Restoring classic homes shouldn’t be impossible

Get the 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 from Stuff's Homed team ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [Support our Journalism]( [Support our Journalism »](   HOMED 15 June 2024   Kia ora {NAME}, It was such a delight to talk to Keith and Lorraine Davis, owners of [The Gables]( , a character home in Brightwater, near Nelson, this week. Originally from the UK, the Davises moved to New Zealand in about 2007 and promptly fell in love with one of our most storied classic homes. The Gables is associated with one of our most famous settler families - the Palmers. The family includes a former PM, [Sir Geoffrey]( who visited the home often as a child. Sadly the home was left to go to seed after it passed out of Palmer ownership, by a succession of dreamers who never quite pulled off restoring the 140-year-old home. Part of the reason, Keith thinks, is that there were too many caveats on work that could be done to the [Category 1 Heritage New Zealand-listed property]( that made restoring it prohibitively expensive. In the original scheme of restrictions the Davises were expected to have rolls of [wallpaper]( specially printed to match the period wall coverings inside the house. That could have run to hundreds per roll - not a cheap proposition for the 402sqm home. In another instance, they would have had to replace the original antique sarking with a similar product - leaving the home vulnerable to fires. Fortunately, saving the home took precedence, and those caveats were removed, making it possible for the Davises to bring the home back from the brink of ruin, and return it to a functional dwelling. As Keith says, The Gables is not a museum, it’s a home, and Heritage NZ’s good sense - and the Davises' hard work - means it will continue to be a family home for generations to come. Have a good weekend. Kylie Klein Nixon Senior Reporter Homed Reporter name Reporter byline Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.](   [From derelict to darling: Historic Tasman home The Gables restored]( "It's an extremely skilful and wonderful job. It's fantastic. I couldn't believe what a wonderful job he did.“ [Why this ad]( [Moving back into old family home sparks new kitchen, granny flat]( Not many of us get to return and live in the house where we grew up, but that’s what this family did - with a sentimental renovation. 'secret' on market for first time in 30 years]( Legend has it Peter Beaven and the home’s owner camped at the site before committing to a design. Deco-style '50s beauty restored to splendour]( It’s a prominent landmark on Turret Rd in Tauranga, and the interior is just as powerful. beach owned by 10 families sold at tender]( Back in 1980, 10 families contributed $5k each to buy this property on the Awhitu Peninsula. Shareholders will now collect more than 50 times that amount. Support the Stuff you love. If you enjoy this content, please consider making a contribution. It can be as little as the cost of the coffees you drink while enjoying our news, podcasts and videos. [I'd like to contribute →]( [Discover more at Homed]( [Manage Stuff Account]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Terms & Conditions]( | [Privacy Policy]( You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the Stuff Homed newsletter. Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox.]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021, New Zealand [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [YouTube]( * You can email us at [feedback@stuff.co.nz](mailto:*%20You%20can%20email%20us%20at%20feedback@stuff.co.nz,%20or%20call%20us%20on%C2%A00800%20339%20000.), or call us on [0800 339 000](tel:0800%20339%20000).