"I just felt a real sense of calm," says Jane, a boutique owner. "It took me back to my childhood holidays at Lake Como in Italy." Owned by one family for many years, the "grand old dame" of a house was in definite need of a facelift. "Even though it was very charming, it was also quite rundown," says Jane, who shares the four-bedroom home with husband Paul, a property developer, and their two young sons. "My first impression was that it would need a lot of TLC!"

Apart from a bathroom and kitchen update, the structure of the house was left untouched and in its original condition. Jane and Paul decided to simply freshen up the interior, bringing their trusted designer, Marco Meneguzzi of MM Design, on board. Having downsized from a much larger home with a formal and ‘grown-up' feel, they wanted to do something different this time around.

"I told Marco that I wanted this house to feel like a beach house," says Jane. "Relaxed and easy." Dark floorboards were lime-washed and walls painted white or covered in a raffia wallpaper to add interest with its textured finish. The wallpaper (imported from the US) was one of the couple's most extravagant purchases and has transformed the home's entry. "Although it looks fabulous, the wallpaper turned out to be a nightmare to hang," recalls Jane. "It was still going up the day we were moving in!"

With the home's abundance of natural light and young children about, it was important to use water-resistant fabrics that wouldn't fade, so a collection of quality furniture - sofas, ottomans and wingback chairs - has been reupholstered in a durable, exterior boating fabric often used on awnings and boat covers.

Valances were added to some pieces and castors removed from others to give a varied look, while bold stripes and ticking mix with accent cushions made from ikat (tie-dyed) fabrics bought as sarongs on a family holiday to Bali. The lime-washed wicker chairs in the ‘loggia' (a room open to the outdoors) are the only new furniture and are often carried onto the front lawn when the family entertains.

Out of everything transformed or added in Jane and Paul's revitalising refresher, it's one of the most simple additions that gives them the most pleasure - seashells brought home from Bali and grouped in jars on shelves and side tables. "Because," says Jane, her face lighting up, "they make me feel like a kid in a candy store!"

INSIDE STORY
Who lives here? Jane, 39, owner of a fashion boutique, her husband Paul, 41, a property developer; their two sons Harry, nine, and Thomas, seven; and their pet boxer pup, Puzzle.

Favourite room in the house? Jane: "The master bedroom - because it feels like heaven!" Paul: "The home office, because of the abundance of natural light, and the view, of course."

Your first impression? Jane: "It just felt right when I first walked in. I loved the location and when I saw the huge master bedroom and adjoining full bathroom, that was definitely the clincher!"

Advice for keeping the family happy during a reno? "Lots of junk food - and take them away on holidays, if you can."

Any hurdles along the way? "None of the floorboards matched in colour and this made consistency in the lime-wash finish a real challenge, but we did it."

Define your style in three words? "Casual, timeless and chic."

Most valuable lesson? "Always seek professional help when choosing colours, carpets, window dressings and finishes. It is just too time consuming and expensive to re-do things."

Future plans? "I think we will knock out the three front rooms and create one huge indoor-outdoor room with a thatched roof. It'll feel like we're on holiday."

Best bargain find? "The ikat sarongs we bought for $6 each in Bali. We had them made into cushions for the wicker chairs in the loggia, backed with a plain navy linen that probably cost 10 times as much as the sarongs!"