Southern comfort in St Heliers

20 Lammermoor Dr St Heliers. Photo / Ted Baghurst

20 LAMMERMOOR DR ST HELIERS

4*

3**

2***

*4 plus one in studio above the garage

**3 plus one poolside off garage

***2 car garaging plus off-street parking

SIZE: Land 895sq m, house 357sq m approx (includes the studio).

PRICE INDICATION: Offers expected above the CV $2.1 million. Tenders close February22.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-2.30pm.

ON THE WEB: barfoot.co.nz/447661

SCHOOL ZONES: St Heliers School, Glendowie College. Auckland Girls' Grammar School, Western Springs College.

CONTACT: Stanley and Barbara Armon, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 524 0149 or 021 723 177 (Stanley) or 021 799 012 (Barbara).

FEATURES: Architecturally designed Oamaru stone home with separate studio accommodation above the double-garage. In ground pool, gas fireplace, indoor and outdoor audio system, landscaped grounds. Level site.

Heritage architectural lines, Oamaru stone cladding and a tiler from Christchurch all make this home doubly special to Gina and Gavin McKay.

Both born in the South Island, Gavin and Gina have maintained business links with their former home base, Christchurch, since their move to Auckland to be closer to family three years ago. There is a lot that they love about both cities and nothing has epitomised this more than the form and function of this home.

Their daughter told them they simply had to see this house and they saw the reason why as soon as they walked through the front gate.

The easy ambience of this elegant traditional-style home on its flat site has helped Gina and Gavin slip effortlessly into life between two cities; a lifestyle that's punctuated by frequent travel to keep business and family connected.

The house was built by Replica Homes and the story that has been handed down from the original owner was that it was modelled on Kinder House in Parnell, one of Auckland's most notable stone buildings built in 1857 from grey Mt Eden scoria and now preserved as a museum and gallery.

Gina and Gavin have given their home a fresh twist on the timeless black and cream colour scheme to complement the cream tones of the Oamaru stone. They also kept the mainland connection, flying their favoured craftsman tiler up from Christchurch to replace the poolside terracotta tiles with new cream tiles.

He lived here on the job, staying upstairs in the self-contained accommodation above the double garage. They have lightened the lofty architectural proportions of the house, defined by its central wrought-iron staircase, pitched upper-level ceilings and shuttered windows on the landing en route to the bedrooms.

At ground level, they've defined the entrance with beautiful stained glass panels flanked by topiary trees and clipped buxus hedging. The formal lounge to the left opens out to the formal courtyard, featuring a bed of white roses which complement the red roses at the front of the house. To the right, off the entrance, Gina and Gavin swapped one single door for two elegant French doors and had the central portion of the original caramel/cream tiles lifted and replaced with chunky Sisal flooring that adds texture and definition to the cosy fireside family living and dining area.

That dealt with, they turned their attention to the potential of the poolside living area. They raised the height of the low grey concrete fence to gain privacy and had their tiler replace heavy terracotta tiles with cream tiles to better connect this outdoor living area, beneath a custom-made sailcloth, with the family room.

Gina admits she is spoilt for choice for places to relax in. Their master bedroom includes an office/reading area and a picture window that overlooks the two mature Bottlebrush trees that flank the driveway and intrigue the native tui, which feast drunkenly on their berries.

The traditional form of this home reminds Gina of her former big family home in Christchurch and it is this view of the tui and surrounding pohutukawa trees that are the distinctly Auckland connection.

"That and the undulating hills and the view across to the harbour," she explains. "This is a home with so many facets to it and I love that about it. It's a home that looks good with a family in it and it needs a family in it now."