CLASSIC BEAUTY
A Parnell Arts and Crafts home retains its original character with plenty of modern touches, finds SANDRA GOODWIN
This 1929 arts and crafts home’s distinctive handsomeness entranced serial Parnell home owners and serial renovators Lorraine and Ian West to buy here eight years ago.
Lorraine says: “We don’t know much about its history but I imagine it was originally built for someone well-off because of all the detail including the extensively panelled walls, builtin cabinetry and leadlights.
“Ian and I were both born in Scotland and this house reminds of our British roots because of it’s quite English ambience.”
The couple also adore the ”walking friendly’’ location, quietly set down the end of a noexit avenue off St Stephens Ave, five minutes’ walk to the Parnell strip and close to Newmarket and the CBD.
Lorraine says: “We’ve had friends from Matakana stay who’ve commented that it’s more tranquil here — practically in central Auckland— than it is where they live.”
The couple are both general managers with Lorraine heading up her own fashion industry where she can indulge her passion for design.
She says: “We’ve lived in Parnell for 25 years, before this in a very contemporary black box, and we probably move quite regularly because I like projects and decorating.”
The weatherboard home with tile roof and big front brick chimney and frontispiece encompassing the entrance retains its arts and crafts charm, although Lorraine has introduced some subtle modernity.
Neatly clipped hedges bound the property which has automated entry to its front double carport.
Inside the character pedestrian entry gate, roses and brick paths set the scene for the grounds’ classicism.
The abundance of interior panelled walls is distinctive, their dark wooden hues painted out soothingly so they create detail and texture but not darkness.
A hallway with a ‘Harry Potter’ storage cupboard under the panelled staircase unites the downstairs layout. It runs alongside a northwesterly lineup of living spaces with polished wood floors and an inbuilt Bose sound system.
“We do a lot of entertaining and this house has excellent flow, a winter room with the fire and another summer room at the rear.”
French doors opening outside abound, including in the front lounge with beamed ceiling, gas fireplace, clear glass leadlights and hidden storage under its voluminous bench-seat. This steps up to the dining area featuring original built-in cabinetry, a room ideal for accommodating the couple’s penchant for cocktails.
One of Lorraine’s lighting upgrades hangs here.
“I brought that mid-century light back from Palm Springs.”
Dining flows into the extension’s generous granitebenched kitchen-family room opening to rear grounds. These feature paving, seating areas, hedges, a patch of lawn they made evergreen with TigerTurf, plus a board-and-batten garden shed.
“We think it’s the perfect amount of grounds as they’re not huge but you feel like you’ve got a garden and they work so well for entertaining.”
On the other side of the hallway is a bathroom plus a combination laundry-butler’s pantry.
Revamping the upstairs bathroom into something more glamorous was another of their redecorating improvements, while distinctive original coved ceilings feature in the master bedroom with its two walk-inwardrobes, and in a second bedroom.
At times Lorraine has worked from home in the sunny smaller third bedroom.
The Wests are selling because they plan to buy a penthouse apartment and spend more time travelling.
Bayleys agent Fleur Denning says: “This property is a precious jewel in Parnell with exquisite attention to detail throughout.” Sale: Auction March 19
Contact: Fleur Denning, Bayleys, 021 0272 3624
”Ian and I were both born in Scotland and this house reminds of our British roots because of it’s quite English ambience.”