Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 12 New Zealand | Page 52

Preceding pages: The living spaces
are airy and light filled. While an
historic home might have had the
high ceilings, it would have lacked
the large wall openings and open
layout that let occupants make the
most of the natural light. Sliders and
French doors open two sides of the
room to the outdoors. Together with
the interior woodwork detail, the
filigree on the verandah forms part of
the indoor aesthetic.

“Then, with the site clear, we followed Andy
Blyth’s brief for a large two-storey family house
with classic street appeal – contrasted by an airy,
light-filled interior with plenty of room to move.”
Setting the new home over two levels created views to the city from the upstairs spaces.
It also meant the home is on show to passers by.
The original, low-set house had no street presence – only its roof was seen from the pavement.
With an old-school, wrap-around verandah,
white weatherboards, a corrugated iron roof,
dainty filigree trimming and turned rail posts
on the verandah, the exterior has a classic face.

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The only clues to the home’s contemporary
nature from outside are its over-sized windows,
to maximise views, and the deep verandah – old
houses have slender wrap-around walkways.
Stepping in the front door and turning right,
an entry hall with powder room gives way to
the open-plan living, dining, kitchen and family
rooms. The house is split level. Up some steps
to the rear of the main living volume is the generous master bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and
ensuite – looking to the rear of the property. The
master bedroom has generous dormers on two
walls, providing morning and afternoon sun.