Campbells Bay
Grand design
Two homes, side by side, on the same property proved more practical than one for Shiree and Christoph Schumacher. The solution for their family’s growing demands turned out to be next door. When they discovered the property set back off the road just along from Mairangi Bay village, their needs were simple. Shiree was pregnant with Leo, who is now 14. They’d been looking a while and were disappointed they couldn’t find the right place.
Hers were the usual young couple prerequisites; a sunny family home with space to expand as their brood grew. His, not quite. For Christoph, who hails from Germany, the home had to accommodate his impressive grand piano, which travelled from Europe with him.
Christoph is a professor of innovation economics at Massey University but also trained as a concert pianist. Playing the piano is his passion, and he .has given recitals.
“My piano needs its own room where I can practise away from the rest of the house,” says Christoph. “It can’t just sit in the living area. I wanted to be able to play in my office while watching the boys in the yard.”
So, when they found this home on four levels with large adjoining living areas, the big, sunny separate space on a lower level opening to the garden sealed the deal for Christoph.
“He drew the long straw,” says Shiree. “It’s the nicest room in the house.”
Upstairs, the sun was streaming into the bedroom where she would put baby Leo and thought: “This is the one”.
“It’s been lovely bringing up children here,” she says. “The garden, which we’ve extended is fully fenced with an electric gate; a concrete pad in front for kids’ ride-ons and there’s room to kick a ball.”
Best of all, although it’s private, it sits high on the site and never feels closed in. Especially the extra spacious, renovated master bedroom suite which looks out over Campbells Bay to the ocean with a peep of Rangitoto Island in the distance and views of the fireworks from the Sky Tower on Guy Fawkes night.
Since they came here, they’ve renovated a part of the house each year so everything has been upgraded to create a smart contemporary vibe.
Five years ago, they added a big white kitchen which has a laundry and bathroom next door. A window seat in the family living area added a place to sit in the sun with storage underneath to stash the children’s toys.
Inevitably the Schumacher children would inherit the musical gene. Fortunately, Shiree’s big office (off the double internal garage) where she writes and paints the beautiful artworks around the home, has a concealed desk space behind bifold doors. Piled high with musical gear, it’s now where young Leo spends every spare minute producing his electronic dance music.
Then, several years ago, the neighbouring house came on the market. The Schumachers knew it would be a great rental because it’s in top school zones by the village. But when Shiree’s elderly parents sold their home and were looking to move on, it made sense for them to move close by.
Christoph was thrilled. Reclaiming the home meant he could use a second double garage for his growing collection of cars.
It’s been a convenient set-up. But the family is looking to consolidate all their needs: the sunny back yard, the four bedrooms, the grand piano, the cars, the boat, the dog, Leo’s electronic equipment, Shiree’s art studio plus a decent-sized granny flat, in one particularly large home.