Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live in such a special old building. In fact, it's often not until I see the reactions of people who are visiting for the first time that I am reminded how much history and character our place has, and for a while I view it through new eyes.

Having lived here on and off for the past 11 years, it's easy to become used to the vast amount of space we have and what others perceive as rather dark and atmospheric surroundings. We don't have a lot of natural light here and we kind of like it that way.

Once the Ambassador Theatre, our building used to be the hub of Auckland's Point Chevalier. The Spanish mission/ art deco building, designed in 1929 by Sinclair O'Connor to coincide with the new tram lines being built outside, was one of the largest cinemas in the country and could seat up to 1300 patrons.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Natasha Francois and her artist partner Peter Roche at home in the old Ambassador Theatre in Auckland's Point Chevalier.

In 1956, the cinema was taken over by Kerridge Odeon and they ran it until its closure in 1986. Since then it's been used as a temporary library, an Assembly of God church and even a rock 'n' roll venue.

The theatre still has the old orchestra pit below the stage in the main auditorium, a hallmark of the pre-sound era. There's also the remains of an old well under the floorboards and who knows what else!

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JASON DORDAY/STUFF The main living area, which was originally Natasha's bedroom.

These days, the theatre is used by my partner, Peter Roche, as his art studio. He bought the building in 1996 after it had lain empty for three years. Street kids used to sleep here, and to say it was a mess when he got it, is an understatement. When Peter moved in everything – including the wall sconces and period details– had been painted over with a lick of pink paint and he spent untold hours scraping it off and restoring the walls to their original state.

The entire auditorium is now littered with Peter's kinetic and neon sculptures and you have to wend your way across the wooden floorboards, making sure you're not tripping over any power cords or standing on anything breakable, then climb three flights of steep stairs to get to the living area on the top floor. This is our main living area where you'll find the kitchen, open plan lounge and sweeping views of the main road, the square and glimpses of the sea. As there's only one natural light source, courtesy of the main windows, we have (mid century) lamps of all descriptions illuminating the lounge. This creates a super cosy atmosphere in winter.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Artworks by Peter Roche hang in the hallway that divides the mezzanine floor.

The kitchen was once the film projection booth, and downstairs, I am lucky to occupy the former candy bar and ladies toilets (which is now the bathroom). I've got an entire floor to myself and it's amazing having so much space to spread out. I used to be a bit of a hoarder but I've reined myself in and I'm relishing the extra floor space.

Did I mention we also have a kitten? Puss puss is her name and she absolutely adores having the run of such a vast, interesting space. She's already discovered all the best nooks and crannies to hide in and likes looking out the windows at the seagulls and pigeons flying past. As well as three floors and a mezzanine, Peter also built her a "catio" in the courtyard out the back. As we're next to a busy motorway and carparking area, it was unsafe to let her roam so the "catio" is the perfect solution.

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JASON DORDAY/STUFF Natasha's describes this collection as "kitsch knicknacks and ornaments".

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Egg chairs and Peter's neon artwork.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Peter Roche's Royal Doulton collection: mid-century reproductions by Wayne Hemingway.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF A mid-century console with collectibles.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Peter's bedroom is upstairs.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF Natasha's bedroom.