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BY NINA CLARKE
WAITAKERE , NZ
Alyshia Marshall and Melvin Plaisier Ray White Swanson
After years of discussing our next lifestyle property move , and viewing nearly everything on the market , this property appeared . It was incomplete ; there was no concrete driveway , no reliable power , messy grounds , and a lifetime of Sundays to be spent on it . However , we could see past this , realising the utter beauty of this 22- acre mini farm that overlooks the rolling hills of Waitakere Township . We purchased it at auction on Alyshia ' s birthday .
As soon as we moved in , we went to work , planning the new driveway , a pool , landscaping ,
sheds and our off-grid system , including a massive solar array and lithium battery bank .
The kids walk to the school at the bottom of the driveway while the youngest are at the local farm kindy . They all play on the land , ride quad bikes , feed the animals , collect eggs and pick fruit in the small orchard , while also learning some practical life skills .
For us , being active relaxers , this is the perfect way of living ; we can keep busy while also cultivating an environment for the kids that ’ ll define their future . There ' s also nothing more relaxing than watching the sunset from outdoor living spaces while watching the kids play , and the calves and sheep graze the paddocks .
Photos courtesy of Blueprint Studios
PUTNEY , NSW
Peter Diamantidis Ray White Diamantidis Group
In 2019 we started looking for a house and we couldn ’ t find exactly what we wanted . I found a property but it had a smaller land size than what we were looking for . After consulting with an architect I came up with a plan to build a 3-storey house with water views and take advantage of space by designing a basement . We then sourced a builder and started construction .
Our plans consisted of a fully equipped gym , cinema room for the kids , swimming pool , wine cellar ( as I like to collect wine ) and a full glass lift to access all three levels . The best inclusion was the terrace which overlooks the water .
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