Confession: when we were looking at rental properties late last year I completely dismissed the house we now live in. My imagination often needs encouragement when it comes to making something old seem new again and this house was no exception. However, after much discussion I could see the potential; we just needed to repaint.

Because salmon pink walls just don’t work, do they? Nor do faux mahogany curtain rods or thick, pink curtains. White was my solution to all manner of cringe worthy decoration choices so I set about creating an entirely new start with fresh paint in the shade of bassinet; an apt name if ever I heard one.

After seven years of dealing with damp and mould in our old house (and the subsequent health issues that were at their worst just before we moved), I wanted a paint that would resist mould and mildew if they ever surfaced (I doubt they will considering the glorious full sun we bask in every day – never again will I underestimate the benefits of a home with a good aspect). The team at Taubmans were generous enough to provide us with Endure Interior in bassinet; a superior paint that is approved by the National Asthma Council of Australia as a sensitive choice for those with asthma and allergies. As a bonus, it also resists stains, handy considering dirty, little hands like to leave fingerprint marks on a regular basis. When it came to ordering quantity, the online paint calculator came in very handy, too.

After taking down all the curtains, filling all the holes and hiring a painter who managed to get all the walls and ceilings done in three days, we were ready to move in. Settling in takes time and making a house a home takes even longer.

The house features a filled-in-wrap-around-verandah and the front room is a large L-shape which we have broken into a dining room, sitting room and entryway (our bedroom is an extension of this room, separated by a panelled wall). Sash windows run along the entire length so it’s light-filled from dawn till dusk. It’s my favourite part of the house (ocean views win every time) and I knew as soon as we moved in that I wanted to maintain the sense of space and light. We also didn’t want to spend much money so we prioritised the painter, new curtains and a footstool for the chair.

As you walk in the front door the entryway (top photo) is on your right and is incredibly practical, so much so that I have no idea how I ever survived without a dedicated space for everyday items. The little desk (as well as our dining table) was found at a deceased estate opposite our old house and it fits perfectly in this space. I have minimised the contents of the drawers so they only contain essential miscellany and writing equipment – candles, a lighter, incense, a few pens, sticky tape, notepad, an external hard drive and my laptop bag. The little terracotta bowl on the desk is for the car keys and the baskets either side contain my camera, reusable shopping bags, sunscreen and shoes.

On the left of the front door is our dining table and in the corner is my sitting chair which I will, no doubt, spend many hours feeding in. For those interested it’s the Ikea Ektorp Armchair + Footstool (that also includes a decent amount of storage) with a linen cover in a “loose country fit” from Swedish company, Bemz. The chair looks onto the short end of this L-shaped space where we have stored most of our books and the children’s toys.

The children share a room so when they are inside they tend to spend most of their time here. There’s significant floor space in front of the bookshelf so no doubt, a playmat will make its way there when baby is a few months old and wants to be in on the action (which is when the lego will, once again, become an issue).

I still have plans for this space but right now, in an attempt to save and not spend, I’m content with what we’ve created. Fresh paint, new curtains and simple decoration has ensured it’s both practical and pleasant; perfect for family life.