Window to the bays
Family friendly home is light and bright but doesn’t compromise on privacy, writes, Penny Lewis
The Lim family has celebrated many milestones in their Tautari St home — Annika and Ed Lim were married here in 2010, their daughters came home as newborns, and recently they celebrated Mackenzie’s 3rd birthday and Zara’s 1st birthday, which were only three days apart.
The house is a significant part of their lives, but Annika didn’t see it until after they bought it eight years ago. Annika and Ed, both lawyers, were living in Dubai, but they felt the pull to return to Auckland, so started researching houses for sale online and asked Annika’s parents, Sherron and Trevor, to look around open homes on their behalf. Sherron saw 93 Tautari St, which was for sale. “Mum called us up to tell us about it,” Annika says. “And Ed was able to get some time off work to fly home and see it.”
Despite only seeing it after the deal was done, Annika knew as soon as she walked into the house that it was right for them. The contemporary- style home is elevated, with a fantastic outlook over the neighbourhood and Okahu Bay, to the water.
“Although Dubai is near the water, you don’t get to see the water,” she says. “I love the view from here, the way you can see the harbour and the weather coming in from North Head, even when the weather isn’t very nice.”
What they also liked about this house, which was once a brick state house, was how the renovation by architectural designer George Hilgeholt retained some of its original features, such as the native timber floors and a rock retaining wall in the garden.
“The previous owners had children about the same age as ours. What is great about these timber floors is that they look beautiful, but you don’t have to be precious about them,” Annika says.
From the driveway, steps lead past a double garage, up to the front door. Inside, the open- plan living and dining room opens at each end on to outdoor living spaces. There’s a balcony off the living area, on top of the garage. Completely safe and secure, this is where Mackenzie likes to ride her trike around the al fresco dining table.
On the other side of the house, bifold doors open on to a subtropical courtyard garden with a water feature. It’s here the girls celebrated their birthdays with a paddling pool and flamingo party. The house and garden accommodated everyone with ease. The kitchen features a large Smeg cooker and honed granite benchtops. “The island is where everyone congregates,” Annika says.
Also on this level are two bedrooms. Mackenzie’s room opens on to a semi- en suite bathroom. From the entrance foyer, stairs lead down to the double garage and laundry. Stairs lead up to the master bedroom suite, which includes its own balcony, walk- in wardrobe and spacious en suite with a bath. There is also a further double bedroom on the upper level, which Ed uses as an office.
The entire house is light and bright, thanks to an expansive use of glass.
“I love the light in this house,” says Annika. And despite its generous outlook, the house is very private. Nobody overlooks them and the windows are all positioned to allow maximum light and sun, with a minimal impact on privacy.
After happy years and happy milestones here, the Lim family is ready to make their next move. They’re not planning on moving too far away as they love the Eastern Bays and the lifestyle the area offers.