GRACIOUS SPLENDOUR

PARNELL Once the Chilean consulate, the three-storey gem sits in bush setting in suburban Parnell with glimpses of the cityscape — and the children can walk to school, writes Catherine Smith

Leslie and Stefan Preston joke that nearly 14 years ago, moving east from Auckland’s Freemans Bay to Parnell was not the expected trek. “We thought we were boho, but then we came here to amazing schools and big houses,” says Stefan. “And Leslie is from Manhattan, so it was a given that she can walk everywhere in the city.”

The entrepreneurial pair — Stefan headed Bendon and then founded Rose & Thorne; Leslie founded Bachcare — had two young children (Alexia was 6, Zach 5) and loved that the 1929 Arts and Crafts house didn’t need any work doing to it, and that the youngsters could walk to school.

But most of all they loved that the grand, threestoried house was tucked away in the bush , yet still had glimpses of the city, Sky Tower and Parnell rooftops.

The house, formerly the Chilean consulate, is down a gated driveway off Scarborough Terrace, but also has access from 32 St Georges Bay Rd.

The private bush, which comes right up to the decks, is full of nikau and bird life, and is part of contiguous reserves, Scarborough on one side of St Georges, Alberon on the other.

Leslie says she loves the treetop view from the master bedroom, yet they are so close to the city.

The previous owners had completely renovated the house, but the Prestons added their touches — high quality new wiring for sound, light, usb ports in every room, even classy light switches that look more like an iPhone than an electrical outlet.

They repainted inside and out (smart black on the shingle and cedar with copper trims and waterproofing outside, crisp white inside) but left the richly stained wood floors as they were.

Heating and air-conditioning were updated to all three floors, and they added the sensor-controlled louvred roof over the deck that means it is livable on the hottest (or wettest) days of summer.

The organisation of the house over three floors mean that crowds can spread out for huge birthdays and Christmas dinners. The kids have their own zone downstairs.

Entry is up a gracious sweep of stairs to the main floor, which houses kitchen, living and dining room.

Earlier renovations had opened these rooms up to each other, but each one retained the gracious, deep coffered ceilings and beams of the old house.

Stefan loves the theatre of changing lighting and added fixtures in the ceiling so that chandeliers can be moved. Also, the LED lights on the terrace can be programmed to change colour.

French doors open the end of the living room to the decks and bush, plus there’s gated access to bush paths below the house.

The kitchen — all marble bench tops and stainless steel appliances — was ahead of its time, with a walkin pantry and striking stainless steel column.

Also on this floor is a charming study lined with beadboard and a full laundry hidden behind doors in the guest bathroom.

Downstairs it’s play time. The generous media room also has a mirrored weights area, great for when the family were too busy to make it to the gym.

There’s a guest bedroom and bathroom, handy for overseas visitors.

Leslie’s daily treat and favourite part of the house is the sauna, installed by previous owners.

There’s internal access to the garage and, tucked in every nook and cranny, well organised storage.

The bedrooms on the top floor include the master suite, with double walk-in wardrobes and bathroom, and two further bedrooms — all with glimpses of the city and rooftops through the bush.

Both kids have left home, one to America. Stefan and Leslie are moving to a waterfront apartment.

They leave their treasured 90-year-old family home for the next lucky owners.