Grand redesign pays off

72 Albany Rd, Herne Bay. Photo / Supplied

In 2001, as Karen and Dominic Wood were preparing to marry, they drove past an open home.

"We weren't looking to buy," recalls Karen. "But we absolutely fell in love with the place.

"That was at 2pm, the auction was at 6pm and we didn't go back to work that day but spent the whole afternoon organising finance."

Over five years, Karen, a part-time interior designer, and handyman Dominic renovated. Son Jamie, 4, and daughter Elliot, 2, arrived along the way.

The front garden is lush with palms, frangipani and magnolia trees. Inside, the TV room is on your left and opens to the veranda through French doors.

To your right is the master bedroom, with a bay window, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. Down the hallway are the children's bedrooms and family bathroom.

The open-plan kitchen, dining room and lounge fill the rear of the house, opening to the garden. A custom-made glass lightbox-type bar was installed above the stainless steel bench in the kitchen.

Outside is a concrete terrace with a fire at one end and a spa pool at the other.

Part of the garage was turned into a storeroom and then became a guest bedroom-cum-office, with a toilet next door, a wine cellar and a laundry.

The family are moving to Vancouver. "We wish we could fold this house up and take it with us," says Karen. It sold for $1.25 million.