63 OLD MILL ROAD,
WESTMERE.
KEY POINTS:
Karyn Dempsey and Gary Tucker have great next-door neighbours in Westmere. So much so, there's a well-used gate between the two properties.
"We have amazing neighbours. We wish we could take them with us," Karyn says. "It seems like we borrow half a cup of sugar off each
other every second day."
Not that all the neighbours are quite so co-operative. Especially the ones down the hill at the zoo. Gary says it's sometimes possible to hear the baboons squabbling or the lions roaring on a quiet weekend morning.
As parents of Lydia, 4, and Penelope, 10 months, Karyn and Gary have found Westmere to be an ideal suburb for young families. But it was as a young couple they bought 63 Old Mill Road, their first house, a decade ago. It was a bit of a stretch at the time, but their decision has paid off.
They'd been renting in Ponsonby and were attracted to the charming period features of this bungalow.
"We'd been looking at some real dives, but loved the stained-glass windows and fireplaces here," Karyn says. Gary was also impressed by the double carport. No other houses they'd seen had any off-street parking.
The location was, and still is, appealing. The West Lynn shops and cafes are just up the road and, now they have children, the couple realises what an advantage it is to be in the sought-after Westmere School zone.
Soon after moving in, one of the first jobs was tackling the garden. Two large trees and noxious plants were removed and structure added by way of shaped beds planted with baby palms and subtropical succulents. Now, the garden is mature, making the home a private haven from Old Mill Rd. It's also easy to look after. Just twice a year, the couple has a session weeding, mulching and feeding the palms.
Karyn and Gary have artistic backgrounds and their keen eyes have shaped the house as it is today. They've repainted, opting for Resene Napa through much of the house, with Resene Edgewater in the kitchen and in Lydia's room - both of which open on to a sunny deck that leads down to the rear garden.
The bathroom features smart white tiles and modern fittings, while the kitchen has an adjoining seating area, where a couple of armchairs and a window seat offer the perfect spot to enjoy the morning sun. "This area is great during the day, while in the evenings we spend time in the living room," Karyn says.
Although they're linked, the living and dining rooms are well-defined. Each space has its own open fire, complete with period timber and tile surrounds. "When we have people over in winter for dinner parties, we like to have both fires going. It looks beautiful," Karyn says.
As well as cosmetic improvements, the couple has seen to major improvements such as re-roofing and installing under-floor and ceiling insulation. As well as the open fires, the house has built-in gas heaters, with bayonets in the kitchen and living room.
The laundry and a spacious workshop area are under the house. The home is centrally located on the corner of Old Mill Rd and Wellpark Ave. As well as its main entrance on Old Mill Rd, there is also a side gate into the private rear garden from Wellpark Ave.
This home had served the couple well for many years, but with a growing family, Karyn and Gary have bought a larger home in the neighbourhood.
