Background
In November 2015, Nathan and Kelly Coe began a seven-month search for their next family home. Kelly was pregnant and they wanted to find a house that had enough space – inside and out – to cope with the needs of their growing family. They extended their net far and wide in the hope of finding a home with four bedrooms all on one level, and a garden large enough for a playhouse. “We were looking all over Auckland,” explains Kelly. “Nathan and I are both self-employed, our eldest girl had only just started school, so we could have lived anywhere.”
The couple made offers on houses in Herne Bay, Whitford, Takapuna and St Heliers but none proved successful. Despite these setbacks, their search continued and, in mid-2016, the couple were shown through their current home before it went on the market. “When we saw this house, we were instantly sold,” recalls Kelly. In fact, she was sold before walking through the door. “I’ve always loved black houses,” she says. “I was instantly drawn to the crisp, dark exterior.” But it was the four upstairs bedrooms, which would allow the whole family to sleep on the same level, and a flat backyard that really sealed the deal.