SCHOOL ZONES:
Torbay School, Northcross Intermediate, Long Bay College.
CONTACT:
Nadja Court, 021 777 690.
AUCTION:
Sat Nov 26, 2pm onsite.
*Plus 2 off street.
Doreen Boyd has had plenty of time to get used to people arriving at her house and not being able to talk. Well, other than a 'Wow' as they take in the view of Rangitoto and Browns Bay Beach.
She and her late husband built the two storey concrete block and clinker brick house 35 years ago, but her parents had bought the property 51 years ago.
"There was an old cottage here, maybe it was an old farmhouse or holiday house, as this was the holiday place for Aucklanders before the bridge. They had different people renting it for years," she says, pointing out walkways that lead down to the beach from their rise.
When her mother needed an easier place to live, Doreen and her husband pulled the old place down and designed a new house with a flat for her mother downstairs, and their own home upstairs, as a legal home and income. The couple used a draftsman, but had figured out the floor plan themselves.
Image 1 of 7: With views along Browns Bay beach, this little gem offers a legal home and income. Photos / David Rowland, Getty Images
Doreen updated the cabinets some years ago to a modern grey, installing stainless steel appliances. In the bedroom wing, there's a small office/sewing room and three good-sized double bedrooms that all get great afternoon sun. Doreen likes to use the west-facing bedroom as her winter sun-room.
She credits the attention to detail -- including mid-century details on the sliding rimu wardrobe doors and beautiful panelling -- to the skills of the old-school builder the couple hired.
The bathroom, updated 10 years ago, has a shower and bathtub and plenty of room for a busy family.
Downstairs the two-bedroom flat has the same floor plan, with the doors opening to a covered patio -- and an equally splendid view.
The bathroom and kitchen are still in their vintage glory -- yellow tub in the bathroom, teak veneer doors in the kitchen -- with equal quality joinery.
The flat has its own laundry off the double garage, where there's also a downstairs bathroom and second laundry for the main house.
A further double garage is for tenants and storage.
The back yard is classic Kiwiana, complete with raised vege beds, a beaut old plum tree and citrus trees still laden with spring fruit.
Doreen has kept the 1980s house and garden immaculate, but now in her mid-80s she is ready to move into the community of a retirement village.
