Connoisseurs' choice in Devonport

6 Russell St, Stanley Point, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst

6 RUSSELL ST STANLEY POINT

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SIZE: Land 1012sq m approx, house 547sq m approx.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest above $2.5 million. Tenders close December 14.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: customresidential.co.nz/CR3516, devonportvilla.co.nz, grandfamilyvilla.co.nz

SCHOOL ZONES: Stanley Bay School, Belmont Intermediate and Takapuna Grammar.

CONTACT: John Wills, Custom Residential, ph 021 333 053.

FEATURES: Charming and spacious family villa with formal and informal living areas, two studies, studio/utility room, library, gym, heated pool and beautiful formal garden.

Nikki Gainsford and Alistair Helm freely admit they are "obsessed" with houses. It stands to reason when you learn about Nikki's interest in homes and gardens, particularly landscape design, and Alistair's role as CEO of realestate.co.nz.

Not that the couple's obsession, nor Alistair being in the business of marketing property, has meant they've changed homes at a rapid pace. They moved to Russell St in the summer of 2000, opting for Devonport as it was a good between-point from Nikki's previous home in Takapuna and Alistair's in Parnell. It was the first time either had lived in a villa.

Ex-pat Brit Alistair says the 11 years he and Nikki have been here is the longest he's lived in one place. It's easy to see why they haven't moved before now. From the road, the villa's charming symmetrical bay windows and Nikki's elegant formal garden design reveal nothing of how spacious this house is. It has a floor area of nearly 550sq m.

When Nikki and Alistair first viewed the house, they realised the rear of the original villa was linked to a two-storey extension, which had been built by previous owners in the early 1990s. "We walked in the door and thought it was so beautiful and then saw that it seemed to go on forever," Nikki recalls. "We walked around and around this house about 10 times," adds Alistair.

After living here for a couple of years, the couple enlisted local architect Chris Hume to improve an awkward transition between the old and new parts of the house. The architect also reworked the upstairs extension, transforming what was previously a cavernous room into a master bedroom with adjoining his and hers en suites and dressing rooms.

Alistair took care of a lot of the timber detailing as the house was renovated stage-by-stage over five years. Amongst other handiwork, he built pergolas, chimney breasts and Cape Cod chairs. "I enjoy timber work; I find it satisfying and relaxing after my day job," says Alistair, who has a sales and marketing background and has lived in New Zealand for 15 years.

He admits to spending a large part of his time online, but says he sees print as a great complement. "[Print] is a great medium for making an emotional connection and pulling on the heartstrings." He says great photography and good descriptions are the keys to effective marketing, whatever the medium.

At home, Nikki and Alistair admit to doing more cooking after Linda Christensen designed a new granite-accented kitchen, which includes a large butler's pantry. "She couldn't understand why we wanted such a large island bench," says Nikki. "But we both like to read the Herald on a Saturday morning and wanted to be able to spread out."

The kitchen is in the original footprint of the villa, while a new, conservatory-like dining area is connected to a sitting room in the extension, with an open fire and demolition kauri flooring. Other rooms downstairs in the extension include a gym (or a large fifth bedroom), a family bathroom, a full-size laundry, Nikki's office and an adjoining studio/storage area for her art.

Matai stairs, which the couple believe may have been salvaged from a hotel, lead upstairs to an area used as a library, while off to the left is a wing with a bedroom, dressing room and en suite, which used to be occupied by Nikki's daughter, Emma, before she left home.The master bedroom and its en suites and dressing rooms are located on the other side of the library.

Rooms in the original part of the villa include an enormous formal living and dining area, two guest bedrooms, Alistair's study and a powder room. Outside, Nikki has created a beautiful garden, with a series of "outdoor rooms" which culminate in a heated pool.

After putting so much heart and soul into this generous home, Nikki and Alistair say it's time to find a smaller place for themselves, labradoodles Bertie and Charlie and their three cats. "We're almost being greedy having this much space," says Alistair.