Character encapsulated in Ngaio
A supremely picturesque character home on an exceptionally large and lovely section is for sale in one of Ngaio’s best streets.
The five-bedroom, threebathroom house, at 124 Trelissick Cres, is on the market for the first time in 32 years.
‘‘It was one of the first villas to be built on the Trelissick Farm,’’ Mark Fowler says of the 170-square metre weatherboardand-tile roof dwelling he and his wife, Andrea, bought from interior designer Michael Statham.
They fell in love with not only the two-storey house, which was built in 1910, but also the 1012sqm amphitheatre-style garden, with its flat lawn, buxus hedging and mature trees, including a magnificent gum that affords summer shade on the west-facing deck.
‘‘All the family, including extended, have enjoyed many occasions here, including two wedding luncheons in the garden,’’ Andrea says.
‘‘And we’ve loved being part of the Ngaio community. Neighbours have become lifelong friends and the location’s incredibly convenient.
‘‘We’re handy to Ngaio shops, the bus stop’s just a minute’s walk away, and we’re only a five-minute drive from the city.’’
A path leads from the single garage and off-street parking for two cars to the front door, which opens off a wide north-facing veranda into a central hall with an ornate arch and high ceiling.
The house also can be entered through an atrium — complete with brick paving and a Japanese maple — that connects it to the spacious fifth bedroom, which has its own bathroom and separate toilet.
‘‘We’ll miss the atrium the most,’’ Mark says. ‘‘It’s where we spend summer and winter.’’
‘‘And the fifth bedroom is fantastic for teenagers as it gives them their own space,’’ Andrea adds.
Completing the property’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle appeal is a gas barbecue the Fowlers have fitted into the double-side chimney that’s a feature of the kitchen and formal lounge. It means they can barbecue yearround regardless of the weather.
The kitchen adjoins the atrium for al fresco convenience and includes an underbench oven, gas cooktop, rangehood and dishwasher.
As well as the formal lounge, there’s a large family/dining room that opens to the sunny rear deck.
The main bedroom has a bay window, a triple-wardrobe and an ensuite with a shower cabinet, handbasin and toilet.
There are two more doublebedrooms on this level and a bathroom with a bath, toilet, handbasin, tiled floor, exposed native timber panelling and stained leadlight.
Kauri architraves and doors are another distinction, as are the original timber-lined stairs that ascend to the fourth bedroom with its timber-panelled
ceiling and dormer window view of the garden.
‘‘This home is character encapsulated,’’ Wayne Sampson, of Tommy’s Real Estate, says.
‘‘It’s on one of Ngaio’s larger sections, has a very good address, and is ready for the next owners to capitalise on its amazing location and setting.’’