Modern sensibility in Sandringham

10 Kenneth Ave, Sandringham. Photo / Getty Images

10 KENNETH AVE SANDRINGHAM

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SIZE: Land 613sq m, house 214sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $1 million-plus. Auction November 10.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1.30pm-2pm.

ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz/441897

SCHOOL ZONES: Kohia Terrace School, Edendale Primary, Kowhai Intermediate, Mt Albert Grammar, Balmoral Intermediate.

CONTACT: Karen Captain, ph 021 996 884, Ketiesha Elliott, ph 021 739 686, Barfoot & Thompson.

FEATURES: Contemporary living and high-standard villa living, high-spec fittings, built-in heaters, beautiful landscaping.

It's not unusual to walk through an elegant four-bedroom villa and find yourself in a big modern extension, comprising an open-plan kitchen, dining and living room, with bifold doors opening to the backyard. But Cate and Robert Creemers have done it at their Sandringham home with some real vision.

Reluctant to lower the roof from the 3.3m stud of the rest of the house, as often happens with these additions, Cate, who trained as an architect, and now works as a naturopath and herbalist, designed the roof of the extension to soar to 6.5m and put a large Velux skylight on either side of the roof for extra light. A long dining table, that could seat 20, fits easily into one side of the room, a vast terrazzo fireplace hearth sits in the centre of the external wall, and on the other side of the room is a spacious living area. The contemporary kitchen has been designed to a high standard, the sleek cabinets include a pull-out pantry. A terrazzo-topped kitchen bar and Ilve oven are also features.

"We always have Christmas gatherings here because the house is so fantastic for groups," says Cate. They usually have about 50 on Christmas Day. Having Gribblehurst Park practically over the fence is a bonus on these occasions, says Robert.

Through the doors to outside, a children's playground for Ben, 9 and Luke, 7, awaits. An extensive deck leads out to a a cedar hot tub, a trampoline and an outdoor eating area. A large deciduous tree provides complete cover in summer and lots of sunlight in winter.

No expense has been spared with the renovation of this house, says Robert, who is director of a property services company.

The Creemers bought the 1911 villa 12 years ago and by the time they started the second renovation, they were truly wedded to the place. So the light fittings and finishings are high spec - Louis Poulsen pendants are in the kitchen and master bedroom and the living/dining room is wired for sound. The original pressed-metal ceilings have been preserved throughout the villa, through to the kitchen. An attic space and laundry were included in the extension, hidden cleverly behind cupboard doors as you enter the addition. As well as ceiling and underfloor insulation, there is sound-proofing insulation in all the rooms. The house has a home automation system that includes a master switch to turn off all the lights in the house. Lights switch to half-power after 11pm. This is no chilly villa: there are programmable Skope wall heaters throughout and the Jetmaster woodfire in the living room.

The four bedrooms have the spaciousness you would expect from a villa, all stylishly decorated. The en suite bathroom is even larger than the family bathroom, complete with 1911 claw bath. The family bathroom, rebuilt in the second renovation, is like something out of an interiors magazine. A great deal of attention has been paid to the landscaping of the property - mature hedges planted by the family guarantee you complete privacy. A jacaranda tree is waiting to flower in the front garden, alongside an already flowering magnolia tree. An entry gate and a driveway lead to a substantial heated and alarmed single garage and storage space.

The Creemers are moving to Clevedon where they are building a house on a big piece of land. But they will take something of this home with them - Cate says she wants a similar living space to the Sandringham house and has designed the new home with that in mind. And they will miss being so close to Kingsland, Eden Park and St Lukes, says Robert.