The advertising for this Remuera home says it's on the market for the first time in 40 years — but that's because Katrina Bell and her husband Patrick bought it from his parents around 20 years ago.
"It must have seemed a bit funny to our two daughters, Frances and Jessica, who were teenagers then, because one minute it was their grandparents' home when they were little, and then we moved into it ourselves," says Katrina.
Retaining much of its early 20th century charm, the weatherboard villa with a tiled roof is an ideal display space for the antique furniture Katrina and Patrick have inherited. It has high, ornate ceilings and period features such as the french doors, which open to a private front garden.
The lounge and formal dining room have changed little over the years, but there is a new kitchen at the rear of the house that Katrina says has been a delight. "Put it this way, it was something that really needed to be done."
Light and bright, with ample bench and cupboard space, the kitchen incorporates a laundry. Beyond it lies a sun room which Patrick uses as his office, but it could easily be a family room as it opens to a new outside deck.
The master bedroom is at the front of the house, followed by two further bedrooms and a fresh modern bathroom (plus two separate toilets).
There's a huge amount of cupboard space in the hallway for general storage, while larger items can be hidden away in the basement, accessed from the back yard.
Just a short stroll from Remuera Village, and 20 minutes from Newmarket, where the new Westfield mall is soon to open, Armadale Rd has a pleasant community feel.
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The Bells became close friends with their neighbours, who recently sold up themselves.
"In a way, that helped us make our decision to move now," says Katrina.
"We've loved being close to the shops and to public transport. I work on the shore a few days a week and the Greenlane motorway on-ramp is an easy drive away."
Katrina and Patrick have both enjoyed the garden with its fruit trees. Overall, it has a rambling, English country feel. Katrina's sister-in-law was married in the garden and there was plenty of space for guests to mix and mingle.
Another big plus, Katrina says, is that the school is in the double grammar zone. "Our girls went to Epsom Girls Grammar and absolutely loved it." As an added bonus, Remuera Primary School is across the street.
Having recently become grandparents for the first time, Katrina and Patrick have decided to find a townhouse closer to family.
They're both well aware of the potential they have on hand, in terms of the house and the section, but they really want to spend more time with the new arrival, so they're leaving it for the next owner to explore the many possibilities around future development.
12 ARMADALE RD, REMUERA
• 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 parking spaces.
• Home: 180sq m, land: 832sq m.
• Auction: Today (Wednesday), 5pm.
• Inspect: Please call.
• Schools: Remuera School, Remuera Intermediate, AGS, EGGS.
• Contact: Steen Nielsen, Ray White, 027 557 8336.