Newmarket: Talking Turkey

A modern family home had some multicultural input into its design and construction.

"There's a lot of Turkey in this home,'' laughs Bruce Laybourn as he points out the light fittings, tiles and limestone fire surround chosen by himself and fiancee Nil Cicek from the huge variety on offer in Nil's native Istanbul.

But not only Turkey, it seems. Architect Barney Milic is originally from Serbia, and the building team was a United Nations with craftsmen from all corners of the globe, including New Zealand. All the more surprising then that the finished house with its solid cedar joinery and schist entrance portals has a look of a South Island high country ski lodge.

But once inside the imposing front door, the resemblance to cold weather living ends.

From the underfloor heated sandstone tiles (from Turkey, of course) on the lobby floor to the slatted cedar window high above in the double-height atrium, the heart of this house is all warmth and sunshine.

Full height doors from the gloriously red sitting room on this level (painted in Resene's Hot Chilli)   open to the huge deck. Hobson Bay can be glimpsed in the distance, and lush greenery below contains a path leading to Newmarket Park.

"The site is much bigger than it looks,'' Bruce points out. "Somewhere down the hill is the boundary. We have two big dogs and needed space for them, so this was ideal.''

On this level, apart from the living room and deck, is a large garage and one of two laundries, a luxurious kitchen and a self-contained guest room and bathroom. Upstairs are three more spacious bedrooms, including the master. This has a large en suite  and a wall of concealed wardrobes. To one side of the master bedroom is a sheltered deck just big enough for two to enjoy coffee and croissants in the morning sun.

As well as the bedrooms and bathrooms on this floor, there is a second sitting room which makes this a family home rather than just a nice executive dwelling. Again painted red and opening to the sunny views at one end, it is also wired for home cinema use.  

Another European touch, insisted on by Nil, is the second laundry on this level, cleverly concealed in what looks like a linen cupboard. "At home we always have a laundry up near the bathrooms. It means you can just throw things in and wash them as you use them.''

Outside, a gated driveway gives access to Remuera Road via Furneaux Way, and as part of Broadway Park the owners of this property will have access to the sporting amenities there.

Although Bruce and Nil have decided to stay living where they are because of its close proximity to their place of work, it has not been an easy decision.

"This house was built for us, we up-speced it like you wouldn't believe. But we know that quality like this stands out, and whoever buys it will find it a lovely house to live in.''

VITAL STATISTICS

WHERE: 25 Laxon Terrace, Newmarket

SIZE: Land 361sq m, house 250sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Anticipated bidding from $750,000. Auction on site on Sunday  at noon.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 11.30am-noon.

CONTACT: Winston Kidd, Harcourts, 486 1029 bus, 021 970 444 mob, 489 9600 a/h.

FEATURES: Mediterranean-inspired free-standing townhouse. Striking schist entrance, solid construction and high quality fittings. Second large living room wired for home cinema. Walking distance to Newmarket Park, shops and railway station.