Epsom: Floating new ideas

New meets old in an ambitious renovation that flows beautifully.

12 Bingley Avenue, Epsom.

It's hard to believe that this was once the worst house in the lovely Bingley Avenue. But that's how owner Tracey Woolner describes the neglected bungalow she and husband Jack took on nine years ago.

"When we came to look at it the previous owners had rugs all over the floor - it was only when we moved in that we discovered they were hiding holes in the boards," recalls Tracey, laughing about it how. "I had a six-month-old baby and thought `What have I done?'"

They patched the holes in the floor and then settled in to live in the house as it was for a couple of years before deciding how best to improve it.

They had previously done up another home nearby on a half site, and were attracted to the generous 1060sq m section of this property.

When daughter Molly was about three they began renovating, and, six years later, have now finished. And what a transformation. The front of the 1920s house has been refurbished in keeping with its character, but the huge addition at the back is distinctly modern.

"We wanted to retain the integrity of the bungalow from the front," says Tracey, "but have the extension be a surprise."

As you enter the front door a formal sitting room is on the right, warmed by carpet and a gas fire. A study space is tucked off to the side of this. The original ceiling, doors and leadlight windows give this room character. Down the hall are two bedrooms and a family bathroom, and then the old part of the house ends. As you enter the new family living and dining area, with the kitchen around to the right, the space opens up to allow the northwestern sun to flood in.

The old matai floorboards, now a rich dark red, have been matched, but the newer boards run at right angles to the old, partly because they are a slightly different width and partly to differentiate the space.

Floor to ceiling glass reveals the pool accessed by sliding and French doors. A 4m high peaked ceiling runs along the new bedroom wing, which contains two bedrooms, each with its own en suite and dressing room.

The walkway between these rooms and the sliding doors to the pool is polished concrete, containing chips of blue glass "to give it life".

Windows at the top of the interior walls of the bedrooms rooms allow light to enter them from the pool area.
"The windows catch reflections off the pool that play on the walls and ceilings," says Tracey.

Although the pool is about 2.4m deep at one end, Tracey and Jack designed it so that rows of shallow steps run along one side - perfect for children to play in. A wide eave shades this side of the pool, and is supported by poles that reach down into the water.

There is still plenty of space for a lawn, trampoline and playhouse. Now that this project is completed, Tracey and Jack want to open their options.
"We could stay here for 20 years," says Tracey, "but there's only three of us and we think there are other ways of living, we should give something else a go. We'll look at old and new, houses and apartments, we're not sure what we'll do next and that's quite exciting."

They will be sorry to leave their leafy cul-de-sac.
"It's a gorgeous street, really quiet, and the neighbours are really nice. We've made some lovely friends here."

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 2+

SIZE: Land 1060sq m, house 237sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected in the low $1 millions plus.
Auction June 25.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-2.30pm.

ON THE WEB: www.harcourts.co.nz/RM060526

CONTACT: Alex Baker, Harcourts, ph 0274 579 805, 520 8104.

FEATURES: Immaculately refurbished bungalow with large new addition at the back. Pool on generous north-west facing section. Gas fire in formal lounge.