The art of running

Bryan's collection of sneakers have pride of place in the living room. Photo / Supplied

When Kate and Bryan Eible left Florida to make a home in New Zealand, they sent their possessions over in a shipping container - apart from Bryan's prized sneaker collection.

Bryan personally packed his precious Nike sneakers - some dating back to the 1980s - and sent them to New Zealand by first-class post. And when the couple moved into their 1930s bungalow in the inner-city Auckland suburb of Ponsonby, Bryan's collection of almost 100 pairs of sneakers got pride of place on one wall of the living room. "I'm lucky that Kate lets me show them off," he says.

"I started collecting them as a teenager when I worked in a sporting goods store and the first Air Jordans came out. I've been hooked ever since. I look on them as artworks."

New Zealander Kate met Bryan while snowboarding in Colorado and soon they were living together in Bryan's home state of Florida. For 13 years the couple made an annual trip to New Zealand to visit Kate's family and during one of those trips - six years ago - they decided to buy into the Auckland property market.

As a real estate agent, Kate knew immediately that the Ponsonby bungalow was perfect for them. "It was all about location, location, location," says Bryan. "We were pre-children then and it ticked all the boxes for us in terms of being close to the cafes, bars and shops we liked."

They rented out the bungalow and didn't think too much more about it until their family started growing. With their first child, Kaya, fast approaching school age and another baby, Carlo, on the way, the couple decided to settle in New Zealand and move into the home they'd bought all those years ago.

Since they shifted in almost a year ago, Kate and Bryan haven't felt the need to renovate or redecorate, but they have certainly made the home their own with their furniture and artwork.

Neutral walls make the rooms feel open and bright as well as providing an ideal backdrop for the couple's striking art works and the clean lines of their modern furniture. Large bi-fold doors open the living area to a deck and sub-tropical garden, providing the perfect entertaining spot during summer.

Kate says she really enjoys the open-plan nature of the living spaces since she has been spending more time at home with newborn Carlo now that Kaya, aged 5, is at school. "I knew it would be a good investment the minute I saw it," she says of the home, and she has been proved right as she and Bryan have just sold it for a tidy profit.

Now they're on the hunt for a larger villa to cope with their growing family - and to provide a showcase for Bryan's shoe collection.

Style tips

Show your passion: Just as Bryan has made a display of his sneakers, Kate has arranged her designer handbags to good effect in their wardrobe.

Simple plan: Kate says she and Bryan like to create a simple but striking look in their home. "Sleek and clean without too much fuss."

Spice it up: Keeping things simple doesn't mean sticking to a theme. Mix and match pieces to create interest.

* Leanne Moore is the editor of Your Home & Garden. See the latest issue for the full story on this home and other ideas for your place.