It was the beautiful light within an architect's own long-treasured home that first struck Jodie Kerr as she explored this mid-century example five years ago.
This 1959 North Shore home was designed by late architect Peter Barry-Martin as his family dwelling. It exhibits distinctive angles in its roofline and ceilings, abundant windows and skylights and some enduringly stylish built-in cabinetry.
"It's pretty hard to find a place like this," says Jodie. "I don't know anyone who hasn't loved this house and its spaces. Most of our friends have kids, too and it works really well for entertaining with families."
She and husband Richard knew their previous land-sparse Orakei townhouse didn't suit raising children Ellie (now 8) and Max (now 6). "Shore Girl" Jodie leveraged her husband's love of the sea and beaches to get their family renting north of the bridge. Then Richard spotted this property 800m from the beach when out cycling with Ellie on the back.
The Kerrs became only the second owners here, buyin from Peter's widow, Nina. They think he designed this timber home brilliantly. Accordingly, they employed an architect when reconfiguring its entranceway and adding exterior steps offering an alternative entrance via the large decks they've created.
Jodie explains: "We thought it was worth it to stay in keeping with the style of the house."
The gated, fenced property with double garage has additional boat gates to allow easy parking of a vessel on the decent-sized front yard.
"We're a 10-minute walk, with little legs, to the beach so we'd take our dog Fred down several times a week and go there every weekend in summer."
Fifteen minutes' walk to Takapuna's hub allowed the couple to get a babysitter and stroll in for a night out.
Inside, the front room with heat-pump and original high horizontal slit windows still bears a pin-board referencing its history as Peter's office. It became a second living area for the Kerr children, opening to a canopied front deck.
Two bedrooms and a renovated bathroom complete this level, which showcase lovely polished wooden floors. Then stairs rise up, ensuring the home's hub maximises its elevated perch and views over central Takapuna's skyline.
Assessing the main living-dining area, avid home magazine reader Jodie says: "I feel like there's almost a Scandinavian feeling inside this house. It's pretty cool. And it definitely has got the retro features in terms of the built-in shelving."
Chunky beamed timber ceilings extend above a room divider of vertical slats, near a faceted dining room with heat pump. Richard complemented the living-dining's original raised built-in shelving by designing his own built-in masterpiece, a sprawling front corner window seat soaking up views.
This level's two large light-filled bedrooms include the master, with en-suite access to a family bathroom. The kitchen with adjoining laundry and this bathroom are tidy and perfectly serviceable but the Kerrs had been planning to renovate them. They'd already installed a wide stainless oven when upgrading kitchen appliances, re-carpeted, incorporated double glazing when replacing skylights and renewed most decor.
Quirky original features include a kitchen chute to the outside, now used for recycling, and an integrated laundry ironing board.
French doors open living-dining and the master to the big deck. The overhauled 871sq m grounds include a stepping-stone path adored by children, smart planting and the all-day suntrap of a large, retained, level backyard with raised vege gardens.
The family are enjoying the adventure of having relocated to Whangarei for Richard's work and a lifestyle change. There's a touch of longing when Jodie reminisces about this home though.
