In suburbs where the streets are lined with character homes, finding one that’s true to its heritage yet effortlessly modern is rare.
While that sounds incongruous, you’ll understand when you step through the front door of 7 Ashton Road in Mount Eden.
Here is a home with strong bones and beautifully restored character features that seamlessly blends with comfortable modern living, despite being built in 1912.
“When we first moved in 38 years ago, it was in absolute need of love,” current owner Peter says.
Start your property search
“It had the original scrim on the walls and the original kitchen, and while there was a bathroom inside, the original toilet was still out the back.”
Peter and his wife set about creating a warm, comfortable home for their growing family.
But while they wanted to breathe new life into the home, they also wanted to retain as much of its character as possible.
“Once fireplaces and ceiling roses are ripped out, they’re gone, and so is that connection to the past,” Peter says.
“We sanded back the kauri doors and matai floors and kept the original ceilings, but we’ve made the home more open-plan and user-friendly for modern living too.
“We wanted to complement the past without replicating it.”
Over the almost four decades Peter and his family have lived on Ashton Road, they’ve carried out several renovation projects, including adding a master suite above the garage, extending the veranda, and redeveloping the outdoor area, all of which were designed by Peter who is an architect.
“When we put the pool in, our house became very popular with the kids’ friends. The pool and garden are excellent play spaces because the property is very private and secure so we knew the kids would be safe.”
Upstairs, a large multi-purpose space has evolved over the years.
“It’s been a kids’ lounge, a playroom, a family room – there was a time when two of our three kids slept upstairs,” Peter says.
“The space has that attic feel about it which is quite cute and unusual, and because it gets [flooded] with sunlight it’s a really lovely part of the house to be in.”
Around the corner is Mt Eden village with its colour, vibrancy, and unique sense of community.
“The kids went to local schools and sports clubs, we were always involved in the local play centre and kindergarten, and a lot of people we met in those early days and still catch up with still live here. Mt Eden is the kind of place you stay for the long-term.”
For now, though, it’s time to move on and create new memories.
“As we’ve started to pack up and prepare for sale, we’re rediscovering 38 years’ worth of collections and reliving all the memories that come with them, which makes it really emotional to leave,” Peter says.
“It’s time for a change, but we will leave a part of us here.”
7 Ashton Road in Mount Eden will be sold at auction on August 18.
The property is listed by Anne Duncan and Vincent Barnao of Anne Duncan Real Estate.
