Just one look was all Alice Wong needed to know she wanted the house at 39 Owens Road in Epsom, Auckland.
“I only saw it once, and then I went to the auction.”
Alice had always lived in modern houses, but had been looking around Epsom and was gaining an appreciation of vintage homes. At Owens Road, she saw a quality she hadn’t seen in modern houses. There was a lot to love. Within its 188 square metres are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen and dining room, plus alfresco spaces.
The modern kitchen references its era with terracotta tiled floors, decorative tiled splashbacks and beautifully crafted joinery, and it has an adjoining casual dining setting opening via French doors to a bricked-paved terrace.
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There’s a choice of two classic family rooms, and a formal dining area large enough for a banquet with French doors to the gardens.
A modern bathroom with walk-in shower, bath, twin vanities and marble surfaces is located upstairs, while a second bathroom serves at ground level.
Alice is selling 39 Owens Road in Epsom to move to Australia. The Arts and Crafts property has a 2021 RV of $3.025 million and will be sold at auction on April 5. According to OneRoof data, the property last changed hands in 2012 for $1.457m.
One of four bedrooms with beautiful wallpapers and drapes, and superb timber detailing on walls and ceilings. Photo / Supplied
The house is a long-standing testament to the character, charm and quality of homes from the Arts and Crafts era. Photo / Supplied
The house is spacious, north-facing and very light. Brick-built and time-honoured, it is a long-standing testament to the character, charm and quality of homes from the Arts and Crafts era.
The core characteristics of the Arts and Crafts movement are a belief in craftsmanship which stresses the inherent beauty of the material, the importance of nature as inspiration, and the value of simplicity, utility, and beauty. The Art Nouveau aesthetic meshed well with the Arts and Crafts emphasis on romanticism and hand-production.
This is reflected in the beautiful wallpapers and drapes, superb timber detailing on walls and ceilings, and lovingly crafted staircase with a carved statuette.
In her years of ownership, Alice has given much care and attention to both house and garden. A new roof, insulation, air ventilation and heat pumps have brought contemporary facilities to the home.
“Even the builders doing the work here loved the house and commented on its quality,” Alice says.
Within its 188sqm are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen and dining room, plus alfresco spaces. Photo / Supplied
The current homeowner, who is selling to move to Australia, says builders who have worked on her home from time to time have loved the house and its craftsmanship. Photo / Supplied
Barfoot & Thompson agent Leila McDonald agrees it’s a very special house, and notes that underlying its delicate design features is a solid structure, with many internal walls built of brick, and a terracotta tiled roof.
On a generous 859sqm section, recreated over the years by Alice into a beautiful formal garden, it’s only a short stroll to Epsom Girls Grammar, Newmarket’s high life, and Epsom's premier coffee houses and amenities offerings. There are landmark reserves within walking distance, and motorway access around the bend.
Opportunities in Australia are directing a move to the Gold Coast, so Alice is stockpiling memories of the house, right down to its distinctive shape. “I’ve loved everything about it,” she says. “Every room is my favourite.”
