A talented Auckland duo transform an art deco house into a stylish family haven.

Words and Production LeeAnn Yare     Photography Larnie Nicolson

One thing Julian Ward really loves about the New Lynn home in Auckland which he shares with his wife Janice, their daughter Stella (3), and baby son Ted (7 months), is the staunch art deco concrete exterior. Julian admits he was completely intrigued by its original features when his late mother Linda spotted the for sale sign in 2005. Despite being a well worn rental at the time, with bright orange walls in one room, sponged blue on blue in another and fluoro green in several, there was no doubt for this couple that the potential was endless. Take the massive front yard, add bucketfuls of character, plus the bonus of a studio at the rear of the house that would provide rental income to support the renovations ahead. As far as Julian was concerned, this home was a great buy.

As a furniture manufacturer Julian has a great creative eye, and is a pretty dab hand at DIY. With his manufacturing skills, Julian has been responsible for the majority of the renovation workmanship, with a little help from his very handy friends and family. “It is pretty convenient having access to a factory full of machinery and tools just down the road,” he says.
Being of sound 1930s design, even the internal walls of the house are solid brick and plaster, right down to the foundations. It’s these walls that make this house incredibly warm in winter and amazingly cool in summer, but it has meant even the smallest of structural changes has been major work.

Walls have been torn down to open up and flood the living spaces with natural light, creating serious amounts of dust and debris. Installing French doors to open out to the new rear deck meant the removal of the original kitchen window, and nearly a ton of concrete with it, while the conversion of an old boiler room into an ensuite for the master bedroom also proved challenging.
While very much a team effort, it was Janice who took charge decoratively.   

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