Trim flat green

Photo / Supplied

Harbour views, mature bush and privacy would be enough to attract many house-hunters to the green belt of Titirangi.

But for Emma Parkin-Wilson and her husband, Sean Wilson, it was the lawn that sold them on their home seven years ago. The couple had been living in the Auckland suburb of Hillsborough."

We had an amazing house that was cantilevered over the cliff," says Parkin-Wilson. "But it didn't have an inch of grass. We wanted more space and a pool."

The couple had both grown up in Titirangi and knew that flat sections were rare in the area, so they couldn't believe their luck when they found a 1300sq m property with a level, sunny courtyard as well as mature magnolia, kauri, nikau and cabbage trees. It also had a hot tub and a solar-heated pool that their son, Milan, now aged 3, will enjoy for years to come.

As the home had been owned by an interior designer, the colour scheme was anything but dull. "He was really into colours, so there were lime green, aubergine and chocolate brown walls everywhere," says Parkin-Wilson.

"I'm the complete opposite. I like to keep the walls neutral and bring in colour with accessories and paintings." But the couple could see past the clashing colours to appreciate the home's good bones. "We're not bungalow or villa people, so we like this square, 1960s shape," she says.

The couple got ride of the colour, creating a blank canvas in white. They also remodelled the kitchen by filling in a small balcony to make room for modern cabinetry and a U-shaped benchtop - also all in white. A previous renovation had created airy, open-plan spaces but these needed better connections with the outdoors and the views across kauri forest and over Laingholm to the Manukau Harbour.

Wide, sliding doors created better flow between the living room and the west-facing deck, while some extra windows made the most of the home's dramatic location atop a native bush-clad hill. Throughout the house you can appreciate the artworks of Parkin-Wilson's father, Patterson Parkin, and the personal mementoes add a pop of colour and character to a comfortable family home.

Style tips

Make a splash: Parkin-Wilson wanted a different look for her kitchen splashback and kept searching until she found a company that could make the metallic glass look that she was after. The effort proves worth it when it's lit up at night.

Money well-spent: Parkin-Wilson calls in the experts from time to time to buff up the benchtop, made from a non-porous acrylic. "It costs about $200 and makes it look like new."

Bench space: When renovating a kitchen, Parkin-Wilson recommends a wide bench with an overhang and bar stools under it to create a casual dining area.