SCHOOL ZONES:
Three Kings Primary, Auckland Normal Intermediate, Auckland Grammar School, Epsom Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Tanya Kwasza and Mike Mattson, Ray White, 631 1500 or 021 593 939 (Tanya) OR 021 666 171 (Mike).
*One covered car park
Diane Vao admits it wasn't love at first sight when she and her husband, Andrew, first saw the Epsom house they ended up buying 10 years ago.
The couple were keen to move into the area so their daughters, Tori and Kayla, were in zone for Epsom Girls' Grammar butit took much longer than expected to find a suitable property. They were renting around the corner when they went to look at the 1920s bungalow set on an elevated site in a quiet cul-de-sac, and Diane says, although the location was perfect, she didn't think the house was "that flash".
"It needed a bit of work -- it hadn't had anything done to it since the 1980s," she says. "My husband said, 'No way' -- we'd done one renovation and he didn't want to do another one."
But it was their best option, so they went ahead and bought it, and have never regretted it. Affectionately nicknamed "Fawlty Towers" in those early days, the house didn't need any structural work but as well as redecorating, there were some concessions to 21st living that Diane insisted on, like an en suite for the master bedroom. A cupboard and an alcove were transformed to create a stylish en suite which includes a large walk-in shower. There is also a walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom.
The kitchen was updated and features smart cabinetry, stone benchtops and a bifold window that opens out to a covered entertaining area.
They have also stained the matai floorboards in the elegant lounge, dining room and hallway.
Diane was delighted that beautiful period features like the leadlight windows and decorative ceilings had been preserved. "I'm a sucker for character," she says. "And this house has plenty of that."
Image 1 of 7: Leadlight windows and decorative ceilings have been preserved in this refreshed and rejuvenated 1920s five-bedder
The other thing it has is plenty of space. The rooms are generous sizes and the extra-high stud typical of the era makes them feel even more spacious. Plus, as well as three bedrooms, a family bathroom, kitchen and living areas upstairs, there are two further bedrooms, another bathroom and a rumpus room with a study area downstairs.
"It was a real bonus having all of this space downstairs," says Diane. "It was really good when the girls had friends over -- we've had quite a few social occasions here over the years.
"But, to be honest, we haven't used the bedrooms that much. We did consider renting them out to students -- this house would be good for that because they would be quite separate."
The Vaos didn't get to carry out all of the jobs they'd have liked to have done around the house. They had planned to renovate the family bathroom in a similar style to the new en suite, but that may be something the people who buy the house decide to do.
The new owners may also want to follow the lead of people several doors down and put a swimming pool in the terraced back garden. "There's plenty of room for one," says Diane.
Now that Tori and Kayla have left school and Tori is away at university, the house is too big for the Vaos, so they are downsizing.
"It will be good if it is bought by a family who can use all the space," says Diane.
It has been a wonderful family home. Although we didn't have any emotional attachment to it when we moved in, we grew to love living here and will definitely miss it."
