Titirangi: Added Value

93 Konini Road, Titirangi.

When she crossed the threshold of the brick house in Konini Road 16 years ago, Linda Gillespie knew she had found a home for her husband and two boys.

"Despite the sea grass matting on the floor and the 70s colour scheme, when we first came in here I stood there and I thought, 'Yes, this is home'," says Linda.

Over the years Linda and husband Richard have done a lot of work on the house, but have been careful to retain its character. She says the 1970s-style home was 20 years ahead of its time when an architect built it in the 50s.

One feature the Gillespies did do away with, though, was the draughty sliding windows throughout the house. They were worried the bedrooms would be too cold for Mark and Paul, who were aged seven and eight respectively when they moved into Konini Road. Linda says there is now only one original window left.

Then the couple turned their attention to the kitchen, which was overdue for renovation.

"It was always dark in that kitchen, and being in there so much as I was with little boys, it didn't feel right during the middle of the day to have the lights on," Linda says. "Also, the cupboards were home-made and the benchtops were very low and had been oiled, so when you leant on them your arm would stick."

New cabinetry and appliances were bought, a bay window added to the western wall of the kitchen, and the burnt orange-coloured wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed, making it an open plan area that flowed through to the sunken living room. Linda reckons it cost $15,000 all up.

"This works perfectly now. From the kitchen I can see over the top of the dining table and into the sitting room, but they can't see what I'm doing so I can hide all my mess until later," Linda says.

Other improvements made by the couple included a new roof on the large hobby room at the rear of the property, as well as fitting new joinery and plastering the outside. "The idea was the boys would have a room out there for friends with a pool table and a stereo. They couldn't wreck anything because it was all concrete."

Linda says the building is connected to power and water but would need a bit more work to turn it into self-contained accommodation.

The Gillespies, whose sons are now in their early 20s, are moving to Brisbane because Richard, who is a fire engineer, has decided to move his business to Australia. Linda's renovating tips:

Work within the existing lines and layout of your home - it's cheaper and easier.

Make changes as you have the money because that allows you time to know what will work best.

Stay true to the character of your home - it's easier and creates a sense of continuity.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 1105sq m, house 180sq m PRICE INDICATION: $400,000-plus. Auction September 17. INSPECT: Sat/Sun/Wed 12-12.45pm. CONTACT: Liz Rigby, Cahill Real Estate, ph 021 676 206 mob, 378 7976 a/h, or Tracie Matta ph 021 362 115 mob, 836 1970 a/h.

FEATURES: Big 1970s-style bungalow with open plan living, two living rooms and all day sun on flat fully fenced section. Bonus of separate accommodation needing finishing touches. Plenty of off-street parking. In zone for Kaurilands Primary and Glen Eden Intermediate.