SCHOOL ZONES:
Maungawhau School, Balmoral School, MAGS, Auckland Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Stewart Morgan and Majoree Wimmers, Bayleys, 021 933 305 (Stewart) or 021 038 7609 (Majoree).
AUCTION:
2pm, November 4.
*1 covered car park, 1 off-street.
Leonie and Andrew Williams bought this Maungawhau-zoned bungalow thinking it'd be a five-year house but an architect cleverly breathed new life into it for them.
They bought here 13 years ago having returned from London and were familiar with Mt Eden's handy location; Leonie once flatted in this street.
Leonie says: "We really liked the fact this house had original character features such as timber panelling, leadlight windows and lovely matai floors. It had big bedrooms and a good-sized kitchen.
"But the thing we really loved was its big backyard. We both grew up further south and are firm believers that kids need yards."
They married and had children Mia, 10, and Finlay, 7, who use the roomy grounds as their soccer pitch with caboodle Tui joining in. Andrew's a keen gardener and they've simplified the garden after originally establishing quite an elaborate one.
Leonie says: "When we moved in it was such a jungle that we didn't actually know there was a shed under it or that we backed on to Pollard Park. These days the kids just climb the fence into the park and I can listen to them playing there."
They'd done some initial renovations but once they had both children looked at moving to get more space.
They wanted to stay in the area, which is handy to town, the airport and within 10 minutes walk of Maungawhau School. Not able to find anywhere suitable, they decided to renovate to get a fourth bedroom and second bathroom.
The first few architects they talked to suggested squared-off single-storey rear extensions, which would have chewed up much of their backyard.
"But we thought architect Andrew Daly was really clever suggesting going up at the rear. That created some great nooks like this barbecue area and took up less of the yard."
Leonie reckons the sheltered west-facing barbecue deck, partially enclosed by their rear extension, has changed their lives.
"We're always barbecuing out there. The kids toast marshmallows on the outdoor fireplace and Andrew and I sit out there with a glass of wine after the children have gone to bed."
Image 1 of 12: This character home has original timber features combined with a modern, open-plan flow. Photos / Getty Images
A single carport and an off-street parking pad precede the circa-1925 bungalow's covered front porch. Original timber panelling adds charm to the entry foyer and continues in the separate dining room.
Its double-sided fireplace also opens to the front lounge with a leadlight bay window. The two rooms can be separated by closing original timber cavity sliders. The insulated home has central heating and a heat recovery system.
On the other side of the hall are two good-sized bedrooms, a family bathroom and a third bedroom opening to the barbecue area.
A servery links the dining room to the generous kitchen with engineered stone bench and cabinetry wall concealing a laundry. The kitchen transitions to a family dining area, which opens out to outdoor entertaining in the barbecue area.
Casual dining steps down to the polished concrete floors of the family room. This has big glass doors, which open it up to outdoors.
"When you sit here in summer with the doors open on two sides you almost feel like you are outside," says Leonie.
The family room has a study nook and a back-door utility area and has stairs up to the master suite. The master bedroom up here has two banks of wardrobing and an en suite. The roomy back yard with lawn includes garden and bike sheds.
Leonie and Andrew were both born in the South Island and are moving to Alexandra to raise their children closer to family.
