Country: The sky's the limit

By SHARON NEWEY

The name of this property, Big Sky, sets you wondering. It sounds slightly American native, slightly romantic, slightly grand.

But when you stand in the paddock of this 5.89ha piece of perfect horse country in Clevedon, it's easy to see why the name is so appropriate. The sky here is huge.

Part of the reason is the 360-degree view from the corner of the paddock next to the house.

Looking east, the view matches that of the house, across the rolling hills of the large neighbouring farm out to sea and Waiheke Island. To the west, the plains of neatly divided farms and lifestyle blocks lay out like a blanket, ending at the Manukau Heads.

On misty mornings, the owners stand in clear blue sky with the fog beneath them. On cloudless nights they feel they can touch the stars.

This degree of elevation normally comes with exposure to wind, but the block has a selection of sloping and sheltered paddocks and the house is nestled into a spot that doesn't compromise the views or the sun.

A choice of outdoor living spots caters for all weather, either on the expansive decks next to the eastward-looking pool, or for a barbecue in the internal courtyard next to the guest annex.

Recent developments on the property include a new 8m by 10m barn for storing hay and tack, with sheltered horse bays on one side. The owners have also updated the house with a deliciously sophisticated and modern interpretation of farmhouse style.

The long living area is anchored with warm timber floors. The peaked sarking and beam ceiling is restfully finished in cream paint. Pure linen tobacco-coloured curtains flank the generous floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large wood store sits beside the open fire at the far end.

Large enough for two sitting spaces, the area is neatly divided by a new kitchen, the centrepiece of which is a huge island bench, which serves as a work space, with Smeg oven and Bosch dishwasher, and as a casual dining table.

The thick benchtop seems to float above the island while the long handles add to the sleekness. A wall of storage complements the island and wraps around a double-door Fisher & Paykel fridge.

The bedroom wing has four rooms, with one being used as a home office, and the family bathroom. The master bedroom has access to that fabulous view, and an en suite.

Like the main bathroom, it is finished in Italian porcelain tiles with under-floor heating. Shaped in an L, the house wraps around a large, heated swimming pool and expansive entertaining decks. Beyond the pool fence, the land drops away to give you the impression of floating on the crest of a hill.

Planting around the house has been kept purposefully low to enhance the impression of being surrounded by sky, and so as not to impede the views. Natives are the mainstay with hebes well represented.

Irregular flagstones curl in a path around the corner of the house to reach both the internal courtyard, where banana palms mingle with lavender, and the large double garage and the carport.

At the rear of this separate structure, a big room has a kitchenette, its own bathroom and private deck to form a perfect guest annex or large home office studio. At the moment, it has been commandeered as a playroom.

The family's two preschoolers have another treat hidden in an enclosed garden by the driveway - a Wendy-cum-tree house on stilts. Another garage, perfect for the family car, is accessed off the house's oversized foyer.

When you are up this high, privacy is never an issue. The stone wall at the base of the drive heralds the property with its big brass Big Sky wording, but the meandering drive keeps out prying eyes.

A five-minute drive back down the road leads you past the polo grounds to Clevedon village with its school, cafes and antique shops. Drive 30 to 40 more minutes and you're in Auckland city.

Vital Statistics:

ADDRESS: Big Sky, Otau Mountain Rd, Clevedon.

FEATURES: Lifestyle block with barn and horse bays; house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, internal-access garage, swimming pool, entertaining decks; guest annex with kitchenette, deck and
bathroom, double garage and carport.

SIZE: Land 5.89ha.

AUCTION: Wednesday, 5 June, at 11am.

AGENTS: Michael Boulgaris and Haydon Patterson, Barfoot & Thompson, Remuera. Ph 524 0149 bus; Michael 021 366 366 mob; Haydon 021 723 825 mob.