Country: All that's Mediterranean

SHARON NEWEY checks out a solid, hand-plastered home with views of olive groves and vines - or rather Kiwi living with a very European flavour.

When Olympic medallist Rod Dixon and his family move to Italy later this year for a coaching job, they may not notice much of a change.

For on their awe-inspiring 13.2ha property near Warkworth, they have created a little piece of the Mediterranean and cleverly mixed it with a dash of Kiwi character.

Not only is the solid hand-plastered house reminiscent of an Italian or French villa, but the outlook sweeps from an olive grove, past a couple of ponds and through to the grape-swathed slopes of a neighbouring vineyard.

The property has been Rod and partner Kerry Hamlet's passion for the past five years, culminating in the building of the house, designed by architect Ron Seeto, three years ago.

Every detail has been thoroughly thought out, from the old milled power poles that cap a balcony wall and form some of the windowsills, to the huge railway bridge beams and sleepers used in the pergolas that surround the house.

As Kerry so aptly describes, the house is a wonderful melding of masculine and feminine elements. The solid old beams and massive plaster fireplaces play off against a delicious cream-on-cream interior scheme, pretty French provincial details and sun-streamed spaces.

At the heart of the home, the double-height living room is sunken by three steps. Part way up to the vaulted, sarked and beamed ceiling, an intricate fantasy of a chandelier writhes with gold leaves, bird-of-paradise and anthurium flowers.

This open and airy space is perfectly complemented by a more intimate dining area, which is next to the kitchen. Also with a plaster fireplace, windows surround it on three sides, with a bifolding set that open to the north.

It has easy access to the flagstone courtyard and overlooks the swimming pool. A pergola extends into the courtyard, which also features a classic Italian-style font and a wrought-iron gate designed by Rod.

The kitchen has tongue-and-groove-style cabinetry finished with a pale wash and capped with solid recycled kauri benches. A white butler's sink rounds out the French provincial flavour. Next door, a laundry opens to a bathroom with a large walk-in shower.

At the other end of the living space, a guest suite is safely tucked behind fire-rated walls and doors. With its own bathroom, it opens through two sets of french doors to a private terrace. Next door, a TV den has built-in bookshelves and cabinetry.

Upstairs, a children's wing has three bedrooms, two of which share a north-facing balcony.

Their bathroom sits next to a box room with a little Alice In Wonderland door that leads to a secret loft space - no adults allowed!

Downstairs, an enormous playroom has a wall of cupboards. It's fully used at the moment, but the space could be converted into a double garage.

Along the upstairs gallery hallway, the master suite consists of a bedroom, sewing room or nursery and walk-in wardrobe.

The bedroom has a fireplace and opens to a large balcony with a wrought-iron balustrade. The bathroom is in two rooms, one with a double shower and the other with a centrally placed spa bath.

Behind the house, Rod's office complex consists of a double and single garage, gym, office and sauna.

Stone walls and raised gardens nestle around the house. Out from the living area, a gridded stone and grass courtyard is edged with buxus and roses. The same stone, from a Whangarei quarry, is used crazy-paving-style for other terraces around the house.

Down the slope, two ponds are an enticing spot for the local ducks - Rod jokes that he has bought the ducks back to Duck Creek Rd. But he has done more than that. At the rear of the section, he has fenced off an acre as a wetland area. He has created three ponds and added appropriate planting; already it is a haven for a variety of birdlife.

Loath to interfere in nature's cycle of life, he does, however, encourage the feisty rooster housed nearby to scare off the hawks before they get too many ducklings.

The land would be perfect for grape growing. With a handful of up-and-coming wineries in the area, growing and supplying is a viable option. At the moment, Rod uses the property to breed Hereford cattle. Outbuildings include a hay barn, utility shed and wood shed.

Excited by the new job but reluctant to leave their country retreat, Rod and Kerry plan to eventually return to the area they love. It's a playground that's an easy hour's drive from Auckland. With numerous beaches and golf courses nearby, the bustling village of Warkworth is a few minutes' drive away.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 37 Duck Creek Rd, Warkworth.

FEATURES: Five bedrooms, including a guest suite, plus master suite with en suite, balcony and walk-in wardrobe; four bathrooms; sewing room; TV den; three fireplaces plus chip burner; separate laundry; play room or double garage; swimming pool; separate office complex with garaging, gym and sauna.

SIZE: Land 13.2ha; house area 428sq m.

AUCTION: At 2pm on May 15.

CONTACT: Linda Goodfellow, Bayleys, Warkworth. Ph 09 425 7640; 021 968 640 mob.