Olive the Maltese terrier cross is a gorgeous little dog who likes to relax and stretch out for a tummy rub. And at home in Northcote's Sylvan Ave, she has plenty of spaces to choose from.
It was this four-bedroom house's spaciousness and beautiful water views that attracted Natasha Bourkeand her son Vinnie when they first saw it a couple of years ago. The family had previously lived in Northcote Point and Riverhead, but were drawn back to Northcote for its "community feel and accessibility to the city".
"Both our previous homes only had one living area, so the second living area here was a really strong selling point," Natasha recalls. "When we first saw it I thought, 'Wow, it's really big and spacious'." Situated upstairs in the two-storey house, the second living area enjoys grandstand views over Shoal Bay to Takapuna and Bayswater.
Six-year-old Vinnie also has a secret hideaway off this upstairs lounge. Behind a door hung with a "kids only" sign, steps lead down to a playroom set under the eaves. There's plenty of room for toys, bean bags and a television.
"The previous owner here was a cameraman. Apparently this room is fully soundproofed. It would also make a great office or even another bedroom," Natasha says.
Not that this house is short of bedrooms -- there are already four of them. Downstairs, there are two, which flank the hall inside the front door. Vinnie's bedroom is to the left and to the right is a roomy guest bedroom, large enough to accommodate a seating area with armchair and ottoman.
Upstairs, there's a further spare bedroom (when Herald Homes visited Olive seemed to think this was her room and jumped on the bed for a tummy rub). The master bedroom looks out to a view of the water and Bayswater marina. In this room there's also a cosy window seat, which has a skylight above it with a view of the city and Sky Tower.
The house was fully renovated by the previous owners, except for the upstairs bathroom, so that is the only room Natasha has had to update. There are brand new fittings and a smart new shower that replaced a much smaller previous version. Stylish white textured tiles line the shower, which is light and bright, thanks to an overhead skylight.
The downstairs bathroom, handy to the guest bedroom and Vinnie's bedroom, contains a good-sized bath and also the laundry, which ingeniously uses space under the stairs.
Image 1 of 8: 71 Sylvan Ave, Northcote, belonging to Natasha Bourke. Pictures / Michelle Hyslop.
The contemporary kitchen has a striking splashback with a bold black and white print graphic. There's a central island, topped with a granite-like bench. Appliances include a Smeg dishwasher and oven, topped with an Asko rangehood.
The piece de resistance outside is a large timber deck, which steps down to a lower level, where the previous owners had a spa pool. "So it's all plumbed and wired up should anyone want to put a spa in there," Natasha says. "They also had plans done for a pool." The plans will come with the house, but new owners will need to reapply for consent.
Natasha, Vinnie and Olive are keen to stay in the area. "Vinnie's at Northcote Primary, and Onepoto Domain, with its bike track, is just down the road," Natasha says. "We're also nice and close to the city and Ponsonby here."
It's also been an easy commute for Natasha to Albany, where she is managing director of skincare brand, Dermalogica.
Olive will be happy anywhere, as long as the tummy rubs continue.
