Keeping its refreshed exterior form intact, they had renovated the entire interior. A large tiled bathroom with a bath, separate shower and two hand basins services the three bedrooms on the street entry level. On the mid level, Jane's open plan kitchen has a composite stone island bench, a large freestanding oven and hob and two dishwashers. Beside the dining area, two storage cupboards flank a bay window with extra seating. A few steps down is the lounge and, behind cavity sliders, the large home office, from which Jane runs her graphic design business.
Long gone are the two lean-to additions that were once the original kitchen and the bathroom at the back of the original single-level house. New flooring that matches the original kauri floorboards at the front of the house confirm this modern home is indeed double the size of its pioneering predecessor.
In turn, Jane and Jamie have put their stamp on the property that is home now to their two daughters, Madeline (20 months) and eight-week-old Aila. "It's about adding value and that's our approach in everything we do," explains Jamie, who is a commercial banker.
The refurbished rear garden now has new fences and retaining walls and a weatherproof shed at the back of the property. Under the house, there is more refurbished storage space.
In her office, Jane had a large book shelf built to fit the tall wall. Her desk is a hinged, wall-mounted, lime-washed sheet of laminated plywood. Cut to the exact dimensions of a Queen-sized headboard, it folds down to become just that - a headboard for an airbed.
The large roll of brown paper that Jane has mounted on the kitchen wall for the children has become a party magnet, too. "We've had some amazing murals when we've had friends here for dinner parties." The glass balustrade that allows views of the garden across the lounge means the dining room sometimes gets turned into a stage for games of charades.
Living in what Jamie calls "the Ponsonby hub" has helped their work/lifestyle balance. "By the time you've walked up to the top of Franklin Rd from the city you've forgotten your working day," says Jamie.
Jane likes the proximity to Ponsonby Rd. "I can go days without having to get into the car."
They've ticked all their "added value" boxes before shifting to the North Shore says Jamie. "It has been important to us that we leave without unfinished business." They've left an idea for the new owners to add their value if they wish - plans Jane has drawn up with a builder to reconfigure the bathroom to add a master en suite.
