With spacious living areas and a north-facing aspect, Rohan and Justine saw the huge potential in their 1920s bungalow when they bought it six years ago. Back then, the house had a small closed-off kitchen and tiny bathroom, while most of the back yard was taken up by a huge four-car garage. After many changes, and some help from an interior designer, they now love their family home and are ready to relax and enjoy it. When we went to photograph it, they were in the midst of a pre-Christmas pool party. The festive season, indeed!

What did your home look like before the renovation? When we moved in, the main living area had a small kitchen that felt quite closed off, and there was a large support beam in the centre of the room. We took this out and opened up the kitchen. There was an aluminium window in the living area that did not fit in with the rest of the home, which we took out. We straightened up the hallway, to align it with the doors at the other end of the living room, which lead to the back deck and garden. The en suite bathroom was not off the master bedroom, so we changed that, and we made the main bathroom bigger. We removed the four-car garage that took up most of the back yard, and built a pool and spa, rumpus room and new garaging.

Where did your inspiration come from? From our interior designer, Donna Jones at The Design Option.

What was the biggest challenge with creating your home interior look? To know where it is important to spend money and where you can hold back on it.

What was the greatest success? That the home feels comfortable, like a real family home.

Which space in the house do you get the greatest satisfaction from? The kitchen/family room. It is open and spacious and great for entertaining.

What is your advice for someone trying to achieve a similar look? Use an interior designer.

What colours did you use? We used lots of neutral colours - there is a different colour in almost every room. We like that every room looks a little different as a consequence, but they work well together as a whole. Of the rooms pictured, the living area is Resene Half Truffle, the sitting room is Resene Craigieburn, the master bedroom is Resene Heathered Grey, the en suite is Resene Black White, and the child's bedroom is Bison Hide. The exterior paints were mixed specially for us, but are very close to Resene Surrender and Resene Sidewinder.

In the sitting room, painted Resene Craigieburn, the boys have hung their stockings on the fireplace in anticipation of Santa's visit.

The master bedroom is painted in Resene Heathered Grey.

The en suite bathroom is painted in Resene Black White.

One of the boys' bedrooms is painted in Resene Bison Hide.

The exterior of the house is painted in Resene Surrender and Resene Sidewinder.