Country: Private and peaceful

By VICKI HOLDER

Perched on a ridge away from it all yet close to the city, this fabulous home was designed with family, comfort and convenience in mind.

On calm winter days, the mists roll in and shroud the houses in the Coatesville valley in murky grey. Sitting at the highest point above Coatesville, this home floats surreally in clear blue skies above a cushion of white.

The sunsets are spellbinding. The Stratful family who live here often linger on the terrace to watch the last of the rays slip behind the distant forest on the Riverhead hills.

While the house bathes in sun and overlooks rolling countryside, it has been carefully positioned for shelter. Before it was built, architect Dennis Hewson took a wind machine to the property to work out the path of the prevailing winds.

Landscaper Gary de Beere worked with him to position a bank of plants behind the house, which channels the wind up over the ridge, straight over the house and down into the paddocks.

It took Carol Stratful a full year of searching for the perfect property before she found this one. It was not just the country lifestyle it offered, or the fact that it was close to the city and had plenty of room for horses. Carol and husband Kevin were keen for their daughter to attend the highly regarded Kristin School in nearby Albany.

Stretched out along the hill, the home's many rooms reach across a vast terrace, which looks over a big, gas-heated pool, spa and cabana. On the other side of a low fence, immaculate lawns lead down to the three-bay stables, dressage arena and implement sheds. All the outbuildings - even the goat house - have the same pitched, red roof design to blend with the main house.

Kevin's parents were coming to live with them, so they built a particularly large home, in brick and concrete block, with a comfortable, separate, self-contained, two-bedroom apartment at one end. It has its own entry, living area, kitchen, luxurious bathroom and internal-access garage.

The main entry is in the middle of the house, where the property rises to two levels. Entering at this point allows guests to experience immediately the full drama of the property.

Painted deep burgundy and with timber uplighters half way up the wall, the double-height entry has a theatrical feel. It looks across the burgundy granite floor and steers to the view through the tall windows that are angled outwards in a V-shape. Tucked around the windows' base and upholstered with a velvety, burnt orange fabric, a padded window seat lets you sit and contemplate the view.

The deep hues of the entry foyer give way to the warm, natural tones of the carpet and walls in the adjacent formal lounge. Carol is thrilled with the colours of the walls and fabrics. She says they are warm without being "too in your face".

An irregular shape and intriguing parallel lines in a recessed ceiling give the lounge appeal. Behind a fireplace and chimney, a compact library hides the stereo and bookshelves.

Entry to the master bedroom suite upstairs is hidden behind a wall. Several sunny sitting areas embrace the entry foyer, allowing wide views across the property. Sea-green walls in the bedroom are magical against the pine forests in the distance. Solar blinds keep the sun out without obstructing views. A huge dressing room with fitted drawers is matched by a large en suite with a double shower.

Two guest bedrooms opening to the outdoors and another tiled bathroom flank the passage leading to the apartment. A big, lined, internal-access double garage includes a woodshed and storage.

More living areas open to the other side of the entry. The Stratfuls often hold corporate entertaining functions in the house. Their friend, celebrity chef Michael James, prepares the food, which is served from the scullery. This is positioned so as to hide the kitchen clutter from the dining room. Guests can later head for a swim or relax in the cabana, which has a kitchenette and a fireplace.

A cosy family room with a free-standing log fire flows from the tawa kitchen to a room that incorporates a sewing room and a bathroom. Beyond that, the Stratful's daughter's room, complete with dressing room and en suite, is far enough from her parents room to delight any teenager.

All around the house, succulents and grasses combine in an easy-care garden that looks after itself in summer.

Now nine years old, this luxurious property has been meticulously planned, nurtured and maintained to provide a fine country lifestyle.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 90 Coatesville Heights, Coatesville.

FEATURES: Home with landscaped gardens; four bedrooms; three bathrooms; two Jetmaster fires; double garage; two-bedroom guest flat; 10.5m heated pool; floodlit dressage arena and outbuildings.

SIZE: Land area 4.7203ha; floor area 543sq m including garaging.

AUCTION: At 2pm, on 12 June, at Bayleys auction rooms, Auckland.

AGENT: Shona Jurlina, Bayleys, West Harbour. Ph 416 7788 bus; 025 997 022 mob.