Relative comfort

While most of their friends were still flatting, Ryan Denton and Claire Donaldson were house-hunting. The couple were in their early 20s when they spent six months searching Auckland's North Shore before settling on a bungalow in a quiet street near Ngataringa Bay.

In the 10 years since, they have given it a fresh and inviting feel. When they moved in, the couple removed the blue paintwork and carpet as well as a dark glass ranch slider that they replaced with bi-fold doors.

"It opened up the whole living and outdoor space and gave us so much more room," says Donaldson.

"Over time we've done the basics, such as painting the walls and tiling the bathroom and simply got to know the space. We have been lucky as the layout of the house has been easy to work with."

They have kept the elegant white fireplace in the sitting room, which is now a gathering point for the couple and their children, Ivy, aged 3, and Theo, 7 months. Delicate ceramics and antiques adorn the mantelpiece and the neutral colour scheme provides a perfect backdrop for beautifully printed family photographs and artworks.

"I like a light, fresh look," she says. "It complements most accessories and gives me the freedom to change areas easily. By simply adding a bright bunch of flowers I can change the mood."

The children's spaces have also received special treatment. Ivy's room has been turned into a little girl's haven, with floral wallpaper, bedspread and pretty framed prints on the walls. Theo's bedroom features cut-out wooden animals on the walls, made by Donaldson's father, John.

With the exception of Ivy's room and the main bedroom, the walls in the house have been painted in a white with a hint of yellow.

"I liked that it was white, but not stark white," she says. "Some whites throw a cold blue or grey hue and I liked [having] a slightly warmer feel to it."

Having a lot of input from family has also helped to make the 85-year-old house a home, she says.

"My family is very creative and they have added a personal touch. Mum made all the blinds and cushions and helped tile the bathroom. My brother Gavin is an amazing architect and did the plans for the kitchen layout and deck as well as helping with the build."

STYLE TIPS

Opportunity knocks: If you see a colour or garden you like as you pass by a home, don't be afraid to knock on the door and ask for details. "People are always flattered you did," says Claire Donaldson.

Considered approach: Take your time with design decisions. "Nothing looks better than something that has been pondered over and not rushed," she says.

Time travel: Donaldson loves to mix the old and the new. "Play with it; it's a lot of fun."

Leanne Moore is the editor of Your Home & Garden magazine.