Fifties flashback
The wrench of farewelling a mid-century Wellington home to move to Auckland was soothed for these owners by finding another mid-century charmer in Remuera.
Heather Tait and her husband Simon found it up a long driveway which delivers peacefulness, privacy and views belying its Market Rd address, with the bonus of a rear easement onto Mt Hobson.
Heather says: “We wanted Auckland Grammar zoning for our son David, so that narrowed down what area to look in.
“Simon and I like the mid-century aesthetic, which is relatively unadulterated compared to some of the ‘frillier’ homes which came beforehand.
“So we saw this place in 2008 with its lovely light and big view out the front and absolutely loved it.”
Council files on the circa-1950s home are incomplete but Heather suspects it was inspired by the work of that era’s well-known architect Vernon Brown because she sees many elements reminiscent of his style. These include the focus on a useable layout orienting the rooms to sun and garden through large windows and doors that deliver lovely natural light.
The living area’s floor-to-ceiling windows with door out to the front patio celebrate a great view. It stretches from One Tree Hill round to Mt Wellington, with the greenery of Dilworth Junior Campus and Remuera Bowling club in the foreground.
“You can see Rangitoto from upstairs” adds Heather. “And we’re able to climb over a style to be on Mt Hobson from the rear of our section. It feels like stepping out into the countryside.
“It’s great taking our cocker spaniel Bella for walks there and when David was younger he and his mates used to toboggan down the mountain.”
“The other thing is, it’s sunny and private out the back and we really like the privacy and that feeling of
not having neighbours right in your face.”
The double-grammar zoned location, close to motorway onramps north and south, is a short stroll from Market Rd’s eateries. Simon walks three minutes to take the train into his CBD workplace and the couple take the train to go out in town.
Their driveway, with turning space, leads them up to the side of the mountain where Heather, who is marketing manager for Central Landscapes, has established the relaxed garden style they favour.
“You feel like you’re on top of the world up here,” she says, pointing out the pleated leaves of a couple of rare New Guinea ficus which typically struggle in Auckland but are thriving here. Off-street parking for a couple of cars accompanies a single carport.
The oversized terrazzo effect of the lobby’s floor featuring multi-coloured marble slabs set into concrete is often admired. There are lovely native timber floors elsewhere.
The living-dining features an open fire and wood storage alcove set into a boulder-finished surround. It opens to the front terrace where the couple sometimes enjoy breakfast.
Heather loves the living-dining for the way it is able to host parties so well, its night view transformed into a grid of city lights.
The neighbouring stone-benched kitchen with double-width oven has a window framing a lovely view of the rear lawn and garden, wisteria dripping down from an upper rear veranda.
Simon finds this level’s sizeable sunroom opening to the rear grounds particularly relaxing.
The hallway’s distinctive timber staircase is picturesque.
Two bedrooms, a renovated bathroom, shower room, separate toilet and laundry complete this level.
Upstairs are two further bedrooms, one with particularly good views and another opening to the upper rear veranda.
The family have fallen in love with the Matakana area, where they’ve bought a lifestyle block that they’ll eventually build on.