Designed for easy living, this outstanding Rangitoto Avenue home in Remuera is an entertainer’s dream. A private oasis that has an unassuming street frontage that hides its wonders from the rest of the world at the end of a quiet cul de sac.
As soon as you step inside, the wow-factor reveals itself: three generous outdoor entertaining areas, a subtropical garden with palm trees and a fountain on a flat section that provides sweeping city views to the Sky Tower and glorious sunsets.
“It’s like a hidden surprise. When people come in the door they go, ‘wow, this is lovely. I didn’t realise how big it was’,” says homeowner Sarah Bowie.
Sarah and her husband Craig Bowie purchased the home in 2013 with the intention of fully renovating it. They bought it because their three children immediately took to it.
Start your property search
“They came inside and loved the fireplace and just laid down. It just had a nice calming feeling. Being north-facing it’s fully sun-drenched with space for entertaining. It’s also very private being at the end of a cul-de-sac, hidden away,” says Sarah.
The family lived in the home for six years prior to its full renovation. By then Sarah, who has a background in running large events and entertaining, and Craig knew what they needed to do to transform the home for ultimate ease of living. And because Craig is a certified plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer, all the plumbing is done right to a high spec.
The exterior footprint of the house was the only thing left untouched. Craig asked, “is there any wall we are not touching?”. They upgraded the whole house changing the exterior to weatherboards.
Replacing all windows to double glazed aluminium, including a new roof that was pushed up to create an attic space for more storage which accommodates a ducted air conditioning system for upstairs – keeping the home cosy and cool in summer.
Walls were moved to create bedrooms, bathrooms moved where it made sense for ease and flow, and oodles of storage added and spaces created to include built-in shelving, and space-saving cavity sliding doors. And a window box built-in settee added in the master bedroom as a reading nook (with storage) or place to sit and enjoy the view with a cup of coffee.
The 319sqm residence has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple living areas and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
The garden oozes a subtropical vibe with palm trees and a fountain on a flat section. Photo / Supplied
Sarah also worked with a designer on the colour scheme for the home’s interior which includes the beautiful tiled showers in the bathrooms, water closet downstairs, laundry, kitchen area, carpets and drapes.
The kitchen easily caters to large groups, with expansive Brazilian stone benchtop spaces, dual Miele ovens – to easily cook dinner for that fits three to four chickens and roast vegetables, space for a “mammoth” fridge, and even a scullery (ideal for storing pre-made desserts for a dinner party). And enough space for five to six people to work in the kitchen together “and not be on top of each other” prepping. Plus a very large expansive pantry.
“Nothing’s hard with this house. It’s an entertainer’s dream with open-plan living,” says Sarah.
“Everything is set up for easy living where a family can keep it clean and tidy, so you don’t see all the clutter and mess of a busy family home. There are also lots of areas for people to hang out in as well.”
Other well-considered additions include purpose-built muck cupboards that keep the entrance and hallway clear, clean and dry. Where kids’ shoes, bags, raincoats are hung up and hidden upon returning home and sit flush.
Off the carpeted garage you will find the “man cave” that has dual access from the driveway. It encompasses its own laundry (the home has two laundries) for “muddy stuff and fishing gear” as well as an area for wetsuits to drip-dry. Off the two-car garage with built-in storage you will find a private gym area.
The kitchen easily caters to large groups, with expansive Brazilian stone benchtop spaces, dual Miele ovens, space for a “mammoth” fridge and even a scullery. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Steve Koerber says: “It’s one of the best modern homes, currently available in the double grammar zone.” Photo / Supplied
It’s a smart home too, with all the bells and whistles that control heating and cooling, opening roof skylights with blinds to create that cinema experience in the lounge area.
From your phone you can seamlessly control the sounds, lights around the home, hydronic underfloor heating that runs through the main level of the house and heats the bathroom towel rails, it also controls the electric underfloor heating in bathrooms upstairs, the air conditioning units, CCTV cameras around the property and indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
You can also create your own entertaining theme with garden (mood lighting) in one of the many entertaining areas. Host friends and family indoors or outdoors – “rain, hail or shine” with an electric louvre roof covered area.
Sarah admits it’s going to be hard to move on from what they’ve designed to be the perfect family home, which includes her small but abundant raised kitchen garden and the visiting native bird life. However, with three children who have flown the nest, the couple feel it’s time to downsize.
What they’ve loved most about living here, aside from the ease of living, is the privacy, warmth, neighbourhood, sunset views and proximity to the city. Being fully fenced it’s also pet-friendly.
“It’s one of the best modern homes, currently available in the double grammar zone,” says Steve Koerber, of Bayleys.
- 48A Rangitoto Avenue in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on February 25
