Age of elegance
Using a clear design philosophy, Rob and Kate Hellriegel returned their 1930s home to its former glory and polished it up in the process. “In the 1980s someone had mucked the house around and it seemed like they had tried to hide its 1930s heritage,” says Rob. “Both my wife and I like that 1930s elegance so we stripped all the 80s renovations away and took it back to what it was.”
He adds: “Everything has been thought through and it’s probably slightly more elegant than the original house.”
Rob says despite the home’s 80s meltdown, they saw the potential in its harbour views and warm, northfacing position.
The home they bought three years ago has been virtually rebuilt, with new weatherboards, joinery, panelling and cabinetry along with the new kitchen and bathrooms with vintage tapware. Beneath the period charm are modern elements such as double glazing, air conditioning and Cat 6 cabling.
With help from The Permit Shop, plans were drawn up to change the layout of the home and add a basement level. Wilkinson Building and Construction undertook the 18-month project.
Rob says the idea was that the basement would be the kids’ precinct, the middle level would be for family to gather, and the top floor would be a retreat for he and Kate.
As part of the renovation they also landscaped the property, terracing in front of the house to create formal lawns and gardens, and creating a patio at the rear.
“When they started digging, I couldn’t believe the size of the holes,” says Rob of the mammoth excavation, retaining and terracing job.
The basement level of garage, office, two bedrooms, lounge and a bathroom sits under a large, north-facing terrace with wooden balustrades that the main living space opens out to.
Steps take you up the western side of the house to the new front door, leading into a foyer on the main level. The living spaces have been opened out and have oak overlay flooring, a kitchen with quartzite and stainless steel benches, and a gas fire in one corner.
A concealed butler’s pantry, double ovens and a Wolf gas hob make the kitchen ideal for entertaining, whether it’s serving guests on the southern patio or northern terrace.
In the living area, leadlight and bevelled glass has been replicated, as has panelling and cornices.
“A lot of it suggests itself like you are going to use
weatherboards and wooden joinery but we also wanted to have the same motifs repeating themselves throughout,” says Rob.
Bifold doors on the southern and northern walls open the living space to the outdoors.
“We opened the living area up so you can see the views through the house,” says Rob. “In summer we have dinner out the back and you can still see the harbour from there.”
Slide-away panels conceal the TV in the western wall of the lounge.
Off the foyer are a toilet and laundry, which opens to the back yard. Towering over the stairs is a tall, curved window that can be admired as you ascend.
The top floor has also been opened up so that the master bedroom makes the most of the harbour views.
“It used to be divided up but we wanted a big master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and views of the harbour.”
One corner of the large master suite has been given over to a dressing room with wardrobing.
Railway tiles are a feature of the en suite, which has a deep clawfoot bath and vintage tapware.
A south-facing bedroom at the top of the landing completes this level.
With only two of four children still at home, the couple is considering where the future might take them.
Rob says: “We haven’t found our next challenge yet; it might be out of Auckland.”