The grand old lady of Remuera

By VICKI HOLDER

Steeped in romantic elegance and memories of colonial New Zealand, Fairholm shines as gloriously as it did when it was built in 1898.

This beautiful historic mansion in the heart of Remuera has only had two sets of new owners since then. The Mappin family - who gave their land to Government House - bought the property in 1960 and, in 1987, John and Christine Fernyhough purchased and restored the house and garden.

Paying careful attention to detail, the Fernyhoughs researched the history of the home and worked from early photographs and peoples memories to bring back the property's original character. In addition, they wanted a more open, contemporary layout that was suited to modern family living.

The house was built of the best materials, almost entirely of kauri, and it featured all the mod cons of its time. It had three large reception rooms as well as the kitchen, and additional rooms downstairs. Upstairs, there were five bedrooms in the family wing and two staff bedrooms.

The kauri doors, window frames and mantelpieces were impressive pieces of joinery in their day, as was the beamed, panelled and ornately carved ceiling in the dining room on the south side of the house. Today, the timber details and the ceilings are as much features of the house as they were then.

The Fernyhoughs used demolition kauri for their restoration project and sought out craftspeople to reinstall the stairwell, architraves, skirtings, panelling and balustrades. They restored the ceilings, central light roses and magnificent stained glass windows and doors. All the hinges were made to original specifications, as were the brass door handles and finger plates.

The house faces north along the Remuera ridge and enjoys views of Rangitoto to the north and One Tree Hill to the south. An all-weather tennis court stands on the land which once housed the stables. It looks over a vast flat lawn, down the Portland Road valley, across large, century-old trees and an English country garden to the harbour beyond. Designed in a series of rooms and structured walkways, the garden's formal and informal areas envelop the house in tranquillity.

This home enjoys the ample proportions that were a hallmark of those grand old New Zealand properties. The timelessly elegant soft furnishings by Geoffrey Bennison and the 17th, 18th and 19th century English, Welsh and Irish oak and elm furniture give it a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

Double doors lead from the generous foyer to a formal lounge. Opening through french doors to the porch, the lounge incorporates intimate sitting areas by a log fire. A grand piano resides in a bay of leadlights, and heavy curtains hang from rods with finely carved finials to keep wintry chills at bay.

The hallway through to the family area leads to the second stairway, where a guest bathroom features an antique Royal Doulton basin suspended in a brass carriage.

Linking the formal dining room and the kitchen, a scullery and bar area offers practical storage back to back with the laundry. Sun-baked, 19th century, French clay tiles flow between the kitchen, the adjoining dining room and an informal sitting room, and these sunny rooms open to the swimming pool and the terrace.

Upstairs, the large master suite flows through french doors to a balcony and a sitting room/library. All three bedrooms feature impressive match-lined kauri ceilings. The main bedroom has a generous dressing room where clothes can be concealed neatly behind the kauri doors. The pale grey tiles on the floor and walls of the en suite are teamed with beautiful leadlights to create a restful atmosphere.

The family bathroom includes a delightful bath dating from 1839, which features an original painted woodgrain exterior and painted marble interior.

The three-car garage and the tennis pavilion have self-contained flats above them. These buildings have been restored in kauri and are in keeping with the main house.

Thanks to the respectful restoration of Fairholm, it remains a magnificent homestead of yesteryear that has managed to move gracefully with the times to successfully cater for modern family living .

Vital Statistics

Fairholm, 282 Remuera Rd, Remuera.

Features: Renovated historic homestead with English country garden and two self-contained flats; extensive harbour and Rangitoto Island views; short walk to Remuera Village; all-weather tennis court; swimming pool with water feature; formal and family living areas with private living area off main bedroom suite; furniture and chattels negotiable; central heating; alarm system.

Size: 4037 sq m.

Price: Unknown.

Agent: Leila MacDonald, Barfoot & Thompson, Remuera. Ph 524 0149 bus; 630 5488 ah; 025 928 926 mob. Martin Schiller, Sothebys International Realty, Sydney. Ph 0061 293621000 bus; 0411 853 406 mob.