Weekend Herald

WORK FROM HOME

This large property with impressive water views comes with a separate home office, writes SANDRA GOODWIN.

-

While searching for a house with just the right work-from-home set-up, Jane Francis spotted a for sale banner on a distant deck and said to her husband Tim, “find me that house.”

After living in Kohimarama their search for a home with a decent-sized work-from home space situated at the front of its layout took them to the North Shore in November 2010.

“After spotting the for sale banner we figured out how to get to the house and saw it was an absolutely stunning 1920s character home with unbelievab­le views,” Jane says.

“Throughout most of the home you get beautiful views over Le Roys Bush and Little Shoal Bay to the harbour, harbour bridge and city.

“And its very large 505sqm layout included an area which had been a dance studio which Tim and I could run the fashion import business from which we had then.”

This area, which now has its own entrance, fitted with their desire for a work-from-home area situated at the fore of a home so staff and couriers could come and go easily without disrupting the household.

“It’s a weatherboa­rd home with shingles and some lovely character features such as the entrance foyer, stairwell with big banisters and polished timber floors,” Jane says.

“Interior design is a hobby of mine and we’ve updated the home a lot. For its exterior colour scheme, we took inspiratio­n from the iconic black-and-white heritage houses of Singapore.

“When decorating I was influenced by art nouveau, to fit with the front entrance’s stained glass, but with a very modern edge.”

The couple and their son have loved their quiet location at the end of a no-exit avenue in this friendly community.

It’s handy to Northcote Primary and for paddleboar­ding at Little Shoal Bay and walking their griffin dog in Le Roys Bush.

The home, which they installed central heating to, sits on 1031sqm.

It flows out to large decks and an entertaini­ng patio complement­ed by subtropica­l landscapin­g by Natural Habitats and lawn.

Off-street parking bolsters the internal-access double garage. Entry is into the ground floor, plus there’s a first floor and lower level.

A grand foyer introduces the ground floor’s sophistica­ted separate living room, dining family room and kitchen-dining room, accompanie­d by one ensuited bedroom, a laundry and powder room.

On summer days fare from the entertaine­rs’ kitchen with pressed steel splashback often gets shared with friends on the substantia­l patio.

“You can sit on its windowseat in our luxuriousl­y oversized master suite and feel transporte­d away by the wonderful view.”

This ensuited bedroom with walk-in wardrobe sits on the first floor, accompanyi­ng two more bedrooms, a family bathroom and the front office study area with its own entrance.

“Throughout most of the home you get beautiful views over Le Roys Bush and Little Shoal Bay to the harbour, harbour bridge and city.”

This includes a bar, bathroom and storage and could be adapted for extended family.

The lower level’s ensuited rumpus or fifth bedroom accompanie­d by a storage area also flows out to decks.

The couple now own another business with its own premises so no longer need such a substantia­l home.

Harcourts agent Jordan Selwyn says: “Buyers will be surprised to see what they can secure here.

“A grand character home with jaw-dropping city views. It’s the kind of property you’d expect to find in Sydney.”

Sale: Deadline treaty, September 21

Contact: Jordan Selwyn, Harcourts, 027 6715 882; Brooke Barrass, 021 1310 566; Deb Talbot-King, 021 723 455

 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand