Style on a grand scale
Architect John Trengrove produced the original plan for this stylish Fendalton home and its recent complete renovation and refurbishment has proved that an outstanding site and inspired design will always endure.
Set within private, professionally landscaped grounds, that include a full-sized tennis court and an English-style formal garden with a water feature at the entrance, this home opens up to private grounds and the Wairarapa Stream at the rear.
With the emphasis firmly on glorious, northwest entertaining spaces inside and out, and a moveable net on the tennis court so it can also be used for games or to erect a huge marquee for a family wedding, this home offers space and style on a grand scale.
On the broad deck opening from the family living and dining area is the cleverly designed barbecue that converts to a gas fire.
With all-day sun, and the serene aspect across the grounds to the stream, the chances of your spending morning, noon and night out here this summer are high.
In winter, you can take full advantage of the double glazing, insulation and effective gas heating throughout.
Soaring double-height ceilings, a huge amount of light and floorto-ceiling windows and doors emphasise the clean architectural lines of this home that offers expansive, contemporary living spaces.
Those who are particularly attached to their collections of art will find more than enough gallery space throughout the home, starting with the huge entrance.
The open plan kitchen, dining and family living area, all open to the serene and secluded outdoor entertaining areas with the Wairarapa Stream at the boundary.
With its broad expanse of Corian benchtops and impressive line-up of European appliances, the kitchen also comes with its own drinks station with filtered and boiling water taps and wellplanned and plentiful storage.
A concealed office within this area is the perfect place to park the children to do their homework under your watchful eye.
A second large living area, with a stunning feature Ashline marble fireplace, double height windows and adjacent large office with built-in cabinetry, enjoy the same glorious outlook as the family living, dining and kitchen.
Here, you can be pleasantly distracted by miniature flotillas of ducklings wending their way down the Wairarapa Stream.
Bedrooms and bathrooms, upstairs and down, offer real flexibility in terms of configuring the spaces to suit with four bathrooms, all with underfloor heating, including two ensuites, and four double bedrooms.
One of the larger than usual double bedrooms offers scope as a guest suite or private room with its own sitting area for extended family.
In total serenity and seclusion downstairs is the main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, sitting in its own lightfilled oasis with an outlook to the gardens and stream and with direct access to the grounds.
Once you have forced yourself to get up and join the real world, you’ll at least have the comfort of the large and luxurious ensuite to get your day underway.
Highly specified throughout, the home includes a large media room or teenage living and entertaining area with a Liebherr fridge, boiling and filtered water and a Denon sound system.
Again, there’s a multitude of uses here, including as an attached studio with its own outdoor entrance.
This is an ideal space to accommodate guests, family or installing any child currently learning the violin.
Three-car garaging and a separate laundry with its Miele appliances, storage and hanging rack takes care of all the practicalities that you need in this superb family home which
comprises some 450 square metres of luxurious space.
In the zone for Christchurch Boys’ High School and Christchurch Girls’ High School, close to other desirable Christchurch schools, and a quick commute to Canterbury University and the airport adds up to prime positioning.
There is also the delightful prospect of not having to move anything larger than the family cat as the sale includes the ability to negotiate for most of the furniture which has been custommade for the house.
Elegant, well-designed, superbly executed and increasingly hard to find in this setting, the owners are well aware that it is unlikely they will ever find such a perfect setting again but the time has come to downsize.