33 Maungakiekie Ave, Greenlane, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst
Fresh from Clevedon, where she'd been life-styling, Robyn Hellaby was firm in her requirements for a city home.
"Basically, I wanted to still be living in the country, but without leaving town," she says.
When she and her daughter Alex found this property six years ago in a quiet Greenlane street, backing directly on to Cornwall Park, Robyn had what can only be termed a eureka moment.
"I was truly delighted because I never thought I'd find something so utterly perfect," she says.
The 1920s home had been modified over the years, but always in keeping with its era.
Although Robyn had to do cosmetic things, such as re-carpeting and re-painting the house, basically it was all good and sound. "I've just lightened it up a bit," she says.
Beyond the entranceway and formal lounge with its original leadlight window and built-in shelving, lie four double bedrooms — all with leafy outlooks.
"Alex comes home from Sydney regularly and she has the front bedroom," says Robyn.
"My son Andrew is in Dubai and he likes the back bedroom, even though I decorated one of the middle ones which also has a dressing room, with him in mind."
An elegant main bathroom has what Robyn describes as the "best bath in the world", and a second bathroom services the rear bedrooms.
Robyn's master bedroom is upstairs.
It has its own living room, bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, and views to One Tree Hill.
She spends a lot of time in her lofty hideaway, enjoying a cup of coffee, especially on winter mornings.
Not that the house is ever cold. Fully insulated, it also has gas central heating and a heat-pump upstairs.
Back on the ground floor are the internal access double garage, a large studio with myriad possible uses, and an expansive kitchen, with its own scullery/laundry, plus dining and family living opening out, via glass doors, to the vista beyond that so captivated Robyn at first glance — and still does today.
In her six years here she has extended the deck area, installed a handsome glass loggia — replacing what was formerly a plastic roof — and had the section, both front and rear, extensively landscaped.
The pool is salt water and easy to maintain, as are the plantings, which include espaliered apple trees and a vegetable garden.
Box hedging defines the garden, and the pool house is used as a bar for parties.
We've had engagement parties, hen parties and just parties in general," Robyn says.
"There's so much room for everybody to spill out of the house and mill around happily."
Having a sense of the country right on her doorstep has been especially good for Robyn as a dog owner. Two lively lads, Bruno and Toby, adore their morning walks and have found numerous routes to explore.
Robyn loves seeing the seasons change in the park — especially when spring arrives and lambs are born, then shakily learn to walk.
At the cafe in the park they know her coffee choice without having to ask, which makes her feel truly a part of the close-knit local community.
Despite all that she loves about this property Robyn says that although she knows it sounds cliched, she really does need a property that requires less maintenance, yet is still big enough for herself, a new relationship, and a very active pair of canine charges.
"If I can possibly stay around here, I will."
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