ATTENTION TO DETAIL
This owners of this beautifully renovated Westmere property have thought of everything, including impeccable outdoor living
“We’re close to Coxs Bay and the tennis club, the Westmere shops — it's pretty special for us.”
It is not often that houses change hands in Westmere, says long-time Bayleys agent Blair Haddow.
“People want to be in zone for the school and there are fewer sales in the area than anywhere else because it’s such a good zone,”he says.
But while the immaculately renovated 1950s bungalow he is auctioning in William Denny Avenue might appeal to young professionals wanting a foot in the neighbourhood — that's the story of the current owners — Haddow says it would also be a perfect apartment alternative for downsizers wanting to stay close to their much-loved shops, parks and coastline.
The owners, who are moving to a larger family home to accommodate their growing toddler, moved from a Ponsonby apartment.
They liked the simple Californian-style bungalow frontage, but with just a plain patch of lawn and the odd tree, the sunny front yard was wasted.
They saw the opportunity to create a beautiful garden, calling on landscape designer Aaron Bell Booth to reshape the space into a third living room. Now a series of cascading boardwalks frame a paved terrace, perfect for quiet drinks.
Bell Booth combined dramatic tractor-leaf ligularia with lacy grasses and clipped balls, while the front fence of tightly clipped ficus creates a serene barrier from the world.
Specimen trees and dramatic evening lighting make the most of the space.
At the back of the house, the north-facing deck was transformed into another outdoor dining room when the owners added architectural columns and an all-season Louvretec roof.
Haddow says that the owners’ impeccable taste is seen from top to bottom, with the use of Artedomus tiles and stone in the bathrooms and a dramatic travertine marble on the island in the Robyn Labb-designed kitchens.
The couple added new joinery and fixtures throughout the house, including new blinds and curtains, lighting, security and wardrobes.
A crisp palette of whites and polished wood floors make the house seem roomier than its 92sq m.
The bonus is the lower ground floor where a generous bedroom has its own entrance and bathroom, as well as a new laundry with enviable floor-toceiling storage.
The owners use this as an office, handily separate from the living and play areas, but it would be a perfect teenage or guest retreat too.
“But the lifestyle is the biggest thing. We have the best neighbours, everyone is lovely.
“We’re close to Coxs Bay and the tennis club, the Westmere shops — it's pretty special for us.
“It’s important to live where it feels good, we love the connection to the waterfront and to the cafes at West Lynn.
“It’s been a very easy house to live in.”
Haddow adds, “It’s very sophisticated and elegant, the owners have such nice attention to detail.”
Sale: Auction June 10
Contact: Blair Haddow, Bayleys, 021 544 555