For owner Debbie Haysom, the connection she’s shared with her grand “Edwardian Lady” has transcended four decades and the gracious home has been a haven for family and friends to gather, connect and share.
She and husband Bruce bought the two-storey 1910 villa in 1984. While it was leasehold land at the time, they later worked with the Anglican Trust to be able to freehold the 923sqm property.
Since then they have raised their two daughters here and adored the character and proportions it offered for them as a family.
“It’s been our bolthole for over 42 years and has worked perfectly for our lifestyle,” says Debbie.
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“There’s been christenings, Christmas celebrations, wedding parties that got ready there and 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th birthday parties. Our children’s friends always used to meet here before school as they all went to Junior and Senior College, it was a real hub.”
Cowie Street is a quiet yet well-connected enclave on the Parnell/Newmarket border, with the fully fenced property protected by automatic gates that create a true oasis in the city.
“Your privacy starts the moment you step over that threshold and there are so many native birds. Their birdsong brings a spiritual element to the property.”
Inside, a blend of formal and informal areas and great indoor-outdoor flow cater to family life and easy entertaining.
The sweeping solid kauri staircase makes a serious statement upon entry and is one of the many original features throughout the home, along with kauri floors, pressed ceilings and stained glass.
The kitchen was a finalist in a kitchen design awards. Photo / Supplied
The upstairs bathroom featured in New Zealand House and Garden, and the home also featured in British House and Garden. Photo / Supplied
Formal lounge and dining areas complement the open-plan kitchen and living space, which flows out to an expansive patio and then to the sunny rear garden. Photo / Supplied
Formal lounge and dining areas complement the open-plan kitchen and living space, which flows out to an expansive patio and then to the sunny rear garden. The original outhouse out here was transformed into a separate outdoor bar that’s been used for year-round entertaining.
There is also an office and bathroom on this level, while upstairs, four bedrooms are serviced by the family bathroom.
While keeping it as a period home has been top of mind, Debbie and Bruce have made small refreshes over the years to enhance beauty and functionality.
“The kitchen was a finalist in the kitchen design awards, the bathroom upstairs has featured in New Zealand House and Garden, and the home has also featured in British House and Garden.”
As an acclaimed interior designer and with experience gained from working in the tourism industry for 20 years, Debbie has furnished the home with treasures sourced from around the globe.
“I bought the staircase carpet from the Istanbul markets and used Ralph Lauren wallpaper from LA in two upstairs bedrooms. I like colour – it brings vibrancy and joy and it makes us who we are. The three original fireplaces downstairs (two are working fireplaces) are also framed with colourful tiles.”
Debbie says that they’ve had plans drawn up to put a pool in and that the large flat site is the perfect canvas for one. The property is also not under the Historic Places Trust and is zoned THAB, offering options for future development.
The 272sqm home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple living areas, and garaging on a 923sqm section. Photo / Supplied
“It’s been our bolthole for over 42 years and has worked perfectly for our lifestyle,” says the home owner. Photo / Supplied
The neighbourhood is in the double grammar zone and walking distance from Parnell, Newmarket, the Museum, Auckland Hospital, University and ACG, plus only a short drive from motorway on-ramps. Parking-wise, there is a single garage plus carport for two cars – as well as ample off-street parking.
It’s with heavy hearts that Debbie and Bruce are moving on but it’s time for another family to start their lifetime of memories.
“I’m quite spiritual and the house had really good bones. She was always an old lady that was smiling, and what you gave her was what she gave back to you.”
Amanda Maloney, from Bayleys, is selling the property with Wei Wei Elder and says opportunities like this don’t come around often.
“We don’t have the opportunity to sell properties like these as they’re so scarce – to have something of this vintage in a postcode perfect location is very rare.”
She says the right buyer with passion, patience and perseverance in spades will be able to restore this grand old dame to her former glory. “There’s some work to be done but she’s gorgeous – so majestic and can be just beautiful.”
3 Cowie Street in Parnell, Auckland, goes to auction on June 3.
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