Joel Hart and Emma Francis had been looking at property in North Canterbury for a while.
Together as a couple for the past two years, they wanted something small, near the beach, with a big garden.
“I’m interested in permaculture and herbal medicine. We want to incorporate that more into our life, to be able to live more sustainably off the land,” says Emma.
Maria Rickerby and Ruby Burney of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Amberley had just the place: an adorable two-bedroom cottage brimming with charm and potential on a 1000m2 plus section, in the peaceful heart of Leithfield Village, which had been in the hands of the same family for the past 150 years.
“We knew right away,” says Joel, a professional artist who works in a contemporary urban pop style, mainly making portraits.
“We instantly fell in love with the garden, and the cottage was also exactly what we were looking for,” says Emma, whose green fingered plans include turning a portion of the garden into a food forest, nurturing the existing trees, plus growing herbs, veges and fruit, with space left over for flowers, which she also loves to grow.
In the Palmer family since the 1870s, the most recent inhabitant Peg Palmer had lived all her life there, apart from 18 months when she worked at Cholmondeley Children’s Home in Governors Bay.
Peg had six brothers and sisters who all grew up together in a cottage made of sod, daub and wattle. When her father died at the age of 92 in 1972, Peg inherited the property. Her plans to restore the original dwelling proved an ongoing challenge, so she purchased the Keith Hay cottage and had it moved onto the property.
Lovingly maintained since then by Peg, who had countless happy hours in the cottage garden enjoying the local bird life, the well-established, generous size section has long served as a tranquil oasis, providing peace and serenity.
Both Emma and Joel are used to living near the sea, with Joel having grown up in Brooklands and Emma in Waikuku, so easy access to the ocean was a precious part of their dream. Leithfield Beach is a brisk walk or a short drive away.
They are also approximately halfway between each set of in-laws, in Amberley and Waikuku, another important tick in the box. Leithfield is within easy reach of fast-growing Amberley, and not much further from regional hub Rangiora.
Joel’s children Willow (13), Bowie (six) and Otis (five), feature heavily in their plans for the property, spending plenty of time with the couple.
“With five of us in the cottage it will be cozy, though we like it like that,” says Joel.
Comfort for the family is underlined by a wood burner for the open plan living area and an HRV to ensure the whole place stays snug. Holding firm to its 1970s era décor and character, the weatherboard cottage shows the benefit of careful maintenance, adding up to an authentic charm, which clearly captivated Emma and Joel.
Also in prospect is a small studio on the property that Joel plans to build as a base for his art practice, a career that has sustained him for the past 12 years.
Maria says finding such a perfect fit for a property listing is always a special moment.
“Peg put so much care and attention into the property. Unfortunately, now aged 93, after a recent fall where she broke her sternum, the time had come for Peg to move into a rest home.
“This is the home where Joel, Emma and their family will now make their own memories. Passing such a cherished family home on to people who you know will love it just as much, though also put their own stamp on it, is one of the most satisfying parts of our role,” she says.
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