VICKI HOLDER dons a tiara for a tour of an English-style manor home that bursts with character.

A piece of the old English countryside comes to town in an inviting, manor house that sits in a quiet, tree-lined cul-de-sac in Epsom. Playing lord or lady here wouldn't require much imagination. The large property is packed with the traditional character and luxurious features you would expect in a home destined for gentility.

A long driveway brings you to an electric gate with a plaque that welcomes you to "El Nido." Meaning the nest, the name encapsulates what this home is all about - a secluded retreat away from the madding crowds.

Although the house appears to have commanded over this spot among the trees for many years, it is only five years old. Massive earthworks levelled the sloping site and once building was complete, landscaping continued to create an impressive flat parking bay beside a classically inspired swimming pool and bricked patio with adjacent lawn.

The house stretches across the site, opening to outdoor living areas which take full advantage of the sheltered, north-facing site. Hidden from sight behind the guest wing is another grassy terrace, an ideal place to enjoy the setting sun.

Architects Patterson Cullen Irwin excelled in designing a home totally in tune with its English country-style setting.

The building is laden with rustic appeal in the steeply pitched slate roofs, red bricks on the first floor level and batten-and-board cedar painted soft charcoal. Window frames and the entry porch are picked out in white. A delicate rose climbs the pillars of the little entry porch, which juts out from the house and adds the finishing touch to a charming picture.

Inside, the architect has balanced gracious formal living areas with comfortable casual sitting spaces for a perfectly proportioned living environment.

Living areas step down from the entry foyer towards the solid rimu and Corian kitchen and casual sitting room in the north-west corner. Sunny in summer and warmed by a gas fire in winter, this relaxing nook leads through french doors to the pool and barbecue area.

Formal dining and entertaining rooms sit opposite one another, through cavity sliding doors on either side of the hallway. Both rooms features crystal chandeliers and window dressed in luxurious burgundy and cream fabric. A low rimu dresser fills the end wall of the dining room, providing storage and ample surface for plates as they are passed through the kitchen servery. Outside the sitting room, sunlight is controlled by a retractable electric awning with a sensor that overrides programmed instructions when the wind gets too strong.

Not only has the architect hit the right note but the builder has complemented the generous, practical layout with meticulous finishing details. Nothing flashy, but no expense was spared in an effort to achieve the high quality, traditional look of yesteryear.

John Barrett, the builder, has kept his original file notes cataloguing materials that went into the home. They reveal the extent to which he departed from the standard that is typical in most new homes. Only Rolls Royce quality was good enough for this homeowner.

Other downstairs rooms include the masculine heart rimu-panelled study at the entry and a recreation room big enough for a pool table.

A passage leads away from the main part of the house to a large laundry/utility area. Narrow stairs take you above triple-car garaging to the guest wing. A large space with a recess for a desk in the dormer forms a living/bedroom area in front of a bathroom and cupboards.

The grand rimu staircase rises from the main entry to a second casual sitting and television area between four double bedrooms. The sloping angles of the ceilings endow these rooms with quaint character. As well as a big family bathroom with spa bath and a second guest bathroom near the stairs, the master bedroom features a generous en suite and a dressing room. French doors open the master suite to a tiled balcony which has views through trees to the Waitakere Ranges.

This immaculate Feng Shui-tested nest blends practical design sophistication with yesteryear charm, appealing to lovers of character and new homes alike.

Vital Statistics:

Address: 29a Golf Rd, Epsom

Features: Formal dining and living room, casual sitting area plus TV room, five double bedrooms (including guest suite), study, recreation room, three bathrooms plus two guest toilets, swimming pool, three-car garaging.

Size: Land 1282 sq m; house 460 sq m.
Tender: Closes June 22.

Agent: Stanley and Barbara Armon, Barfoot & Thompson, Epsom. Ph 520 6221 bus; 520 6953 ah; Stanley 025 723 377 mob; Barbara 021 799 012 mob