Orakei: Who bought that house?

19a Rukutai St, Orakei.

Sold by: John Shaw, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 307 6340 bus, 021 439 778.

After six years living in an original character bungalow in Westmere, Garrick Wynne and Sarah Thomas finally decided renovation was in order. "Original" meant a toilet on the back porch, two bedrooms and not much sunlight. But after talking to architects and getting an idea of the cost of the improvements they wanted, the couple realised they'd be better off buying new.

The couple initially toyed with the idea of townhouses in neighbouring Herne Bay, but as they spread their search they realised the eastern suburbs actually offered them more choice and better value in new houses. Since Sarah had grown up in the area, and both had family and friends on the eastern side of town, they didn't take much persuading.

The architect-designed townhouse in Rukutai Street, Orakei (featured in Heraldhomes on October 1) was only the second house Garrick and Sarah looked at, and initially they were worried about being part of a new subdivision (designed by the architect owner). However, once on the property they were taken by the clever design, which made the most of outdoor living and sun, well sheltered from its neighbours in the bushy valley around them. They are delighted that their new home is the complete opposite to their existing wee bungalow - it has four bedrooms, sunny open plan living, a double internal access garage and all the modern comforts of heating, insulation, security and landscaping. Better still, their purchase included some designer furniture, chosen to perfectly set off the house by the previous owner who ran a home-staging company.

The couple tested the traffic into their city jobs before committing to the switch from west to east, and were pleasantly surprised. Sarah has even bought a bicycle, initially to join Garrick on Sunday jaunts around the waterfront, but is considering a cycle commute.