The spacious sun-soaked north-facing backyard of this Mount Eden villa has been the playground, haven and entertainment zone for the Saunders family for the past eight years.
The boys – now aged five and seven – have been able to run free around the big, enclosed backyard, play hockey on the concrete patio and build Lego in the shade on the deck, which is big enough to accommodate a “massive” paddling pool. There’s also hooks for a hammock to relax in and listen to tui chatter in the garden.
“We’ve had all the kids’ birthday parties out here. It’s a very good social outdoor area and the whole space has its own life,” says homeowner Louise Mary Saunders.
Louise also loves that when she’s in the kitchen she can see the kids playing outside and always knows where they are because the whole section is enclosed. “They’re not free-range kids because it’s the city but it’s as close as we’ve been able to get, which is really lovely,” she says.
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She is particularly proud of her lemon hedge which she’s planted out front and calls her “gin garden” which “seems to produce all year round”. The landscaped garden is only half the charm of this exceptional 1911 two-level, four-bedroom, two-bathroom villa, where tin-pressed ceilings, kauri floorboards and fine detailing are standout features.
French doors by the dining room open to a covered part of the deck. The villa also has underfloor central heating, which can also be used to cool the house on hot summer days.
“I don’t know how we’re going to live without that,” says Saunders. “In summertime the house opens up and it’s expansive and then in winter it’s cosy because we’ve got the underfloor heating and there’s a fireplace in the lounge. The house is like a hug.”
Over the home’s lifetime a second floor and wooden staircase, which matches the home’s wooden floors and door frames, has been added. It leads to the master bedroom (with ensuite), with an expansive view of Mt Eden, the Sky Tower, Eden Park and garden.
Ray White agent Robyn Ellson says: “The craftsmanship – from the pressed tin ceilings to the original kauri detailing – gives it an ambience that’s both elegant and soulful.” Photo / Supplied
The landscaped garden is only half the charm of this exceptional 1911 two-level, four-bedroom, two-bathroom villa. Photo / Supplied
The room is light-filled and has indoor-outdoor flow with bi-fold doors that open on to a balcony. The ensuite has a shower as well as spa bath from which you can gaze skyward through a skylight.
“It’s an adult hideout/retreat,” laughs Saunders. “When I was pregnant and needed to rest, I’d lie on the bed, light would stream in, and I’d be looking out at the treetops.”
The home has lots of storage, too, including under the stairwell which they call “the Harry Potter cupboards”. Since she and her husband bought the property in 2017, they’ve installed big double villa wardrobes in the same style as the house.
Replaced the bi-fold doors and windows upstairs, made the roof watertight, professionally landscaped the outdoor area and put in a soak pit beside the house, which came in handy during the January 2023 Auckland anniversary floods.
The home’s character pressed tin ceilings are a beautiful feature in the hallway, lounge and bedrooms. The exterior of the house is white, accented by a dreamy turquoise-blue front door. And with its white and natural wood interior and high stud ceiling, there is plenty of wall space to hang art.
With its white and natural wood interior and high stud ceiling, there is plenty of wall space to hang art. Photo / Supplied
The master ensuite upstairs is light-filled, with bi-fold doors that open on to a balcony and is a treasured adult hideout. Photo / Supplied
A designer and upholsterer, Saunders has a passion for old villas and she’s enjoyed styling the house over the years. The reason for the family’s move is that they’ve bought another villa two streets away to renovate.
“King Edward Street has some of the most beautiful villas in the Mt Eden, and this one is truly special,” says agent Robyn Ellson, from Ray White.
“The craftsmanship – from the pressed tin ceilings to the original kauri detailing – gives it an ambience that’s both elegant and soulful. It’s the kind of home that makes you fall in love the moment you step inside.
“You’re instantly swept up in the romance of this villa. It all just sings with soul. There’s a magic here, a warmth and ambience that few homes ever achieve. Out in the garden, it’s pure heaven – the kind of place where summer afternoons stretch into evenings and family memories are made.”
- 55 King Edward Street in Sandringham, Auckland, is for sale by auction, October 29
