Part of the enduring appeal of mid-century modernist homes such as this classic is that they work fabulously for today’s Kiwi lifestyle, embracing lots of glass and open-plan living relating beautifully to the outdoors.
Properties like this north-facing one, owned by the same family for nearly 33 years, evoke a cool laid-back lifestyle, as seen in the mecca of modernism Palm Springs, California.
Owner and mid-century modern fan Scott says: “This ranch style home was built in 1968 and has been wonderful for family life and for entertaining. The vibe of this place is iconic.”
The Seccombe family subdivided land around here in the late 1960s creating a relatively high-end subdivision. Scott and his late wife bought this 1012sqm property in 1992, just before their third daughter was born.
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“We wanted a practical family home with decent grounds to raise our girls and this quiet location at the end of a tightly held cul-de-sac was ideal. The home retained mid-century features such as vaulted ceilings with Douglas Fir beams, lots of sliding doors and alpine stone, sometimes called blue stone, featured both inside and in paving around the pool.”
The single-level home already had great indoor-outdoor flow and a wide view over Waiatarua Reserve and Remuera Golf Course to Mount Wellington, extending past Manukau City to the Hunuas.
“It’s so convenient having everything on one level and it’s been warm and dry.” They extended the open-plan living, created a media room and added insulation, ducted central heating and solar heating for the swimming pool.
A decramastic tile roof was replaced with powder-coated Colorsteel and over time they updated bathrooms, utilising lots of marble, and installed a contemporary kitchen. Their cul-de-sac is roughly equidistant between the upper end of Upland Road and Meadowbank Shopping Centre. Their property is zoned for highly regarded Meadowbank School, some 13 minutes’ walk away, and its Mixed-Housing Urban classification may attract those with an eye for future potential.
The home has retained mid-century features such as vaulted ceilings with Douglas Fir beams, lots of sliding doors and alpine stone, sometimes called blue stone. Photo / Supplied
Over time the owners updated the bathrooms, utilising lots of marble, and installed a contemporary kitchen. Photo / Supplied
From the footpath you only see the ivy-clad front of number 20’s internal-access double garage, creating a sense of intrigue. The approximately 280sqm home is predominantly brick with cedar accents, aluminium windows and copper guttering and downpipes.
The landscaping teams classical with sub-tropical and a Moreton Bay fig with partly horizontal trunk heralds the front door. The lounge-dining-kitchen opening to the patio, swimming pool, spa and conservatory features a vaulted beamed ceiling and beautiful alpine stone in an oversized fire surround accompanying vertical cedar.
The stone is mirrored in the contemporary kitchen. A hidden trapdoor introduces a 600-bottle wine cellar, also accessible from outdoors.
“It sits partly below ground and occasionally I’ll open a bottle that goes back 30 years and I haven’t had a bad one yet. This has been a great place for entertaining and all sorts of parties; dinner parties, kids’ birthday parties and pre-balls.”
The single-level home has great indoor-outdoor flow. Photo / Supplied
The north-facing, 280sqm home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple living zones and sits on 1012sqm of land. Photo / Supplied
There’s also a formal lounge and media room. The ensuited main bedroom is one of four bedrooms accompanied by an office-fifth bedroom. A bathroom, powder room and additional shower room round out the layout.
When the now-grown daughters were young they loved a sturdily-built swing-and-slide set and a trampoline which will remain here. When older they lived in the swimming pool, occasionally jumping into the neighbouring spa pool.
Scott can envisage another family living here.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Rawdon Christie says: “This home strikes the perfect balance — a mid-century classic, yet entirely practical for modern family life. Single-level homes of this scale are rare in Remuera. Now refreshed, this is a special property offering space, privacy and enduring appeal for its next owners.”
20 Stoneyroyd Gardens in Remuera, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on October 22.
- Sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson
