While it’s not unusual for residents in Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and other fashionable surrounding suburbs to spend much time and money renovating a traditional villa, it’s another thing altogether to build a new one completely from scratch. However, that’s exactly what Kayne and Rianna Munro have done — in a quiet no-exit street in Coxs Bay, and the award-winning result is truly sensational.
“It felt as if we’d really hit the mark when I heard tradespeople who were coming in later on the project actually asking each other if this was an original home, or a new-build,” says Kayne.
The house at 24 Kingsley Street Cox's Bay is being marketed by Marc Collins, Barfoot and Thompson with a tender closing March 5.
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He and Rianna have always loved villas and they’d renovated several in the area. When they noticed a particular old bungalow up for sale in 2016 — just across from the house they’d recently finished refurbishing, they decided to take the plunge again — demolishing the tired, original house and starting from scratch.
They took their preliminary design and 3D elevations to Jones Architects who were keen to be involved in the project, and they engaged Jalcon Homes as the builders. The meticulous build was finished in December 2018.
Kayne describes trying to source all the materials for the house:
“The brushed brass we wanted for the tapware and handles wasn’t available in New Zealand, so we had to import it all, which was an interesting experience with Customs issues and inevitable delays.”
On the ground floor lie two bedrooms, reached via the light bright hallway with high studs. Each enjoys substantial wardrobe facilities and one has its own bathroom. The stylish white kitchen is more than generous with its enormous central island and top-notch Falcon stove, and there’s also a scullery for keeping food preparation out-of-sight when entertaining. Add to this a separate laundry and masses of dining and general living space with a gas fireplace — plus a cosy media room, and you really are living in the lap of luxury. Outside lies the deck, plus an outdoor fireplace and a pool — all enhanced significantly by easy-care, well-established subtropical plantings.
On the top floor is the master suite with its huge walk-in wardrobe and bathroom, which cleverly echoes the style of those downstairs. Little Indie, 3, has her own bedroom with a huge amount of cupboard room for storing toys and there’s yet another, spare, bedroom.
The balcony up here is decorated with intricate fretwork and trims and enjoys harbour views.
Kayne’s discovered that he’s pretty good at building joinery and has set up shop in the internal access garage. He made some of the internal doors and window seats himself, and they are finished perfectly.
The family is moving in a new direction, which opens up the perfect opportunity for keen buyers to move in and enjoy the substantial fruit of Kayne and Rianna’s skilled and imaginative labours, which they have enjoyed for the past 14 months.
“It’s hard to know where to start when you’re describing the selling points of this amazing home,” says Marc Collins of Barfoot and Thompson.
“We’re getting incredibly positive feedback and I think that’s because people love the idea of enjoying a traditional villa with all of its character features, yet without the maintenance that is usually involved in owning such a home.”
Marc says the five bedrooms are a definite selling point too. “That’s quite rare, and this little pocket in Kingsley St is traditionally very sought after.”
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