Parnell: No compromises

Everything has been thought of in this fabulous Parnell townhouse, right down to the extra parking.

By VICKI HOLDER.

You can tell interior designer Janet Cuthbert has a practical nature. On a tour of her Parnell townhouse, before you even have a chance to size up the place, she quickly sweeps you through a side door and down into the basement.

"This was the major reason we bought the house in the first place," she proudly announces, gesturing towards a massive car park for 10 cars. Admittedly five belong to the neighbour. Even so, in a busy city area where parking is at a premium, to have five secure car parks is a godsend.

Janet and her family moved to the townhouse from a much larger property in Remuera seven years ago. With a holiday home on Waiheke Island commanding more and more of their time, it seemed sensible to downsize to a more central location that was handy to the ferry.

In an enclave of historic houses bordered by Cracroft and Heather Sts, early sea captains houses and Mayfair Apartments on Parnell Rd, her new neighbourhood has an English atmosphere, which appealed enormously. Hers is one of the few more contemporary designs on this side of the road, yet from the living areas and bedrooms gets to enjoy the heritage character and mature gardens of the environs.

Because she bought the townhouse at the concept stage, she was able to confer with the original designers, Brown Day Architects, and customise certain elements. Janet added the solid timber doors and put a pantry into the kitchen for extra storage. With its rolled stainless steel benchtop and tongue-and-groove-style doors, the kitchen design is her own and she declares it a great workspace. Janet made sure the easily overlooked practical details were given attention - like having plenty of power points. And as she planned to work her interior design business from home - in one of the large upstairs bedrooms - she put in an extra phone line.

Being so close to everything was a real novelty when the family first moved in. The children, who had headed south to university, loved to return to the buzz of local cafes. And Janet and her husband enjoyed the close proximity to good restaurants. They often invited friends for pre-dinner drinks at home, took their main course at a restaurant then headed home again for coffee and conversation in a quiet environment.

There were many benefits to living here. On weekends, they caught a taxi from the rank at the corner of the road for a $6 ride to the Waiheke Ferry. The Link Bus is a minute away, providing easy transport to the university and city.

Although Janet got rid of her large suburban garden, she still has plenty of sunny outdoor space where she has created several well-structured and easily maintained garden rooms. Trees and shrubs are organised for privacy around pebbled floors and pathways of pavers among riverstones.

Hers must be one of the closest orchards to Queen St with a lemon, lime, orange and mandarin tree along the boundary as well as prolific fig and olive trees. The latter provided three dozen bottles of pickled olives last season.

Just about every room lets her enjoy the beauty of the garden, opening to terraces and balconies. The living area has two sitting areas with an extension at the end that feeds into the dining room big enough to seat 12 guests.

The townhouse has bedrooms on two upper levels with the master bedroom suite on top. This reaches out to a terrace enjoying views to Bayswater Marina, the university clock tower and Sky Tower.

Even on a dull day, the home is bright and cheery. A skylight installed in the ceiling above the stairwell allows natural light to pour down through the levels. It also gives ventilation.

This is inner-city living without compromise, generous in every respect and so quiet yet just a stone's throw from the buzz of Parnell.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 5 Heather St, Parnell.

FEATURES: Seven-year-old townhouse close to Parnell cafes and shops; three bedrooms; two and a half bathrooms, including master en suite; large living area opening west to private gardens; most rooms open to garden; five-car garaging below two car parks; electronic security gates.

AUCTION: November 17, auction rooms, Kitchener St, Auckland city.

AGENT: Bobby McMillan, Barfoot & Thompson, Parnell. Ph 366 0015 bus; 027 686 3213 mob.