A lavish, dramatic and bespoke interior is the surprise reveal on stepping inside the supersized barn-style exterior of former operations chef of Euro and Nourish Group, Eugene Hamilton, and restaurant manager wife Hannah’s recently completed Karaka home.
The 519sqm home (plus minor dwelling) includes oak flooring repurposed from old European ships, a soaring ceiling and a more than 1250-bottle whiskey room-office.
Hannah says, “We thought we’d be here forever so it was created to be our dream home with so many special elements.”
The couple previously lived in Auckland’s CBD but hankered for a rural lifestyle, purchasing this 4.91-hectare property 11 years ago. It’s about 15 minutes’ drive from both the motorway and central Pukekohe.
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“Apart from some perimeter trees it was bare – a beautiful canvas which we’ve continued to develop.”
They added an American-style barn, had builders customise it and moved in there in 2014. The two years they envisioned living in that minor dwelling stretched into nearly 10, with them opening the first of their own establishments, Pukekohe’s award-winning Franklins Bar & Eatery.
The main home went through several design iterations before they briefed Ardern Architectural with Hannah’s draft. “And he nailed it.”
Hannah says the couple entertain frequently and people often comment on how deceptive the home’s size is from the outside.
Within the dark-stained ply and batten exterior is an enormous north-facing, open-plan family room-dining-lounge featuring old European ships’ oak flooring. Photo / Supplied
The whiskey room-cum-office can accommodate more than 1250 bottles. Photo / Supplied
A recent birthday celebration included a seven-piece band in the open-plan lounge along with 50 guests. “And there was still plenty of room for dancing.”
Adding to the sense of scale is the ceiling height which ranges from four metres to about eight metres. Some of the home’s special design elements, like the bespoke antler lights and dark ceilings painted in Armadillo, are definitely quirky, says Hannah. “But people come here and they absolutely love it.”
Much of the design and interior fit-out was handled by Andy Barnett, owner of Unique Creative. His company had been involved in the fit outs of their restaurants. “He did an incredible job on our home,” says Hannah.
Within the dark-stained ply and batten exterior, an enormous north-facing, open-plan family room-dining-lounge features the ships’ oak flooring and leads to an entertaining patio.
The chef’s kitchen to one side includes a concealed scullery and Wolf appliances. It integrates Canadian Oregon wood salvaged from an 1800s South Auckland warehouse, which has also been used in bathroom vanities.
There’s also the office-whiskey room (alternatively a fifth bedroom) showcasing Eugene’s passion for whiskey, a TV room and a library room. The master suite and another ensuited bedroom are on this level, as are a bathroom and powder room.
The residence has many special design elements, like the bespoke antler lights and dark ceilings painted in Armadillo. Photo / Supplied
The 519sqm barn-style residence has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, on a 4.91ha lifestyle block with a swimming pool, minor dwelling and tractor bay, a garage and vegetable beds. Photo / Supplied
Upstairs another sitting room looks down onto the main level, flanked by two bedrooms and a powder room. The basement wine cellar fits 1250 bottles with extra storage.
The home has fully ducted heating and cooling, a stunning open fireplace, 10-metre heated swimming pool, elegant planting and a separate double garage nearby. There’s also a playground, multiple raised vegetable beds and a large shed with mezzanine and tractor bay.
A good distance away, the two-bedroom plus minor dwelling has an open plan living-dining-kitchen, a bathroom, double garage and private courtyard. They’ve raised cattle on their three paddocks, which would also suit horses.
Agent Trudy Boyce says: “This is truly one-of-a-kind, the owners have created something very special and unique and I have no doubt we are going to see a lot of interest from buyers looking for something a little different. It is a stand-out and an exciting property to be marketing and nothing quite like it in the area.”
52 Hawthorne Lane in Karaka, Franklin, is on the market for sale by way of tender closing May 7.
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