New Plymouth couple Kirsty and Craig Jones transformed their once 1980s-style dining area into a botanical oasis perfect for entertaining.

Snapshot
Who lives here? Kirsty Jones (mum/floral designer/cake maker), Craig Jones (creative director/graphic designer), Finley, 7, William, 6, August, 3, and Marcello, 6 months.
Location Frankleigh Park, New Plymouth.
The goal To create a bright, creative space with a vibrant botanical theme, utilising the big window seat and making it as comfortable and practical as possible for young children.
Then Very 1980s, yellow painted walls with the timber surrounds painted brown.
Now Fresh, practical, light and fun.

DIY details
Kirsty, which room have you renovated? We’ve renovated the dining room (and the kids’ bedrooms since moving in). We spend a lot of time in the dining room entertaining and eating, and lounging back in the all-day sun in the window seat… it’s the hub of the house and the thoroughfare between the lounge and kitchen.
How long did your makeover take? A good year in between raising children and having another baby.
Budget
How much did you spend? Probably $2500 so far. With growing children (and their growing appetites), friends and family over, we’re going to need a larger dining table soon so that’s next on the list.

Words by: Johanna Thornton. Photography by: Jane Dove Juneau.