SCHOOL ZONES:
Edendale Primary, Balmoral School, Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Lisa Pringle, UP, 027 490 4900.
AUCTION:
2pm, Wed, Oct 5 (unless sold prior).
*2 off-street.
Bowie Kesha happily admits she was a force to be reckoned with at this 1910 Sandringham villa's last auction in 2000.
The former marketing manager, who's now mother to baby Priya, says: "I'd been looking for a house for two years and had missed out on a lot of them.
"I've got a bit of a competitive streak, which came into play when I was bidding for this place. And I'm so pleased it did."
Nowadays the fully renovated villa is a happy family home for Bowie, her partner, lawyer Matt, and one-year-old Priya. Back when Bowie won this home at auction she was a single gal who thought the villa totally liveable but in need of significant updating.
"The hallway was dark purple then and bedroom walls were banana yellow.
"I think great storage is so important but when I bought it you couldn't even fit a normal sized coat hanger in the wardrobes."
One of Bowie's friends is architect Kyle Porter. His vision combined with Bowie and Matt's input and the hands-on skills of T McClew Builders resulted in the home's thorough renovation.
It has gone from being a storage poor three-bedroom, one-bathroom house to a stylish four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with plentiful storage.
The rear layout has been totally reconfigured under the existing roofline; additional floor space created by extending into some areas which were previously devoted to deck. Indoor-outdoor flow has been transformed out to a generous new rear deck.
The renovations were done in a couple of stages, the bulk of them completed mid last year, three weeks before Priya was born. Bowie reckons it's a brilliant home for busy professionals or to raise a family in.
Image 1 of 6: This homeowner was determined to finally secure a property having missed out on many other auctions over the years. Photos / Ted Baghurst
She says they have lots of lovely neighbours and Tranmere Rd tends to be quiet as it's not used as a thoroughfare.
The home's street appeal is underlined by character features such as a picket fence, wrap-around front veranda, wooden shingle detailing and a front brick path. There's off-street parking for two vehicles.
Inside, a striking Italian Foscarini light emphasises the high ceiling above the oil-finished kauri hallway floor. The four bedrooms are all generous, re-fitted with capacious wardrobing.
A front bedroom boasts a charming bay window while the master has a marble-tiled en suite with double shower and an abundance of wardrobing. The main bathroom also has good storage and marble tiles, plus a separate bath and shower.
A character door at the end of the hallway can close off the rear living-dining-kitchen spread if desired. Some of the door's glass features subtle butterflies, appropriate given the transformation of this rear open-plan expanse, which Matt is still marvelling over a year after completion.
Neutral decor enhances the warm, light-filled spread's atmosphere, highlighting a Forma designed kitchen featuring a honed granite island and a butler's pantry.
Bowie rates the kitchen's functionality. It includes an extra-wide self-cleaning oven and push-touch self-closing cupboards. The living area enjoys westerly afternoon sun.
There's a Living Flame gas fireplace in this open-plan area plus central heating throughout the home as well as a ventilation system.
Living flows out to the roomy deck, which has glass balustrading and privacy achieved through planting around it in planter boxes. Steps down to the generous backyard double as overflow seating.
Bowie appreciates their location's handiness, within walking distance of Sandringham's shops, St Lukes and Eden Park and an easy drive to Ponsonby or the central city. However, the couple are selling to move even closer to family.
