The current owners of this 1950s character four-bedroom villa at Tindalls Beach have launched a business as well as written and published four books from this “creative sanctuary” by the sea.
Now it’s time for someone new to experience what author Sarah Pirie-Nally describes as “the wonder” of the property that she, husband Steve, and their blended family of five kids have enjoyed.
“This was the house that we became the Brady Bunch. It’s where five children learned to become siblings, where we grew food and briefly raised chickens, where we entertained friends, wrote books, built businesses and created an extraordinary amount of life together,” says Sarah.
“We’re selling a house, but emotionally it feels as though we are closing the cover on one of the most meaningful chapters of our lives.”
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The family now call themselves FIFOF (fly-in fly-out family) as they spend time between Australia and New Zealand. “We would love to keep the house, but it’s just too tricky,” she says.
The house with a sea view sits on a fully fenced 809sqm sunny section with a generous lawn, established outdoor spaces and room for children, pets, gardens and family life to unfold. The connection between the single-level house, deck and garden makes it especially suitable.
Its greatest attribute is its versatility, says Sarah. It can hold a large family comfortably, welcome a house full of guests – “it’s like the walls just continue to expand”.
The kitchen and living areas make entertaining easy, while the second living space, bedrooms, office and flexible studio areas allow everyone to have space of their own.
“The whole property has allowed us to live, work, entertain and create in one place. It has supported our family and our businesses while still feeling peaceful, private and connected to the sea,” says Sarah.
Sarah Pirie-Nally wants someone new to experience “the wonder” of the property that her blended family have enjoyed. Photo / Supplied
The 165sqm home sits on a 809sqm section and can comfortably hold a large family. Photo / Supplied
The house overlooks Matakatia Bay and iconic rock Kotanui Island. Photo / Supplied
With high ceilings and generous proportions, the home has “a sense of soul”.
Each of the decent-sized bedrooms has built-in wardrobes. It also has underfloor heating and blinds that can be set to open and close through voice activation or button command. “It’s really easy to make a smart home ... it’s ready to be roboticised.”
The master bedroom overlooks Matakatia Bay and iconic rock Kotanui Island (also known as Frenchman’s Cap). “Being able to look out over the ocean when you first wake up in the morning it’s just sensational. There are always amazing colours across the ocean. It’s like a living picture frame.”
It’s also a short walk to Tindalls Beach which has contributed to the great lifestyle that the family has enjoyed.
“It feels like a little bit of a lifestyle block 45 minutes from the city because you’ve got that space to grow your own food, but you can still live an executive lifestyle,” says Sarah.
“I’d drive to the city and then come back and be in this other world and be able to walk across to Tindalls Beach and have fish and chips on the beach with the kids.”
One of the first things they did was put in a new functional kitchen that is in keeping with the style of the home and fortunately finished just days before the 2020 Covid lockdown and where they taught the kids how to bake bread.
Sarah Pirie-Nally’s children wrote a book around the kitchen bench during Covid. Photo / Supplied
The home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, garaging, multiple living areas and a fantastic view. Photo / Supplied
They also transformed the double garage into a school for the five kids. “Obviously they were all in different year levels, so we set up little zones for them and called it the School of Wonder and they loved it.”
Since then, the garage has been a space for the kids to paint and a home gym. Additional improvements they’ve made to the home include new carpets (for sale) and windows redone.
The home has just been repainted blue, which they have found to be the “most calming, serene, creative, beautiful colour to come home to”.
The standalone home office hugged by lavender bushes at the top of the block is a creative zone where Sarah wrote three of her seven published books. Nicknamed “the bunker”, it has French doors and is lined with pine and bookcases.
“Steve also launched his business The Flights Club from here and my kids wrote a book around the kitchen bench, My Feelings Are Not Who I Am, during Covid. There’s something really conducive about the environment that just unleashes creativity.”
The Pirie-Nallys are not the only ones who’ve loved the quintessential family beach house. When travelling, they used to Airbnb it and had people return again and again.
Harcourts’ Karin Blaauw says she sees many homes on the coast and is impressed by many, but this one has definitely stolen her heart. “It’s a home that keeps on giving, offering a location with lifestyle. A story waiting to continue.”
1047 Whangaparāoa Road, Tindalls Beach, Rodney, goes to auction on August 20.
- Sponsored by Harcourts
