SCHOOL ZONES:
Meadowbank Primary, Selwyn
College, double Grammar zone
CONTACT:
Alexander Babukhin, ph 021 956 473
When James and Debra Lockie began searching for a larger family home in 1990, their key requirements included an elevated northwest-facing site with good sun and a level back lawn.
It took five years to find this Arts and Crafts house in Lucerne Rd, which the Lockies instantly fell for, despite the need for some serious TLC to return the home to its original grandeur.
The two-level house, solidly built in 1923 with cavity brick external walls, plastered internal walls and a shingled roof, had been renovated in 1935 but was mostly structurally untouched after that.
Cosmetic changes were made to the interior over the years, but these largely detracted from the intended elegance of this gracious home, which had been built for William Fletcher and includes beautiful marble salvaged from the demolition of the National Bank building in Jean Batten Place in 1935.
James and Debra could see beyond the sheepskin carpeting and boarded up, beautiful leadlight windows to the strong bones of the house.
"The joy of the house was that we didn't have to undo someone else's renovations," says James. "Lucerne Rd is also one of the few streets on Remuera's northern slopes where the road cuts into the ridge, so the houses on the high side sit right on top of the ridge and get excellent sun."
During their 18 years here with sons William and Euan, now aged 23 and 20, the Lockies have renovated the house to improve its indoor-outdoor flow and rationalise some of the internal spaces while remaining faithful to the home's original design.
Working with architect Dave Pearson, who specialises in renovating heritage homes, they extended the western side of the house by a few metres to incorporate a light-filled, conservatory-style family room and informal dining room adjacent to the kitchen.
Tall bifold doors open from here out to a tiled, covered patio that forms part of the private back garden and leads over to a gas-heated swimming pool and spa that the Lockies have also installed.
They also converted the original outdoor laundry room, which Euan has used as an art studio, and moved the laundry inside where it is conveniently close to the kitchen. Behind the kitchen is the double-garage, accessed by a shared driveway running down the south side of the property.
The Lockies' main renovation also included replacing a temporary kitchen they had installed when they first bought the property. Debra says the new, state-of-the-art Poggenpohl kitchen has been worth every cent.
The family living area flows through to a large formal living room with original beamed ceilings, oak-panelled walls and a striking Art Deco fireplace with a grey marble surround.
Next door and also opening off the entrance foyer is the formal dining room, which has a large fireplace - this time with striking gold Scotch thistle detailing on its surround.
Also on this level is a large bathroom with modern fittings, including a tiled floor and tiled walls that have been carefully chosen to echo the era of the house.
A fourth bedroom on this level doubles as an office or extra living room.
Upstairs are three bedrooms including the master and en suite, another large modern bathroom and a lounge that is large enough to take a full-sized billiard table. A small, sun-filled study with sea views is off this room.
Now that both of their children are adults, the Lockies feel it is time to downsize.
