Sophie Reid quite literally fell for her home in Birkenhead, Auckland, the very first time she saw it. Arriving for the open home, Sophie, who was wearing “ridiculous” shoes, tripped coming down the steps and “flew in the door”.
“It was so embarrassing,” she says of the incident five years ago.
Fortunately, she managed to resist the temptation to flee without taking a proper look at the cottage. After regaining her composure, she checked out the property and was instantly smitten.
“I just loved the character,” Sophie says. “The location is so good, too — it’s so close to Birkenhead and the motorway.
Start your property search
“But being surrounded by bush means that it is peaceful and private and hard to believe you are in the middle of suburbia.”
Built in the 1920s, the house had been a one-bedroom bach back in the days when the North Shore was a holiday destination for Aucklanders.
Later on it was enlarged to three bedrooms and previous owners put in french doors, extensive decking and skylights, making the most of the bush setting but allowing in plenty of light.
It had been painted green inside and out, but for Sophie, seeing the same shade on the interior walls as the bush outside was a bit much, and she decided to repaint.
Today the walls are cream and soft grey, perfectly complementing the greenery outside.
As well as repainting two years ago, Sophie gave the house an extensive makeover, creating a cool, contemporary vibe that works well with its period charm.
She didn’t need to do any structural work, but one of the bigger jobs was replacing the dated marine ply kitchen with a sleek new one designed by Mal Corboy.
It has a hardwearing but stylish Corian benchtop, striking stainless steel door handles, turquoise tiles, and a pantry with pull-out shelving.
Making the most of the cosy space, Sophie installed open shelving and diner-style bench seating in the dining area, choosing eye-catching red for the seat covers.
“I work in textiles, so choosing colour and fabrics is what I do,” she says.
Her eye for style is evident throughout the house, including in the bathroom, which has been fully tiled with subway tiles.
White plantation shutters have been used to great effect in many of the rooms, and pale grey carpet in the bedrooms and lounge contrasts well with the original wooden floors in other parts of the house.
All of the bedrooms, including the smallest on the lower floor that doubles as an office, have french doors out to decks, and there is also access from the lounge to a large, triangular deck.
“There is a lot of space out here for entertaining, and it’s really sunny and private,” says Sophie.
“When the flame tree is out, it is just beautiful.”
Being surrounded by bush means wonderful bird life. “We also have these big fat wood pigeons that sound like 747s when they take off.”
For nature lovers, there’s also the special treat of glow worms by the stream at the bottom of the sloping section.
There is scope to extend the house, which only takes up a tiny part of the large site. Sophie has consulted an architect, and considered extending the master bedroom to include an en suite and walk-in wardrobe, and building a media room underneath the main deck.
But she and her partner have bought another home, so now someone else gets to enjoy the new lease of life she’s given the property.
55 PUPUKE RD, BIRKENHEAD, AUCKLAND
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 0*
SIZE (more or less): Land 2327sq m, house 95sq m.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12.30-1pm.
AUCTION: Thur Sept 20.
SCHOOLS: Willow Park School, Northcote College.
CONTACT: Brooke Barrass, Harcourts, 021 131 0566, and Jordan Selwyn 027 671 5882.
*2 OSP.
