Enjoying the lifestyle at an architecturally-designed waterfront holiday home at highly-sought Medlands Beach may have put Debra off store-bought schnapper but it’s also delivered 24 years of blissful relaxation and fun.
Debra holidayed here with her late husband Derrick, revelling in their first-rate waterfront location.
She says: “Between us and the beach there’s just the road and the sand dunes so you can be on the beach in a few seconds. Our fantastic position is probably the highlight of this property, although we did have the house designed by an architect which wasn’t that common around here in 2000.
“We both loved fishing and caught lots of snapper and kingfish at the Barrier – I’m so used to incredibly fresh fish that I can’t bear the store-bought stuff anymore.”
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When the Auckland couple went looking for a holiday home the Barrier appealed.
“Derrick used to go camping on the Barrier with his father. It feels like authentic New Zealand without too many airs and graces and just good people. We went over and rented for a few days and found this 810sqm section in a wonderful position on Medlands Beach.”
Medlands Beach on the east coast of the island is known for its sparkling white sand and clear blue water.
“We get a fabulous view down to the Sugarloaf peninsula to the north and out to sea,” she says.
Local architect Leanne Forsyth-King designed the two-storey, two-bedroom home to maximise the sea views.
“Her [architect] design makes the front of upstairs remind you of the bow of a boat,” says the owner of 167 Sandhills Road, second from right.
There’s a popular surf break at the beach’s northern end and a sheltered spot for swimming and launching boats at the southeastern end.
A local architect Leanne Forsyth-King designed this two-storey two-bedroom home to maximise their incredible view. “Her design makes the front of upstairs remind you of the bow of a boat.”
The north-facing home incorporates a plastered concrete block lower level and an upper level clad in cedar. Decks where you can dine alfresco wrap around the lower level, where an open-plan kitchen-living-dining room with solid timber floor and wood-sheathed ceiling celebrates the view.
Debra loves cooking and entertaining in the kitchen that has paua sparkling in its solid concrete benchtops. Behind this open-plan spread is a powder room and a double garage/laundry – the perfect place to store the Sealegs.
Upstairs two ensuited bedrooms open to a covered front deck with magical views. They flank a special wedge-shaped space with a clawfoot bath under a glass roof with views at the stars.
The home looks out to Medlands Beach, on the east coast of the island, which is known for its sparkling white sand and clear blue waters.
The kitchen has paua sparkling in its solid concrete benchtops.
Private and tranquil grounds harbour a vege garden, fruit trees and a pizza oven modelled on one in Parnell’s Non Solo Pizza. The locale has vibrant local cafes, restaurants and galleries and is popular with water, hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts.
Debra and Derrick made plenty of lifelong friends here, sometimes while simply walking along the beach.
Given the traffic slogs often required to reach holiday destinations, the 20-30 minute flight to and from the North Shore or Auckland Airport isn’t a big deal. It’s only a five-minute drive from this home to the Barrier’s airport or a 10-minute drive to the ferry.
Debra is simplifying life so this property is on the market.
Barfoot & Thompson’s Nadja Court says: “An absolute piece of New Zealand paradise, this waterfront home is stylish, built to last and offers the ultimate in waterfront holiday living.”
- Sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson
