Transitioning between the big Auckland family home in Herne Bay and a loft apartment in Parnell, Barbara Fumpston thought, why rent when she could have some serious fun using her experience as a home stager?
She came across a hidden property — designed by architect Brent Hulena, up a drive at 42 Ranui Road, Remuera, — that she couldn't resist.
"I liked the way it wraps around the courtyard garden in an L-shape. And though it's so hidden, the north-facing aspect makes it so sunny."
There were a lot of things she liked about the home — not the least that it was modern and fully glazed, which ensures it is always warm. The location also appealed.
"It's private and quiet — safe and secure for us yet handy to shops and transport. Most of our friends live in the area."
Barbara especially likes the enormous open living space with soaring double-height stud and pitched ceiling punctuated by electric skylights. The gallery-like room has a lovely feeling of space and light, opening through glass sliders to the paved patio and garden.
The home has a great layout with a big separate lounge where her children entertain their friends. As it opens directly off the double garage, it is perfect for hot food deliveries without disturbing the rest of the household. Both rooms are always cosy in winter, warmed by gas fires.
But with her interior design experience, this savvy personal shopper could see some glaring defects she just couldn't wait to put right. Nothing structural, just a tasteful cosmetic makeover that has refreshed the entire property to make it immaculate, just like new again.
"Heavy blinds made it seem dark and ornate light fittings weren't right. So I added new solar blinds at the windows, repainted the whole interior white and replaced every light."
New kitchen cabinetry makes a statement in polished black beneath the granite top on the big island. Black railings around the steps down to the entry foyer and upstairs on the landing disappeared to create a much sleeker effect.
Now the clean, uncluttered walls are the perfect canvas for her impressive collection of artworks, including some by her brother, artist Rodney Fumpston; and an intriguing black work by Ralph Hotere. Staggered shelves float up one wall displaying Barbara's glassware and ceramics.
She added a more functional new laundry opening to a freshly pebbled rear utility area and painted the bathrooms on the upper floor, adding new vanities to bring them up-to-date. By removing the old blinds and replacing them with solar blinds, the versatile office or fourth bedroom downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs feel calm and uncluttered.
Slightly removed from the other bedrooms, the master bedroom enjoys a glorious view through trees to Rangitoto Island.
Outside in the garden, an expanse of concrete paving has given way to lawn and blue grey walls, now painted white are softened by a border of frothy palms.
Opening the doors between the living area and garden makes it a great place to entertain, says Barbara.
While the home has more space than an apartment or townhouse, it has been an easy lock-up and leave so the family can head to their holiday home in Ōmaha on weekends.
