Majestic Remuera makeover

Period fittings and modern colours blend seamlessly in a striking Remuera villa to create a traditional home with a contemporary twist. By VICKI HOLDER.

Inside the hallway of a traditional corner bay villa along Remuera's Ladies Mile, a photograph shows the home in Edwardian days, 90 years ago. Designed to highlight the decorative details of the window surrounds, veranda and eaves, the colour scheme reminds us how dramatically fashions have changed.

Although the original features have been flawlessly preserved, it now wears just two subtle tones - pale stone weatherboards and cream detailing. Framed by a garden of greenery, the home's outward appearance is one of delightful simplicity - traditional yet contemporary.

The same can be said of the interior. The owners, Marc and Andrea Firman, have completed a masterful renovation. Period fittings and original features team with modern colours and fixtures. The final effect; a soothing, light-filled, contemporary ambience.

Beyond the elegant security gates, ficus-edged steps steer guests onto the veranda, which leads to the front door. A stretch of timber flooring along the hallway divides the living areas across the front of the house from the bedrooms and bathrooms behind.

The dining room, in the front bay, can be entered through the hallway, through french doors from the veranda or through another set of french doors from the lounge. In this room, taupe walls and flowing charcoal-coloured drapes set a moody tone. The copper pendant light hanging from the ceiling rose above the dining table is a modern version of a traditional counterpart.

Copper also features in the chandelier in the lounge opposite, which features a restrained palette of colours and textures and frosted-glass uplights. A Jetmaster fire in a simplified version of the traditional fire surround combats the messiness and inefficiency of the old Victorian-style fire.

Sunlight pours through french doors to the living area and kitchen, which feels open, airy and warm. High-studded, batten-and-board ceilings and polished timber floors look original, but this part of the home is just two years old. It took a week for the builders to dismantle the lean-to. A living area and a master suite were built onto the end of the existing building. They replaced the floors throughout the house, laying demolition kauri on top of hardboard for insulation and adding central heating.

The chimney was the only feature that remained in the kitchen. Marc made it a focal point of the new design, inserting a free-standing oven and hob into it. Stone-coloured kitchen cabinetry in a tongue-and-groove-style wraps around a black granite island bench/breakfast bar. Drawers and cupboards beneath the island benchtop contain some nifty storage and a dishwasher.

Sandstone tiles surround the living area, reaching across to a solar-heated pool featuring a weir falling down a sheet of glass. Visitors can change in the bathroom alongside the pool-house. Fixed to the back of the pool-house, a fireplace extends outdoor living well beyond summer. Steps lead up to a grassy lawn.

The master bedroom opens to this sunny outdoor area. Hidden behind a wall at the end of the bed, the en suite is strikingly simple and elegant, fitted with German and French fittings. Owning a plumbing business, Marc professes a love of beautifully designed bathrooms, and his is a fine example. Although doors don't enclose the bathroom or the dressing room, the areas are configured to give privacy. Two large, deep, square basins balanced on the wall sprout neat Philippe Starck taps. In a separate skylit alcove, the tiled shower, with various mixes, is designed for two.

Along the hallway, a second bathroom also forgoes the inconvenience of doors. Tiled to waist height and glazed above, the shower remains open to the rest of the room.

Three bedrooms link to the hallway. While two feature sophisticated, taupe tones, the third bedroom plays a more frivolous tune in bold lime with yellow above the picture rail.

Beside the double garage at the gate is another room with a bathroom attached. Used as an office, it also would make the perfect teenage retreat.

Few old villas around Auckland have been treated to a makeover of this calibre. Finished beautifully, this outstanding family home of generous proportions cocoons owners in elegant luxury.

Vital statictics

Address: 4 Ladies Miles, Remuera.

Features: Renovated and extended villa; four bedrooms; two-and-a-half bathrooms; new double garage with office or fifth bedroom and bathroom; new kitchen/living area; solar-heated pool with changing room and outdoor shower; Jetmaster fire and outdoor fireplace; automatic gate with remote; security alarm; gas central heating.

Size: Land area 870 sq m.

Auction: 12.30 pm on Sunday, June 17, on site.

Agent: Denise Pollard, Harcourts, Remuera. Ph 520 6114 bus; 520 8120 dir; 021 747 870 mob.