34 Sonia Ave, Remuera, Auckland, home of Kate Thode. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
34 Sonia Ave, Remuera, Auckland, home of Kate Thode. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
At first, Kate and Richard Thode expected their makeover of a classic 1950/1960s cusp home — in a street, off Victoria Avenue, close to top schools and Remuera village — to be essentially cosmetic, but as work got started they realised it was going to be much more than that.
"We've replaced practically everything, from the plumbing and wiring to the roof, " says Kate.
"But we've made changes to the house with its modernist heart in mind, every step of the way."
The couple are certainly not new to real estate, having transformed a number of homes, including villas and bungalows.
But for interior designer Kate, this was the first mid-century makeover she'd tackled for herself.
"It was a really exciting challenge," she says. "I went online to research, and I bought lots of decorating books about that era. I was determined to do it well."
The result is a stunning property finished to a very high standard.
34 Sonia Ave, Remuera, Auckland, home of Kate Thode. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Set over four split levels, the house has a welcoming entrance with steps up to the main level, where a dining room faces the wooden deck , an easy-care sub-tropical garden, new lawn, and the swimming pool.
"The original galley kitchen was smallish and we thought about extending it somehow, but we decided not to and got an expert in to help us make the most of every inch.
"We're pleased with the result and I really love my convection cooktop, it's great," says Kate.
Also on this level are the bedrooms, with two large ones to the right of the kitchen/dining area.
34 Sonia Ave, Remuera, Auckland, home of Kate Thode. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Kate's a fan of warm, earthy tones and her favourite soft green can be seen throughout. Both bedrooms have wallpapers with a subtle textured look.
She had fun bringing the bathroom back to life, choosing high gloss mosaic tiles for the floor while the rest of the tiling is off-white for an elegant finish.
"I didn't want glass doors in here, so I've done the shower as a cubicle, which I think works well," she says.
In the master bedroom the couple invested in a soft, floral-patterned wallpaper for a stunning feature wall.
Kate says that while it cost the earth it's one of her favourite elements of the whole house.
34 Sonia Ave, Remuera, Auckland, home of Kate Thode. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
And while there wasn't room for a walk-in wardrobe, she and Richard have installed an enormous bank of cupboards which more than make up for it.
Also in this wing is the en suite, using the same tiles as the main bathroom, but with a different configuration. Up above all of this, on the top floor, is the lounge.
When Kate and Richard first arrived it had what they describe as a freestanding fireplace, strangely situated in the middle of the room.
They've replaced it with a wood-burner standing against the wall, and with Kate's favourite nature-inspired tones, this is another sensational space. There's another further room up here with scope for use as a bedroom, office, media or playroom.
34 Sonia Ave, Remuera, Auckland, home of Kate Thode. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Both Kate and Richard find the home easy to live in and what they appreciate particularly is the abundance of light that streams through all the high windows.
On the ground floor they have a two-vehicle carport and a large storage unit.
Itching to get started on a new project, the pair are selling their mid-century masterpiece.
"A well-known member of the local fashion industry lived here as a child," Kate says.
