International Make-over: Mt Eden

Being international pilots can be very useful when you're renovating a house, as LeeAnn and Glen Yare have discovered.

The couple have made the most of travelling overseas for a living, getting inspiration for the makeover of their Mt Eden home and even bringing back a few items that aren't available in New Zealand.

For example, stainless steel shelves that are a feature in the kitchen were spotted in Singapore and fitted nicely in a suitcase.

"It's been very handy," says LeeAnn, a short-haul international pilot who flies to Australia and the Pacific. "I get lots of ideas about trends and it's great shopping overseas for homewares. I've bought lots of funky little things like the toothbrush holder in the en suite bathroom that you just don't see here."

She and Glen, who flies to Asia and the United States, have done up two houses before this one, and as soon as they saw the 1910 villa 18 months ago they knew they could work some magic on it.

"It had good structure and lots of great features, like the high ceilings, but it needed updating," says LeeAnn. "As soon as I walked in I could see what could be done to improve things."

High on her list of priorities was to repaint. "Everything was cream: the walls, window and door frames, architraves, curtains - it was too much. You couldn't see any of the character features - it all just blended in."

The couple painted throughout, using a palette of neutral, earthy colours. They had linen curtains made for the bedrooms and exchanged the 1980s light fittings for art deco shades.

The bathroom came in for some major attention. Glen and LeeAnn kept the original tongue and groove walls but extensively remodelled the rest of the room and put in a bath.

They also added an en suite to the main bedroom by converting a walk-in wardrobe. "Everyone said it was too small but we managed to use the space really well.

We put in a curved shower with doors that slide rather than opening out which makes it easier to get in and out."

But the biggest job was the kitchen. "The old kitchen was an odd layout - the pantry and the sink were a long way from each other and it was not a good use of space. So we redesigned it and put in a new kitchen," says LeeAnn.

The kitchen now has floor-to-ceiling cupboards, a pantry with sliding shelves, stainless steel bench tops and a layout that means everything is at the cook's fingertips. It takes up a part of the open plan living area at the back of the house where Glen and LeeAnn spend most of their time. A bathroom was removed to make this space bigger and it's ideal for entertaining, as it opens onto a deck.

"We built that - before you just stepped out on to cobbles. It gets a lot of use. Because it's north-facing it gets all-day sun and it's so private none of the neighbours look in."

The paved and landscaped back garden is low maintenance, and perfect for a couple who are away a lot.

The house is perfect for showing off their collection of eclectic furniture, art, ceramics, old-fashioned luggage and aviation memorabilia. LeeAnn and Glen will find it hard to leave. Having recently married, they are planning to start a family and want to downsize so that they can manage comfortably should LeeAnn take maternity leave.

"We wouldn't be selling otherwise; we absolutely love it here," says LeeAnn.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Land 589sq m; house 190sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected upwards of $900,000. Auction March 15.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm.

CONTACT: Anna Copeland and Lisa Pringle, Unlimited Potential, ph 631 7720 or 021 800 669 (Anna); 631 5180 or 0274 904 900 (Lisa).

FEATURES: Refurbished villa with great indoor/outdoor flow, double garage, four fireplaces, formal lounge plus open plan living/dining/kitchen area, study/laundry, in zone for Maungawhau Primary, Auckland Normal Intermediate, EGGS and Auckland Grammar.