Natural High |
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The shoes-off policy at Paul and Naomi Ashman’s Coatesville home has had some unexpected consequences. With the comfort of guests in mind, Paul headed to a footwear store in nearby Albany Mall to invest in some slippers. “I must have bought about 30 pairs,” he says, laughing. “I had the sales assistant in fits.” Ranging from pink leopard print to Hefner-esque velvet slip-ons and more sedate styles grandmas love, they’ve become a real talking point and have sometimes wandered home with their wearers.
Multi-level decking, which is “just about twice the size of the living area,” says Naomi, extends the home into the bush surrounds.
It’s obvious why Paul wants to protect his beautiful hardwood floors. He’s poured his heart and soul into the design and construction of this property. Paul bought the bush-clad hectare of land in 2002. “I came down here, saw the wood pigeons playing in the wind, looked at the nikau, kauri and cabbage trees and instantly knew the potential for treetop living.”
The Coatesville locale has special meaning for Paul, an automotive equipment importer. As a teenager, he’d ridden off-road bikes along tracks beneath the trees with his best friend, who lived in the area. “It was a happy time of life; in those days it was undeveloped, there was nothing here.”
With his hunk of dirt secured, Paul began to plan a home that would take advantage of the north-facing view that stretched over greenery for kilometres. A bad experience with an architect left him determined to design much of the place himself. “I consulted a draughtsman who gave me a roof line and an outside shell to get the blueprint through council.”
From the outset, an internal atrium and high stud were givens, but how to fill them?
“For three months I sat and literally sketched out the ideas in my head,” says Paul. Then, using these rough drawings and “lots of arm waving”, he worked with builder Noel Fletcher to bring that vision to life. “He’s a very patient man,” says Paul. The spacious, modern result is one they can both be proud of.
The main surprise comes when you walk in the front door. Looking through the house, a sudden rush of view is revealed, verdant and all-encompassing. Naomi was struck by the outlook the day she met Paul: “I was invited to a party here. The house felt hunkered into the bush and secretive but then you walk through the door and it opens up into a light, beautiful, private world.”
Built on the edge of a valley, it steps down the hillside. Bedrooms on the upper level are linked by a type of causeway, with nautical-style banisters. “I wanted a bridge,” explains Paul. “And that’s what I got.”
Stairs descend to the central zone – the dining area and kitchen. Down another level is the cosy living room, which comes into its own in the winter months. “I based it on the 70s stepped-down conversation pit,” says Paul.
Left: One of Naomi’s paintings can be seen behind a collection of decanters.
Right: The kava bowl holding the peonies is from the Yasawa Islands in Fiji, where the couple celebrated their engagement.
Kwila decks waterfall from the dining area, designed to give various sheltered options in different winds.
Although this was his first try at building, Paul’s eye for design shows in details such as alcoves for display space, lighting to highlight objects and art, and every girl’s favourite – a walk-in wardrobe.
“Yet it was still very much a man pad,” says Naomi, who has added a certain softness. A fan of vintage clothing and shoes, shoes, shoes, Naomi is responsible for most of the art. She is an accomplished photographer and above the double-sided fireplace that abuts the dining and living room is a triptych of Karekare beach. “I gave it to Paul as a birthday present.”
Vintage 60s lights featuring dancing girls hang in the living room. Paul hated them at first but has now wired them into the wall, so there’s no going back. It’s a similar story with Naomi’s trio of silver fairies. They’re in an alcove in the hall, wings re-soldered by Paul.
Paul and Naomi Ashman
It’s this type of teamwork that makes for a cheerful household. The kitchen with its composite granite bench-top and expanse of drawers and cabinets is a joy to work in. It’s no surprise to learn that the sail-shaped jarrah breakfast bar takes its cue from Paul’s biggest passion: sailing. The couple spend a lot of the summer aboard their 12m yacht.
Other maritime references abound in an area under the house. There’s a bar, spa pool, foosball table – nirvana for boys – and the walls are clad in shiplap timber. Yet all is not what it seems. A secret door leads to Naomi’s art room and further on to Paul’s version of a shed.
“I love to come down here and fix and modify things,” Paul says. “I haven’t watched TV for five years now and I don’t think I ever will again.”
There’s not much left to do with the landscaping. It took 98 tonnes of boulders and 200 railway sleepers to form the garden and waterfall at the entrance to the home and Naomi has shaped a vegetable patch filled with every imaginable plant.
Now that it’s all finished, this settled couple look likely to stay put. After two months travelling in Europe and the US, Naomi recalls: “When we came home, we walked in and thought, ‘Wow, this is cool’.”
Our happiest day in this house was: The private ceremony we held at home on our wedding day, before the actual wedding. (Naomi)
The first thing I do when I get home from work is: Pour myself a glass of wine and kiss my wife. (Paul)
I love this part of New Zealand because: It feels really away from it all, yet everything you could possibly need in a city is just four minutes down the road and the beaches are 10 minutes away. (Naomi)
My favourite part of the house is: My man cave. (Paul)
My best moments in the kitchen are: When someone else cooks! (Naomi)
The best time of the week for me is: Sunday brekkie at Kauri Gum Cafe in Riverhead. (Naomi)
At the moment I’m enjoying eating: Pizza (from GPK in Albany) at Waiake beach on Sunday. Tapas at local restaurant Bolero in Albany. (Naomi)
And drinking: Spy Valley 2004 Chardonnay raided from our cellar. We bought it in Marlborough. (Naomi)
Naomi and Paul Ashman
For web-exclusive images click on the "photo gallery" link above
Story: Claire Mccall
Photographs: Kieran Scott
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