Milford: Ugly duckling

6 Eric Price Avenue, Milford.

Only a designer could see the undiscovered elegance in a 60s lakeside house containing a hotch-potch of styles, writes Catherine Smith.

Designers have the kind of eye that can mentally strip away pink carpets, pokey dividing walls, granny balloon blinds and dated decks. They spot the good bones of a house - breathtaking views, large spaces, smart room layouts, decks and courtyards to capture the sun all day - and roll up their sleeves to convert a sow's ear into the silk purse that an unbeatable location deserves.

Fortunately for this 1969 weatherboard and plaster house on the eastern shores of Lake Pupuke, it was found by interior designer Sheryl Moyner and her husband Chris some two and a half years ago.

"My friends and family have seen me transform some houses in my time, but even they were horrified at what we'd taken on this time," admits Sheryl. "But I could immediately see the big picture and knew that this place just needed lots more light, simple decor that was all."

Well, not quite. Although Sheryl had the re-painting and floors done, as well as the kitchen completely gutted and replaced within six weeks of moving in, ready for Christmas entertaining, she does confess to adding more and more to the house as it revealed itself.

The turquoise blue aluminium and mirrored glass windows and doors, for example, were replaced or re-lacquered. Pokey windows were replaced with walls of glass or bi-fold doors to open up the kitchen and living rooms to all-day sun. Even the window in the master en suite was enlarged to give bathtub soakers a view of the sunsets on the lake below. A mish-mash of orange wood floors, carpets and tiles were unified with modern concrete-style floor tiles bleached a calm grey, and used inside and out. Walls were visually expanded with buckets of Aalto Colour's Gallery White, decks replaced and even the swimming pool re-surfaced to mirror the deep grey-blue of the surrounding lake.

But it is the hidden designer details which create such an inviting house.

Sheryl has fitted out many a luxury yacht, so is accustomed to cramming maximum storage into each space.

The sleek lines of the white lacquer and Caesar-stone kitchen open to reveal well thought-out spots for a drinks fridge, herbs and sauces beside the cooker, a now-you-see-it-now-you-don't hardworking pantry. Smart wiring takes care of security, intercoms, touch lighting, networking for computers and phones and even automated opening and shutting of the master bedroom silk drapes. The bones of the original house allowed multiple options for living: on the main floor the double-height entry opens to large kitchen, dining and living room, focused on the lake. A separate media room, and a well-planned office on this floor are tidily separate from living spaces, ideal for a professional working from home.

"We had lived on the beach at Takapuna for years and thought you couldn't beat that Rangitoto view," says Sheryl. "But we've loved the variety in the moods of the lake. Some days it's teaming with windsurfers or kayakers. On winter mornings, it is eerily still and misty, with the odd canoe drifting past, very other-worldly."

And sunsets are a specialty - viewed from the extensive pool decks, from the sheltered courtyard if the wind is blowing, or tucked up in the master suite.

The ground floor two-bedroomed flat is self contained, opening on to the pool and gardens. There is even a mirrored gym room with its own plunge pool.

The house is ideal for a busy extended family. But with children flown the nest, Sheryl and Chris are now ready to move to something smaller: preferably another ugly duckling on which Sheryl can work her transformational magic once more.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 4

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Land 749sq m, house 420sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Buyers over $2.95 million. Tenders close March 23.

INSPECT: Sun 1-2pm, Tues 7-8pm.

CONTACT: Lewis Guy, Premium Real Estate, ph 021 867 355 or 489 8444.

FEATURES: Three-storey designer refurbished lakeside house, featuring open plan living, dining and gourmet kitchen, opening to decks, courtyard and gardens. Self-contained two-bedroom flat plus gym and plunge pool. Media room, home office, wine cellar. Landscaped gardens feature in-ground pool and spa pool.