Freemans Bay: Tranquil highway

7 Renall Street, Freemans Bay.

NZ Idol judge Paul Ellis made the most of his historic home before being lured to a new job in Brisbane.

Like most people who walk into old houses, Paul Ellis initially thought his 19th century villa in historic Renall Street had potential as a do-up.

But after a few months living in its old bones, the former NZ Idol judge decided that no, the house was fine just the way it was.

"Part of its appeal had been that it hadn't been given the Ponsonby do-over - it wasn't all gibbed and white and slick. It still had its character," says Paul. "It's about 110 years old and it's original configuration is still largely intact, which has charm."

He's right. From the two bedrooms directly off the lounge, to the sunny lean-to housing the kitchen and dining area at the back, up the steep, narrow staircase to rooms with every floor at a different angle upstairs, this house welcomes you with an old world honesty.

The fireplace in the lounge may now have a gas burner, but its brick chimney remains exposed.

The kitchen, which looks out to a sheltered, leafy courtyard, was renewed some years ago but its wooden benchtop and cupboards made from old school lockers are in keeping with the house. The main bathroom upstairs has a clawfoot bath. And, after all these years, you can still see the magnificent view from the upstairs east bedroom.

Paul used this as his study, looking out across rooftops to the city skyline, the harbour, and Rangitoto.

"You can watch the cruise liners come in," he says, "And it's beautiful at night."

The only concession to modern, high-tech luxury is in the rear courtyard, and Paul didn't even know it was there until one evening after he moved in.

"I found a switch and turned it on, and a ring of pale green fibre optic lights lit up around the edge of the paving. It looks lovely when you've got friends over."

He cheerfully volunteers that it's been a good party house. The lounge in the centre of the house flows out to the kitchen and dining area, which opens to the courtyard. The tall, ivy-covered wall of the Railway Lodge building next door provides shelter and privacy. Trees such as an ornamental cherry, a big pittosporum and a karaka soften the edges. There's even a brush-covered shed in the corner to park the bikes.

Two cars are taken care of in one of the few driveways in the street. Protected by the Auckland City Council for its history, most of the cottages in Renall Street were built in the 1890s for workers, many of whom toiled at the wharves which back then were just down the hill where Victoria Park is today. Number 7 is one of the few two-storeyed homes in the street. The high, generous lean-to at its rear was probably built at the turn of the century, as its sloping ceiling is made of wide kauri boards.

Renall Street runs off Ponsonby Road from the end of the Three Lamps shopping centre, yet is surprisingly quiet.

"It's like a tranquil highway," says Paul. "It's so close to everything, but you don't have to interact with it. There's even a little park at the bottom of the street, and Western Park and Pt Erin Park are within walking distance."

When Paul bought the house eight months ago, he thought he'd be there for years but then he was offered a job as head of communications for Channel 9 in Brisbane. He left last week.

"I know how you can bond with a house," he said before he departed. "And if I'd lived here for two or three years I might have tried to hang on to it. But I wasn't in too deep; it was time to get out," he smiles.

He hosted so many get-togethers at the house in his short time there that some friends bought him a barbecue for his birthday at the end of last year. He took that with him to Brisbane, planning to recreate the Renall Street atmosphere when they visit.