SCHOOL ZONES:
Richmond Rd School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College, Auckland Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Robyn Ellson, Ray White Ponsonby, 021 800 891.
AUCTION:
June 24 .
*plus 1 off street
The surprising studio-loft topping this picturesque Californian bungalow is Pam Blok's domain, although her back is often turned on the sweeping elevated view.
Artist Pam finds the upstairs expanse a good, light-filled environment to paint and create in. She and husband Adrian moved here 20 years ago from a smaller Richmond Rd house after their two children had left home.
"We seem to collect a fair bit of stuff and we really needed somewhere bigger than where we'd been," says Pam.
"Countless people have said lately 'oh, you'll have to de-clutter before you put this place on the market', not realising this is the de-cluttered version," says Adrian.
Pam likes her art to tell a story and fittingly there's a storybook quality to their long-held home, which charmingly bucks minimalist trends. Walls brimming with creativity complement the home's arts and crafts detailing.
The 1918 Californian bungalow, where Pam has hosted artist talks and which has featured in artists' trails, stands out in this suburb known for villas. Its exterior combines stucco over brick, exposed brick and weatherboards with a clay tile roof.
The couple commissioned the front pedestrian entry gate and two side gates to suit the home's era. The orderly yet diverse compact front yard includes an original mosaic entry path, clipped bay trees, lemon trees and a spring blossoming plum tree set into radiating mosaics.
The generous covered entrance where brick accents stucco gives a special sense of arrival. The Bloks' late cat, Ubi, who died aged 21, used to caterwaul out the front so much that kindly passers-by twice rushed her to the vet suspecting injury.
Pam says "it was nice they were so community- minded. I made a sign for the front gate saying 'Hello, I'm Ubi and I live here and I'm just old'."
The owl leadlight in the front door was a must-have Trade Me purchase, seeing it's similar to the original leadlight above the doorway. There are numerous leadlights, native timber floors and a high stud. In the front formal living room and adjoining dining room this height is emphasised by striking box ceiling beams.
Image 1 of 12: Adorable sunny bungalow with plenty of room right in the heart of Richmond Rd stands out
Pam says "this house was fancy for its day".
A rear kitchen/family room with mechanised awning outside is sun-drenched.
"For us, the fact that this house is north-facing with all-day sun has been an important part of living here," says Adrian. "We can sit here in the sun and look out at our bonsai collection outside and think 'that one needs a good clipping'."
The family room opens to a little courtyard with water feature, laden with bonsai but able to be an off-street parking pad. The bonsai devotees used to also house some on a platform on the roof of the back brick single garage.
The home's lower level includes a master bedroom with compact en suite, a hallway-cum-portrait gallery, a bathroom and two more bedrooms, one used as a study/library.
About 15 years ago architect Owen Young designed the upstairs studio using space under the steep roofline. Non-artists might want it as a master suite or near self-contained living.
It incorporates a bathroom, kitchenette area, storage and a balcony with wide elevated views over Ponsonby and Grey Lynn past the harbour to Te Atatu.
Adrian says "Richmond Rd is already on a ridge so when you come up here you feel high up."
