Until two years ago, Chad and Georgina Glover barely knew anything about Birkenhead Pt. But the Howick-based couple needed tow move north when Chad's job became based in Albany and they wanted an easier commute.
"We were born and grew up in Howick. Then we lived in Sydney, and liked being central, so when we came back we didn't like living so far out," says Chad. "We searched all over, and found this. It's so central, ticked all the boxes for access to motorway and city. Then we realised there's so much heritage around here, there's always a story from neighbours. It's like old New Zealand here."
Chad and Georgina had admired the house in a Herald Homes story, but these serial renovators (they've done five or six houses together, Chad even more on his own) still wanted to make their own tweaks to live here with Chad's daughter, Scarlett, 10. The impending arrival of baby Penelope (now nearly 10 months) accelerated their plans.
White walls, shutters and blinds, and polished floors put in by the previous owner were just to their taste, which combines clean modern pieces in the heritage setting. The bathroom was perfect, with its black walls and vintage-look hexagonal tiles, old-fashioned tub and vanity.
Most of the house had been insulated, so they just needed to add a powerful gas fire in the existing brick fireplace. They updated light fixtures to LED, and closed in a wall from the open plan living room to hall to allow better furniture placement.
