Quiet retreat close to the action

12 Islington Street, Ponsonby. Photo/Ted Baghurst.

12 ISLINGTON ST PONSONBY

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SIZE: Land 301sq m, house 110sq m (approx.)

PRICE INDICATION: CV $1.25 million.

INSPECT: Thurs 11-11.30am; Sat 12.30pm-1pm, Sun 11.30am-noon.

ON THE WEB: customresidential.co.nz/CR5569

SCHOOL ZONES: Ponsonby Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College, Auckland Girls’ Grammar.

CONTACT: Marc Collins, Custom Residential, 027 4485961.

AUCTION: On site, noon this Sunday.

Emma Foley and Stephen Bocock didn't know Auckland at all when they moved to the city six years ago. Originally from Taranaki, they'd been living in inner city Wellington, and when work brought them up north, all they knew was that they wanted to be somewhere "close to the action".

"We'd got used to living on the city fringe in Wellington and wanted the same in Auckland," says Emma. "When we saw Ponsonby, we loved it, and couldn't imagine living anywhere else."

Though they were able to narrow down the location without any trouble, finding the right house wasn't quite so easy. But then a villa in Islington St came on the market and the couple bought it within a week.

"We loved the style of the house because it had lots of character," says Emma, pointing out the original meat safe, along with the high board-and-batten ceilings and wooden floors. "But it was the fact that it was so close to lots of cafes and shops there that we particularly liked."

It is just a two-minute stroll to Jervois Rd and 10 minutes to Ponsonby Rd, and only a few minutes drive into the city centre. Emma and Stephen initially had two flatmates to help with the mortgage until their son Rupert arrived three years ago. They found the villa adapted perfectly to being a family home. They can easily keep an eye on Rupert as he plays in the open-plan living/dining/kitchen space, which opens via bifold doors to a spacious deck. They have consented plans to further open up this area but in the end decided not to tackle the work themselves because the thought of taking on a renovation project with a small child was a little overwhelming. "We'll leave that up to someone else," says Emma.

Image 1 of 5: Spacious, pretty and renovated villa in sought-after area is just a stroll to Ponsonby Rd's popular cafes

They did reconfigure the bathroom and laundry to make them more user friendly and put in a second toilet, along with stylish new fixtures and fittings which give these two rooms a contemporary feel. The bathroom has a separate shower and bath.

The kitchen would have been next in line for a makeover, although it is still perfectly usable as is. There is lots of storage space and it is a lovely, light space thanks to lots of windows and skylights.

The house has three bedrooms. Rupert's has french doors out to the veranda while Stephen and Emma's features original sash bay windows. The guest room has extensive shelving and storage.

Given the compact size of the section, the outdoor space has been well utilised. The deck is spacious and has been great for entertaining or for Rupert to play on. There is just enough lawn for Rupert and the family dog Coco to run around on. Stephen and Emma landscaped the garden, using hedges and climbers to create lots of green foliage. "It's a lovely private garden -- we're not overlooked," says Emma. "And when you are out here it is so quiet."

The garage tends to be used for storage, but there is still space to park their cars on the driveway -- a real bonus in Ponsonby.

Stephen and Emma are selling because they'd like somewhere bigger, but they are hoping to stay in the area. "Once you get used to living here it is hard to leave," says Emma.