SCHOOL ZONES:
Grey Lynn School, Kowhai Intermediate, Western Springs College, Auckland Girls Grammar
CONTACT:
Keith and Sandy Dowdle, Custom Residential, 021 877 905 (Keith) and 021 877 804 (Sandy).
*Two off-street park
The back section was one big slope and not at all private. It had got away on the owner and needed a lot of work.
Some people tackle a major renovation and swear, "Never again!" Rebecca Rae says although she and her fiance Stephen Speers had no experience of doing up a house before they made over their Grey Lynn villa, it was ultimately a rewarding experience, and one they would repeat.
"But I need a break first," she says. "It was a huge job."
The couple bought the 1917 transitional villa from its elderly owner four years ago.
The result is a private and spacious outdoor area enhanced by a simple but striking planting scheme.
Their friend Sam Baxter, an architectural graduate, came up with some concept plans that involved adding an extension at the rear, developing the basement and updating the rest of the house.
Rebecca and Stephen decided to transform downstairs first so they could live there while construction work was then carried out on the rest of the house.
That turned out to be a great idea. It meant they didn't have to move out.
The lower level had been unused before. A big space, it was home to an old concrete wash basin, a variety of flooring, an old bench seat toilet and "an interesting arrangement of pillars".
Rebecca and Stephen considered putting in a large garage, but since there was already double off-street parking at the front of the property, they decided the basement area would be better used for more living space.
It now contains a large bedroom, a bathroom and a living area with a fully equipped kitchenette, and it has its own entrance.
There are also sliding doors out to a private, sunny courtyard.
Renovating downstairs has given them so much extra room. "You could do so much with it -- Airbnb, space for extended family, teenagers or an au pair," says Rebecca.
"Or you can just have it as an extra living room and fourth bedroom."
Image 1 of 5: Extensive renovations have opened up previously unused spaces and expanded options of how owners can use this charming Grey Lynn villa. Photos / Ted Baghurst
Upstairs are three bedrooms, including a master bedroom reconfigured to include two wardrobes and an en suite.
Like the en suite, the family bathroom has a large skylight.
Rebecca is particularly delighted with the way this bathroom has turned out. It features marble-effect porcelain wall tiles, a striking tiled floor and an open wet room-style shower next to the bath.
The new kitchen is a stylish and contemporary space with sleek white cabinetry and a handsome Corian bench.
The company that made the cabinetry also built bookcases either side of a window seat in the new living room.
"This is one of my favourite parts of the house," says Rebecca.
The living room is sunny and has sliding doors out to the deck and the garden.
Rebecca and Stephen may have been novices when they started out but they have proved to be quick learners who have picked up all sorts of new skills.
"Stephen's a real pro at retaining walls," says Rebecca.
The couple tackled jobs they knew were within their capabilities -- such as stripping, sanding and painting -- and wisely left the trickier stuff to tradespeople.
