TREASURE TROVE

Much-loved travel mementos find new life at a coastal home in New Plymouth

- Caroline Moratti

For Delwyn McCurdy and Craig Hooper, F it didn't matter what their next house looked like, it mattered where it was located. The couple, having raised their now-grown children on a sprawling lifestyle block, wanted the convenience and comfort of living in New Plymouth for their next stage of life. "We wanted a smaller section with minimal lawns to mow, but I really wanted it to be by the beach," says Delwyn.

Meet & greet

Delwyn McCurdy (real estate consultant) and Craig Hooper (truck repairs) and their two dogs, Ted and Oscar, and Marley the cat.

HOME COMFORTS

The couch cushions are from local Fitzroy stores, Home Love & Mette K and Mee O Mi. Delwyn loves to swap these around and change the covers for a fresh look. A large cowhide from Koko Classics drapes over the couch.

They set their sights on the popular coastal suburb of Fitzroy, but having already missed out on three houses in the beachside community, Delwyn and Craig moved fast on the next newly listed property.

"We didn't care what the house looked like, we just wanted the land. It was all about being in the right location and the right position," Delwyn says. In fact, her first viewing of the sunshine yellow, two-bedroom bach wasn't until after purchase. "We said we'd live in it for six months to decide what we wanted to do, like knock down or renovate, but I had the architectural designer in two weeks later," she laughs. That was 14 years ago, and the pair are now proud owners of a contemporary oasis, minutes away from the call of the ocean.