SCHOOL ZONES:
Westmere Primary, Western Springs College.
CONTACT:
Martin Dobson, 021 376 952, and Caroline Daniel, 021 922 223, Kellands
*Plus off-street
Best-selling pony fiction author and former fashion editor Stacy Gregg coveted this striking Spanish Mission home for decades.
When Stacy and partner, advertising writer Michael Lamb, got together about 20 years ago, they rented further along the avenue, sparking Stacy's fascination with this distinctive 1930s home.
"I was obsessed with this house," she says.
She'd already achieved considerable success with her "Pony Club" series of books by the time the home was finally offered at auction, in 2010 after its long-standing owners had passed away.
Stacy says: "I was so devastated when we were out-bid. I kept driving over this way for coffee and driving past looking longingly at this place."
But fate intervened; the new owners hadn't sold their previous property a year later so relisted this 1930s stucco gem. In 2011 Stacy, Michael and their daughter Isadora (now 16) became the proud owners of the then largely original, two-bedroom character-filled home.
Image 1 of 9: Fate intervened to let author have this character-filled 1930s home. Photo / David Rowland
Their major renovation-extension heightened by designer accents is sympathetic to the original dwelling.
Frosty from Moloney Plasterers matched existing plaster flick styles to seamlessly integrate the exterior.
A choice of living-dining options now accompanies three big bedrooms serviced by two bathrooms. This is bolstered by Stacy's writing studio where she recently finished her 21st book, adjoining a single garage fronted by off-street parking.
Stacy says: "There's some Old Hollywood inspiration from writers' bungalows on studio lots; that idea of retreating around the swimming pool to do your work. And we'd travelled in Spain for research for my books and loved that style of architecture."
With extensive private space out the back, the couple shunned front fencing, wanting the home to continue to engage with the street. Passersby can admire the castle-like crenellations of the home's front entry porch, its arched windows and Winstone-tile roof set back behind the low front topiaried garden and lawn.
Dapper Fred, one of the home's original owners, loved jazz music.
Stacy says: "This front living room used to have emerald green Axminster, which I actually loved but Fred had worn patches bare where he danced."
She appreciated modern radiators during London hotel stays visiting her publisher so part of the home has them running off gas central heating to complement an original fireplace.
Original narrow-gauge matai floorboards have been exposed and stained dark to match oak parquet flooring.
A dining area steps down to the kitchen-dining-seating nook area. This opens to a big rear patio-courtyard between the studio-garage and new western wing including a separate laundry.
Stacy says: "People often come in the front door and say 'oh my, it's spectacular' because it's really modest from the front."
Three bedrooms include big storage-laden front and rear ones and another which has a sliding barn door to a courtyard garden.
Subtly patterned Patricia Urquiola for Mutina mix-n-match tiles now feature throughout the interior with Moroccan screens inside and out.
Stand-out kitchen features include a tiled cabinet inspired by Spanish tapas bars, a tap proffering boiling, chilled or sparkling water and three big side-by-side appliance drawers with fridge, freezer or chilled pantry functionality.
The family is selling as it's time for a new phase in their lives.
