SCHOOL ZONES:
Pt Chevalier Primary, Pasadena
Intermediate, Western Springs College
CONTACT:
Lawrence von Sturmer,
ph 027 227 9294, Ross Brader, 027 475 5977
Shane Murrell and his birds live by the rhythm of the sea, the wind and the tides. He floats in and out on his kite surfer off Meola Reef, on his paddleboard off Pt Chevalier Beach or on his surfboard at the West Coast beaches, depending on what his flagand tide clock tell him.
Off their front deck overlooking Coyle Park, the friendly magpies (two adults, two babies) share a pine tree with the parakeets that toddle up the little wooden planks Shane nailed so his children could climb up to their swing. Over to the right, Shane points out the pine tree that is home to the shags that turn up here in October.
This is co-habitation heaven, and is home to four of Shane and Melanie's blended family of five children. This bungalow, once the residence of the Coyle Park caretaker, was built around 1910-20 when beachgoers travelled here by tram for a weekend outing at the beachside park.
Previous owners who bought this property from the council have raised it and renovated it, re-orientating its two-storey form with three bedrooms and living on each level to better connect with the park. Downstairs, the three bedrooms and self-contained open-plan living with combined kitchen and dining have given their family flexibility and independence.
Upstairs, open-plan living, dining and a modern kitchen opening to the deck via two sets of French doors with bungalow-style fanlights above deliver a heady sense of their connection with this end of the Pt Chevalier peninsula. One of the children's bedrooms even has a picture-perfect outlook to the Harbour Bridge.
"The biggest bonus is you can see what the weather is doing and see what the wind is doing without going to the beach, and that's totally critical for me," says the man whose business is importing scallops.
He doesn't need to make time for the grounds. The landscaped section comprises pavers past the front door through a perimeter band of lawn around the spa pool and lower deck, and the park beyond. "The nice thing is that someone else mows that. This is pretty low-maintenance."
Shane and Melanie have made this place their own for easy entertaining and comfort. Carpet upstairs minimises noise downstairs. Original kauri floorboards are left exposed in the kitchen as a nod to the home's heritage, a warm counterpoint along with the windows to the polished kitchen appliances and glossy green splashback.
The bathroom has a clawfoot bath and a separate shower. The bedroom has bungalow touches of pink fanlight windows above the casement windows.
Shane and Melanie have bought another property in Pt Chevalier with development potential but admit that leaving this place will be a wrench. Shane laughs: "I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't end up buying this place back again someday."
