The future of this well-loved character Opawa home hung in the balance until Nathan Cook Builders came to the rescue with this tasteful and sensitive restoration.

Words Kathy Catton Photography Sarah Rowlands

Lovers of character homes are very different from the average décor enthusiast. Where others might see a neglected pile of bricks that’s past its prime, someone who loves older homes sees nothing but potential. This is very much the case for Linda Hazel, co-owner of this 300 sqm 1900s villa. Oozing with love for her house, Linda was passionate about maintaining the character of this home, considered an earthquake ‘write-off’ just nine years earlier.

“The old girl has been good for a hundred years and deserves to stand for another hundred,” she proclaims, referring to the beautiful home with views of the Port Hills in one direction and the Southern Alps in the other.

Restoration The original timber finishes have been restored to their former glory with painstaking care in the hallway. The addition of the stairs meant re-creating the balustrade in the period style. — **Restoration** The original timber finishes have been restored to their former glory with painstaking care in the hallway. The addition of the stairs meant re-creating the balustrade in the period style.

When Linda and her partner, Dennis, purchased the home in 1995, Linda dreamt of renovating. They put in an offer immediately after viewing and went unconditional the next day. It was only afterwards they discovered there were 30 back-up offers on the table and even six months after purchasing people were still enquiring about the property. Linda had recognised the potential and seized the opportunity. With only three previous owners, the original being the curator of Christchurch’s Botanical Gardens, and the last being an elderly single woman, it was only fitting that Linda set to work on renovating and making her dream a reality.

The earthquakes shook not only the city but also Linda and partner Dennis’s resolve. “Our home was devastated. It was such a write-off, Dennis wanted to bowl the whole lot,” explains Linda. “I couldn’t have done this restoration and renovation without Nathan and his team of builders and subcontractors.”

Nathan managed the entire earthquake repair and the major renovations to the home, alongside the caring eye of Linda. The project involved lifting the whole house three metres to dig and lay a new foundation, total re-cladding and re-roofing, the addition of a two-storey back extension and working with a combination of existing, new and recycled materials.

“My team worked on a similar earthquake repair in Tai Tapu. But that was much bigger,” says Nathan. “At 600 sqm that was the biggest house lift in Canterbury! We had to cut the house in two and later ‘stitch’ it back together.”

But despite the complexity, Nathan took it all in his stride. The works to this expansive home were kept firmly in the style of the building. The house had to be deconstructed to the framing to remove rotted wall cladding, ceilings and flooring.

And the final rebuild is outstanding. The finishing detail inside the property is meticulous. Beautiful polished floors throughout, original doors, fireplaces and ceiling roses, all serve to revitalise this stoic unique villa into a modern-day reincarnation, retaining the original character.

“I live in a one-hundred-year-old villa myself,” says Nathan. “So, I understand the level of passion involved.” Nathan and his team relish the idea of having homeowners who are as involved as Linda. Nathan explains, “We want the client to be involved every step of the way. It’s important to us that the client gets what they want, and that’s easier to achieve if they are engaged throughout the process. I think this sets us apart from other home build companies, who don’t tend to like homeowners on site all the time.”

One of Linda’s favourite involvements was the roof tiling, which consisted of sourcing tiles that were as close as possible to the originals.

After - Major Renoations The Nathan Cook Builders' project involved lifting the house three metres to lay a new foundation plus totally re-cladding and re-roofing. An extension was also added above the garage. — **After - Major Renoations** The Nathan Cook Builders' project involved lifting the house three metres to lay a new foundation plus totally re-cladding and re-roofing. An extension was also added above the garage.

“The one-hundred-year-old Marseille terracotta roof tiles were no longer manufactured, so I had to find an alternative,” states Linda. “Luckily, I found some Monier tiles that were suited to the New Zealand conditions and had a 50-year guarantee. It meant we had to have some additional engineering designed into the build, as they were heavy and being TC3 land there were restrictions around what we could use. But we got there in the end,” smiles Linda.

It’s this sense of perseverance that shines through with this renovation. Another example of this persistence is the beautiful recycled staircase, made of kauri and rimu. Using entirely recycled materials, sourced from TradeMe or The Pumphouse Demolition Yard, Linda worked with Nathan Cook’s team of builders to create stair rods that were entirely in keeping with the character of the home. Linda smiles, “The boys did a fantastic job.”

Linda maintained the original fireplaces throughout, with one still operating under gas. For four months before renovation works started, Linda worked tirelessly to chip out all the existing, undamaged tiles from the fire registers and surrounds.

Another example of the fantastic work of Nathan Cook’s team is the masterful reworking of the kitchen. Originally three rooms, the open-plan kitchen-dining area could now be described as the home’s ‘biggest kept secret’. Light and country-classic in style, it provides all the modern amenities while also being mindful of maintaining the look and feel of a traditional kitchen.

The whole renovation took just nine months to complete. Neighbours to Linda and Dennis would often compliment them on the polite and obliging nature of the building team, and were delighted not to have to endure swearing and loud music from the contractors. And after nine months a delightful character home re-emerged for all to see.

Nathan employs twelve staff and typically aims to complete ten home projects a year, of which approximately half are character renovations. The tight-knit team have been working with him for several years.

“We have carefully selected our subcontractors over the past 20 years, based on their high level of workmanship, quality and experience,” says Nathan. He values his staff, subcontractors and his customers, saying, “I still get Christmas cards from clients I built for 20 years ago.” He’s doing something right!

The result is an incredibly warm, inviting home, that feels like it belongs both in the present and the past. It has a sense of timelessness and sensibility, honouring those who have lived there before Linda and Dennis. As Linda says, “I felt obliged to do this character renovation, for the sake of the previous owners. It’s a beautiful home, and I want to maintain that connection to those that have gone before us.”