In the blood

Colour accents are a feature of Trish Jenkins' decorating style. Photo / Supplied

During 34 years of marriage, Trish and Dave Jenkins have built three houses and renovated six more - and they're not slowing down.

"Renovation gets in the blood," says Trish. "We both love the challenge and we're not finished with doing up old dungers just yet."

Their Auckland do-ups have included a three-storey apartment in Onehunga and a 1915 cottage in Titirangi, while projects in the capital have include a rundown house in Eastbourne and a large villa in Evans Bay. Their latest move has been to Wellington's Karori, where they took over Dave's parents' three-bedroom townhouse while his parents built a new home out the front.

"We bought their old place, mainly to be closer to them as they're in their 80s, but also with the intention of subdividing the land and building three houses," says Trish.

As if that wasn't enough to keep them busy, the couple have opened a Thorndon shop, Zinc+, which specialises in vintage industrial furniture. When it came to renovating the 1980s townhouse, there was no room for pussyfooting about. "The whole place was pink, from the walls and curtains through to the light bulbs," Trish says. "My overall vision for every renovation I do is to create a blank canvas with neutral walls and window treatments."

The tiny kitchen next to the living room was made to appear bigger by painting some cupboards white and removing the doors of others. The open-plan shelving is perfect for showcasing Trish's growing china collection, which includes large green-glazed plates found in France, jugs from Prague and her favourite Carlton Ware pieces.

At the centre of the living area is a prototype dining table that has since been refined to become one of their shop's best-selling designs. With its black-painted turned legs and hardy zinc top, the table is the perfect blend of French and industrial style, a look the couple loves. Trish's overall vision for this room was for a red, black and neutral space. Hence, the couple's sofa and a chair had to be recovered.

Cushions and throws provide red accents, in addition to the large shutters that the couple found on one of their annual buying trips to France. "We love the Paris flea markets," says Trish. "But they're very expensive, so we tend to buy most of our pieces from rural France."

Style tips

Total package: Don't renovate a home room-by-room without giving thought to how those rooms will tie together. "Envision it before you begin as one over-arching project," advises Trish.

Co-ordinate: When choosing interior colours, buying and trying out test pots is not enough. Create a colour board using snippets from colour charts, magazine pictures and scraps of fabric so you can see how the colours work together.

Start from neutral: A neutral background provides a blank canvas onto which you can splash colours with cushions, lamps, artworks and books. Leanne Moore is the editor of Your Home & Garden. See the latest issue for the full story on this home and other inspiring ideas for your place.