SCHOOL ZONES:
Murrays Bay Intermediate, Campbells Bay School, Mairangi Bay School, Rangitoto College, Westlake Boys & Girls high schools
CONTACT:
Nadja Court, Barfoot, 021 777690.
Nigel and Gabrielle Elborough liked the look of this bungalow from the street when they were house hunting, but one of its best assets was hidden from them.
From the front, the house and the studio shield from view the large, flat backyard -- which was exactly what they were after.
"We wanted a good-sized plot of land for the family to grow up," says Gabrielle. "We'd looked at places with sloping or terraced grounds and that just wouldn't have worked for us."
Fifteen years ago, with a newborn girl and a boy at primary school, they were living on nearby Kowhai Rd and looking for a property where they could spread out.
After they bought the home, they set to work to create more bedrooms in what Nigel says was essentially a two-bedroom home that had been renovated and extended.
"An architect owned it from the late 70s and had opened out the back, added the top floor and put in the double garage out the front," he says.
By rejigging the layout near the front door they were able to create a good-sized bedroom for daughter Sophie that has its own en suite.
They also unlocked the potential of the internal-access garage loft.
"Above the garage was divided into storage rooms so we took it all out to make a great office for me, but our son moved in and he's never left," says Nigel.
Luke's large, airy room has exposed beams, skylights and a glimpse of the sea through the northern windows.
Image 1 of 5: Pretty bungalow offers space and a generous back garden children will adore
Although Nigel might have missed out on this upstairs room, he and Gabrielle have a top-floor master suite with en suite, walk-in wardrobe and its own glimpse of the sea. An office nook is tucked into the landing on this level.
Downstairs, there is another bedroom off the hallway next door to the main bathroom and laundry.
On the northern side of the ground floor, the lounge with gas fire flows through to the kitchen/dining area. Gabrielle and Nigel are fans of the home's wooden joinery and timber features -- so much so that they replaced internal hollow core doors with solid kauri ones and put rich-coloured rimu benchtops into the kitchen and laid timber floors in this space.
French doors open the kitchen/dining to a paved patio, which connects with the studio/sleepout. "It has been such a useful room -- over the years it's been a table tennis room, a rumpus room and an office, and would make a good hobby room," says Nigel.
When they renovated the studio, they put down a concrete floor.
Framed by mature trees and a tall hedge, the backyard is a private space that has been ideal for the two children as they have grown up. A playhouse/climbing frame still sits at the far end of the property.
With many properties going to auction these days, the Elboroughs are selling so they are cashed up ahead of making their next move.
