SCHOOL ZONES:
Michael Park School, Ellerslie School, One Tree Hill College.
CONTACT:
Aaron and Sonya Telfar, Mike Pero, 0274 485 965 (Aaron) or 0274 485 964 (Sonya).
AUCTION:
Onsite 4pm Sunday May 22 (unless sold prior).
A Dutch couple who've made New Zealand home became only the third owners of this big Ellerslie home solidly crafted years by one of their European neighbours.
Jose and Waling Kakebeeke left Holland for New Zealand 28 years ago, after deciding Canada was too cold for Waling's tastes and Australia too hot for Jose's. They settled in Ellerslie but soon wanted a bigger home.
Nothing else compared after they saw this one on its 1012sq m section. They bought it, delighted it backs onto Michaels Ave Reserve and is so close to Michael Park School, a Rudolf Steiner school they wanted their children to attend.
Jose says: "This house was built by a Dane who copied the house he'd lived in over there. Danish and Dutch houses are similar so Waling and I were born in houses like this."
Soon after they bought here they got to speak to the first owner-builder's eldest daughter. Her father was a bricklayer who'd emigrated after WWII and built the three-level house in stages from the 50s on.
The basement and ground level are plastered double brick and the upper level is plastered weatherboard.
Computer engineer Waling says: "It's cool in summer and cosy in winter."
The section was subdivided into two titles in the 90s. The front title with the house and the rear with the main garden and stand-alone double garage are being sold together, each having half share of the 1012sq m grounds.
It's worked well for Jose's beauty therapy business having a ground-floor bedroom set up as her practice with a separate toilet nearby.
Image 1 of 8: A Danish builder and Dutch owners have both contributed to this two-storey home with a continental feel. Photos / Fiona Goodall, Getty Images
She's still delighted with their entertainers' kitchen six years after it replaced original red formica with abundant cabinets, engineered bench tops, red splashbacks and gas cooking.
The entrance hall's tawa floorboards also grace the rear lounge. That's Jose's favourite place to sink into the sofa and do cross-stitch or crochet, especially when the fire is blazing.
They enclosed a former patio off the neighbouring dining room making it a sheltered conservatory. It's a great spot to eat lunch with the bifold windows open and is where labrador Shaka and shih tzu Charlie sleep.
Steps lead down from the conservatory to a large patio area designed by a landscape designer and framed by hedging. Friends have often dined here al fresco.
The upstairs has four bedrooms, en suite and bathroom, and includes a front alcove with built-in seating where the couple sometimes have afternoon tea. As well as renovating the bathroom and creating the en suite and a linen cupboard they've installed double glazing on the southern side and added solar panels, ceiling insulation and two heat pumps.
Basement level includes a man-cave where Waling cranks up his favourite music; a laundry, storage and a wine cellar where the original owner kept wine made from grapes he grew.
Children Jelle and Quirine have fond memories of neighbourhood barbecues and sitting under the old plum tree in the big rear grounds.
With a big house and their kids grown and overseas now, Jose and Waling figure it's time for a new phase.
