Pride of Pokaka
Space was the appeal for Tim and Desiree when they bought 4 Pokaka Place in Inglewood 15 years ago.
‘‘Our previous house had a big section and a lot of garden, and we really liked that,’’ Tim explains.
The big section of almost 1500sqm here is actually a double section on two titles. Tim and Desiree understand the original owner had the 240sqm split-level house built and then bought the adjoining 790sqm section to give it the extra space its size deserved.
The extra lawn and garden outlook has enhanced the appeal of the house, says Tim; it’s not looking straight at a close neighbour.
The space also works out well when family visit, he adds. ‘‘We have six grandchildren and there’s space enough to play a game of cricket.’’
The house sealed the deal for them. It was built in 1983 by late Inglewood builder Mark Eichstaedt and his brother Alan. ‘‘We knew Mark was a good builder,’’ Tim says. ‘‘And he worked with Dennis Duoba, who did work on other houses for us and we knew he was a good tradesman, too.’’
The house was an upmarket build in its time, and it has had double-glazed joinery from new; a rare and expensive option in the early 80s. It was well oriented to the sun and that, added to the double glazing, helped make it a warm and comfortable home.
From the street, a passer-by could think this is a single-level home on a slightly raised portion of the property. What they see is the front living areas of the splitlevel design; the double garage sits below and behind, with the bedrooms above that. The design works well, says Desiree, with just a few steps between each of the three levels.
That split-level design is appreciated on arrival, stepping up onto the welcoming terrace from the driveway that sweeps in to the rear garaging. A sliding aluminium door protects the front porch entry which opens in turn to the generous foyer where those short flights of steps link the garage and bedroom levels with this middle living level.
At right are the living areas, bathed in the sun that Desiree and Tim enjoy. ‘‘The sun in this place is really lovely,’’ says Desiree. ‘‘That is one of our requirements in a home.’’
The kitchen and dining areas together span the width through the middle of the house, with the large lounge across the north end. That gives the lounge all-day sun, while the warmth and light angle into the dining area in the morning and the kitchen in the afternoon.
Morning sun bathes the open terrace on the driveway side of the house. A ranch-slider opens from the lounge to a sheltered, private deck on the western side that enjoys the afternoon sun.
Tim and Desiree have made their own mark on the home’s presentation and finish, recarpeting throughout, refreshing the kitchen and bathrooms, and installing the Rinnai gas flame heater in the lounge. The heater is smart-looking with its black-glass face and the convenience of remote control with timer on-off settings.
Warmth from another flued gas heater in the foyer-hallway area flows up into the bedrooms. Water heating for the home is also gas-fired.
The updated kitchen is a generous space, with plenty of capacity to prepare meals for a large gathering. A central island accommodates the ceramic cooktop on its stainless-steel top, while a stainless-steel rangehood canopy above takes care of steam.
Desiree says they kept the kitchen design complementary to the style of the house rather than introduce an ultra-modern look. New timber-look vinyl planking on the floor is also seen in the bathrooms.
At the back of the foyer hallway is the dedicated laundry and a guest toilet.
Upstairs from the foyer, there are the home’s three double bedrooms, an office or fourth bedroom, the family bathroom, separate toilet and separate shower room. It’s very quiet up in this level, says Desiree, with the concrete-floor construction preventing any intrusion of noise from the living areas.
The master bedroom has a balcony that looks out over the lawns and gardens. From here, Tim points out the close pairing of two mature conifers on the main lawn that have been pruned up to provide shade in summer.
Back down in the foyer, the second short flight of stairs takes you down to the garage, which also features a large rear workshop or hobby room. Access into the garage is easy with a pin pad outside, says Desiree.
This home has worked well for Tim and Desiree for 15 years, but they are now looking to downsize.
It’s a great property for a family, they suggest. Inglewood High School is just along the road and the primary school is also within walking distance without crossing the main road.