Heritage with modern twist

12 Ardmore Road, Herne Bay. Photo / Ted Baghurst

12 ARDMORE RD, HERNE BAY

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SIZE: Land: Approx 523sq m, house: Approx 183sq m plus garage and deck.

PRICE INDICATION: In excess of CV $1.360,000 (2011).

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 11am-11.30am and by appointment.

AUCTION: 6.30pm, Thursday, November 21 (unless sold prior).

ON THE WEB: rwponsonby.co.nz/Pon21610

CONTACT: Sue Hatton. Ph: 0272 799 696.

FEATURES: Villa has abundant space and comes with a designer kitchen featuring 900mm chef's oven, walk-in pantry, granite benchtop and all mod cons. Generous dining room, separate lounge, four double bedrooms, two bathrooms and excellent storage. The indoors to outdoors is linked by a stylish entertainment area off the kitchen.

Standing tall and proud, the Ardmore Rd home of Dave Watt and Kate Theilman is a monument to good taste and great workmanship - a villa that's bursting with history, yet practically reborn inside.

"We bought it when we came back from the UK in 2007," Kate says. "It had good bones and seemed like an ideal family home. It wasn't perfect in every way, but it was very liveable.

"When our boys, Max and Hugh, came along we discovered that we'd been right. It was a great space for them to run around in, inside and outside, and we had lots of fun here entertaining our family and friends."

The family moved out earlier this year while it was renovated, and architect Richard Firs was called in to oversee the transformation.

"He's a real details man. He thought of absolutely everything. He just loves heritage houses, and it shows," Kate says. "For example, I was worried that villas often don't have much storage space but, in his new configuration, Richard made it appear almost everywhere. It was like magic."

Kate's right. Huge, roomy cupboards are present in almost every room, often reaching from floor to ceiling.

The sweeping master bedroom, with its tall stud and picturesque windows, look out on a pleasant, surburban streetscape.

Kate points to the large walk-in wardrobe and appealing en-suite bathroom.

"It's all new," she says proudly.

A middle bedroom was to have been for newborn daughter Stephanie. It, too, is spacious, with capacious cupboards.

The family bathroom features state-of-the art fittings and fixtures, and two bedrooms off the back of the hall on the right have views of the newly flattened, perfectly manicured back lawn. All the bedrooms have been newly carpeted.

Although the house has four bedrooms, one of the rear two could easily be used as a home office.

The pristine kitchen is huge, and there has been absolutely no compromise in terms of quality.

"I wanted a big open area where I could entertain while cooking, and that's exactly what I got," Kate laughs.

The pantry is a walk-in one, so everything can be put away leaving clutter-free surfaces. The benches are huge and the extractor fan is practically soundless. A new skylight above the dining area lets the sun flood in.

"There's an HRV and heat pumps but, actually, it's a warm house anyway and it's fully insulated."

Polished kauri floors are practical and easy to care for in the living areas.

French doors open from the kitchen to a large outdoor living space with patio, lawn and planters.

"It's all been completely landscaped and the lawn is perfect for kids. We've had a gate put in down the side so they can run around safely."

Back indoors, the bright and cheerful living room has space aplenty for family life and the windows at the front are actually part of the cleverly designed doors leading on to the veranda.

Image 1 of 8: 12 Ardmore Road, Herne Bay. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Newly painted and reroofed, this elegant property wants for nothing. To all intents and purposes it is a new house in a traditional shell.

"We enjoyed the renovation process so much we've decided to move on and do it all again right away," Kate says.

"The buyer is going to love this home and the fabulous friendly neighbourhood.

"All they need to do is put up a tree and some fairy lights, and enjoy a very merry Christmas here!"