Live, love and play: Yep, it's easy here

18 Alford Street, Waterview. Photo/Supplied

18, ALFORD ST, WATERVIEW

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SIZE: Land 500sq m, house 220sq m including front garage.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $810,000. Sale by negotiation.

INSPECT: Sun 1-1.30pm.

ON THE WEB: www.rwponsonby.co.nz/PON22263

SCHOOL ZONES: Waterview Primary, Avondale College.

CONTACT: Susie Calderwood and Maxine Lees, Ray White. Susie 021 337 161 or Maxine 021 659 995.

A home that belongs to Mel and Kris Marshall is never ever going to be a dull one. These home-makers are naturally -- and stylishly -- creative and they've given their smart 1940s bungalow a fabulous makeover.

Kris Marshall is a well-known hairdresser with a clientele that includes TV personalities, showbiz celebrities and sports personalities. Mel made her name as an advertising industry "suit", managing client brands, but she has sidelined her career to be a stay-at-home mum to their children Piper, 5 and Beau, 3.

For this enterprising couple, this house offered all the elements that perfectly suited Kris' keenness to establish his discreet work-from-home salon and one in which Mel could stoke her creativity.

"I'm a bit of a magpie. I love a bit of bling-bling as long as it's not too tacky," she says. From the front doorstep the bling comes courtesy of a smoky quartz 1950s-style lampshade (instead of the ubiquitous chandelier), the cream glass mosaic tiles around the original fireplace, and the boldly pattered feature walls.

The papered wall in tones of silver foil and Tiffany blue is in the same pattern that was on the set of US television series Fashion Police, hosted by the late Joan Rivers. "I didn't go looking for it," Mel says. "I saw it on TV and thought, 'hey, that's the same pattern'."

Mel is a fan of the work of US designers Jonathan Adler and Tom Ford and that is reflected in the graphics, texture and sparkle she has worked into their decor.

"Why not have some fun?" she says of their choice of the two wallpapers -- black and white spots and black and white stripes -- in their en suite toilet.

In their living area, which features the glossy, white brick tiles at the back of the kitchen servery, is a textural snakeskin wallpapered wall that is in keeping with Mel's preference for strong lines.

"I like a masculine look, especially in the relaxing areas. I like pattern and texture without being too crazy."

But beneath obvious good looks, the foils and the glamorous highlights of this new-look home, much thought has gone into the form of the house, which the couple have extended and renovated. Its revitalised layout has seen it mature from a small house into a larger, contemporary edition with great lifestyle flexibility.

This is a home that, with minimal attention, can switch its mode from family living to an entertainment hub: Kris' salon, in what was garage cum two-room sleep-out conversion, makes an ideal party room and opens to the rear deck and private entry courtyard.

The children's bedrooms and playroom are at the front of the house and Piper and Beau are used to famous faces arriving at the gate and sipping coffee in the courtyard. But that is as much as they are privy to; Mel and Kris' blended home and work lives are about respecting everyone's privacy.

The couple came here looking for work-from-home possibilities. The then stand-alone sleep-out was connected to the house via a deck and a patch of lawn beneath what is now their family room opening out to the new, private rear deck. Now they've switched modes with lifestyle and a work/home separation in mind. They're about to build a new home in Tamahere in the Waikato. Kris plans to establish a discreet salon in Auckland for his city-based clients.