Pt Chevalier: Added value

1/19 Miller St, Pt Chevalier.

By Ellie Martel JP Bhardwaj bought his 1930s Point Chevalier bungalow in February. By April he had settled and was its owner.

"I intended to keep it, but I have a couple of other projects, and interest rates are going up."

But the house he has put on the market is hardly the one he bought. About $25,000 later, it is spruced up and shining.

JP Bhardwaj took advice from real estate agent Paul Raynes and has thoroughly modernised the house.

"He helped put me on to professional people, like the colour scheme lady and the lino layers."

The result shows a nice touch. The solid timber doors, framing and floors were left untouched. The rest of the house has been speedily rejigged, although it took longer than he would have liked due to labour shortages.

He has had the old, tatty carpets ripped up and the deep honey, native wood floors polished. "They came out very well."

In fact, they have become a feature of the house. In one area the former fireplace, removed in a previous renovation, had been covered over by plywood under the carpet so he had to find matching wood for the floor.

He had the ceilings painted - and was sensitive enough to leave the beautiful, original and intricate plasterwork around the light fittings. The lights themselves were replaced by new fittings.

In every room the wallpaper was painted over from a neutral palette.

The colour scheme was chosen by a consultant, and consists of off-whites and beiges.

Originally, he thought a paint job and fixing the floors would be enough, but the kitchen and bathroom looked too old in comparison once the work was done, so he fixed them, too.

He had the kitchen replaced, complete with new dishwasher and stove. He wanted stainless steel, but found the extractor pipe he wanted came only in white - so he had to match the stove and dishwasher to that. The grey vinyl flooring is new, too.

Then the bathroom was completely refitted with a new shower, vanity and flooring.

In the bedrooms, he has left the curtains and carpet.

"I intended to move the carpets from the bedroom but he [Raynes] said they were okay, especially in winter when you have to have protection from the cold."

Next came the hire furniture, which has also helped transform the house. "I approached them and they came and looked and knew what they had to do."

Beds are covered in stylish duvets and piles of plump pillows.

The living area contains a dining table with six chairs, and a comfortable lounge suite scattered with cushions is next to a coffee table and big, artistic lamps which become features themselves.

And then there are the ornaments: a little wooden horse sits in the window, 1m candlesticks sit against the wall, an original painting hangs above a couch and feathered, decorative balls sit on the coffee table.

Next to the wood burner in the centre of the open plan living area is a little wooden wood bucket and traditional-looking coal scoop.

Modern, woven armchairs in the little sun room off the kitchen face sliding doors that open on to a back deck and barbecue area. The outdoor area has been mainly left as it was.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: House 114sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Similar properties in the area have sold from mid-$400,000s. Auction July 16.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2.30pm-3pm.

CONTACT: Paul Raynes, Harveys Mt Albert, ph 846 3585 bus, 021 922 982 mob.

FEATURES: Polished wood floors, wood burner, sunroom off kitchen, open plan living, new kitchen and bathroom, fully repainted inside, barbecue area, deck.

+ No garage but off street parking for 3 cars.