Take it to the next level
Clever planning and attention to detail has created a home with grand living spaces, says Sandra Goodwin
Grand proportions filled with beautiful light were the starting point for Clare and Nick McIntosh’s reinvention of this 100- year- old villa. Clare says: “When we first saw this villa with its massive ceiling heights, big spaces, beautiful light and views we knew we could take those great bones and make it into a spectacular family home.”
English- born Clare and her Kiwi- born builder husband Nick have lived here with their children Tigerlily ( 7) and River ( 4) and Siamese cats Chester and Pearl for two years. They’re easy walking distance to Ponsonby Primary, the beach or Herne Bay’s cafes and bars, and it’s a short cab ride to town.
The couple excavated under the home and extended its rear, forming a second level and spectacular living space.
They’ve created a special sense of entry by setting a pedestrian gate into a dense front cypress hedge.
Former TV producer Clare says: “I love walking through that gate. There’s a wonderful sense of privacy and you feel like you’re entering your own little world.”
The gate’s DoorBird smart doorbell sends video of who’s ringing to their smart devices wherever they are.
The restored heritage frontage includes a bullnose veranda wrapping around the 1917 villa. A private front yard neighbours the gated driveway to a carpeted internal- access double garage.
The interior features lofty ceilings, French oak flooring and a view enticing you down the hallway. But first it’s worth exploring their meticulous renewal of the original home which now has central heating with radiators.
Clare says: “We wanted a home for all seasons; I enjoy waking up in a warm, comfortable home.”
Features range from exclusive light fittings to bespoke joinery panels that Nick added above original doors to create scale suiting the home’s dimensions.
Clare says: “My husband is really particular. He likes things to be done exceptionally well or not at all.”
Four bedrooms include a restful master suite crowned with a chandelier from Heal’s of London. The master has a walk- in- wardrobe, master bathroom tiled with striking Brazilian tiles and doors out to a veranda area with leadlight side panels.
The main bathroom drenched in Azzuro marble, with neat neighbourhood vista from its shower, is the stuff of luxury hotels.
The hallway culminates in a library area neighbouring an upstairs living room with fireplace that can be closed off or opened to the outlook. However, the big reveal is a striking two- storey rear living- kitchen- dining space accessed by an internal stairwell, impactful with grand dimensions including a 3.7m- high stud.
“People who come here for the first time don’t expect this sort of scale and usually have a ‘ wow moment’ when they see it. Then the internal stairwell allows them to take it all in as they go down while admiring the beautiful light. “The sunsets here are to die for.” There are views stretching across picturesque rooftops lining the avenues out to the Waitakeres. The more immediate view through the soaring glass admires the in- ground heated pool with outdoor fireplace and lawn alongside.
“It feels like one big living area, indoor and outdoor. Even though the weather wasn’t great over summer we used the pool all the time because it was so warm.”
A specially commissioned brass light with handmade LED crystals reigns over the living area with heated concrete floor.
“It took us a year to decide on that light because we didn’t want to interrupt the view.”
The two- oven kitchen with scullery, resplendent in more Azzuro marble, easily caters for entertaining.
A powder room nearby has shimmering motherof- pearl mosaic tiling. A fully outfitted laundry, office space and under- house storage area complete the layout.
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