Ashley Church: The real cause of the “housing crisis”
Swimming, cricket, outdoor dining and home theatre are all on offer in this elegant Glendowie home, writes LEIGH BRAMWELL
Awell-built 1970s house with good bones provided the foundation for the clever design of the house that attracted Rachel Dance and her family seven years ago.
It had been extensively renovated over time and there was little more to be done than to move in and enjoy the splendid views across the mouth of the Tamaki River to Musik Pt, the Gulf islands and Rangitoto Island.
The house looks as if it might have been built yesterday, and the interior features a combination of textured surfaces against a soft palette of silver, charcoal and off-white, with oak floors, a feature fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows and flush sill sliders. Whimsical wallpapered feature walls provide focal points.
The house offers 379sq m of well-designed spaces that make the most of the water views while providing flexible living options. At ground level a portico entrance gives covered access to double garaging and a car port. The large entry foyer sets the scene with oversized double doors and a floating timber and glass staircase. This level has two bedrooms — one with en suite — a family bathroom, laundry, storage areas and a casual lounge area opening to decks, a formal lawn and the pool.
Privacy is provided on both sides by clipped hedges.
Upstairs is one large bedroom with an en suite and two slightly smaller bedrooms which share a bathroom.
The living area on this level is open plan and opens onto two separate balconies. The hub of the home is the kitchen with its sleek white cabinetry, marble accents and a large island bench with ample sitting space.
Other dining options are offered by an adjoining formal dining space on one side and a casual setting on the other.
The lounge area is warmed by a fireplace and there’s an inviting window seat alongside.
“It’s nice having the different living areas,” Rachel says.
“One opens to the pool and the other is on the next level so we have casual and more formal settings.”
She says the house also works well for families with kids — there are bedrooms upstairs for youngsters and downstairs are more bedrooms and a sitting room, which is ideal for older children.
Apart from adding a home theatre and storage, landscaping was the main task to complete the house.
They integrated a good-sized swimming pool into the hard landscape, plus a sunken outdoor dining area with a fireplace, and a cricket net with a bowling machine.
Rachel added five beehives. “There are so many flowers around Glendowie and our bees supply plenty of honey."
The property is within walking distance of schools, Karaka Bay and Churchill Park, and a path to the water's edge is just metres away. Sale: Auction August 12
Contact: Ross Tierney, Ray White, 021 855 721; Andrew Fava, 021 575 035