State of glory in Westmere

47 Regina Street, Westmere, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

47 REGINA ST COXS BAY

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SIZE: Land 617sq m, house 186sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Upwards of $1.1million. Auction June 29.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2pm-2.45pm or by appointment.

ON THE WEB: barfoot.co.nz/456055

SCHOOL ZONES: Westmere Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College.

CONTACT: Andre or Nikki Bodde, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 021 662 873 or 376 8793.

FEATURES: Family home in sought-after Coxs Bay with modern kitchen and bathrooms, separate laundry, polished timber floors, parking for a boat and own private access to Coxs Bay reserve.

Tieneke Ziegler had a weekly ritual back when she and David Evans and their young son Oliver, now 19, were house-hunting.

The family were living in Westmere, but they had their hearts set on being next to the park at nearby Coxs Bay - a charming pocket where homes were - and still are - tightly held. "I had a list of real estate agents I would call every Monday morning," explains Tieneke. "It was one of those agents who told me about this house, even before it went on the market."

Tieneke and David had noticed the weatherboard former state house when it had sold six months earlier, after the original residents had lived there for decades. The 77sqm home was in original condition and surrounded by concrete; so when Tieneke, David and Oliver moved in back in October 1994, the appeal was the property's location in no-exit Regina St, with the park just over the back fence.

Daughter Lucy, now 15, was born in the house. When she was a baby, the family moved out for a few months so the home could be renovated and extended, and the outside concrete ripped up to create a garden. David, who works in the commercial architectural field, did the design work, explaining the family wanted something "more contemporary".

"You could do anything with the house as it was so well made. The floor downstairs is all rimu." Tieneke adds that in retrospect it was a good thing that she and David waited two years to begin renovating. "We knew how everything worked and how to best use the site. What we wanted was a warm house." It turned out to be so cosy there has never been any need for curtains or blinds in the living areas. The property is fully fenced so privacy is not a concern, either.

Adding an upstairs level with two bedrooms and a bathroom, the modest little house became a four-bedroom home with two bathrooms and double garaging. David and Tieneke took care to source fittings in keeping with the original style - trawling through the Trade & Exchange to buy state house windows for the upstairs addition. One of the subbies who came to work at the site got quite emotional when he realised it was his childhood home. Luckily for him, David and Tieneke gave him an old garden gnome to take with him as a memento.

Blending new with the old and renovating over time after the main burst of adding the second level, David designed a hoop pine, reeded glass and stainless steel kitchen, while the downstairs bathroom was refreshed only a few years ago to include a concrete terrazzo counter top and tiled shower. Today it all looks fresh and contemporary, proving David's design work to be timeless.

With its open-plan living areas, flat section, trees to climb and proximity to the park, this home has been brilliant for family life. A deck with a pergola partially sheltered by glass means barbecues year-round, while a gate in the back fence is handy for golden retriever Jessie to be whisked through to Coxs Bay reserve's off-leash area. When the children were little, Tieneke had a collection of old trikes for neighbourhood kids to ride in the park. "Coxs Bay is surrounded by the sea and the park and you can even see cows grazing up the hill at Kelmarna Gardens. There's such a great community feel, too, " says Tieneke.

Now, after so many years enjoying this home, it's time for a change, although Tieneke hopes they stay in the area and continue to enjoy all it has to offer.