SCHOOL ZONES:
Newmarket School, Remuera Intermediate, double Grammar.
CONTACT:
Alexander Babukhin, Ray White, 021 956 473.
AUCTION:
June 15, 5pm (unless sold prior).
There's a graphic reminder of Fiona and Henry Lynch's apartment's handy location which doesn't even require them to look out their windows.
When they were upgrading their kitchen to an elegant snow-white design a couple of years ago, the splash-back got their creative juices flowing. Inspiration started with a littlebutton-badge they'd picked up locally which showed their neighbourhood streets.
They had Illuminati create a map of their Newmarket-Remuera surrounds on the splash-back that is lit from behind.
Fiona says: "It's been a real talking point when people come over for dinner, and everyone seems to love it. It works well with my love of colour."
The pair are keen walkers, on weekends choosing destinations that can be two hours away on foot. Henry can walk to his Newmarket-based job as a CEO in the finance industry but Fiona heads in different directions on different days. She has two part-time administration roles in Remuera but also volunteers at Dress-for-Success and delivers meals for Meals-On-Wheels.
Motorway access, the train station and buses to the CBD are nearby and if ingredients ever run out when she's baking in the elegant kitchen, Newmarket shopping precinct is on the doorstep.
The Lynchs had previously lived with now-grown daughter Hannah in two Broadway Park townhouses, so were well acquainted with the area's amenities and ease when they decided to downsize six years ago.
Image 1 of 5: Roomy light-filled living opens to a covered deck with views of the sea. Photos / Ted Baghurst
Fiona says: "Buying an apartment in Oakridge was a natural move because they are so generously sized. Plus we knew it was a well-built building."
"Having such good storage and our own storage room in the car park made the whole downsizing process so much easier."
Their three-bedroom apartment is one of only two on the third floor of Oakridge.
Fiona says: "If Hamish is travelling I feel very secure as access cards only give residents access to their own floor."
The roomy light-filled living opens to a covered deck and has views to the sea and Orakei Basin. It encompasses what book-lover Henry calls "the library area" with seating alongside a big custom-made bookcase.
They installed pull-back bifolding shutters along the northern face and in their bedroom, complementing the interior's clean lines. They've added pizzazz too, through their love of art and colourful accents which combine in a funky style.
Fiona says: "Previously the kitchen felt quite closed in to us with high sides, and putting this new kitchen in has really opened up and lightened up the whole place.
Motion-activated downlights feature in its bar-seating and elsewhere, teamed with Silestone benches, Swiss laminate flooring, Smeg appliances and a wine fridge.
Across the hallway from the master suite are a considerable separate laundry with airing cupboard plus a separate bathroom. The two other bedrooms are also good sized, currently set up as an office and a second living area.
Amenities include fibre-wireless internet, a tennis court, two swimming pools, two gyms, a spa pool and lawns.
They're excited about exploring new walks from the next apartment they're moving to. It's a penthouse in K Rd they read about in Herald Homes.
