OUTLOOK - STYLE AND LOCATION
Tucked away up a Highlands Park driveway, this smart contemporary home is both quiet and private and enjoys an extensive valley reserve outlook.
The owners have enjoyed living in the light and airy three-bedroom, office, two-bathroom house at 16a Montrose Place, especially the spacious open-plan kitchen and lounge.
"We have been here coming up 10 years now," says Kevin. "It was brand new then. When we first looked at it, what attracted us was this big room."
He's standing in the open-plan living area with its high 2.7-metre stud, neutral walls, wood-look vinyl floor and large tinted stacker doors and windows. The effect of the extra height is to make this space appear even larger. On each side, the doors open to easy-care concrete patios so you can extend the living space even further and choose where to enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors. The couple's favourite spot is on the patio over-looking the valley, which also offers them shade from the hot afternoon sun.
"We love the outlook. It's very private here."
At the heart of the house is the well-designed kitchen where popular pale oak has been chosen for the cupboard doors and the surface on the large island bench. The oak contrasts perfectly with the black colonial-look tongue-and-groove cupboard doors and drawers. The clever large vertical pantry cupboard pulls out to give access to shelving racks from either side. A big five-burner gas hob does the cooking, while there's room for the microwave to be tucked away under the island bench. The double sink overlooks the valley giving views of native bush, which a wealth of birdlife - including colourful rosellas, kereru and pukeko - calls home.
Lighting throughout the home is recessed, while drop lights give extra lighting over the island bench. The house has a gas Infinity system to heat the water and fibre is also installed.
Conveniently located off the main living area is the formal lounge with its 2.55m stud; the room can be conveniently closed off. A Rinnai gas heater throws out the warmth while the ceramic logs give off an ambient glow. "We hibernate into here in winter," Kevin says.
The ultra-smart tweed-look black-and-grey pure-wool carpet in the lounge and throughout the bedrooms and passage still looks brand new. "The carpet is very serviceable and hard-wearing," Kevin points out.
Three bedrooms are all doubles with large wardrobes. The office could easily be used as a small 4th bedroom. All the bedroom wardrobes have been fitted with well-spaced shelving as well as room to hang clothes.
In the big master bedroom, there's a walk-through wardrobe and good-sized en-suite with toilet and shower. They love the wide walk-through wardrobe area, which they say is a nice space in which to get changed.
Charcoal-coloured tiles have been used throughout the toilets and bathrooms. The generous main bathroom features a stunning bright-red-and-white Burmark bath and a good-sized tile-and-glass shower. Another classy feature in the bathrooms is the wood-look tongue-and-groove panelling. There is underfloor heating which can be set to ensure you have warm feet in the cold mornings.
There's no problem with storage space, which has been very well catered for. The hallway has big double-door cupboards and a broom cupboard. There's a separate toilet.
The internally accessed double garage boasts a beautiful cedar door, a very attractive feature as you come up the driveway, which is appealing in its own right - lined either side with stones and mondo grass. There is room in the garage for the laundry and shelving and a back door to the clothes line through a courtyard lined with exotic mature agaves and flaxes.
Outdoors, the 709sq metre property is all flat and easy care. There's plenty of room for their cars and boat and they point out there's plenty more should anyone want space for a motorhome.
The property is one of many other well-cared-for contemporary homes in this area.
Buyer Enquiry Over $669,000