Northcote - Mother knows best

The owner of this home is glad she followed her mum's suggestion to put another storey on her house.

41 Seaview Avenue, Northcote.

Parents cop a lot of blame for their children's problems these days but not many get blamed for ambitious renovation projects.

Deborah Mann jokingly points the finger at her mother Judy for the radical makeover of the modest single level house she moved into seven years ago.

``It was my mum's idea to go up another level. She said, `You should put a second floor on', and I said, `Maybe we'll think about it in five years' - and it was bang on five years later we did it.''

Deborah knew there were great views of the gulf to be had from a second level because it was possible to watch the America's Cup boats from the roof.

The renovation work began in earnest about 18 months ago with the house being extended at the rear as well as pushed up a level.

The basement was excavated to accommodate an internal access garage and laundry.

The redesign was done with the help of architect Jason Bailey, of Bailey Architects, who also helped Deborah project-manage the massive job.

``We had a fair idea of what we wanted to do but he really hit the nail on the head because he's had a lot of experience with renovating villas in Herne Bay and Ponsonby.''

The house was gutted, allowing most of the exterior walls downstairs to be insulated.

``Everything's been ripped down and re-gibbed,'' says Deborah. ``The joinery's all been replaced and we've made the doors and windows bigger.''

The downstairs living area is largely open plan and flows from the dining area at the front of the house through the living room and kitchen out to the entertaining area at the rear.

The kitchen has panelled cabinetry and granite bench tops, and is handy to the limestone-paved patio, which is sheltered by an automated louvred roof and has a gas fireplace.

A rolldown plastic screen protects al fresco diners from southerly breezes. A shade sail shields another part of the outdoor area.

Pop-up sprinklers take care of the lawn and a garden that has been filled with low-maintenance succulents, shrubs and grasses.

There are also two bedrooms downstairs - one with an en suite, which, like the other bathrooms in the house, has limestone tiles and underfloor heating.

Dark-stained cabinets contrast with the neutral colour scheme, a theme that is repeated throughout the house.

Upstairs is the master suite, which has a sitting room as its entry point. A hallway studded with windows runs along the southern wall, past the bathroom and walk-in wardrobe to the light-filled bedroom. A balcony looks out to the city and Rangitoto.

Deborah's thankful she works for the family export business because her parents were very understanding about her frequent absences while the year-long renovation was under way.

And Judy came to the rescue when Deborah needed someone to help her with the interiors.

``Mum and I have always been interested in design and Mum's had a lot of fun helping me finish this off - and she's been really good getting the garden sorted out.''

Deborah's moving on to another do-up in the area but this time she's not blaming her mum.
``I'm a sucker for punishment - the one I'm taking on next is in a lot worse shape than this one was.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 2+

SIZE: Land: share of 712sq m (approx), house 300sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: $1.25 million-plus. Auction tomorrow at 2pm on site.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1.30-2pm.

ON THE WEB: www.prestigerealty.co.nz # 2646

CONTACT: Colleen Mangnall, Prestige Realty, ph 489 2699 bus, 021 935 199 mob.

FEATURES: Immaculately renovated and extended villa with harbour views. All-weather outdoor entertaining area with gas fireplace. Luxury upstairs master suite.