SCHOOL ZONES:
Newmarket Primary, Auckland Normal Intermediate, double Grammar.
CONTACT:
Anna Copeland, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 021 800 669.
*Plus off-street
It's easy to see why 15 years ago Trevor and Dawn Purkiss were attracted to the home they bought in one of Epsom's leafiest streets.
"We'd been in Freemans Bay, where the houses are so close together," explains Trevor. "We wanted a large space where the kids could run around and play."
For a start, the 1944 house had been designed by Gummer and Ford, architects whose earlier work defined old Auckland -- the Wintergarden at the Domain, the city railway station, Remuera's and Grey Lynn's libraries, Dilworth Building, Parnell's Jubilee Institute, and on and on. By the time the partners designed this spacious home for the Shieff family, their work was still reflecting 1920s and 30s Art Deco, but with more hints of the Machine Age.
Trevor and Dawn were drawn first to the spacious gardens for their kids to play in. Their 1100sq m of land backs on to The Pines, with Eden Gardens at one end of the road, gracious Florence Court at the other. At that stage, the front of the house may have been a little too leafy ("the sunroom was entirely covered in kiwifruit vine," recalls Dawn. "You couldn't see out or in."). The backyard had old terracing of classic scoria blocks, but was cut off from the main house.
As the children grew older, a swimming pool was in order -- but not just any pool. The Purkisses solved the problem of a sloping lawn and too-small back deck by extending a deck from the sunny breakfast room, with paving and steps leading to the 12m ozone-heated pool.
As Trevor points out, that still left plenty of lawn at the back of the yard for cricket. But, cunningly, under the pool deck, the change in levels ensured they could fit in a covered double garage (the original garage is now a workshop for an old-school carpenter or hobbyist), tuck in a shower and loo for pool parties, add cupboard loads of storage and still have room for more off-street parking.
The house shows the longevity of good design. All Dawn and Trevor needed to do was redecorate -- fresh paint, good carpets, lush drapery to suit the period of the house. Beautiful Deco-style door handles, some original light fittings and a splendid chandelier were all intact (they found more like them for the dining room and sitting room). The marble on the old fireplace was damaged, so the couple sourced new marble to match the original (and replaced a modern burner box while they were at it). Bathrooms and kitchens, which had been updated before they bought, needed new appliances and that was that. They did remove a few Greek-style columns which detracted from the clean Deco lines.
The house works as logically today as it did when it was built 70 years ago. The stylish front entrance opens to the staircase's Deco swirl, complete with ocean liner-styled light fitting and railing.
The formal dining room is appropriately dramatic in rich red with lavish drapes. The front sitting room has all-day sun and views of a beautiful old copper beech tree, the clipped lawns and hedges.
Trevor points out some of the older trees in the street; little wonder Eden Gardens is such an attraction. The living room has a sun room attached and a further small sitting room used as a media space. The kitchen is light and white, with a casual dining area and doors to back deck and pool.
One bedroom, used as an office, is on the half landing, while the three main bedrooms are upstairs. The master suite is fitted with a charming, original built-in dresser and cupboards. It opens to a balcony (yes, more tree views -- and glimpses over hedges all the way to the edge of Newmarket and beyond) while the kids' bedrooms are airy and roomy. There is a family bathroom here, too.
Image 1 of 6: Gummer and Ford design retains feel of the Art Deco era
"This is an amazing house for parties," says Dawn. "The kids play out the back, the adults are around the deck and pool. We have had all the end-of-season cricket and rugby parties here, and everyone just spreads out."
Despite appearances of an important street, the couple have found it extremely welcoming. Neighbouring Government House invites the street to garden parties, while they all have free passes to Eden Gardens. They love that all the schools are within walking distance, while their children can walk to Newmarket to meet friends and see movies. The couple frequently walk the 10 minutes to Mt Eden village to shop and eat, while for Trevor the motorways are mere minutes away.
But, with the kids now in their late teens, the family have decided it is time for a change, so are selling this historic house and moving on.
