SITTING ON TOP OF WORLD
The double-storey villa and property has attractions on every level, writes LOUISE RICHARDSON
DEVONPORT
36 Albert Road
Sometimes on Friday nights in summer, Louise Norling and Brett Guild climb to the top of their terraced garden and share a bottle of wine, taking in the leafy green view across the Waitamata Golf Club fairways and greens, and the treetops of Devonport.
Behind them is secret gate, leading to Cambria Reserve, a family favourite with locals — especially those who have dogs.
“We always feel as if we’re sitting on top of the world up there,” says Louise.
The steep section has attractions on every level, with its extensive hedging, vegetable garden and even an orchard.
At the bottom, to the rear of the house, is a huge outdoor room with a double-size outdoor fireplace and room to relax in the sun or under shelter. “We use it all year around,” says Louise.
While she and Brett are responsible for the patio, which was designed by Fraser Gillies, and the garden, landscaped by Cilla Cooper, much of the work inside the house had been done by previous owners.
They had rescued the property after years of it being in two flats and started bringing it back to life, a process Louise and Brett continued.
It’s a typically gracious double-bay, double-storey villa, built around 1910, on a 911sq m site, reached via imposing concrete steps.
On the ground floor, beyond the stunning entrance foyer, are three big bedrooms, an office, a media room, which could be used as another bedroom, and the family bathroom with its pretty ‘mother of pearl’ mosaic tiles, and a black clawfoot bath.
The 2.6m-high studs enhance the sense of space and light, and period details such as floorboards, pressed tin ceilings and fireplaces have been carefully restored.
Louise says that although the house is large, it’s very easy to live in.
“We move between the formal and informal areas and because we’re keen entertainers the massive kitchen is a great bonus.”
In this elegant space the flow, between indoors and out has been catered for perfectly.
Meanwhile, the vast master suite has a walk-through wardrobe leading to its elegant bathroom.
Now that their two children are at the stage of leaving home, Louise and Brett are moving to Nelson where she hopes they can find a similarly character-filled home. “But perhaps on a smaller scale,” says Louise.
Mere minutes from Devonport town centre and the ferry terminal, from where a trip across the harbour takes only 15 minutes, Albert Rd is wellplaced for getting on and off Lake Rd, the only route in and out of the suburb, which Louise has heard described as “New Zealand’s largest cul-de-sac!”
Linda Simmons from Bayleys says that Louise and Brett’s commitment to their project was impressive.
“They had to get permission from a number of iwi, along with the relevant council consents, and they were determined to do everything right.
“The garage they built is another big plus for this property, as they are rare around here.”
Linda says that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and that potential buyers immediately recognise what a high-quality family home this is. Sale: Tenders close December 11
Contact: Linda Simmonds, Bayleys, 027 459 0957