Home Tours

This bold New Plymouth bungalow is a modern family home

Article by Your Home and Garden

A couple spotted a Californian bungalow near their rental and snapped it up

meet & greet

Chris Boggs (financial services executive), Megan Lehl (human resources manager, currently on maternity leave), Millie, nine months and cavoodle Olive.

the property

Modernised four-bedroom, three-bathroom Californian bungalow in New Plymouth.

Sometimes, what you’re looking for is much closer than you think. In the case of New Plymouth househunters Chris Boggs and Megan Kehl, it was right on their doorstep.

The couple had been renting a home in the seaside suburb of Strandon while they looked for a property to buy. Then, they found exactly what they were looking for – the house next door, which belonged to their landlord. Once they stepped inside the modernised 286sqm Californian bungalow, the couple were immediately smitten.

“It made quite the impression,” says Chris of the house that enjoys views of both the Tasman Sea and Mt Taranaki.

For Megan, who hails from Nebraska, which is smack-bang in the middle of the US, the vistas of the sea were captivating. “I didn’t see the ocean until I was 15,” she explains. “I couldn’t stop thinking about the house. I really wanted to live there.”

The bungalow, with its four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a nursery/study, were all pluses. They loved the character – their previous home was an 1800s villa in Grey Lynn, Auckland – but also the fact that it had modern extras, such as new double-glazed joinery, full insulation, central heating and cooling, plus a swimming pool. The heritage, coupled with all the modern conveniences, made it a standout.

In late 2019, a deal was struck and the house changed hands. Chris and Megan packed up, moved next door and started to make the property their own. They removed a couple of walls, installed a new kitchen, ripped up the carpet that was concealing native timber, gave the walls fresh colours, added new furnishings, and set about displaying pieces of art bought from local artists and overseas. This took about seven months, during which time Megan discovered she was pregnant with Millie.

Make it mine

This was no radical revamp. Chris and Megan, fresh from renovating their Auckland villa, simply wanted to raise the already-high bar. They set about planning changes to the kitchen, which already had a lot of good elements. “Chris has a really good eye for these things,” says Megan.

A black-and-white kitchen with a “clean, non-cluttered feel to it” was designed and installed. Balancing the monochrome elements was key and they vacillated between options. They settled on a black island with white cupboards and Caesarstone countertop and splashback, the proportions reflected in a much-loved piece of art by New Zealand-based Sarah Albisser. The couple also insisted on high-spec appliances, fittings and fixtures – something they deliberated over during the project but are now extremely pleased with. In keeping with their minimalist plan, small appliances are all neatly tucked away.

Another major factor was the floor. Up came the carpet, which revealed mataī flooring. The trouble was, not all of it was the native wood. The couple had to make a big call – whether or not to order in extra timber to provide continuity throughout the house. They did and, again, are glad they forked out to have it specially machined. Custom linen curtains were another choice they’re pleased they went with.

Bearer of good hues

Interior colours and furnishing choices were inspired by “beachy” and “monochrome boho” looks found in magazines and on Pinterest. Resene SpaceCote natural shades such as Resene Sea Fog contrast with bolder colours such as the Resene Cabbage Pont found in the media room. The hallway, in another green shade, will be repainted in Resene Sea Fog or similar. Chris says he loves the colour of the media room, and the hue of the hallway just didn’t work alongside it.

You’ll find eye-catching pieces everywhere, including art by Kiwi artists Milarky and Flox, a Thai wooden carving, an African mahogany unit with the mirrors restored by Chris, and framed pages from an 1892 Auckland Star newspaper, which they found in the wall of their previous house.

There is no shortage of plants, thanks to Megan’s ability to propagate, and the creative couple turned their hand to making their own linen headboard.

For Megan, the couple’s upstairs bedroom is her favourite space. “After I had the baby, I spent the whole day there. I can look at the ocean and the mountain, and sometimes I do yoga up there.”

Chris likes it, too, as well as the moody-coloured, south-facing media room. The latter, he says, is a real contrast to the rest of the light, open house and “is the only room that’s kept all of the old elements, such as the ornate plaster ceiling”.

The welcoming front portico, with the well-trimmed corokia hedge, is another favourite with the couple.

Scooping the pool

Chris and Megan already loved their quiet seaside neighbourhood, home to an attractive mix of tightly
held character houses and newer builds. But their property has brought even more enjoyment of the outdoors. An inground pool, tile patio and landscaping make this a beautiful place to be, especially in the warmer months. Palms were planted beside the pool after the couple returned from Mexico, and the space is festooned with lights, adding a twinkling element to evening dining and entertaining.

“We make sure we eat meals outside in summer,” says Chris. “We have a couple of outdoor furniture settings.”

It also helps that the connections between the house and outdoors are so effortless. Three sets of sliding doors open onto the patio. “The indoor-outdoor flow between the living areas and outdoor dining and pool areas is one of the best features of the house,” the couple say.

An outdoor shower is ideal after swims in the pool or at the beach, just down the road.

Chris, who admits to being a reluctant gardener, maintains the neat landscaping and the couple also have raised garden beds with herbs, tomatoes and lettuce.

Practically perfect

Another plus of the house is its ability to host visiting family and friends. The guest area has its own bathroom with bath, walk-in wardrobe and private access to the pool area. And thanks to sound-proofing insulation, activity in one area generally doesn’t disturb the peace elsewhere in the house. When there’s a movie or music on in the media room, it can’t be heard from the bedrooms.

An internal access garage and laundry and wet area between the garage and main part of the house, are handy for family life. The elevation, which provides views of the ocean, also affords privacy from neighbours.

When asked if this will be Chris and Megan’s forever family home, they say they’re not certain, but it’s certainly the place they want to be right now. There’s not a day goes by that they don’t appreciate what they have. When the couple returned from the US and walked into the house Megan says she experienced a sense of relief. “It’s so nice to be home.”