03 Magazine: February 08, 2023
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40 <strong>Magazine</strong> | Home<br />
“It’s always been a place for all the generations to come and recharge<br />
and I’m sure that will continue into the future."<br />
slates that were still in good condition and recycled slate from<br />
demolished Christchurch buildings.<br />
In the lounge, a section of original stone was retained and<br />
glassed over to showcase the craft of the original builders.<br />
The refurbished home has three living areas and eight<br />
bedrooms and ensuites. Before, there were four bedrooms,<br />
so it was “a bit of a squash” when their three adult children<br />
and eight grandchildren returned home, Gloria says.<br />
There are also lots of spaces where different generations<br />
can “sit around and talk and find solutions for the future”.<br />
“We’ve bridged the old and the new so the old home is<br />
still very much as it was but it’s been totally refurbished. Then<br />
we’ve put on a new kitchen, living room, games room and<br />
patio area. That’s where we were able to really lighten things<br />
up with glass on the roof and big doors to outside.”<br />
“We’ve also future-proofed her. She’s not going to fall over<br />
and she’s warm and solid and she’ll be fine now for another<br />
100 years without anybody having to worry too much about<br />
leaking roofs or rotting floorboards.”<br />
Despite nothing being level, square or built as first thought,<br />
their builder remained calm, she adds.<br />
“I’m sure he went home every night scratching his head<br />
because there was so much problem-solving involved but he<br />
never showed that to the rest of us. Roger and all those who<br />
worked with him are the masters of this project and we’re<br />
just lucky enough to live in what they created.”<br />
Set on a sheep and beef farm 20 minutes drive from<br />
Oamaru, the homestead is surrounded by a large expanse of<br />
lawn, ponds and gardens with some of the trees planted by<br />
the Borries more than 150 years ago.<br />
Gloria says they lived off site during the two-year renovation<br />
and returned with a renewed love for the property.<br />
“It’s always been a place for all the generations to come and<br />
recharge and I’m sure that will continue into the future.”
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