Warm as polished wood in Ponsonby

35 Lincoln Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

35 LINCOLN ST PONSONBY

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SIZE: Land 404sq m, house approx 141sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Land 404sq m, house approx 141sq m.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-2.30pm.

ON THE WEB: customresidential.co.nz/CR2920

SCHOOL ZONES: Richmond Rd School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Auckland Girls' Grammar, Western Springs College.

CONTACT: Sandy and Keith Dowdle, Custom Residential, ph 021 877 804 (Sandy) or 021 877 905 (Keith).

FEATURES: Renovated villa in an elevated position with a peep of the sea. Large open-plan living.

Wanting to put renovation work behind them, a Ponsonby couple were delighted to find this central villa already ship-shape, thanks to the craftsmanship of a former owner.

Chris and Di had had their fill of renovation, having tackled two buildings on a rural property, so were scouting for an "already done" central home. In 1997 they found this polished, north-facing Lincoln St villa, already modified and extended to lap up the sun. Chris says: "It had features we loved, including the way it's been opened out at the back here with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors."

The couple understands a previous owner was associated with boats, which explains why the villa is accented with the sort of timber craftsmanship boat builders are renowned for. Open the front door and you'll note the central hall's charming wooden flooring. The subtle chequerboard flooring effect created by contrasting panels of marine ply continues into the open-plan rear living.

Buying an easy-living "finished" home has enabled the couple to concentrate on upgrading the garden, bathroom reinvention and converting the single garage into a work-from-home studio. And enjoying living two minutes' walk from Ponsonby Rd, with six-year-old son Noah, Brooky the cat and Sophie their Maltese-Bichon cross.

Di has horticultural experience and the pair chose a subtropical theme in the garden. Both have spent time in Bali and the lushly fronded palms and greenery evoke the natural serenity prized in that locale. Two Queen palms under-planted with Robellini palms give pleasing symmetry to the villa's approach. The driveway has off-street parking for at least three cars.

The hall is accented by a nifty timber display plinth and modern alcoves. In the master bedroom, a timber partial wall tones in well with original kauri floorboards. It serves as a ceiling-height headboard and delineates the two entrances into the walk-in wardrobe and gleaming white en suite.

The main bathroom (prefaced by a tidy laundry) serves Noah's good-sized front bedroom and the guest bedroom.

The hallway opens out into open-plan living (with air-conditioning heat pump), including the lovely fully fenced rear garden with decks and organic vege patch. The couple likes the way the kitchen, with granite benches and timber cabinetry, melds with entertaining areas. The finishes extend to the sizeable wheeled kitchen island and there's also a big walk-in pantry.

The kitchen-dining's timber floor steps down to a carpeted lounge with leadlight window and bifold doors embracing substantial decks.

Having read that if you can see for 30km it gives you a sense of peace, Chris is a big fan of sitting on the ample rear deck admiring their peep of the sea. "There's a green corridor out to the west to Upper Harbour." And on play dates, Noah and his mates can cycle around the deck or play on the easy-care rear lawn.

Birds trill in the fig and magnolia trees, which add scale to the garden. The studio offers work-from-home opportunities or could be another bedroom or rumpus.

After 14 years owning the villa, the family is ready for a change and hope to find a similar sense of serenity in another property.