EPIC TRANSFORMATION
None of the character has been lost during the hi-tech renovation of this stately villa, writes LEIGH BRAMWELL
Rajan and Jemma Patel weren’t actually looking to buy a house when they found a stately villa in Stanley Pt, but once they saw it, they were captivated by its scale and its heritage features.
They bought the house, built in 1908, moved in and over time came up with a renovation plan that they knew would work for them.
The couple and their family of three children and a dog meant they needed a wellorganised home, and they also wanted to be able to accommodate extended family in separate areas.
“In the first few years we lived there it felt segmented and it didn’t flow,” Rajan explains.
“We didn’t even use all the areas, but now we do.”
The first part of the renovation, masterminded by Paul Izzard Design, took place in 2016 when the first floor was transformed. The ground floor followed in 2019.
The end result is 550sq m of beautiful space containing six bedrooms, five bathrooms plus a guest powder room, three lounges, two studies and a gourmet chef’s dream kitchen. The talking point of the kitchen is the three pantries — one for food, one for small appliances and one for crockery, cutlery and serving implements.
American oak and Italian marble are cornerstones of the design, while the work is done by concealed Miele ovens, a Miele-integrated dishwasher, Bora induction hob and a gas hob, a bench extractor and instant hot water.
Heritage craftsmanship has been matched with contemporary detailing to maximise every aspect of contemporary living.
The heating comprises central radiators, gas-heated water, underfloor heating in the kitchen/family room area, two gas fires, electric underfloor heating in bathrooms, and heat pumps.
Other technology includes Control 4 smart lighting, multiroom audio visual, in-ceiling speakers, climate control, security, video door entry, automated blinds and security cameras.
Despite its focus on contemporary technology, the house has lost none of its heritage charm. The renovations are cleverly integrated with the home’s high stud ceilings, leadlight windows, showpiece matai staircase and other traditional features.
“It all mixed together very well,” Rajan says.
The focal point of the outdoor space is the formal garden at the front of the house, a traditional circular garden with each area enclosed in clipped box hedges.
There are pear, peach, apricot, lemon, plum, orange and mandarin fruit trees, as well as decorative planting, all with irrigation.
The rear garden is fully landscaped with a golf-putting green, a 9m x 5m solar-heated swimming pool, spa pool and pool house with a bar, fridge, dishwasher and access to a Nordic shower.
Even after such extensive renovations, Rajan admits to being most impressed with the revamped laundry.
“It was just such a massive transformation,” he explains. “It was originally much smaller with a cupboard in here, so we removed that and made it back into a big, square room with benches down either side.
“It was probably the least expensive room to renovate, but it has the biggest wow factor.” Sale: Set sale closes July 28
Contact: Peter Restall, Harcourts, 021 808 808