43 Weston Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
For almost 18 years, this 1920s Californian bungalow and its tiered gardens have been the colourful, characterful backdrop to family life well lived.
For the five adult McCowan children, this home has been the gathering place for everything from childhood play dates to big Christmas get-togethers, pre-ball parties, significant birthdays and even a wedding, complete with reception.
"This house with children and teenagers in it has been amazing," says Robin McCowan.
"Everyone has had their own space here and it has been a wonderful home for us. To me it's just a gorgeous home.
"It looks beautiful especially when you pull up at night and the lights are on and I'm so proud of it."
From the front, this home showcases the Californian bungalow style with its flared brick pillars and shingle-clad window bays to its ornate floral leadlight windows.
Chris McCowan says the main house was built in 1926 and he believes that "wings" on both sides of the house were added some years later.
This entire home is rich in architectural detail from the timber ceiling beams to the richly upholstered seats in the circular corner bay of the downstairs bedroom and in the bow window of the formal lounge upstairs.
Wherever Robin's eye falls within this home, there is a story to be told. It is there from the barley twist hallway pillars and matching balusters to the full-width leadlight windows in their upstairs bedroom annex and their dramatic, tiered volcanic-rock rear garden.
Robin took down the sets of heavy red velvet drapes by the pillars and the bow window seat with its immaculate buttoned, red velvet reupholstered seating.
"I didn't want to take away from that beautiful window," says Robin.
This lounge, which was once the venue for a family wedding reception, is one of her favourite spaces, with its crystal chandelier - one of nine throughout the house - and matching wall sconces adding more sparkle.
Their adjoining formal dining room opens into the kitchen with a scullery that is a multi-functional backdrop.
"It's where we make breakfast. It's where all the appliances are. We can close it off but we don't. It always looks like this because everything is right here where we need it," she says.
Chris designed the pitched roofline above this integrated kitchen and family room, which was built on the footprint of the old kitchen and its outdated conservatory.
Nearby, they installed a second bathroom and separate toilet near the laundry with its access off the back porch.
Out on the back deck, there's a discreet trapdoor down to the underground pool cavity excavated by the previous owners.
These owners opted against installing a pool, preferring instead to engage their skills above ground.
When Robin and Chris bought this property, they owned the New Lynn branch of Mitre 10, where Robin was in charge of the garden centre.
Chris, an accountant with a passion for building, built the waterfall into the wall here and Robin filled its surrounding tiers with a low maintenance garden of white roses, buxus and blue and white flowering plants, complete with four watering systems.
At the top of the garden they've opened out converted guest quarters to a sheltered outdoor area and spa pool beneath flowering bougainvillea and a grape vine.
This is the home that Chris' long-time family friend saw advertised for sale and announced one working day: "Hey, I've found you guys a home. Have a look at this!"
Now retired, Chris and Robin are looking for something equally charming as they plan to downsize.