Remuera - Added Value

Willy and Ted Chave's friends have often suggested they should hire out the garden of their Remuera home for weddings.

16 Kelvin Rd, Remuera.

The brides could make an impressive entrance walking down the brick path from the house. The happy couples could say their ``I dos'' on the sunlit lawn surrounded by a mixture of stunning native bush and colourful flowers and shrubs. The backdrop for the photos would be stunning.

``I don't know about weddings, but we've had some wonderful parties here over the years,'' says Willy, surveying her huge garden. ``Our son Bruce used to play cricket here with his friends - it's definitely been well used.''

It was the expansive outdoor area that initially drew Ted and Willy to the property 23 years ago. Willy, who grew up in Amsterdam, was keen on having a garden and she's had plenty of opportunities to put her green thumbs to good use here.

``It's not as much work as people might think - a lot of it is native bush which looks after itself.''

All the windows in the front of the house look out on the garden with its palms, pongas and cabbage trees, and the sound that filters through when they are open is birdsong - tui, fantails, moreporks and even parrots are drawn here.

It's hard to believe the house is in Remuera - close to great shops and restaurants - and not the midst of the Titirangi bush.

``I think the house is unique for this area,'' says Willy.

Built in 1945, the house sits between two streets off Remuera Road. The front gate is on Kelvin Road, while a driveway off Pukeora Road leads to the single garage under the house.

A little courtyard by the front door is a great suntrap, and gives yet another view of the garden. The entrance lobby leads to the garage, the stairs up to the main level, and a large tiled room that could have multiple purposes.

It could be a gym, home theatre, second lounge, teenager's retreat or fourth bedroom.

The stairs go straight to the dining area, which has a large picture window that makes the most of the garden view. The lounge next door has a similar outlook of trees and greenery, and a woodburning fire to keep it warm in winter.

The kitchen, on the other side of the house, leads to a small paved area that is flooded with sun in the early evening.

There's a door from this outdoor space into the third bedroom.

``It means teenagers coming home late at night don't have to sneak through the house,'' smiles Willy.

At the other end of the house is the main bedroom, which opens on to a small, private deck covered with vines.

Apart from decorating, Ted and Willy haven't ``messed'' much with the house in all the years they've owned it. The structure is probably much the same as it was around half a century ago when a famous New Zealander lived there.

``Apparently the house was owned by Jean Batten's mother, and the two of them lived here for a while,'' says Ted.

``One of our former neighbours told me once that if Jean Batten didn't want to see any visitors who came to the house she would play the piano very loudly and ignore them,'' adds Willy. ``All the neighbours could hear the piano - she could be a bit eccentric I think.''

The time has now come for a new family to become part of the home's history. Ted and Willy are moving to be closer to their son, who lives in Titirangi.

They're aware that the size and layout of the land means the property could be bought by someone who wants to subdivide and build a second home in the garden.

``It would make sense - we even thought about doing it ourselves but couldn't bear to lose the garden,'' says Willy. ``But it would be nice if the new owners had children who could enjoy having so much space to run around.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 3+

BATHROOMS: 1

GARAGES: 1+

SIZE: Land 1383sq m, house 185sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $930,000. Auction November 1.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12.45-1.30pm.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz # 360390.

CONTACT: John Lantz, Bayleys, ph 520 8888 bus, 0275 433 224.

FEATURES: 1945 weatherboard house on two levels, second living area could be fourth bedroom. Large garden with native bush. Meadowbank Primary in same street, close to Upland Road shops and restaurants. Section is subdividable.