KEY POINTS:
A much-loved family villa by the sea contains outstanding decorative detail.
1192 Huia Road, Huia, Auckland's West Coast.
Back in 1908 Alfred ``Hookey'' Hill built a grand family home on the edge of the Manukau.
It was built of locally milled kauri and matai. Ornate plaster
ceilings, archways and leadlight windows were ordered from England and survived the trip over the Manukau bar.
Nestled at the base of his land, which stretched along the eastern side of the Huia valley and up to the ridge, Alfred and his wife raised 12 children here, and ran the local store and post office. A hitching post and horse trough were outside the villa for travellers that made the rugged journey west.
The Hills spent 35 years at the house before selling off most of their land and moving on. It went through a succession of owners until, 28 years ago, Mark and Susan Warren made their first trip to Huia to see the house, and fell in love with it.
``We'd lived around Auckland for 22 years but never been out here,'' recalls Mark. ``We were looking for a house and a friend told us to come and see this place. Sue's mother had spent some years in Little Huia as a child, so we were curious about the area.''
Sheltered from the westerly wind by a bank of trees at the front of its sweeping lawn, the house greets you with a wide, wraparound verandah.
Through the leadlight front door a voluminous hallway travels the length of the house, through two plastered archways, to a large stained glass window at the end.
This space is a breathtaking introduction to the craftsmanship which elevates this villa above most others. The plasterwork in the ceilings and on the archways is intricate and lavish.
Leadlights grace not only doors and windows but are also added above the doorways of each bedroom. Deep kauri skirting boards and architraves have been restored to their original glow, as have the mixture of kauri and matai floorboards.
Only the hallway is carpeted, softening the flow and sound between rooms and reflecting light.
The master bedroom is behind the magnificent bay window seen from outside. The bay area in the room is defined by three carved arches, creating an inviting space in which to relax on a chaise longue in the afternoon sun. A fireplace with its original green and yellow tiles has been preserved.
The second bedroom, with a striking, square-shaped ceiling rose, has French doors onto the verandah. Its fireplace tiles are red and green. An angled wall adds interest, and allows the verandah to turn a gentle corner to the north-facing side of the house.
Further along the hallway are two more bedrooms and the bathroom. In cottage style, the bathroom has a tongue and groove-type door, a clawfoot bath in the centre, and an antique washstand to hold the basin.
But it's the entrance to the lounge that causes you to stop in your tracks and gasp. A great carved archway presents a palatial room that is both grand and welcoming.
Another magnificently carved ceiling rests above a fireplace with an elegant wooden surround. Large north-facing windows allow the sun to pour in. On one side a door gives entry from the verandah, on the other French doors lead into the kitchen.
This lounge is at once a living area, music room and dining room, and could be a venue for a splendid party.
The kitchen faces east for the morning sun, and has French doors leading to a separate breakfast deck. Wooden cabinetry surrounds a 1930s coal range that can still be fired up.
It's been a much-loved family home for Mark and Susan, who brought up their sons Nick and Kris here.
``They had a great childhood and are still very outdoorsy,'' says Mark. ``As parents, the school run was easy - a bus picks up the kids every morning and drops them home in the afternoon.''
Mark says only about 400 people live between Cornwallis, a bit further back towards town, and the beach at Whatipu.
``We're not in each other's pockets, but it's a neat community because most people are here because they want to be. There are clubs and children's playgroups, and Sue used to be involved in the volunteer fire brigade.''
There are a myriad of walks in the protected bush surrounding them, and a variety of seafood to be caught on the Manukau, and out past the Heads. Yet Huia is only about 35 minutes from the CBD off-peak.
Now that their sons have grown up, Mark and Susan have decided to find a smaller house, and plan for their long-awaited OE.
``We decided to buy a house and have our kids early, which was great. Now we're looking forward to doing what all our friends were doing when we moved into this house.''
VITAL STATISTICS
BEDROOMS: 4
BATHROOMS: 1
GARAGES: *
SIZE: Land 842sq m, house 220sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected well in excess of CV of $330,000. Auction November 29.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12-1.30pm, Tues 6-7pm.
ON THE WEB: www.open2view.co.nz # 139099
SCHOOL ZONES: Laingholm Primary, Glen Eden Intermediate, Green Bay High School.
CONTACT: Peter Cashmore, Ray White, ph 021 402 220, 849 5022 a/h.
FEATURES: Stately 1908 villa with superbly crafted plasterwork, woodwork, leadlight windows and tiled fireplaces. In a private, lush garden of natives, flowers and fruit trees. Across the road from the beach and Manukau harbour, and surrounded by protected bush.
* No garage but off-street parking for 2 cars.