It can be wonderful designing and building the perfect home, but sometimes the perfect home already exists.
18 Ohinerau Street in Remuera, Auckland – with a CV of $3.175 million – is just that, a home perfect for families. It is listed for sale by auction on July 6 by Steve and Nila Koerber of Ray White, Remuera.
Almost two decades ago, when Mark and Maria Parris were designing, costing and consenting alterations on their Grey Lynn property to create more room, it occurred to them that perhaps they could spend the same amount of money on a home that didn’t need as much work.
“We found a property which was in a better street, in zone for better schools, and had more land and a bigger house,” says Mark Parris. “We weren’t looking at Remuera – we loved Grey Lynn – but this property ticked so many of our boxes.”
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Fast-forward 15 years and the couple have created a wonderful home for them, their two children, and Lily the dog at 18 Ohinerau Street.
With four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas, a double garage, and a large backyard complete with pool and spa, there’s plenty of room for the family to create myriad fond memories.
The garage was originally behind the house, accessed by a narrow driveway. To create a functional outdoor living space that connected seamlessly with the indoors, the couple built a garage out the front and put in a pool out the back.
Two living areas and a large backyard with a pool and spa means plenty of room for growing kids. Photo / Supplied
“During summer the kids would pop from the pool to the spa and back endlessly. During winter, we’d regularly use the spa as a family. It almost became like a dining table, where we’d find out about the kids’ days and help solve their problems, all the while looking up at the stars.”
Inside, the versatile layout of the home has made living with kids very easy.
“Upstairs is a very large bedroom space with ensuite and wardrobe, but we’ve never used it as a master,” says Parris.
“It has been a playroom for the kids when they were young – it didn’t matter if Lego was left all over the floor because it was all contained upstairs. As the kids have grown older, the space has evolved into a teenager hangout zone – ideal for putting on makeup and prepping for parties.”
18 Ohinerau Street in Remuera has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
Some of the unique features of this Remuera villa that make it a fabulous space. Photo / Supplied
Entertaining is made easy thanks to an expansive and adaptable kitchen and large, comfortable living spaces.
“The kitchen island is on wheels so you can easily reformat the space. At Christmas, we swing the island around and run a long table from it out to the patio so there’s plenty of room for everyone.”
For the Parris family, moving on is bittersweet.
“We’ve been here 15 years, the family before us was here for 10, and the people before them another 10, so it’s been a well-loved family home for a very long time,” says Parris.
“As our kids have gotten older, the house has adapted and at every life stage it has been the perfect home. But now that our youngest is heading off to uni next year, it’s time for the next stage of our lives.”
