Second time lucky - Birkenhead Point

A couple who passed up this beautifully renovated bungalow couldn't resist it the next time they saw it for sale.

5 Palmerston Road, Birkenhead Point.

The first time Chris and Dianne Waldegrave saw this house they thought it was too big for them.

``There's just us and we thought what would we do with five bedrooms and all this living space and a pool,'' laughs Dianne.

So they let someone else buy it. But then a few years later it came on the market again, and the couple couldn't resist taking another look.
``We thought `No, we love it.' We had to have it.''

``It's just got such a lovely feel to it,'' continues Chris. ``As soon as you walk in you feel at home, and we think that's very hard to find in a house.''

The couple haven't regretted their belated commitment to the bungalow in the four years they've lived here. In fact, they've grown to enjoy the workmanship that went into its renovation more and more.

In the early 90s its then owner, builder Ian Brown, transformed it from a compact two-bedroom house to the two-storey four- to five-bedroom home it is today.

From the wood-panelled entrance at the front to the rimu-lined archway above the conservatory doors at the rear, Brown artfully merged his additions with the house's character.

New windows are recessed with rimu frames and stained glass features just like the original joinery. French doors that separate rooms are also made of rimu in 1920s bungalow style, and rimu skirting boards and scotias continue the wood theme throughout the house. The reverse detail in the wood up the staircase is beautifully crafted.

Chris is right about the house welcoming you as soon as you enter. The character of its wide, panelled hall, with the carpeted staircase leading upstairs in front of you and rooms off to both sides makes you feel like wandering in and relaxing. To the right is a bedroom with an inviting seat built into the curved window, looking out to a view of the western harbour.

To the left is a cosy lounge with an open fire, and French doors that open into the front garden. Internal French doors can close this room off from another sitting room next to it, which could also be a formal dining room. This in turn opens into an open-plan kitchen, dining and conservatory area. Bifold doors all around this room open it to the pool and barbecue area.

``In summer we carry the furniture from the conservatory outside and sit in the garden,'' says Dianne. She and Chris have turned the rear section into a sub-tropical oasis with palms, ponga and ferns. It is also completely private from neighbouring houses.

Tucked away from the living areas downstairs are two more bedrooms - one of which Chris and Dianne use as a study with its view of the garden.

Upstairs is a surprisingly large second level. Another bedroom overlooks the pool and has its own north-facing balcony with a high portico, similar to the ones that come off the front of the house and off the conservatory.

This room also has a row of cleverly placed windows to capture the view of the harbour out the other side.

Across the hallway is the master suite, which includes a sizeable lounge that can be closed off from the bedroom. French doors open to balconies to the west and south, capturing a stunning view across the Chelsea sugar refinery toward the Waitakeres, past the harbour bridge and city and up the harbour towards the east.

``When the fireworks go off from the top of the Skytower on New Year's Eve we can lie in bed and watch them,'' says Dianne.

The procession of boats past their windows includes yachts, cargo ships and ferries, including the ones that service the Birkenhead terminal five minutes walk away.

``You can be in the city in minutes - that's one of the attractions of this area,'' says Chris. ``Then we've got the Birkenhead and Northcote shopping centres with their boutique shops and some great restaurants, and the Bridgeway cinema - we've lived in this area for years and I reckon it's one of Auckland's best kept secrets.''

Even now he and Dianne are not moving far. They recently sold their part-ownership in the GPK restaurants, although they are still part-owners of Banque in Remuera.

``We want to have a bit more balance in our lives,'' says Dianne. ``We'd like to buy some land up at Matakana and build a house, so are downsizing in Auckland. We've found a house in Northcote Point that is like a smaller version of this one.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 2+

GARAGES: 2+

SIZE: Land 1093sq m, house 344sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected between $1.8 million and $2.1 million. Auction July 30.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1.30-2.30pm or by appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.premium.co.nz #TAK6703

CONTACT: Dougall and Patricia Love, Premium, ph 021 964 278 (Dougall), 021 2266 099 (Patricia), 480 0966 a/h.

FEATURES: Beautifully renovated bungalow with upper-storey views of the harbour and city. Large upstairs lounge opens onto balconies. Open fire in downstairs lounge, and gas central heating throughout. Study could be fifth bedroom. Pool in private sub-tropical garden.