Creative power couple Emma and Dane Winter have bought all the understated elegance, ease and style of their sartorial endeavours into their beautiful Te Atatu home.
Born and raised in Mount Maunganui, the Winters are founders of footwear brand La Tribe and Summer Supply, importers and distributors of global lifestyle brands like Havaianas.
They have transformed their classic 1970s coastal residence into a calming and convivial family sanctuary overlooking the Waitemata Harbour, where they live with their three kids – Nala, 7, Kalani, 4, and Kye, 3. Before purchasing 56 Covil Avenue in 2020, the family were already living in Te Atatu and love the neighbourhood and its community vibe.
“I’m a surfer and love the water. The boat club is so close and we’re also well connected to our work and life here,” says Dane.
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A move to their new home was meant to be. “We were living on the same river and every morning we’d raise the blinds in our room and could see the tip of Covil Ave – it was the first thing we looked at when we looked north,” he says.
Despite being nine months pregnant and initially resistant to a major renovation, Emma relished the opportunity to transform and reinvigorate the classic brick and cedar home in 2021.
“I enjoy the creative process so for me it was a dream project. I was at that stage in life where could team up with a girlfriend I trusted [Toni Brandso from Material Creative] and we could really put our feel to the house,” she says.
Although life is hectic, “we thrive off chaos” laughs Emma, their space is not.
“We have so many things we juggle, so we wanted to make it peaceful and relaxing – like a sanctuary. For me it was about finding colours and tones that make you feel like that, I’m into making the energy of the house feel good. We went for creamy, earthy tones – a kind of monastery vibe. We used Marmorino lime wash plaster on the walls for texture and lots of wood and stone finishes for that grounded feeling.”
The open-plan kitchen, living and dining spaces flows out to the expansive north-facing decks, swimming pool and spa.
The very private, 1232sqm property is tucked at the end of the cul de sac and backs onto Covil Park.
Functionality was also at the forefront of the design, a must for busy families of five, so surfaces had to be robust and clutter needed to be easily minimised.
“Everything is easy to clean and there’s lots of storage. We’ve got a massive shoe cupboard – we are shoe people,” she says.
Although the home already had great bones, a reworking of the two level floorplan has made it much more conducive to family life and entertaining. It now offers four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, two living rooms, a third living/large office/rumpus/studio with separate access, and double internal garaging.
The open-plan kitchen, living and dining space flows out to the expansive north-facing decks, swimming pool and spa.
“It’s such a relaxing place to be. You feel out of the city in the city – almost a beach vibe. The kids spend hours out there in the pool getting that Vitamin D,” says Dane.
The very private, 1232sqm property is tucked at the end of the cul de sac and backs onto Covil Park.
“We’ve got a gate out onto the reserve, so I’m always out there with the kite and balls – it’s like an extension of your backyard,” he adds.
The Winters’ home has been a much-loved place for people to gather and connect during their time there.
The Winters have transformed their classic 1970s coastal residence into a calming and convivial family sanctuary overlooking the Waitemata Harbour.
The dining area is flooded with natural light and looks out to the garden and swimming pool.
“We have family all over the world that are bouncing back to Auckland and our house is the marae sometimes – we’ve often got people coming and going,” says Dane.
Emma adds: “It’s always been that kind of house, once upon a time they used it for Westside and a couple of episodes of Outrageous Fortune. We definitely brought it out of the ‘70s but its character was there from the start.”
Hayley Kirk-Smith, from Bayleys, is marketing the property with colleague Roberta Stewart and says that summer holidays never have to end with the luxurious “resort at home” living on offer here.
“Buyers will love the fabulous pool and garden, which are bathed in all-day sun with glistening harbour views, and interior design that seamlessly blends tranquil beauty with family functionality, all just moments from the CBD. The ultimate lifestyle retreat.”
56 Covil Avenue in Te Atatu South, Waitakere, is for sale by auction on February 4. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $2.475 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2021 for $1.99m.
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