"Pretty much everything is new," says Kathryn. "Even the rubbers around the windows have been replaced. We've rewired, replumbed, gibbed the ceiling - everything was done."
Rebuilding the apartment gave them the chance to rectify the only two drawbacks they had noticed.
The first was a lack of storage; George fixed that by reconfiguring the layout so a short passageway off the main hall could be converted into cupboards. They also found space to put in several other cupboards, and Kathryn chose doors without handles so the hallway has a streamlined, uninterrupted look.
The second problem was the very narrow deck at the front of the apartment. It was little more than a ledge, and not much use.
"George immediately knew what could be done to come up with a solution - he can see these things instantly," says Kathryn.
Cleverly, he moved part of the front wall a metre or so back into the living room - which is so large that losing a bit of space hasn't made any difference - and created a bigger, loggia-style covered deck. There is now plenty of room for a table and chairs, and it's a great place to enjoy the view and indulge in a spot of people-watching.
The couple put in stylish glass balustrades so the outlook is not obstructed by railings. There are bifold doors out to the deck, and a large picture window next to the doors that perfectly frames Rangitoto. The windows in the living area face north and west, so the sun pours in for most of the day and it is very light.
The kitchen had been a separate, closed-off room so Kathryn and George removed the walls and opened it up to be part of the living area. A sleek new kitchen was installed and includes a stone bench, separate oven and combination oven/microwave and double fridge, which will be staying in the apartment when it is sold.
The master bedroom has a fully tiled en suite, while the second bedroom is next to the large bathroom.
Kathryn has decorated throughout in crisp, classic white which gives the apartment a very contemporary look. She also chose a luxurious carpet that will be stain-resistant for 25 years.
"Like everything else in the apartment, it was expensive but worth it," says Kathryn.
"My husband and I are both perfectionists and we think if something is worth doing, it is worth doing properly. And because we were doing it for family, we wanted to do a particularly good job."
However, circumstances have since changed and Kathryn's mother will no longer be moving in. The recently completed apartment is now surplus to requirements, so they have put it up for sale.
"I think it will make an ideal lock-up-and-leave property, although I don't know why you would want to leave when you are in such a fantastic location."
