18 Tainui Street, Somerfield, Christchurch, Canterbury

They just don't make them like this anymore and in a city once famous for its Edwardian bungalows, they are getting harder and harder to find. Which makes this perfect combination of classic detail and modern convenience such a gem.

Throw in some highly motivated sellers under offer elsewhere and a family-friendly location zoned for Cashmere High School, Christchurch South Intermediate and Somerfield Primary, and it's snooze and lose on this one.

The home's many original touches - fireplaces, stained glass inserts, Bakelite doorknobs - combine to create a charm-fest of style and authenticity. The panelled hallway and polished wooden floors glow with the rich patina only age can give. None of this compromises the three-bedroom Somerfield home's ability to cater to the demands of the modern family. At its heart is a warm and welcoming open-plan living and dining space that opens through French doors to a patio perfect for that morning coffee.

The kitchen, with its island breakfast bar, lots of counter space and plentiful storage including a butler's pantry, is a practical workspace that can easily switch up from everyday cooking to entertaining guests. The home has three double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and a shared modern bathroom with separate bath and shower. The neutral décor throughout means ample scope for a new owner to bring their own style. A heat-pump delivers comfort whatever the season.

From its quiet, tree-lined street, the spacious single-level home looks to be torn from a storybook, with its white picket fence, period iron gates and bay window. The established garden is a delightful haven of lawn and leafy, sculptural plantings and beds. The veranda seamlessly connects the home's interior spaces with the yard and at the same time functions as an outdoor lounge. So does the paved area off the kitchen, where you can relax, dine and entertain.

There is off-street parking and two sheds for the gardener and to store the toys. Potential remains to add further value and your own touches to the home. All this in the amenity-rich neighbourhood of Somerfield. You'll be handy to the Port Hills for everything from gentle walks to full-bore mountain-biking, and it's a short distance to Barrington shopping mall and the central city.

We know this home's 'something special' feeling will win hearts so contact the agents without delay to view.

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