CHARMER WITH CHARACTER
Couple had their own homes when they met — but her villa was the charmer with character,
When Sonia Gavin and Matt Oliver decided to live together they each owned a house — but the central location and character of Sonia’s charmer meant it won hands down. The two-bedroom 1910 villa in Home St is walking distance from Ponsonby, Karangahape Rd and Kingsland.
Sonia says: “It’s pretty much a $5 Uber (fare) to anywhere we want to go to, which makes that such an easy option.”
What’s more, the home has sunny northwestfacing living and rear grounds, and boasts side-byside two-car off-street parking in a street where properties often have none.
Sonia says: “I didn’t grow up in a character home but I’ve always loved them, so that was part of the appeal when I bought here in 2013.
“We call this a villa and understand it was one of the homes built around here as a workers’ cottage, possibly for railroad workers.”
Napier-raised human resources adviser Sonia flatted in Grey Lynn when she returned from living in London, so it was her suburb of choice when she wanted to buy.
She met her now-fiance Matt on a blind date. He owned a townhouse in Royal Oak but was happy to move in here — he’s a rugby fan and can walk to Eden Park.
Nowadays they live with their 8-month-old son Harry and labrador-border collie, Alba.
‘It’s been a great house to entertain in.’
The home has street appeal. The couple had a couple of big trees removed, which interfered with the views from their front porch and two front bedrooms out over the rooftops of Arch Hill and Kingsland.
Their bedroom has a double wardrobe with cupboards above. A fireplace in Harry’s bedroom was gibbed over when they built wardrobes.
Matt’s father has construction industry expertise so was able to advise them to replace one of their piles. Matt happily confesses he can’t even hang a picture straight.
Polished timber floors and high ceilings continue into the open-plan living-dining-kitchen with woodburning fireplace, heat pump and built-in sound system.
Matt says: “In winter I like it in here best, relaxing with a glass of whisky in front of the fire, listening to an LP.”
Sonia says repainting the interior white made it feel markedly fresher and lighter.
Completing the layout is the bathroom which includes an art deco-style basin and bath and incorporates the laundry.
French doors and the kitchen’s servery windows open out to Sonia’s favourite spot, sitting on a seat on the brick patio soaking up the sun’s rays.
The backyard has lawn and a storage shedworkshop painted to match the house. Side gates secure the fenced rear grounds.
Sonia says: “This house has got a lovely layout and a really cosy, homely feel which makes it great to relax in.
“It’s been a great house to entertain in and welcome family and friends to. It’s very handy if you want to start off here and then head out.”
They’ve found it easy to walk down the hill from this address to get the train from the Kingsland station.
From there it’s a quick journey into town or to Matt’s workplace at Barkers Menswear’s head office in Khyber Pass, where he’s planning manager.
They can envisage the home being extended at the rear. However, they want more bedrooms now they have Harry and want Sonia’s out-of-town family — including two sisters with babies — to be able to come and stay.