White picket fence charms in Ponsonby

23 Pompallier Tce, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

23 POMPALLIER TCE PONSONBY

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SIZE: Land 371sq m, house 125sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Similar properties in the area have recently sold for in excess of $1.2 million. Auction 2pm, July 13 (unless sold prior).

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12-12.30pm.

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/4102588

SCHOOL ZONES: Ponsonby Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, Auckland Girls' Grammar, Western Springs College.

CONTACT: Andrea Ritchie, Bayleys, ph 021 906 793.

FEATURES: Stylishly renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom villa. Light, airy and warm north-facing home with central heating. Landscaped garden with large north-facing deck. Off-street parking for two cars. Separate office area at back of the house.

Matthew and Giselle Reid had to do some serious soul-searching before listing their beautiful villa in the heart of Ponsonby.

It's everything they ever wanted in a house and they have poured heart and soul into the renovations as the intention was that this would be their family home for many years.

Matthew bought the house in 2002 as a bachelor returning to live in Auckland after 13 years in Britain. Ponsonby appealed as he saw the suburb as offering the same high street lifestyle England had, within strolling distance of shops, the butcher, cafes and pubs.

And number 23 in Pompallier Tce fitted the bill perfectly as Matthew prefers villas over new builds, plus Ponsonby's cafe lifestyle is practically on the doorstep. It also meant he could walk to work in the CBD in less than 20 minutes. "It makes such a difference to your quality of life. Commuting is such a waste of time and energy."

When he met Giselle in 2004, they found they shared similar values and aspirations, and Giselle was more than happy to take on the task of helping to improve the home as it had always been her dream to live in a character property and renovate.

"I didn't just marry him for the house, though," she says, "but he did have the perfect package all wrapped up in a white picket fence.

"I moved in with Matthew for two weeks and then we moved out again two weeks later when the builders started."

They rented for six months as the top-to-toe renovation started with the layout rearranged to maximise the sunny north-facing aspect (originally a bathroom had hogged the sunniest spot), extending the deck and adding an en suite and large wardrobe to the main bedroom. Building work was done by a villa specialist so the interior design is modern yet sympathetic to the villa's character.

The layout has the three bedrooms (plus bathrooms) leading off the hallway at the front, and then the open-plan living area with lounge, kitchen and dining accessing the large north-facing deck through bifold doors.

But the couple's favourite room is the main bathroom, with its beautiful claw foot bath, pewter Perrin & Rowe tapware and elegant chandelier. "It has such a glamorous feel and is in keeping with the character of a villa," says Giselle. "The fittings and fixtures are all premium quality as we planned to stay in the house for a long time and wanted every detail just right."

With the arrival of their daughters, Allegra, 4, and then Florence, 14 months, the house has now been home to Matthew as a bachelor, husband and family man.

And that's why Giselle and Matthew think it will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Plus it is in zone for Ponsonby Primary - Matthew admits that factor wasn't on his radar when he bought the house, but he appreciates it now. "Ironically, there aren't many houses in Ponsonby zoned for the school, which also serves Herne Bay and St Marys Bay, so it was a case of good luck more than anything," he says. "We have had friends move from Lincoln St to Pompallier Tce so they can be in the school's zone."

But now their beautiful home is for sale because they have moved to Havelock North to be closer to Matthew's parents.

They are missing the Ponsonby village lifestyle (especially Allpress coffee and the Nosh food store) but they are excited about starting their new life in Hawkes Bay. "Havelock North offers us another kind of lovely lifestyle so we're not so sad to be swapping one 'village' for another," says Giselle.