Deliciously french

French flavours pervade this home, from its striking country kitchen to the luxury furnishings. VICKI HOLDER samples the fare.

French provincial flavours waft from the kitchen of this grand Remuera bungalow, infusing the house with delicious style. While this story began with a major upgrade in the living area, warm colours now march up the stairs to unleash vibrant character throughout.

The owner, a talented interior designer, had always wanted a practical country-style kitchen to complement her passion for cooking. During the renovation, five rooms were transformed into one large, open kitchen and living space.

The kitchen sits at the end of an L-shaped area and opens to the sun through french doors linked to a covered loggia. The terraced and terracotta tiled outdoor area is a secluded natural extension of the indoor space. The family can sit here and look out over the garden and pool below, even when it's raining.

The new laundry was allocated generous space beside a back door where all the miscellaneous clutter is neatly contained and hidden opposite Bosch underbench whiteware.

The rustic and solid kitchen looks as if it has occupied the space forever. The focal point as you enter the room is a striking industrial Viking oven beneath a broad chimney canopy which conceals two AEG extractors.

A scullery is tucked at the end, beautiful cabinetry lines the walls and an old pine shop counter is set in the middle. The handpainted finish of the cabinetry lends a soft aged effect. Black matt slate benchtops are ideal for making pastry and pizzas. A deep butler's sink is complemented by a basin in the scullery.

Walls throughout this area are typically French in a pale egg-shell blue

which emphasises the bone-coloured cabinetry and the rich terracotta tiled floors.

Dividing the kitchen from the television/sitting room at the other end is an informal dining area where the family can enjoy cooking aromas while they soak in the sun.

Television, video and stereo equipment is concealed behind a unit fitted into the far corner, giving a deep storage recess. Timber louvres at the window keeps the glare off the television screen.

This room opens to a formal dining space painted steel blue. The window treatment forms an elegant contrast with drapes in gold, red, green and blue stripes teamed with spotted roman blinds. Original bungalow elements - panelled walls, beamed ceilings and the old timber and marble fireplace - are spruced up with strong colour in the formal living room next door. Red and gold striped curtains and roman blinds with a quirky tasselled pelmet add drama at the window.

Cavity sliding doors lead guests straight from the mustard-coloured entry foyer into the formal part of the house, bypassing the family area. A guest bathroom beside the front door has black and white tessellated floor tiles, a traditional-style pedestal basin and sea blue walls.

Four bedrooms upstairs have distinctive colourful personalities. The first two rooms - one dusky pink and the other turquoise - open through french doors to a terracotta tiled balcony. A third room, strident in lime green with roman blinds trimmed in red and white gingham, boasts views across the valley to the harbour. The large master bedroom is restful in sage green.

While the family shares a large pale grey and aqua bathroom, the master bedroom has a separate en suite attached to its dressing room. Brick-laid floor to ceiling tiles and the old pedestal basin with nickel taps give a strong traditional edge befitting the house's bungalow origins.

Though this is a big home, about 15 years ago previous owners decided they needed still more space. They added a self-contained apartment with its own entry, kitchen and living area adjoining the main house, next to the double garage and underhouse workshop. It's smart creosote weatherboards blend with the handsome main house and it provides the perfect spot for guests, elderly relatives, teenagers or the live-in nanny.

The front garden is landscaped in Italianate style while around the corner, Kings Prep is a short walk away.

There's enough room in this flawless bungalow on Remuera's northern slopes for the whole family to enjoy a captivating Mediterranean holiday without ever leaving home.

Vital Statistics:

Address: 17 Eastbourne Rd, Remuera

Features: Formal and informal living, country-style kitchen, outdoor terrace and pool, four bedrooms, two bathrooms plus guest toilet, self-contained apartment, double garage plus workshop, security system.

Size: Land 1102 sq m

Auction: On May 24, 11 am at Barfoot & Thompson's city office

Agent: Michael Boulgaris and Darren Guscott, Barfoot & Thompson, Remuera. Ph 524 1666 bus; Michael 021 366 366 mob; Darren 021 616 366.