SCHOOL ZONES:
Greenhithe School, Albany Junior and Senior High.
CONTACT:
Jackie Smith, Bayleys, ph 021 505 520.
Rebecca Smith admits some of her and husband Rod's friends thought they were a little mad, taking an as-new property and turbo charging it to the next level.
Eight years ago, they bought a newly completed single-storey weatherboard home in "Olde Greenhithe" that they've gone on to re-fit throughout, bolster with next-level technology and extend with an upper level.
"Rod and I are perfectionists and are very meticulous about the quality we want. We come up with a clear design and everything has to be exclusive and well thought out.
"Our friends are amazed by the transformation. People say you wouldn't recognise it from the house that was here. We basically took everything apart -- this lounge-dining room is pretty much the only room which hasn't changed a lot."
The business owner and her lawyer husband were drawn to Greenhithe from Milford by the friendly community atmosphere and larger sections. Children Jordan, 9, and Caitlin, 6, walk to Greenhithe School.
Their parents have renovated before and the couple knew they could add value to this property, which promised good views and privacy thanks to being on a hill overlooking a dell.
"The grounds were pretty undeveloped, though. We've really opened up the view and created lawn by getting rid of the wattle trees the house used to look out on to."
Local landscape designer Stuart Cameron-Lee, of Plantman, conceived their attractive landscaping, including a front urn water feature against oxidised screens with lush planting.
"We told him we wanted the outdoors to be private and easy but look good, and his vision was excellent."
A timber boardwalk leads to the weatherboard home reinvented under the guidance of architectural designer Chris Fraser of Habitus Mode. Their front entrance transitions to the 4m stud height of the big lounge-dining area with gas fire and an exposed concrete block wall the couple had honed to boost its panache.
"Because we're both tall people we wanted the height. And we love how light it is. We both love our technology, too."
This starts with subtle touches such as the honed block wall's strip of LED lighting, negating the need for ceiling lights here. The extendable C-Bus home automation system controls home electronics including music, lighting, heated towel rails and ventilation. TVs are run off the Windows Media Centre and LED lighting is power efficient.
Visitors admire the striking black-and-white kitchen off the lounge, where a Smeg Silver Fern fridge complements black lacquered cabinetry.
The kids adore the big home entertaining room which, like the lounge and two bedrooms on this level, opens to more than 100sq m of rear deck with outdoor speakers. This floor also has the internal-access triple garage, a laundry, walk-in linen cupboard and an open butler's pantry.
But Rebecca's "baby" is the luxurious guest bathroom (sourced from Spazio Casa, whom they relied on for their upgrade's tiles and bathroom fittings). It includes an egg-shaped bath, a tap fanning water into the marble basin and shower space that can be integrated into the room thanks to innovative folding shower doors.
Image 1 of 5: Herald Homes
7b Olwyn Place, Greenhithe.
10 September 2014 NZ Herald photo by Ted Baghurst.
Metallic paint and a futuristic pendant light glimmer in the stairwell. The new upper level boosted the floor size to about 330sq m.
Up here two more bedrooms serviced by a family bathroom and a laundry chute accompany the expansive master suite. This has a Juliet balcony, walk-in wardrobe and double-basin en suite offering the luxury of three shower heads.
A trampoline has been dug in level with the back lawn, which has a private spa area nearby and room for a pool.
