It was a case of two degrees of separation when Janie bought this character home, which she’s transformed into a polished “family forever” home which could suit a family for many years.
Nine years ago she wanted to move closer to family in Remuera with her three children, then ranging from primary school age up to one about to be a teenager.
Janie says: “My Mum said ‘David’s old house is on the market’, meaning the one her partner owned before another family lived here for 35 years. I looked at it online and it didn’t appeal but when I went through another open home around the corner I thought I’d check it out.
“It had a lot of dark heavy red colours and wood, but it had really great bones and I could see the potential, and I loved it.”
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The 802sqm double grammar-zoned address is in that highly sought sweet spot between Remuera and Newmarket, close enough to the latter to make shopping and catching trains easy.
“You’re very central for such a quiet location and it looks at a beautiful view over the valley through Remuera and out to Rangitoto.”
Janie did a Bachelor of Design majoring in photography, her eye for design guiding her throughout significant renovations, from adding a front double garage to a big swimming pool out the back.
“The agent who sold me this property looked through it the other day and said it looked like a completely different property.”
The 802sqm double grammar-zoned property is in that sweet spot between Remuera and Newmarket. Photo / Supplied
The owner incorporated what used to be another room into the big kitchen-living-dining room flowing out to the deck. Photo / Supplied
There are five bedrooms, three bathrooms, double garage, multiple living areas, extensive decking and a swimming pool. Photo / Supplied
The two-storey home with a soaring stud height definitely has a Tardis-like quality on approach, as you don’t at first comprehend its downstairs and overall size. Behind its smooth-faced rock wall with auto-gate, additional off-street parking bolsters the garage.
Janie refers to the layout’s far end, with sunny northerly aspect and oversized covered deck, as the front. She’s done lots of family entertaining here and has had lots of her children’s friends arriving to swim and hang out, making the home a convivial place.
After living here a while, then renovating with a very white aesthetic, she’s added more colour. The hallway’s deep, clear salmon pink saw her son’s friends dub this “the pink palace”. “I love having some colour. Most people seem to like it, and if they don’t, paint is just paint.”
She incorporated what used to be another room into the big kitchen-living-dining room flowing out to the deck, installing a new kitchen with Miele appliances. Now this spread is accessible via steel doors in the hallway and via a walk-through mud room and butler’s pantry.
There are living areas at both ends of the expanse, more and less formal, warmed by an Escea fire which pushes the heat out, its doppelganger downstairs.
She added colour on the walls, including a salmon pink which saw her son’s friends dub the home as “the pink palace”. Photo / Supplied
Downstairs is versatile, with work-from-home potential, containing an office and big living room-rumpus area. Photo / Supplied
She loves contemplating beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the deck. It looks out at the biggest inground backyard pool she could fit, incorporating a spa pool with accompanying patio space, outdoor dining and pristine synthetic turf.
Four entry-level bedrooms, some with character fireplaces, include the ensuited master with walk-in wardrobe, accompanied by a family bathroom. Downstairs is versatile with work-from-home potential, containing an office and big living room-rumpus where she taught yoga previously.
With another bedroom and bathroom, plus a separate laundry, it could house an au pair. “It’s a fabulous family house.”
Soon there’ll be only one child at home and Janie can envisage another family raising children here long-term.
Agent Gary Wallace says: “This fabulous home in a premium Remuera street is the quintessential home for family living with great living spaces for family and entertaining, a fantastic swimming pool and a beautiful northerly aspect.”
- 25 Ridings Road in Remuera, Auckland, heads to auction on September 23
