As a Commander Squadron Leader at Royal New Zealand Airforce, Hercules pilot Kendall Dooley has extensive experience in planning and operations management in the complex field of aviation, yet he says that until he bought his Piha property in 2019, he’d barely even picked up a hammer.
Designed by architect Peter Joyce as his own home and constructed in the 1980s, the split-level house enjoys many imaginative features, including lots of personality-packed angles.
55 Rayner Road in Piha, Waitakere City, is on the market for sale by auction on December 14. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom quirky home has an RV of $1.325 million and, according to OneRoof data, last sold in 2019 for $1,013,100.
“I liked the fact that it was an affordable, large home and also sort of quirky,” recollects Dooley, who saw the positive side of 2020 and 2021’s lockdowns as a perfect chance to teach himself new skills – completely renovating the dwelling from top to bottom – inside and out.
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Every floorboard has a golden glow, having been sanded and oiled or varnished, as do all the other timber features – which include matai, kauri and rimu.
The spacious and contemporary kitchen is new, and the bathroom has been extensively transformed. The two, big, bright living areas, with their different level, provide plenty of space for gathering family and friends.
Meanwhile, the deck is complete with an outdoor shower, and a bath, for soaking under the stars. It has been extended and offers lots of locations for enjoying the sunshine or seeking a little shade.
All three bedrooms are generous with green, leafy outlooks and the property has the bonus of a separate unit which contains the fourth bedroom and second bathroom. It’s ideal for extended family, teenagers or for letting – as Kendall has done.
The home was designed by architect Peter Joyce as his own home and constructed in the 1980s with many imaginative features, including lots of personality-packed angles. Photo / Supplied
Listing agent Chris Head, from Bayleys Kumeu, says Dooley is the kind of person who instinctively knows how to do things and that his attention to detail is absolute.
“This property has such a lot going for it, including its position on a no-through road, with a nice mix of views – including a peek at the sea – and plenty of privacy.”
Head suggests that the property could be a full-time home or a weekend getaway with the unit in hot demand as an Airbnb pad – covering the cost of rates.
The entire project was so fulfilling and progress so exciting, Dooley admits he had to force himself to down tools each day at 6pm to relax and enjoy contemplating the fruits of his labours, which also included updating the lush landscaping, adding native grasses, while palms sway above.
The main property at 55 Rayner Road in Piha has three bedrooms, one bathroom and a single garage, while a separate unit contains the fourth bedroom and second bathroom. Photo / Supplied
Every floorboard has a golden glow, having been sanded and oiled or varnished by the current homeowner, as do all the other timber features. Photo / Supplied
Dooley says that the Piha community is close-knit yet welcoming. “It’s full of awesome people.”
Right now, Dooley is swapping the leafy, verdant Waitakere Ranges for the snow-covered peaks of Antarctica, taking part in the Royal New Zealand Defence Force’s ice flights, which see personnel supporting Antarctica science and research programmes over the New Zealand summer.
Afterwards, having firmly caught ‘the bug,’ he plans to continue honing his renovation skills – possibly tackling a villa do-up.
“I think I would really enjoy that challenge,” he says.
