Remuera: A statement of refinement

VICKI HOLDER visits a wonderful old Remuera home that has been brought up to date to cater for the modern family.

Some classical old family homes like this one in Remuera never seem to date. Its timeless 1920s character makes an enduring statement of refinement among the other grand homes along the broad street on the norther slopes.

However, change has been substantial beyond the pretty white timber shingle and weatherboard facade. To keep up with the times, the house has been modernised and extended to embody quintessential family living. It now boasts spaces for everyone of all ages to spread out and enjoy.

Pushed out at the seams, it has grown in various directions around an inviting entertaining terrace and heated swimming pool. While some of the rooms are grand and elegant with beautiful, generous proportions, other spaces are small and intimate, which is typical of the style of the era. Such variation adds interest and an enviable comfort level.

Wide steps at the front lead to a generous entry foyer, lined in white timber panelling with cinnamon walls above. It ensures a sense of occasion as friends arrive. The owners can meet and greet their guests before stashing their coats in the cupboard and ushering them through french doors into the splendid character-filled formal rooms. These areas can work as one, or the bevelled glass cavity doors between can be drawn across to separate the dining room from the lounge.

Fitted with substantial leadlight glass cabinets for displaying books and ornaments, the lounge opens to a wrap-around balcony. Resplendent with wisteria, the pergola offers welcome shade on hot afternoons.

The dining room lures guests to the warmth of an open fire burning in a traditional timber fireplace. Both rooms are also linked through a library, or office, that was once closed in as a porch. The dining room reasserts its connection with the outdoors, stepping straight out to the garden through french doors.

On the opposite side of the entry and looking out through the trees, a large office or fourth bedroom is an inspiring place to work.

Everything else downstairs was added during the building work. The passage to the family living area is through a room-sized, multi-purpose storage area. A wall of beautiful, new, white timber cupboards was designed to marry with the original design of the internal doors in the house.

Just around the corner, a comfortable armchair beckons alongside low bookshelves beneath large windows that give a tantalising view of the pool.

The family room is large with a more modern, streamlined feel than the rest of the house. The floor is a golden timber parquet overlay. White timber window joinery, although not the same as the multi-paned windows elsewhere, has a solid, traditional flavour. White roman blinds trimmed in black stripes emphasise the crispness of the design around the particularly large french doors opening to the pool terrace. A bay window at the end brings the green of the trees inside.

The focus of the family room is outdoors to this sunny, peaceful haven surrounded by beautiful, established trees. Even if it's raining, the family can spend time outside beneath the timbered soffit of a covered porch area.

The simple kitchen is contained in the family area within an elbow of white cabinetry topped with sinks in a stainless-steel benchtop. Whoever is preparing a meal can still be part of the action on the other side. The kitchen is designed for entertaining, with two Smeg ovens - one under the hob and another wall oven nearby. A big laundry-cum-all-purpose-storage-area sits behind the kitchen.

Stairs from the entry foyer lead up past some beautiful original leadlight windows to three big bedrooms. The master bedroom was extended to include a walk-through dressing room and en suite. A sunny room off the master could be used for various purposes, such as a nursery, an office or a sitting room away from the rest of the household.

Two children's bedrooms share the large, renovated family bathroom.

This big, character home on a large, leafy property has been tastefully updated to treat a modern family to all the features demanded today.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 15 Ranui Rd, Remuera.

FEATURES: Modernised, extended three-, four- or five-bedroom character home; large formal and family living areas; good indoor-outdoor flow to garden; large heated swimming pool and sheltered, sunny terrace; modern kitchen; gas bayonet heating and traditional log fire in dining room; master bedroom with en suite; family bathroom and guest toilet; four-car garaging; wide street; Grammar School and EGGS zone.

SIZE: Land area 766sq m.

AUCTION: 1.15pm, May 24, on site.

AGENT: Alex Baker, Harcourts, Remuera. Ph 520 8104 dir; 025 579 805 mob.