St Heliers - French balance

A 60s house has been made over to give it an elegant yesteryear feel, aided by a remarkable number of French doors.

149 Long Drive, St Heliers.

In an age where identity is mutable it is hardly surprising that a solid 1969 house with creosoted weatherboards could be rebuilt completely to reflect the owners' love of a northern hemisphere style.

And for Diana and Terry King this property is just that - a multi-faceted expression of their love of design, meticulous attention to detail and a place to display treasures found at Trade Me.

That last attribute might seem strange given Terry is a boldface name in the heady advertising world and could probably afford any sort of homeware that took his fancy.

But as Diana says, the fun of playing Trade Me gave them immense entertainment while they dined in rather than out chasing down things like an antique mirror, a brass chandelier and even an electronic grand piano.

All have a place in the house, and the brass chandelier electrified by a previous owner has pride of place in the library and hints at a more gracious age.

Terry says it was an amazing buy for 200-ish dollars given that he has spent significantly more on lights at well-known antique places in the city.

The piano sits in a corner of the raised sitting room which faces north. The room is painted a soft colour from Aalto paints. The drapes use quality fabric from England's Colefax and Fowler, and French doors allow the room to be opened completely in summer.

French doors are a feature of this house and there are 42 of them custom-made to meet what Diana describes as her``husband's obsession with balance''. Terry says he just knows what he likes and that is enough of a reason for him.

Both of the bedrooms have full scale bathrooms and the master features a giant-dressing room with French doors - mirrored of course.

Off the master bedroom is a sunroom with a trellis that eventually will be smothered with climbing roses - just a few of the hundreds of plants added to the garden.

Diana says they are a couple who like to entertain and the kitchen reflects that with practical working spaces, an induction hotplate and a dishwasher that takes large plates.

There is also a butler's sink which augments the traditional feel and contrasts the black granite bench tops.

The kitchen has a big farmhouse table in it and, like the rest of the house, doors let it open to a courtyard for summer dining. Terry says they wanted to create a home that could be easily opened with a feel for flow.

There are a further two rooms that could be used for bedrooms. At the end of the house above the double garage and laundry area is the media loft, which is the most modern looking part of the house and is wired for the internet. Diana says they stay in a lot and the media room is where they spend time.

Outside is an old well that serviced the property ages ago, a good-sized pool and Diana's sewing studio where she is dipping a tentative toe into the world of fashion.

Like many though, Diana and Terry are feeling the pull of family and are looking to be closer to members who have settled up north - so Matakana beckons. If they stayed, they were going up a level to make the most of the gulf views, but that is something new owners can do.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 2+

SIZE: Land 1002sq m, house 335sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected under $2 million. Auction August 23.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB:www.bayleys.co.nz #43149.

CONTACT: Marnie Adams, Bayleys, ph 309 6020 bus, 021 867 750.

FEATURES: Meticulously renovated house and garden on northfacing site. Library, media room, studio. Swimming pool.