Contact information
Miller House
Address:
600 Onewhero-Tuakau Bridge Road
Onewhero
RD 2 Tuakau
2697
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Phone number:
027 602 6577
Email address:
Website address:
The post Floorboards, Fenestration and the Miller House Tractor Shed appeared first on Heritage Inns.
]]>
Everybody has a builder story… especially in South Auckland with the present building explosion we are enduring.
As soon as you mention “old house” 95% of tradesmen are never heard from again and the others start discussing estimate figures that a real estate agent might quote for the house purchase; this is followed by a “rough commencement date” further off than my telegram from the Queen. (For those not familiar with this, it is customary for New Zealanders reaching 100 years of age to receive a telegram …. email ???? … from the Queen)
However, I discovered Evan…I shall call him Evan to disguise his real identity the same way truffle hunters do not disclose their favorite hunting grounds.
Newly Finished Floor Patch
He arrived first to fix the floors…borer had dined out extensively under the fake pebble vinyl and large areas had to be re boarded, He started by stripping out the devoured sections and then prepared the site like an artist preparing a canvas. Boards sorted and stacked by colour and length, and the ground beneath swept clean enough for raking as a sand garden.
The next stage was a visual delight as the kauri was matched and clamped into place. At one stage I did think I had lost Evan, arriving at the hub of that days efforts my greeting was answered by a muffled “umder eare” …only the boots were visible in the 30 cm gap under the half finished floor. That roll of insulation was going to be dragged right under there come hell or high water!
Keeping an eye on the tractor shed (while modifying the fig tree)
Now we are resurrecting the tractor shed…well two and a half walls of it, (this needs to have photos by way of explanation but I fear it is not at a suitable stage to reveal the transformation). Again Evan has cleared the site so even the tractor does not recognize it, and has talked me into more windows. My original brief was “but no windows Evan…perhaps those clear roof panels?”. This was the same plea I made when he would not re install a louvre window in the en suite bathroom. “It is the only ugly window in the house” he said, “you can’t put it back”. So now there is a beautiful old four pane window, and I love it.
…And the tractor shed….two different but beautiful six pane windows…old, needing work! …but what else did the woman who already had 34 windows need for Christmas anyway? I will love it.
The post Floorboards, Fenestration and the Miller House Tractor Shed appeared first on Heritage Inns.
]]>The post The Miller House Leaf Blower, Snails and Sculpture appeared first on Heritage Inns.
]]>
Sleeping Man….. Alan Williams
All the years I have resisted buying a leaf blower as a gadget I did not need, I do enjoy raking leaves, but this year’s storms and the now substantial size of the oak trees have convinced me to relent.
Of course now there is no holding me, I have found all sorts of uses for the thing, despite not having quite conquered the power versus accuracy of leaf destination.
“You can use it to sweep the verandas”, the lady in the shop said: my thoughts were more on the actual tonnage of leaves to be shifted and mulched, but she was right…and also I can evict the spiders while still feeling eco friendly, although my suspicion is the spiders would never have given their approval.
Bronze Apple … Rudi Buchanan-Strewe
There is one use that I wish I had known about years ago, dusting sculpture! While I can’t see this use appearing as a banner headline on Stihl’s website, it is a marvel to be able to take to the outside works with a blast of air rather than a brush.
Wire Head … Brigitte Brandeau
In my years connected more commercially with the art world I have collected stuff and, despite patina being a desired element, everything needs some sort of cleaning. The leaf blower has been a marvellous find to de cobweb the Iron Sapling by Chris Moore, and reposition the snail population under the Sleeping Man by Allan Williams. I know they just slime their way back but there is an element of perseverance to be admired here, until the Hostas fail to show up in Spring!
In winter, when there is little in the garden but camellias and magnolias, form becomes an even more important element I believe, but inside the house the magpie type collection also flourishes. What and why people collect could keep me fascinated for hours, giving such an insight into the mind of the individual.
Landscape … Elizabeth Steiner
Often we are just snared by an object, be it useful or beautiful.
( as well as host at Miller House, Hilary is an award winning Landscape Garden Designer,
see more at https://www.hilarysmythe.co.nz )
The post The Miller House Leaf Blower, Snails and Sculpture appeared first on Heritage Inns.
]]>The post Miller House – Auckland appeared first on Heritage Inns.
]]>Contact us
Miller House offers
Guests staying at Miller House are invited to retreat from their busy lives to relax in the luxury of the Kaipo suite at this elegant, historic farmhouse.
While the property is located in a small rural village you are only 45 mins drive from Auckland International airport, (55 mins from Auckland city, and 14 mins from State highway 1). You stay in the calm and beautifully appointed surroundings of the extensive 60 sq m, sun filled suite, with views over the garden and surrounding farmland.
Your accommodation comprises the very large master bedroom with ensuite, and a private dining room, both these open to the verandahs with direct access to the garden.
At Miller House your booking ensures privacy. A second, queen, bedroom is only made available for your additional guests, if required. This room also opens through french doors on to the verandah.
The house dates back to 1895 when James Miller bought 100 acres in the centre of Onewhero village. The property has over 5 ha. (12 acres) of grounds and guests can enjoy walking in the gardens, or wandering through the 1.5 ha of mature native bush with its spring fed stream, native pigeons, pukekos, tuis and range of beautiful ancient trees.
Field croquet can be set up on the old tennis court for those wishing to just soak up the atmosphere, or there is a large range of local attractions and activities, good bike rides, surfing at Port Waikato, caving at Nikau Caves, motorsport at Pukekohe….to mention just a few.
The property has beef cattle, frizzle bantams, pheasants and the usual measure of rabbits, for which Baz the cat is employed, (he “works cheap” and he won’t bother you, so your total privacy is assured).
Bird song, and elegant calm all within easy reach of your next destination.
Nearby Activities…
- Nikau Cave and Cafe – https://nikaucave.co.nz
- Wrights Water Gardens – https://www.wrightswatergardens.co.nz
- Glenbrook Vintage Railway – https://www.gvr.co.nz
- Horse Treks at Port Waikato
- Sunset beach, Port Waikato
- Harkers Reserve Walk and Vivian Falls
- Onewhero Golf Course
- Onewhero Society of Performing Arts – occasional performances
- Cinema 3 at Pukekohe
- Slippery Creek Kayaking (Drury)
- Alexandra Redoubt war site – https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/alexandra-redoubt-0
- Motorsport at Pukekohe Raceway
- Hunua walkways/waterfalls
Tariff…
Kaipo suite and breakfast NZ$540 per night
(luxury king bedroom, ensuite, and private dining room)
West veranda room and breakfast $220 per night.
Please note: West veranda queen bedroom shares a bathroom with Kaipo Suite. There is separate access through french doors, but can only be booked in conjunction with the suite if wished.
Kaipo Suite comprises a very large master bedroom with ensuite, and a private dining room, both these open to the verandahs with direct access to the garden.
- Kaipo Room is appointed with king bed, genuine antique furniture and pictures, as well as some contemporary art works
- Choice of goose feather or synthetic fiber fill pillows
- Choice of feather and down, pure cotton, or synthetic duvet inners
- Pure cotton, high thread count, bed linen
- Slippers, (the house has original Victorian waxed kauri floorboards with oriental rugs)
- Television in room (on request)
- Netflix
- Unlimited wireless internet
- Fridge
- Nespresso machine
- Microwave
- Toaster
- Kettle
- Hair Dryer
- Traditional ceiling fans in all main rooms
Please note…. The West Veranda room is available only as an extra room to the Kaipo Suite
Options for Evening Dining
Local towns within 15 to 20 minutes drive have a wide range of options from fast food, local pub and ethnic restaurants to fine dining.
Bracu Restaurant in Bombay is an excellent fine dining option
If you wish to simply relax in the comfort of your suite and the surroundings then catering can be arranged from a local source with sufficient notice. A small selection of quality frozen meal options are also kept.
Refreshments are offered on your arrival, Hilary is resident on the property should there be anything you require.
Breakfast: Time is entirely governed by you and an extensive continental breakfast will be delivered to your suite. Some other options such as scrambled free range eggs, cold meats and cheeses can also be provided (please make these requests at time of booking).
Check in time from 3:30pm
Check out by 10:30am
- West Verandah room appointed with queen sized bed, genuine antique furniture and pictures
- Shared bathroom with Kaipo Suite, but with separate access through French doors to bathroom and garden
- \Washbasin in room
- Choice of goose feather or synthetic fibre fill pillows
- Choice of feather and down, pure cotton or synthetic duvet inners
Pure cotton, high thread count bed linen - Slippers, ( the house has original Victorian waxed kauri floorboards with oriental rugs)
- Netflix & Unlimited wireless internet
Hilary Smythe
Owner of this lovely original Victorian farmhouse, Hilary has great pleasure in making your stay a retreat with elegant surrounds and a rural atmosphere.
Originally from a family of art dealers in Europe, Hilary specialized in dealing in antique jewellery before coming to New Zealand and farming sheep and beef cattle on a large hill country farm. A move to a career in landscape design came next, born out of her mother’s love of flowers…and perhaps father’s fondness for digging things up.
After returning to art dealing for a while, having a gallery in Auckland’s Newmarket, the chance to restore Miller House seemed a great way to go back to the land. The garden is an ongoing development, as gardens always are, and to be able to share this glorious location is a privilege.
Booking & Availability
Please note:
“The West Verandah room has a small in-room washbasin but shares a bathroom with the Kaipo Suite, so can only be booked in conjunction. There is separate access though French doors to both the bathroom and the garden.”
Reservations are subject to confirmation.
Terms and Conditions
No smoking – the house is a Historic Listed Building
Unsuitable for children or pets – Miller House is situated on a working farm
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation within 30 days of arrival date: 50% forfeit of the total booking price
Cancellation within 7 days of arrival date: 100% forfeit of the total booking price
If a room is rebooked the cancellation policy will not apply.
Payment Policy
No deposit is required to secure your reservation but we do require your credit card details. Full amount is payable at departure, payment by MasterCard, Visa, Eftpos or NZ cash.
The post Miller House – Auckland appeared first on Heritage Inns.
]]>