SCHOOL ZONES:
Belmont School, Vauxhall School, Belmont Intermediate, Takapuna Grammar
CONTACT:
Prue de Bie, 021 521 242, Bayleys.
AUCTION:
August 18.
Matt Stephens describes the home he shares with partner Jayne Wallace and their 10-month-old daughter Lulah as "an urban bach".
It's easy to see why. The family visits Narrow Neck beach, only two blocks away, year-round. They may head down for a swim a couple of times a day duringsummer. In winter, the playground and cafe make the beach just as attractive to visit. When the tide is out, cavoodle Molly can frolic around on the wet sand with the neighbourhood pooches.
Matt and Jayne's bungalow is one of the original homes on Merani St. It was built in an era long before the harbour bridge, when the neighbourhood was mainly green fields, dotted with holiday homes. The couple moved here in September, 2014, their first house purchase together after living in Parnell. The street has special significance for Jayne. Along the road is the house her grandparents owned, where her father grew up. Matt says Jayne's family remembers the days of farmland and cows to milk.
"She's the third generation on this street. She had her eyes on this house for a while and really liked it," says Matt. It had been a rental for several years. "It was fairly rundown to say the least but we've chipped away at it over that time."
Image 1 of 6: This charming and contemporary home has the best of both worlds. Photo / Ted Baghurst
The property is fully fenced, which has been ideal for the family that includes a baby, dog and two cats called Loui and Bonnie. The private front garden is beautifully landscaped, with a lawn, borders and topiary. Matt and Jayne have removed a large tree from the side of the house and planted a vegetable garden, which can be accessed directly from the secure carport. The rear of the home has a large, partially covered deck that comes into its own in summer when the couple open french doors from the living room and have friends over.
There is extensive built-in storage throughout, including in both the home's double bedrooms. The bathroom had already been renovated when the couple moved in, complete with a contemporary bath, tiles, vanity and basin.
Matt and Jayne have painted the house a crisp white throughout, added window shutters, new lighting and carpet, as well as restored the original timber flooring. The finished result is a home that is both charming and contemporary. Outside, they have overhauled weatherboards and flashings where necessary.
There is an alarm and security lights, as well as basement storage, where Matt has his workshop. In the hall, pull-down stairs provide access to an attic with plenty of room to store additional bits and pieces. Heat pumps, a heat transfer system and ceiling and under-floor insulation keep the house cosy in winter.
