When you think “beach house”, you’d be forgiven for picturing bunk beds, mismatched crockery and a rusty red tractor out the front.
Take a stroll down Omaha’s Taumata Rd, though, and your perceptions will change — especially when you stop outside No. 57.
The immaculately detailed house, The Boatshed, is being sold by tender, closing April 16, by Victoria Turner of Bayleys,
As you get closer, the carefully detailed vertical black cedar screen that wraps around most of the exterior slowly reveals its domestic interior.
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“We wanted a home that was simple yet stylish with lots of clean lines, but wasn’t so ultra-modern that it would date quickly,” says owner Phil Harrison. “What we’ve got is a slick, sleek home that makes a big impact while being subtly understated at the same time.”
Architect Jo Aitken came on board to design the perfect beach house that ticked all of Phil’s boxes. As it turns out, it ticked the boxes of acclaimed architecture authorities too. 57 Taumata Rd was a finalist in the World Architecture Awards 2019 and won a silver at the New Zealand Best Design Awards 2019.
“My favourite part of the house is the double-height bookshelf,” says Jo. “In my opinion, you can never have enough books! I love the voluminous master ensuite with the hidden toilet. And I love the black cedar screen that wraps around the exterior of the home, how it creates a kind of stealthy vibe on approach then softens as you move towards it.”
Proximity to the beach is a major drawcard. Despite being one back, it’s much closer to the water than you might think.
“Even though we’re not right on the beach, we’re actually much closer to the water than other houses further down the beach that are technically ‘beachfront’ because we don’t have sand dunes in the way,” says Phil. “A public walkway runs along the front of the beachfront properties too so we prefer the privacy that being one back gives us. Plus, we have a shared private accessway down to the beach which was a non-negotiable when we were looking for the perfect site in the first place.”
Inside, it’s hard for visitors to know which feature to take in first: the two-storey wooden bookcase that’s intertwined with the upstairs staircase, the French oak herringbone flooring in the main living areas, or the matt black kitchen. Downstairs has three bedrooms and a second living area, with sliding doors so it can be shut off from the rest of the house.
“The house isn’t so huge that you feel like you need a whole tribe of kids to fill it up, but it’s perfect for families because you’ve got the master and living upstairs which can be the parents’ retreat, and downstairs can be for the teenagers.”
Bayleys agent Victoria Turner says 57 Taumata Rd is not your typical Omaha beach house.
“You just don’t see this level of workmanship in Omaha,” she says. “This home enjoys a beautiful amount of natural light all day long, and at night it looks stunning as light from inside filters through the cedar screen. Taumata Rd is a really sought-after street too, so not only will the new owner get a simply stunning home, they’ll also get to live in one of the best spots in Omaha.”
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