Now I am sure anyone who walks into the kitchen and bath is going to do a little sigh, Branz Renovate 1940-1960s, pg.65 will tell you why. “If a kitchen is still largely in the original condition, it may not easily accommodate some modern appliances such as a dishwasher, microwave and a larger refrigerator.” I on the other hand jumped for joy. One of my pet peeves is to have to redo a poorly remodeled kitchen and bath and thus paying for the remodel twice.

Now you may say well get on with it. I plan to, but unfortunately it is not on the top of my list yet and when it does I may move in myself. Here’s why.

They advertised the house as having “a stunning harbour view and all day sun”. It is all true, but you have to be doing laundry or be standing in the bathroom to see the view and this kind of bothers me.

See, where I come from we just use a forced air furnace to heat the house and orient prominent rooms towards the best view and then take into consideration the sun. If done right in New Zealand it is the other way around. So in this house you get great morning light at the breakfast table and all day sun in the lounge with its windows on three sides, but you can hardly see the harbor view. I want to change that.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. The way I was taught - any room that has windows in two directions feels bigger, grander and has much better light. Add a third direction and you are living the life. This house hit the jackpot. Add stunning views in every direction upstairs and it is hard to beat.

Branz, pg.8. “John A Lee also believed that housing should be located in attractive areas” “close to transport, and by including recreational community facilities, they were designed to create communities.” This house is just down the street and abuts in back a community reserve. This reserve houses a thriving community garden. There is a nearby school, tiny business area and bus transport. All signs that this is how this area was designed.

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