Nostalgia was the driver for Hannah Alexander when it came to buying a Santorini-inspired bach on Waiheke Island.
Her family had had a bach up the road from this one and Hannah had been fascinated by the dome-shaped building at 498 Seaview Rd, Onetangi, which she nicknamed "the Igloo".
“Then one day an ad popped up for it and we bought it. It had been a real party house in its day — it seemed everyone had been to a party there.”
But the previous owners had changed its raison d’etre with a renovation that turned it into unique holiday accommodation a stone’s throw from the beach.
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The theme was Greek and the dome house was dressed in iconic shades of blue and white, with fresh, whitewashed walls providing a foil for the bright colours of the furnishings.
There wasn’t much for Hannah and husband Paul to do apart from adding a few modernisations, like gas hot water.
The house, which has a 2017 CV of $1m, is now on the market, with tenders invited.
The layout of the two to three-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling means it can be let as two separate units or a single property.
Hannah and Paul have rented it out as holiday accommodation as well as using it themselves. “Getting this place was a dream, really,” Hannah says. “It’s a fabulous spot just a stroll from Onetangi Beach, on a flat site which is unusual on Waiheke.”
She loves that the house is full of quirky l features. There are handcrafted stone inlays in the floors, a handmade basin in one bathroom, a Turkish light, stained glass windows, wooden joinery, mosaics — “just all kinds of really neat little details.”
Her favourite spot inside is the sunken lounge. Three steps lead down to this cool space, which has French doors to the garden and fenced courtyard beyond.
The focal point in here is the bespoke curved sofa made in sections and upholstered in jewel colours of red, maroon, purple and orange.
There are ample outdoor spaces on the 812sq m section. There’s a sheltered decked area through which a palm tree grows. Built-in planter boxes, multiple seating and dining settings have made it a fun space for private times and functions.
Most of the planting was here when Hannah and Paul bought the property. She has added some bougainvillea to continue the Santorini theme.
Hannah and Paul are focusing on new projects, including a planned trip to Greece.
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