Grand foyer with boardwalks.

The paint is barely dry and they are already flat out preparing to take part in the Christmas in Karaka fundraiser for Te Hihi School where their two grandchildren are pupils.

Despite being wholly involved in their export business of supplying kitset homes abroad, Greg and Toni are also in the throes of completing landscaping. Their five-acre block encompasses a second home, occupied by their daughter and grandchildren as well as paddocks where alpaca, sheep, ponies, goats and chickens can be spotted.

It also includes an orchard, large potager garden, plus the first stage of a garden retreat which will be further complemented by lawns and plantings under construction around the house and bordering an expansive, covered atrium.

Dressing room.

But it is the interior which will be decked out in real festive style for the Christmas in Karaka ramble. Unlike some of the 14 properties which will benefit from the talents of an interior designer and a florist, Toni has undertaken to arrange her own yuletide decorations.

“I have a clear vision of what I want and have been busy planning each room,” she says. “I’m working on a ‘house of shoes’ theme with the latest footwear styles all wrapped up in festive colours and decorations to complement existing décor.”

Undoubtedly, the end result will be magnificent. The Charteris home already provides a dream environment thanks to a cleverly coordinated colour scheme of white, silver and black complemented by lashings of red.

“Neutral backgrounds make it easy to instigate any future change of interior direction,” Toni says. “For example, by removing the black and red elements, the abundance of white allows me to create a whole new look simply by introducing one or two different colours.

“By the same token, it means regardless of which way I go with the Christmas theme, the neutral background makes it easy.”

With Toni clearly in control of her Christmas scheme, visitors will be in for a treat in more ways than one. That’s because her home, even without festive décor, is a joy to see.

Totally unexpected is the colossal entrance foyer where a wide boardwalk, stunning water features, lush plants and exotic goldfish exude a sense of Eastern  tranquility.

Luxurious ensuite.

A right turn takes one to the master suite with outsize bedroom, stunning bathroom and a dressing room, which has to be the envy of all women who appreciate space, and lots of it, for clothes, shoes and accessories.

Turn left from the foyer and enter the main west wing where one room flows to the next – large dining room, lounge, library, home theatre, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms plus a powder room and, of course, the kitchen.

The latter is in fact two kitchens. The scullery or working kitchen is semi-concealed and the envy of chefs who appreciate having a double size oven, six gas hobs, double door fridge, sinks, butcher’s block and a myriad of open fronted, commercial-style drawers.

Storage is ordered and easily accessed and there is a door to the outside for easy off load of groceries from car to scullery.

In addition, the home features what Toni laughingly calls her “Clayton’s kitchen” overlooking the dining room. “All the real work is done in the scullery; this second kitchen is more a place for a few last minute finishing touches.”

Landscaping at 'the lake'.

But perhaps the piece de resistance is the wine cellar seen through a glass floor inset to one side of the second kitchen. It is a work of art although difficult to compare to the many exquisite art works featured throughout this superb property.

And not just inside. Stage one of the garden, generally referred to as ‘the lake’, is a meld of natives and exotics plus a small man made lake, garden art to bring a smile to the face and a wide variety of birds.

Other gardens are also on the way to becoming well established. There a tropical corner, a wholly native section and an English cottage garden with more to come.

The north-facing atrium, accessed from the house and from covered walkways around the exterior, will soon benefit from additional plantings and lawns to ensure this area for outdoor relaxation and entertaining is as lovely as the inside.

Despite its many designer elements and a colour scheme some people would keep away from little hands, the Charteris home is both welcoming and accustomed to accommodating young children.

“Our grandchildren are in and out all the time and while there’s a lot of white, its easy enough to clean,” Toni says. “Really what’s a home without children, animals and a garden? We are very lucky to have the lot.”