Primed to perfection
Step into a fully furnished, three-storey townhouse offering stunning beach and bay views. Recently renovated with industrial-chic design, smart technology, and a separate two-bedroom flat — this home is truly one-of-a-kind.
Step into a fully furnished, three-storey townhouse offering stunning beach and bay views. Recently renovated with industrial-chic design, smart technology, and a separate two-bedroom flat — this home is truly one-of-a-kind.
Words Jo Ferris | Photos Amanda Aitken
Today’s trend of dressing a property for sale has a personal input with this home. It’s already dressed — ready to go — what you see is what you get. Bar the artwork of course — particularly one striking piece that dominates a feature wall in the top-floor living area.
In a move to downsize, this vendor is leaving all the furniture and much of the equipment behind — taking only personal items before closing the door on this intriguing venture. This is the heart of downtown Mount — views towards the beach on one side and Pilot Bay on the other — within walking distance of everything.
This three-storey townhouse received a head-to-toe renovation when bought. New roof, new insulation, double glazing, new gib, new open stairwell, new decor and sophisticated technology throughout. If one word were to describe this home, personality would be it. Maybe one more; personality plus.
The home goes beyond imagination in its approach. It introduces industrial influences with a sense of smoky-bar nightclub; cigars allowed and bourbon on tap in top-floor living. Either stepping up the flight of stairs — railings lit beneath and sensors showing the way; or taking the lift — the welcome is immediate. The kitchen sits centre stage — casual living at the front with balconies either side, dining booth in its own zone and a TV lounge at the rear — Mauao in all its glory in full view.
Party central in the middle houses a chef’s domain for serious cooking and separate stations; complete with a drinks’ bar cocktail mixers dream of. By day, perfect, by night, lights set within quartz counters highlight the brilliance of the detail – ready to set the mood.
Moods define this entire home – from the darkness of the dedicated theatre to every bedroom. One cleverly doubles as a bedsit office, thanks to the pull-down bed within closet cabinetry. Bathroom personality doesn’t disappoint either. An industrial look in the family bathroom strikes a chord with heavy-metal style tapware and cast-iron vintage bath — complete with ceiling spout. The master bathroom follows suit
with a ceiling spout dropping water into its elegant oval bath.
Masculinity meets femininity in ways that appeal to personal tastes. Underpinning it all however, is state-of-the-art functionality. Smart technology includes wireless internet on every floor, Sonos surround sound, a talking fridge, sensor lighting, 16 solar panels, Tesla battery. All the bells and whistles; plus the bonus advantage of a separate, two-bedroom flat — complete with a tenant.
Personality plus.
13A Commons Ave, Mount Maunganui
Mediterranean meditation
Surrounded by lofty palms on one of The Mount’s most coveted streets, this transformed 60s’ Beazley home is an entertainer’s paradise, and a serene minimalist sanctuary of space and light.
Surrounded by lofty palms on one of The Mount’s most coveted streets, this transformed 60s’ Beazley home is an entertainer’s paradise, and a serene minimalist sanctuary of space and light.
Words Jo Ferris | Photos Hunter Studios
Sitting in one of Mount Maunganui’s sought-after streets, this home doubles the prestige with a rare, full site – a tropical oasis at that. Towering palms are about the only feature this couple didn’t introduce,
when buying a home that lacked architectural finesse. They took a 60s’ Beazley and transformed it into a luxury Mediterranean resort.
While the original home had been extended, it was substantially different
to what exists now. With raised ceilings in the open plan living area, new master wing, redesigned staircase and a complete overhaul of the back yard, this home is an expression of style.
Elegant and considered in its complexity, simplicity is the star. It showcases the innate talent usually associated with professional interior design. Yet, this couple understand that less is more. The continuity of space and texture make this house a sanctuary by the beach.
The tone and natural texture form an intimate story that begins at the front door. The curvature of a stairwell day bed is stylish and genius use of an unusual space – a precious hideaway for secret moments.
As stairs lead up to family living, a feature wall showcases the artistry of imported Venetian lime plaster – flecks of golden mica punctuating this finish to mimic beautifully aged Italian stucco.
Featured on a back-lit wall behind the TV and again in the master suite, the lime plaster is a subtle salute to the home’s European inspiration. The theme throughout – structured lines and curves underpin its striking simplicity. Streamed with light and sun, skylights and raked ceilings continue out to a sun-drenched loggia with views to Mauao peeking through luscious green palms.
The back loggia is an entertainer’s dream, with a Mediterranean-inspired pizza oven and outdoor kitchen keeping the party in one place. An edible garden for salads and fruiting banana palms make this space an exotic retreat.
The minimalist approach throughout hides switches and anything that upsets the finesse. Detail is discreet yet refined. Brushed gold accents add a touch of sophistication and elegance, while smart lighting technology removes obstructions which would deflect the clean finish. The streamlined excellence of cabinetry from the kitchen and scullery to bathrooms and extraordinary storage in the master wing is the work of craftsmen. Handmade curves are constant; either dramatic and a showpiece or subtle and in the background.
Complete with self-contained living quarters downstairs, gated security
and garden ribbons that embrace this home with magnificent palms; it is an extraordinary example of how complex design transforms to the simplicity of interpretation.
70 Valley Road, Mount Maunganui
New beginnings
Summerhill Estate stands above the rest in terms of rural tranquillity and privacy. Nestled within Pāpāmoa Hills, boasting breathtaking views of magical proportions, this home personifies the essence of Summerhill
Summerhill Estate stands above the rest in terms of rural tranquillity and privacy. Nestled within Pāpāmoa Hills, boasting breathtaking views of magical proportions, this home personifies the essence of Summerhill.
Words Jo Ferris | Photos Boundless Vision
Golfers will be familiar with the golf course meandering through the estate. While membership is possible, residents enjoy free green fees. It’s an incentive to appreciate – yet Summerhill’s private privilege offers so much more. Properties here are tightly held.
This home’s views gaze out to the Pacific Ocean – embracing the rolling hills as the sun follows a course around the coastline, to the Mount, Tauranga Harbour and Kaimai sunsets. Immersed in nature, the home’s lofty position takes full advantage of its elevation, while melting into the countryside that surrounds it.
Sympathetic landscaping takes its cue from nature, while going several steps further to introduce home-grown self-sufficiency. The orchard boasts citrus and fruits, including bananas and even two varieties of hops. There’s a fenced vege garden, a berry cage, and a chicken run with a roost for fresh eggs.
The home’s tone is in total harmony with nature, cleverly blending natural materials with texture and colour within the décor. The backdrop balances autumn hues with contemporary accents – a gentle thread of farmhouse influences and elegant finesse.
The T-shape design ensures sun and scenery are integral to this home’s function and flow. Morning sun on one side of family living invites breakfast outside to bask in the ocean view. In the afternoon, living slips out to a vast lounge setting. A patio for sofas, a pergola for shaded dining, and steps down to a stony fire pit to toast sunset as pizzas cook in the pizza oven.
Parents enjoy a private, five-star retreat in their own wing, yet remain close to the afternoon entertainment outside. The remaining bedrooms share a second stylish bathroom, while a powder room offers further convenience when friends come around.
Other features include an office to work from home, a large laundry with mudroom entry, attic storage in the garage, rain water storage and bore access, ample storage inside and parking outside for boats, campers and visitors.
Apart from the golf course, Summerhill has walking tracks to enjoy nature and Pāpāmoa Hills Recreation Park is nearby as well. Seemingly high above the rest of the world, beaches at Pāpāmoa and the Mount are an easy drive. Heaven on earth lives in the hills of this well-kept secret.
1 Summerhill Drive, Summerhill Estate, Pāpāmoa
Natural elegance
Tauranga Harbour’s spellbinding beauty around a hilltop peninsula is inspiration enough for an exceptional home. But a sensitive deference to nature – blending contemporary brilliance with the landscape that preceded it – underlines this home’s distinctive air.
Tauranga Harbour’s spellbinding beauty around a hilltop peninsula is inspiration enough for an exceptional home. But a sensitive deference to nature – blending contemporary brilliance with the landscape that preceded it – underlines this home’s distinctive air.
Words Jo Ferris
Hidden from the world, the home showcases bold design and precise execution. Deserving a string of awards in the 2019 Master Builders House of the Year, it was named supreme regional winner, and went on to earn national gold reserve status, also winning its category.
Imposing, thanks to its lone presence on this peninsula, the home’s sole focus is on what surrounds it. The views are spectacular – a sweeping panorama that follows Tauranga Harbour and Matakana around to the Kaimais. The home captures nature and how the sun plays with water and trees before dipping behind the hills. Scenery is integral to this home’s design and how it connects with each aspect.
Central to this concept is the swimming pool and how family living mimics similar infinity. The pool is like a separate extension that floats out to space, thanks to the innovative design. It’s heated for year-round exercise, while the built-in spa is a natural companion. Full-height glazing in the family wing ensures a seamless link with the patio and pool, while framing an extensive grasp on scenery.
Genius design in the family lounge, cantilevers it in midair. Glazing wraps around this extension to heighten the floating feeling. Even the unique unit, housing a wall TV and display alcoves, appears to hover within the glass surround. The pool outlook might be centre stage, but a discreet sheltered patio provides a different perspective of nature.
Full-height glazing is a significant feature in this home. It begins with a towering front door, drifts into various rooms and highlights aspects like the oak stair treads – another intriguing element that seems to float up to the master retreat.
This retreat cherishes ultimate privacy. A sumptuous suite, with its “look-out” ambience stretching across the harbour, bespoke dressing-room backdrop and a romantic bathroom. The simple elegance of an oval bath is matched by egg-shaped vanities on a custom dresser.
Oak weaves a story throughout – on flooring, bespoke units in both lounges, kitchen cabinetry and designer vanities in all three bathrooms. With the master retreat relishing penthouse privacy, two more bedrooms share semi-ensuite luxury downstairs, while a guest bedroom has a private bathroom. Sitting in its own corner, this suite opens out to the poolside patio.
This home displays the knowledge that refined class needs no extra flattery. Underfloor heating and a ducted system ensure constant comfort. Drapes disappear into the ceiling, while LED lighting hides in extraordinary ways to infuse soft illumination throughout. As day passes into evening, this home’s mood changes everything about its demeanour.
Other features extend this property’s generous parameters, including an avocado orchard and shed. A secondary, high-stud, three-bay shed houses self-contained accommodation. Lined with plywood and featuring polished concrete flooring, this suite provides a bedroom, bathroom and open-plan living with a wrap-around verandah patio.
The boat-shed ambience of this unit complements the considerable storage next door. Ideal for the Sealegs, this could be driven down the garden pathway to the private ramp into the harbour. A sandy beach invites launching the kayak at high tide, or packing a picnic to fossick as the water ebbs and flows.
With a lily pond attracting wildlife, amid a garden wonderland and giant guardian pōhutukawa, nature is the eternal winner here – and willing to share it.
Timeless seclusion
Soak up the privacy along with the waterfront scenery in this modern take on the traditional villa.
Soak up the privacy along with the waterfront scenery in this modern take on the traditional villa.
Words Jo Ferris
Taking the colonial character of villas from the past, this home combines the luxury and comfort of a modern build in ways that will retain its enduring grace for years to come.
Architecturally designed, the home was completed in 2009 and remains a testament to the vision of this peaceful setting on Tauranga Harbour. Nestled in a secluded waterfront corner just outside Katikati, the home enjoys complete privacy – lost within the freedom of this prime horticultural area.
A small avocado orchard and numerous edible plantings are natural additions to the lifestyle on offer here. But it’s the home and the serenity that gives this property purpose. The familiar lines that define colonial villas are emphasised immediately, thanks to the vast wrap-around verandahs. These follow the sun and extend private settings off bedrooms and living areas right around the house.
It begins with a café serving from the kitchen window into a quiet corner, before wrapping around the home to the main event and that waterfront scenery. Sheltered settings step down into the full sun and out into the garden where a firepit circle beckons to toast sunset. Towering palms and manicured gardens immerse this home within nature in ways that ensure all rooms savour the sun and scenery.
Four bedrooms all have the personal luxury of an ensuite – an aspect which enhances the potential to consider a possible commercial venture with boutique home hosting. Three bedrooms also enjoy French door access to the verandah, out to the garden and nature down by the water.
Mindful of the colonial influence, the attention to detail is to be admired. Colonial-styled wooden joinery throughout features traditional
brass hardware. Sash windows hark back to a different point in time, while parquet flooring in the foyer and kitchen also pays homage to the
age of craftsmanship.
The bespoke kitchen cleverly blends the appeal of a farmhouse design with the contemporary tone of sleek finish. Its ability to serve areas outside and indoors for both casual and formal dining makes entertaining a pleasure. Function and flow move easily from the family hub to the quieter mood by the fire in the lounge, or outdoors to alfresco areas. A well-placed spa is another invitation that enhances the leisure and relaxation here.
Finesse is clearly evident everywhere in this home. It’s what’s not seen that accentuates the vision behind its creation. A geothermal bore provides hot water for circulation in the home’s hydronic underfloor heating. This network extends throughout the entire home – excluding only the garage. Yet, even in this area, forethought has considered another option. Connected to the house via a verandah and with a sheltered patio of its own, this garage contains a large laundry, powder room and storage area. This is plumbed to allow possible conversion for a studio or separate accommodation, perhaps.
Additional features include several extras. A new fridge/freezer in the kitchen, TVs in the kitchen, lounge and bedroom, along with a Bosch washing/dryer machine. The spa pool stays, as does the fire pit, the ride-on mower; among other built-in features in the home and garage. Immaculate care of this home has kept pace, with a new dishwasher, plus a new solar/electric hot water cylinder with 10-year warranty.
Tranquillity underlines the very essence of this property. The home and grounds soothe the soul. Either wandering around the gardens, or strolling amid the avocado orchard, time here isn’t governed by a clock. Buffered from neighbouring properties, there is a sense of complete seclusion here. Water, scenery and sun feed the soul – what more could you ask for?
55 Pukakura Road, Katikati