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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS
XL Section + XL House = GO BIG in Westmere
Not often do land size AND house opportunities arise in Westmere like this. Everything about this property is EXTRA! Forget the standard three bedroom floorplan - this one is going BIG.
Let’s start with the size of the home - it’s BIG - 320 square metres BIG. Walk in and you will find six generous sized bedrooms spread over two levels. Just as well there are three bathrooms as well.
With three lounge areas and one dining room you will never feel boxed in. The kitchen is BIG and modern and you have a BIG internal access double garage.
Future proof your investment as this BIG 720 square metre site is zoned for Mixed Housing Urban so you will want to bring your architect along because you have options here.
With a north facing aspect and sea views you have so much to capitalise on going forward, all the while enjoying this well-maintained 1920’s classic that our current vendors have loved calling home.
Being just minutes from the local beaches, and having the iconic Westmere Butcher and great cafes practically next door this is a really easy choice. In addition to being in zone for outstanding local schools.
In other BIG (last BIG I promise) news... I am really excited to be part of the dynamic team that is Bayleys Ponsonby. I look forward to showcasing the amazing properties our area has to offer.
When you love living locally it makes it easy to sell houses in and around our amazing community. (MATT O’BRIEN) PN
Feel free to give me a call on 021 687 866... always available to talk real estate!
Clothing Alterations Alter Ego
Roong T: 09 376 8689 M: 021 032 9128 182-4a Jervois Road, Herne Bay E: ra_cha29@yahoo.com
“I get all my bits & pieces done by the smiling helpful Roong... and she’s got Eftpos = sorted...” MARTIN LEACH
TREE & HEDGE WORK At moderate prices, operating from the city fringe
For free advice and quotes, contact Mike 021 075 2356 / service@growthmaintenance.nz
Tonic Tile Lounge - One Year Open and Going Strong
“To say it’s been an eventful first twelve months with our new shop at 254 Richmond Road would be an understatement.
Our friends at St Clements moved over to the dark side of the world, into Teed Street, making way for Bauhaus to move into the precinct. Of course, this was made a little bit more challenging for them given two days after they took the keys to the new shop, we were in lock down. This was challenging for Tonic Tile Lounge also, as we had multiple containers of amazing new products and stock orders for clients arriving during this period. We got these off the wharf and eventually unpacked and carried on,” says John Ryan from Tonic Tile Lounge.
The world of big slabs has really taken off.
1200mm x 2600mm tiles are being widely used for all manner of applications. Tonic Tile Lounge recently put fourteen into a local house in Westmere as external cladding for an undercover sunk in lounge with gas fireplace. They were also used inside the house for shower walls in one of the bathrooms and as a stunning splashback in the beautiful breath-taking modern kitchen and scullery. They are certainly hard to beat for the wow factor, being as large as they are. Their size means very little grout used, also making them amazing from a cleaning perspective.
The introduction of some new handmade subway tiles in metallic gold and platinum along with a stunning emerald green has seen some incredible projects come to life.
We have completed a golden shower for a client using the metallic gold, laid in a herringbone design, combined with 900mm x 900mm ‘Waterfront’ concrete look tiles. The client said he has never had so many comments on a project. We are also awaiting images of a villa renovation not far from the showroom being completed in emerald green, very in-keeping with the era of the home.
Big bold marble looks are growing by the day. New releases by Imola Group our largest supplier are worth a visit to see. The ‘Dryfix’ technology used to create the stunning depth in the veins is like nothing we have seen from any other suppliers. As we are facing the onset of an aging population, our new ‘Slip Stop’ product continues to sell like hot cakes. The matt finish when dry, becomes completely non slip when wet. Having just installed it into a new build for my parents I have had some harsh critics test it out. They can’t get over how safe it is underfoot when wet. This is something we all struggle with at times but ‘Slip Stop’ technology alleviates the risk.
Thank you to all those that have supported us so far. We look forward to meeting many more locals at the Tonic Tile Lounge showroom, 245 Richmond Road. (next door to Homage and Bauhaus)”.
10am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday, by appointment any other time. 254 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland (next to Homage and Bauhaus) M: 021 644 728 / www.tonictiles.co.nz
Un-follow Fashion
Forget fads and trends. Think form and function. It will pay you dividends.
We all love our kitchens, and so we should. Without overstating their role in our lives, the kitchen is the single-most important room in the home, not only helping to nourish us on a daily basis, but also acting as the social hub of the family and the focal point of activity when entertaining. At its showroom in Takapuna, Kitchens By Design has three qualified designers that not only have the relevant skills and experience in designing kitchens, but also have a current and comprehensive knowledge of products, hardware and materials.
It’s no surprise, therefore, that when it comes to replacing it, we spend an inordinate amount of time on our devices researching, long evenings sitting on the sofa buried in brochures and magazines, and countless lost weekends in the car driving to every conceivable showroom, poring over everything from taps to tiles, and sinks to splashbacks. “Classic design lines, whether they’re traditional or modern will stand the test of time,” says Cripps. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go with an un-interesting or boring design; just be mindful that you’ll probably be looking at your new kitchen every day for the next 15 years.”
However, over and above the mammoth task of whittling down the myriad options of its constituent parts, the fundamental decision you have to get right is settling on a kitchen design that’s going to work well for you and your family. Without good design, everything else is just a collection of stuff, says Kitchens By Design’s, Richard Cripps. And he’s right.
“Your kitchen is going to outlive any trends that are currently floating around, so you need to think carefully about that. My advice is to unfollow fashion. Don’t get too caught up in trends that are happening right now,” he says. “Focus on the design. Design is your single-most important consideration. Get the design right and everything else will usually fall into place – so it’s vitally important to engage a designer that fully understands your specific circumstances.” “If you want to have a bit of fun with the design and the colour, choose parts of the kitchen that can easily be changed out in years to come – pendant lighting, tapware, drawer and cupboard handles, etc. But at the same time choose carefully the big ticket items, such as your benchtops and cabinetry style.”
No matter what stage of life you’re at, a young couple with no kids yet, forty somethings with a couple of teenagers in tow, or empty nesters contemplating retirement, things are going to change. So, when you’re weighing up the wants and needs for your new kitchen, don’t get too bogged down agonising over the latest appliances, benchtop materials or fancy tiles, go and talk to a qualified designer who will help to future-proof your kitchen for what life will look like at the end of the next decade.
If you thinking about putting in a new kitchen, give Richard Cripps or one of his team a call, or pop into the Kitchens By Design showroom at 3 Byron Avenue, Takapuna T: 09 488 7201. And for inspiration, take a look at their website at www.kitchensbydesign.co.nz
Mary Kelly Kilims imports one-of-a-kind vintage homewares from Turkey and is showcasing a large range of these pieces at the first ever MKK pop-up retail space.
Opening on Tuesday 11 August until Sunday 23 August, the pop-up shop will have rugs, runners, bags, poufs, cushions and much more.
Kilim Cushion Cover 40cmx40cm - $80 Kilim and Leather Backpack - $250
Kilim and Leather Overnight Bag - $595
Grey Patchwork Pouf - $275 Anatolian Barak Kilim Rug 220cm x 154cm - $1650
Vintage Herki Pile Runner 366cm x 94cm - $1895
MARY KELLY KILIMS, 53 Wood Street, Freemans Bay, M: 022 163 5300, E: hello@marykellykilims.co.nz, Instagram: @mary_kelly_kilims, www.marykellykilims.co.nz
Tell us about your background? I spent almost five years training with Asplundh, in Auckland City contract zone A022, east of the motorway down to Otahuhu. I worked in the Auckland Domain, Parnell Rose Gardens, and all the other parks and street trees, including 18 months on the insulated bucket truck for Vector assets. How do you price jobs?
I launched and ran my own company. It went like a rocket and my business partner and his wife wanted it for themselves. It’s still running. I next ran my own plumbing business business for several east to Howick and Takannini. We are based from Linwood Ave Mt
years. My latest business, Growth Maintenance, has been servicing clients for two years.
What services can you provide? All tree hedge and garden maintenance for rental properties. All tree and hedge maintenance for private home owners. Removals, pruning, corrective work to tree or hedges. You mention a maintenance schedule. Can you elaborate? GM designs and provides regular maintenance programmes for properties. This involves designing and implementing economic maintenance with intervals to economically maintain a property’s trees and hedges to current or improved standards.
All jobs are quoted, based exactly off an estimate of time required. Prices are pitched to be slightly below or at market average.
How far will you travel for jobs? We work from Orewa and Gulf Harbour to Pukekohe, west to Piha, Advice on property management with respect to trees and hedges.
Albert, on the border with Morningside and Grey Lynn.
What’s your favourite Ponsonby cafe or bar? Chapel, Fitzroy, Family Bar (upstairs)! PN
GROWTH MAINTENANCE - tree, hedge and garden, M: 021 075 2356, www.growthmaintenance.nz
Successfully Selling Brilliant Homes In Your Neighbourhood Six Homes Sold In July!
3 1 1
87 Clarence St, Ponsonby
3 2 1 2
205/367 Great North Road
The Dylan, Grey Lynn
3 2 1 17 Tawariki St,Ponsonby
2
1 1
1
303/12 Vinegar Lane, Grey Lynn
2
1 1
1
6/137 Jervois Road, Herne Bay
4
2 1
1
44 Albany Road, Herne Bay
Felicity Scott BBS | Residential Sales
Planning your perfect urban oasis
Clayton Sceats is at the forefront of trends and innovations in window furnishing trends. As commercial director of Lahood Window Furnishings he has worked with many of New Zealand’s leading architects and builders on a diverse range of projects.
We spoke with Clayton to discuss automation and why smart homes have become one of the most significant trends in window furnishings right now.
Automation is the future Technology has accelerated at a pace that has changed just about every aspect of life and a smart home is one the most noticeable design trends for renovations and new builds. Homeowners are increasingly selecting automation systems to control curtains, blinds and other items throughout the home.
This technology provides numerous benefits. Child safety, for example, is often a concern for homeowners and a motorised system is an ideal cordless solution that combines safety, style, and convenience. Homeowners can also open and close their window furnishings at the touch of a button, as well as schedule their window coverings to operate at set times. This keeps a room warm in winter and cool and summer.
In renovated villa style homes that include modern extensions, a dual approach can be implemented. Automation can be retrofitted to the existing part of the house using traditional shutters or curtains, in keeping with the style of the house and then using the same automation system we can automate blinds in the modern extension. “A favourite moment on a project was watching 120 motorised roller blinds rise and fall together. This was a technically skilful project for a home in Mairangi Bay, where the blinds needed to work individually as well as a group,” says Clayton.
One thing is for certain; curtains, blinds or shutters shouldn’t be an afterthought at the end of the project. “They are a major part of a room visually, and something that you will interact with every day, so it’s vital you achieve an end result that is both beautiful and practical,” explains Clayton.
“It’s important to note, if you are considering motorising any window furnishings that you plan early so wiring and electrical work can be prepared well in advance,” he adds.
Lahood works closely with home owners, architects, builders and electricians from early planning stages through to installation.
With over 35 years in the industry Lahood have the products and experience to ensure a perfect solution is provided to suit your needs. Feel free to visit our showroom to see a motorised blind, curtain and shutter demonstration, or book a FREE consultation.
