Herne Bay: Sibling harmony

A brother and sister have made major changes to a 60s house to accommodate their lifestyles.

17 Saratoga Ave, Herne Bay.

Houses are more than just a roof over the heads of brother and sister Philip and Louise Pilkington.

``We've been around building sites since we were toddlers,'' laughs Philip. ``One of my earliest memories is that new carpet smell. Dad would have completed the build, Mum would be doing the clean and we went, too, of course. Louise is a bit older so she'd be running around but I would be crawling around on the new carpet.''

Louise agrees that a love of property started young, and that through growing up in a family that built high-quality homes as a business they've accumulated a wealth of expertise over the years.
``When we found this place we could see it had such potential - it made sense to pool our resources.''

The large family home they have made their own over the last four years at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac on Herne Bay's sunny northern slopes started life as a solidly built 60s house. What it lacked in imagination and garaging, it made up for in size and location.

Louise recounts how she wanted a place handy to her business, Servilles hair salon on Ponsonby Road, and they both wanted a home where they had their own space.

With this in mind, the biggest part of the renovation was the construction of a master suite on top of the original house. Here there is a light-filled series of spaces that house a generous bedroom, huge bathroom, living space and kitchenette, all wrapped with decks and views out to the harbour. Louise spends time with her friends up here while Philip has poker nights and ``boys' nights in'' downstairs in the main living areas.

Philip has improved the original bedrooms on the ground floor by adding another generous bathroom, and full-height French doors and adjoining windows to the north-facing garden.
``When we came here you didn't have the sense of being so near the harbour, but simply by raising the lintel over the windows means not only are these rooms really sunny but you can lie in bed and see the bridge.''

The garden at the side and rear of the house is enclosed by the other new addition, the garage and workshop.

Underneath the main house is the perfect nanny, granny or teen haven. Fully self-contained with generously proportioned, light-filled living, bedroom and bathroom, it opens up a multitude of different options. As Philip explains, ``We've had friends staying down there, but that's because we don't need the extra space. It would be so easy to include it in the main house if that was what was wanted.''

Although they love their home of four years, and enjoy living together, Louise and Philip have decided to move on. As Philip puts it, ``We'll probably always own property together in some way, but Louise travels a lot with her work, so she wants to be able to lock up and leave somewhere, and I've got lots of plans on the boil, so I'm looking to make changes.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 4

GARAGES: 2+

SIZE: Land 761sq m, house 351sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $1.58 million prior to renovation being completed. Expressions of interest close June 22.

INSPECT: Sun 1.45-2.30pm, Tues 5.30-6.30pm.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz /360332

CONTACT: David Rainbow or Joneen Smith, Bayleys Remuera, ph 520 8888 bus, David 021 923364, Joneen 021 464 557.

FEATURES: Fastidiously renovated home on Herne Bay's northern slopes. Expansive living for a family with rooms that offer a variety of uses.