SCHOOL ZONES:
Newmarket School, Auckland Normal Intermediate, double Grammar.
CONTACT:
Wei Elder, Bayleys, 021 0244 0885.
TENDER:
Closes 2pm August 13 (unless sold prior).
*Plus off-street
In spring you can get about 50 tui getting drunk on the nectar at once in the flowering cherry trees in the street. It's neat sitting in our family room looking out at them all getting silly and raucous.
The Stitt family's specific criteria when seeking a property on whichto build 15 years ago helped deliver the classically elegant home they've been delighted with -- plus a few unanticipated bonuses.
Back then Susan Stitt and her husband Stuart, now managing director of Fujitsi New Zealand, lived with their three young children in Cornwall Park Ave.
They had clear ideas about location for the modern family home they wanted to build.
Stuart had his sights set on this neighbourhood, having been sold on its handiness while living with his parents in nearby Mountain Rd.
Susan says: "Plus people who lived around here with older kids told us it was great for them to be able to do things like walk into Newmarket to the movies.
"We also wanted a northeast facing site, didn't want to be up a right of way and wanted a good amount of level land."
All those attributes were found at this address -- a plum 814sq m corner property near Eden Gardens, Government House and Mt Eden.
Bonuses have included free entry passes to Eden Gardens and the jubilant springtime antics of neighbourhood tui.
Susan says: "In spring you can get about 50 tui getting drunk on the nectar at once in the flowering cherry trees in the street. It's neat sitting in our family room looking out at them all getting silly and raucous."
The Stitts replaced a tired bungalow on the site, wanting a home with good flow out to a pool for daughters Holly and Chelsea and 17-year-old William.
The Stitts chose architect Lindy Leuschke, who had designed the Omaha beach house they loved, and coincidentally was designing John and Bronagh Key's Parnell home at the same time she designed this.
Their elegantly classical two-storey home is set in nicely sheltered and private grounds formally landscaped by Trudy Crerar.
"It's got a sort of French-Mediterranean feeling," says Susan.
Image 1 of 10: With garden charms and nods to French formality and Mediterranean living, this substantial, light-filled family home ticks all the boxes
Ficus benjamina climbs up the exterior's Firth Hotbloc masonry and solid plaster with a cavity (with an up-to-date building report available) towards terracotta roof tiles.
Two-car off-street parking bolsters the basement double garage/workshop.
Fragrant port wine magnolias clipped into cones help define the pergola entrance and a tiered fountain and clipped knot garden are nearby. Designers Guild wallpaper in the entry foyer was part of a decor refresh a few years back.
Susan's favourite spot adjoins the kitchen/informal dining area: a projecting conservatory-style family room with paned glass doors on three sides and a gas fireplace.
"It's sunny throughout the day and I love the pool's reflection shimmering on the ceiling."
It flows out to alfresco dining by the level lawn, pool and spa in grounds that also include espaliered roses and defined formal garden areas.
Children seem to bounce above a hedge using a sunken trampoline behind.
The large lounge/formal dining room has a gas fireplace and generous 2.7m stud.
Susan smiles, recalling Holly's 16th birthday party.
Security guards they'd hired called police to the normally quiet neighbourhood to talk to gatecrashers.
Holly's friends saw the uniforms and squealed "Holly, you've got strippers for your birthday!"
Enthusiastic cook Susan is proud of her kitchen domain -- it includes a butler's pantry, office nook, Corian and stainless benches and two dishwashers.
A separate lounge/TV room off the kitchen has been invaluable as an alternate living area.
Cats Max and Boots curl up in the separate laundry with shower, near a powder room.
