The restful nature of a Hillcrest family home tucked away in park-like gardens echoes the property's past as a rest and recreation base for American servicemen during World War II.
Diana and Jim Orr raised their children here. They've extended and transformed the circa-1950s weatherboard home until it hums with graceful character. But, in the 1940s before the original house was built, the property was part of a camp where American serviceman slept in tents among the native trees.
"When we first came here I found lots of rusty old tin mugs buried just under the mulch. We have an original bunk shed from that time in our bush which is still in good condition and now used as a garden shed," says Diana.
Jim adds, "Apparently the American boys loved our milk and other dairy products and our beer."
The couple have lived in this neighbourhood for 34 years.
Diana says, "I first discovered the property in 1986 while selling Girl Guide biscuits with my daughter, and instantly loved the setting. It was so private, tucked away down a driveway so you wouldn't know it was here, surrounded by native trees, expansive gardens and lawns."
The property, with back gate opening to the rear grounds of Sunnybrae Normal School, is three minutes from the Northern Motorway, six minutes from Takapuna and 10 minutes from the city when traffic's light. Its driveway curls up past a single garage to offstreet parking fronting the beautifully gardened home. A gate near the front door reveals the heated salt-water pool the Orrs installed.
North of the entry foyer is a sunny living area spread across three rooms leading to the north-facing rear grounds. The kitchen-dining-family room's wood-burning fireplace crackles above original rimu floors the Orrs' builder matched beautifully when he extended this space.
At day's close Jim likes sitting by open bifold windows at the end of the family room with a glass of wine, listening to tui, thrush and wood pigeons singing. "It's just so relaxing."
French doors open to the rear wooden deck. The smart kitchen with composite benches includes one-and-a-half ovens and a splashback in the softest bluey-grey.
The formal lounge with fireplace next door transitions into the serenity of a sunroom the Orrs have added. As well as being a great place for grandchildren to play, this restful room is Diana's favourite retreat.
"Sitting out there all I can see are the garden, the trees and the sky. You feel like you're away from everything. I've always loved the old-fashioned sun porches with windows right to the corners."
The couple have taken architectural advice to guide successive renovations, the most major of which added a wing. It bolstered the floor plan by adding two good-size bedrooms opening to a front balcony plus bathroom facilities above an internal-access double garage.
An overhauled bathroom nearest the living areas has a marble-topped vanity and is impeccably classical in design.
The spacious master bedroom, two other bedrooms and a utility room round out a layout which includes plentiful storage.
When the season's right Diana loves to pick flowers for her home from the gardens which introduce it and skirt its expansive back lawn. Behind this are rock-lined paths winding around mature totara, karaka and kahikatea, where it's nice to imagine GIs relaxing before returning to battle in the Pacific. Today, the trees harbour a gazebo and a swing for grandchildren.
The couple are leaving this expansive family home as they've found a place where Jim plans to plant an orchard.
