harbour high above the water's edge put paid to all the notions of tackling a major rebuild. Vicki and Greg had talked about more modest changes including better connecting a new kitchen with the family room. In the end they settled for a new paint job, rolling white paint over the peach coloured walls to give that big space a fresh, more modern look.
The Fulton family have been perfectly content with how the house has supported their lifestyle. Its layout with its north-facing everyday living area and large deck has given them a connection they all liked with the outdoors, whether it is off their living area or off the north-facing bedrooms.
The layout of the 1950s solid plaster house has been quite functional, given that it has been clearly altered and updated in parts by its former owners.
The conservatory, with its aluminium joinery, is clearly the most modern addition. Nearby the small cafe-style dining area takes in the view, close to the galley-style kitchen which has a laminate bench top and plenty of under-bench cupboards.
Within the kitchen there is one pantry. Nearby off the hallway there's a second scullery-style pantry large enough for a second fridge, larger bench top appliances and shelves for vases and platters. Further down the hallway, the master bedroom, another double bedroom and the study all open out to the deck that is framed by an elegant rimu tree.
Nearby, the large formal lounge adjoins the formal dining area that opens to a south-facing courtyard, complete with pergola and large flowering magnolia tree.
After years being well-connected to their water's edge surroundings, Vicki and Greg have decided that it is time to put all ideas of house building aside for good and move into an apartment.
The hard part leaving here will be turning their backs on the view.
As Vicki puts it; "This view is hard to beat."
