Having settled on the general area of Devonport as the ideal place to raise a family, Zeke and Lou’s search for the perfect home took quite some time but 7 Summer Street was worth waiting for, offering space galore on a level 1012sqm section in a quiet street.
“This was always going to be our forever home so when the time came to begin renovating, several years ago, we wanted nothing but the very best, with no compromises,” says Lou.
The high studs, large windows, bleached kauri floors and wraparound veranda makes 7 Summer Street easy to live in. Photo / Supplied
Start your property search
“Practically everything is new now, from the ceiling to the floor and we even added back character features that had disappeared over the years.”
The resulting home, with its high studs, large windows, bleached kauri floors and wraparound veranda, is both stylish and easy to live in.
Lou ordered many items from overseas, including the spectacular, free-standing Smeg cooker in the spacious kitchen with its Italian Lapitec benchtops, extensive storage and elegant touches of marble.
The garden is a joy with neatly trimmed bushes, lawn for the children and country-style garden rooms for relaxing and entertaining. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen stands at the centre of the family’s open plan casual living and dining zone which enjoys easy access to the garden.
Lou says the master suite with its elegant bathroom and wardrobe is one of her favourite parts of the house, and the little office adjacent could be used as a nursery.
“It feels just like a five-star hotel, and when you have six sons it’s important to be able to escape.”
The kitchen stands at the centre of the open-plan casual living and dining zone which enjoys easy access to the garden. Photo / Supplied
The garden is a joy, with neatly trimmed bushes, lawn where the boys like to play, and a series of neatly defined English country-style garden rooms for relaxing and entertaining.
Although their renovation is a complete triumph, the fact that the family had grown from three boys to six during the couple’s 11 years in residence, meant that not everybody could have their own bedroom and Lou says they’re conscious that even the older boys are still going to be living at home for quite some time.
The home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, is near the beach, parks and school, and an easy stroll to the city ferry. Photo / Supplied
“Just when we began looking into ‘popping the top’ of this house, to gain more space - and get wonderful sea views in the process, we heard about a huge 500sqm villa, which had come to market, very nearby, and it was a tough choice, but we decided to sell up here, and buy it,” she says.
Victoria Bidwell from Bayleys, Takapuna markets many high-end homes and says they’re rarely quite so recently and impeccably renovated, or with such versatile living spaces and generous bedrooms as 7 Summer Street.
“It’s close to Stanley Bay school, the beach and parks and with Devonport village and the city ferry an easy stroll away, this home is setting a new standard of uncompromised family living in a quiet, tightly-held enclave surrounded by similarly attractive properties.”
7 Summer Street in Stanley Point, Devonport, Auckland will be sold at auction on March 24.
