SCHOOL ZONES:
Richmond Road Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College, Auckland Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Hugh Seabrook 021 909 012, Paul Grace 022 404 1472, Ray White Grey Lynn.
AUCTION:
February 11.
*Plus off-street
For most of the homeowners featured in Herald Homes, having their family's house poked and prodded, described in detail and photographed is a novel, once-in-a-lifetime experience. But for Sarah Faull, this used to be all in a day's work.
For years she was first the style and design editor for More then Next magazines. Her Christchurch home and her children were familiar to thousands of readers.
Two and a half years ago Sarah and husband Richard made the trek north for Richard's job. There was really only one suburb they would consider when they reconnected with their Auckland roots. Before they'd moved to Christchurch they'd lived in Douglas St, Ponsonby; so Ponsonby it was.
"It was a different place 20 years ago when we'd left," says Sarah. "I've always loved real estate and design. I knew what I wanted here -- I've always been in love with the square-fronted villas, something about their simplicity. When I saw what Cameron Ireland had done spatially, it was exactly right. I'd like to say we'd done this ourselves, but it was all Cameron."
Builder-developer Ireland has done well-known renovations in the area and his signature style is a terrific blend of character and modern.
For Sarah and Richard's house, he'd retained the classical four-rooms-off-a-hall front of the house, restoring windows, skirtings and architraves but cleaning up details. Doors go almost to the 3m-high ceilings, French doors from the front two bedrooms to the restored veranda repeat old proportions in modern joinery. Windows are covered in white shutters, original floorboards are stained deep chocolate, everything else is clean, white and unfussy.
The modern back of the house is where the Ireland flourishes begin: the house steps down to polished concrete floors at ground level, creating a sweeping 4m-plus ceiling height, and the living space seems twice as large because of his cunning L-shaped plan. A long, thin, north-facing wing for the sitting room and master suite wrap around the lawn and sleek pool, giving every room sun and making the most of the sheltered back yard. His master stroke was a lantern ceiling running the length of this wing, drawing light from all sides and creating space-expanding views of sky and neighbouring trees. Well clipped hedges and a disciplined planting plan of white hydrangeas make a soothing yard.
"We're one of the densest streets, only minutes from Ponsonby Rd and Richmond Rd and Herne Bay but, because we're so elevated, all we see is trees and sky," says Sarah. "And it's so quiet, even on the weekends, you wouldn't know you're in the middle of the city."
Image 1 of 6: A sleek and thoughtfully practical renovation makes for a restful and elegant city fringe home
Naturally, Sarah couldn't resist adding her own, mostly antique, touches. Ornate brass lanterns have come from her grandmother's childhood house, Epsom's Florence Court. Other pretty chandeliers that survived the earthquake -- embellish bedrooms and bathroom. The Faulls will be taking these with them.
Refreshingly, Sarah has resisted the blandness of most villa conversions, and decorated with an elegant mix of antiques, plump linen sofas and traditional-with-a-twist accessories. She even admits to adding light-blocking blinds in the living room to protect the old wood.
Sarah and Richard have delighted in how their new-old house has worked for them. Having the bedrooms at the front of the house, with an elegant family bathroom with tub and wet room, and the master wing at the other end of the house means each have privacy.
A small sitting room off the kitchen is a favourite spot for cooler evening drinks, while in the summer the doors are slid away and everyone lives on the sheltered dining deck.
Ireland's touches are timeless. Sarah reckons his storage planning is thoughtful -- cupboards tucked under the house take garage paraphernalia, frosted sliding glass doors hide a utility area and laundry, all the bedrooms have walls of closets. In the kitchen, he fitted an entire extra row of cabinets at ceiling height to take seldom used items.
With the last two children having flown the nest, Sarah and Richard are ready for the next real estate adventure. No matter where or what that is, you can only hope the project will one day make it into the pages of a magazine.
