Resene

Ready to start renovating, Kate Kelly chose a verdant shade to liven up her bathroom and old furniture

Lavish some time and attention on a tired door and marvel at the difference

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner’s work on her holiday house proves that a shoestring budget is no obstacle to true creativity

A Dunedin back garden has been turned into the ultimate fun zone for this lucky pre-schooler

Gentle sorbet shades are the key to opening the door to the land of Nod

A couple of keen renovators have used bold colours to personalise their new home

Transform an old piece of furniture into a cool home entertaining statement

Let your eyes drink in the bold, beautiful colour choices in this couple’s kitchen and wine cellar

Calling all weekend painters, decorators and upcyclers

Plan your dream room using our template and be in to win $2000 cash and $500 of Resene paint and wallpaper to make it happen

A shed on the garden’s edge became a healing renovation project

Take decorating inspo from a cute print for a modern vintage look.

A rainbow of colours breathed new life into thie beloved Waitaki Lakes bach

A murky green-black shade adds a chic touch to this Taranaki rental

With just a bit of wallpaper, you can upgrade a lampshade and personalise it to your space.

This side table has a wonderful home-crafted look to it like it has been cobbled together from odds and ends found lying around the garage. It’s precisely this Frankenstein feel that gives it such charm If you love the character and uniqueness that comes with handmade furniture, this DIY project is perfect for you. This […]

Have you used Resene paint at your place? Enter the 2024/2025 Resene Colour Home Awards

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner couldn’t fit in with their neighbours — so they went all out instead

Using Resene wallpapers or murals as a framed print is a fantastic way to add drama Transforming a space into a personalised oasis often requires a touch of creativity and resourcefulness. In this project, we are taking wallpaper and reimagining it as a stunning framed print, adding a unique flair to any room. With just […]

A Whanganui villa enjoys a colourful revival using maximalist magic A few years ago, Danny Breaker bought his century-old villa in the beautiful city of Whanganui. For the past 20-odd years, the house was used as a student rental, and he says, “There had been little love given to the house in those years and […]

Create your own oasis by colouring up an outdoor area with a punchy mural Add some fun and a sense of playfulness to your outdoor area by painting a colourful mural. All you need now is a cooling cocktail to sit back and appreciate your artistry. You will need: Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer Resene […]

Wall-to-wall wood is given a modern makeover Lydia and Richard Rayner dreamed of renovating their Lockwood home in Auckland for many years, but the thought of the effort required was enough to keep the pair putting off their plans. However, with the arrival of their newborn baby, they finally decided to tackle the project and […]

Make each day a sweet one for your child with these gentle, dreamy colours

Brush up your painting skills and brighten your wash days There’s no two ways about it, doing laundry is a chore so why not inject a sense of fun into it with a quick refresh? I painted a striped ceiling, used blackboard paint to make a blackboard, stencilled a word onto the wall, then added […]

Our 2023 Resene Small Room Awards winner had some fantastical fun with tropical wallpaper This year’s Resene Small Room Awards grand winner is something straight out of Harry Potter: a hidden bathroom-turned-library, accessed only via living room cavity sliders. Inside this magical world, a fantastical feature of Resene Wallpaper Collections 36630-1 leaps out at visitors […]

An iconic Wellington house shines just as bright, years on Designed by iconic Aotearoa architect Roger Walker, Mary and Michael Donn’s 1977 Wellington home is a burst of sunshine in the often-cloudy city. When it came time to paint the exterior, the couple initially planned a white facade with a contrasting trim. However, Roger strongly […]

The before and after images of Olympic rower Eric Murray’s year-long DIY transformation of a grand old villa in Cambridge Over the last few months we have shared content of Eric Murray and his partner Thea Lyle’s journey as they tackled the ultimate DIY challenge of bringing a 1912 villa into the 21st century, while […]

A hidden library nook becomes a leafy refuge Purchased during 2020, Lisa Foote spent several months last year extensively renovating her “special gem” of a Christchurch home. “Our goal was to lighten and brighten our once dark home and to include some unexpected pops and surprises,” she says. Her library, which was once a bathroom, […]

This party starter is built for home entertaining

A Wellington apartment gets a maximalist makeover From clothes to interiors, the maximalist trend has been sweeping the board. For a fine example of this aesthetic, look no further than the cosy ’60s Wellington apartment owned by Carrie Lagerstedt. “My choices were inspired by the maximalist trend and my own love of bold, quirky choices,” […]

We reveal the results of Olympic rower Eric Murray’s year-long DIY transformation of a grand old villa in Cambridge Meet & greet: Eric Murray (sports coach and business development manager) and partner Thea Lyle (teacher). The property: Four-bedroom 1912 villa in Cambridge. Some days, Eric Murray and his partner Thea Lyle just stand in their living room […]

Here’s how to paint your home green – whatever colour’s in the paint can Whether you’re painting your roof white to combat climate change, trying to reduce the paint smells that trigger your kid’s asthma or wondering how best to wash your paintbrush, there are a lot of reasons to think about the environmental impact […]

A colourful Nelson home stands out on a character-filled street When Bonnie Slade and Jason Callister moved into their “1980s fibre cement board box” home on a heritage street in Nelson, they knew they couldn’t match the character features of the other homes in their neighbourhood. “So, we went with an architecturally designed ‘complete opposite’ […]

Part two of our series following in the wake of an Olympic rowing legend as he transforms a grand old villa in Cambridge

Resene’s paint experts help you get the results you want every time Need help with your painting projects? Don’t pick up a paintbrush without consulting Resene’s vast vault of how-to advice, which is easy to access online, in person or on video. Where to find it 1 The Resene website is a wonderland of free resources […]

A Milton hallway evokes daffodils and pine trees Ahallway is a much-used, often neglected space when it comes to care and colour. For Alice Blake, it was a wonderful chance to brighten up her Milton family home, with bursts of green and yellow using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. “Looking out our hallway window we see […]

A hexagonal home office gets the tropical treatment Adrienne Morgan’s home office is not your usual working-from-home set-up. It’s located next to a unique ’70s pole house; a stand-alone hexagonal room off the deck that resembles more treehouse than workplace. “Initially, this area had a cold and uninviting atmosphere, with maroon-painted walls and worn sisal […]

A short-stay rental for visitors from home and abroad gets brightened up with some bold, beautiful shades Transforming her one-bedroom property to a short-term rental “opened up a world of possibilities” for Alisha Roff. “I wanted to create a fun, uplifting, creative, restorative place for all kinds of people to come and stay,” she says. […]

Resene’s colour experts take the guesswork out of choosing colours for your home With a rainbow of hues available, selecting colours can feel like the trickiest part of your renovation or room makeover. That’s why New Zealand’s most trusted paint brand, Resene, has free colour experts and a range of handy tools on hand to […]

Meet double Olympic gold medallist Eric Murray, the dynamo behind our new series tracking the transformation of a grand old villa in Cambridge Meet & greet: Eric Murray (sports coach and business development manager) and partner Thea Lyle (teacher). The property: Four-bedroom 1912 villa in Cambridge. Double Olympic gold medallist Eric Murray knows a thing or two […]

Follow the reno as Eric Murray transforms a Cambridge villa Don’t miss our new My New Home series where we’re following in the wake of Olympic rower Eric Murray as he transforms a grand old villa in Cambridge. One of the country’s most celebrated athletes, Eric has turned his focus from paddling to painting as […]

Step up and give your child’s room a fun circus feel with bold stripes, checks and animal accessories

A Nelson nursery uses paint and native trees to welcome a new member of the family Before the birth of her grandson, Jeana Freeman was asked by her daughter Brittany to paint “a little something to brighten up a wall” in what was to be the new baby’s bedroom. “As our family all love the […]

A moody powder room gets a facelift thanks to whimsical wallpaper Maureen Baird’s friends have always said that she’s got a good eye for design. Last year, the Timaru resident had a chance to prove it with the completion of her home, picking out Resene colours, designs and Resene wallpapers to bring her vision to […]

Have you used Resene paint at your place? Enter the 2023/2024 Resene Colour Home Awards What we’re looking for: • Clever interior colours • Inventive paint projects • Exciting exterior paint How to enter Email photos and a 200-word or more description of your space to [email protected] with your last name and ‘Resene Colour Home’ […]

Give a warm glow to your child’s bedroom with a bed nook in soft hues

Do you have a small room in your home that is big on impact? Have you done something bold or interesting with paint or wallpaper in a small room in your house? It could be an office, nursery, laundry or powder room – the only criteria is it’s small in space but big in impact. […]

Whether it’s a playhouse, she shed or teenager’s sleepout, a stencil-painted floor will elevate it from meh to wow You will need For the stencilled floor • Pine sheet cut to fit the floor, if yours doesn’t have one • Pencil and paper to practise stencil patterns • Plastic sheet to make the stencil. I […]

Creating an office out of a small room by utilising built-in furniture, floating shelves and a tidy charging station makes space-saving sense The word custom always sounds expensive to me, but it doesn’t have to be. Maximising a small space with built-in or custom furniture is a no-brainer. It could be a desk, floating shelves […]

A house gets a new lease of life with some bold colours Zoe Hallahan admits, “I was always terrified of colour.” But when she and her husband bought their home in Auckland, it was in serious need of a do-up, which only several cans of Resene paint could provide. The first room the pair painted […]

Add style and fun to your tween’s room that will last into the teen years Dressing up is fun, no matter what age, so create a corner for your tween that will spark their imagination. As they grow, transition this dress-up idea from superhero costumes to helping them find their own style. A great way […]

A hallway gets ‘tattooed’ with some punchy blue paint If you’re in two minds about getting a tattoo, why not paint one on your walls? That’s what Janeen Page did in her 1950s former state house in New Plymouth. Her hallway is now adorned with mermaids, marine creatures and other fantastical images, which look as […]

Show your potted plants off in a self-decorated container using our DIY expert’s step-by-step guide You will need • Brushes • Resene Waterborne Sureseal pigmented sealer for glazed pots or Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer for terracotta pots • Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path paint or Resene Sandtex Mediterrranean effect coating • Resene Quick Dry […]

The beautiful surrounds of Central Otago helped to inspire this new build’s colour scheme The spellbinding, vibrant light of Central Otago is no stranger to acting as muse to the many creatives that dwell on its doorstep, and this time the panoramic views inspired Naomi and Stefan Petersohn to integrate a world of colour in […]

Set a playful scene in a child’s bedroom by framing focal points with bright murals Painting murals in your child’s bedroom is a fun and relatively quick way to make their space unique, while highlighting certain features of the room. In this case, the mural makes the bed the room’s natural focus, and the shelves […]

A front porch plays with shapes and punchy pops of pink Martine Connor’s front porch, previously an “aged, unsightly plain concrete”, is now unrecognisable from its former self. The exterior of her Whangārei home has been transformed into a Mediterranean-like beauty, complete with patterned flooring and a bright, bold front door. Martine had previously done […]

A state house is given a pop of colour, and then some Kareen Durbin is smitten with her “simple, stereotypical state house” in New Plymouth, she can’t deny it. “We love the blank canvas this humble home has offered us as we experiment with colour theory at scale via Resene paints,” she says. After entering […]

Get on a roll and make your powder room pop with personality using our DIY expert’s step-by-step guide You will need: Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner • Sandpaper – I used 80 grit Bucket Ladder Layout brush Paper smoother Paste brush Plumb bob Scissors Size Knife Sponge Trim guide Wallpaper paste, if using unpasted paper Wallpaper […]

The winner of the Resene Small Room Awards harnesses the great outdoors through a love of colour Andrea Kurth’s decision to paint a punchy and playful mural on a white wall in her “plain” laundry turned out to be a winning move. The judges of the Resene Small Room Awards 2022 loved Andrea’s ingenious use […]

A sunny nursery receives the golden touch A nursery is always a tricky interior to decorate, but Alysia Simkin’s honey-toned mural masterpiece adds the perfect note of sweetness to a small space. Alysia’s vision for her young son’s bedroom was something “fun and creative for a kid’s room but not too out there that we […]

A family home creates waves with a colour palette that’s as evocative as the ocean itself Drawing inspiration from nature is nothing new but in Marie and Matt Weavers’ case, taking their design cues from native fauna and flora to inform their oceanic blue colour scheme proved irresistible. Their Upper Hutt 1940s build was slowly […]

Make your own wall art from leftover MDF. Nikki Kettle’s abstract piece was inspired by her local environment You will need • MDF off-cuts. I used what was left from the headboard I’d made more than a year ago • Primer, I used Resene Quick Dry undercoat • Marker pencil • Jigsaw or coping saw […]

A Whangārei porch earns its stripes through a striking approach to pattern and colour When Yvette Parker first purchased her home, she struggled to be inspired with the existing “beige on beige” colour scheme. The Whangārei local started out by painting the exterior in Resene Enamacryl in Resene Double Cod Grey, with a dash of […]

A blank canvas hallway is given the cosy makeover treatment When Jen Boyce and her family moved into their Hobsonville new build in Auckland, they loved how much of a blank canvas the space was, allowing them the opportunity to decorate the space with colour and style. Their first port of call was finding a […]

Have you used Resene paints at your place? You could win $5000 Entries are open! Get your entry in by 21 October 2022 and you could be one of our first finalists. How to enter: Email photos and a 200-word-or-more description of your space to [email protected] with your last name and ‘Resene Colour Home’ in the subject line. Please […]

Turn a child’s bedroom into a fun zone with textured paint effects and thoughtfully chosen, playful accessories Back wall Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Sakura and Resene Sauvignon mixed with Resene Paint FX Effects over the top. Floor painted in Resene Walk-on flooring paint in Resene French Grey. Take your child on a safari adventure […]

A white laundry wall is transformed with playful motifs from nature A white wall in Andrea Kurth’s laundry had always bugged her, calling the space “so plain”. The Taupiri local wanted to do something that could be painted on top of the existing coat of Resene Black White, rather than repainting the wall entirely. A […]

A dollhouse inspired a starry, whimsical makeover for this sweet space When Laura Bunea’s daughter, Sophie, requested a pink dollhouse for her room, what followed was a makeover of mythic proportions. “It’s such a gorgeous piece of furniture, I knew I wanted to create a whimsical space for her and this was the perfect base […]

A love-at-first-sight feeling helped transform this bathroom and laundry When it came to the walls in her laundry, Selese Rowe knew what she wanted but had to convince her partner, Michael. “He didn’t take much convincing, though,” she says. The couple had gone to a party at a character Timaru home, which had a wallpapered […]

Building framed bunk beds and finishing with curtains elevates the bach classic. Kids also love them at home You will need: • 90mm x 45mm H1.2 framing timber (I used 30 lineal metres) • 1 pack nails or screws • Skillsaw • Chisel • 6 x joist hangers (optional) • 5 x 12mm MDF sheets, […]

Freshen up a child’s bedroom by painting a wall in checks – the hottest pattern around right now Checked wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Half Secrets, Resene Green Spring and Resene Paddock. Right hand wall in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Paddock with floor in Resene Walk-on in Resene Half Secrets.  Checks […]

Do you have a small room in your home that is big on impact?   Have you done something bold or interesting with paint or wallpaper in a small room in your house? It could be an office, nursery, laundry or powder room – the only criteria is it’s small in space but big in impact. […]

Short on space? Why not make a slatted headboard and incorporate shelves that can be moved into position as a side table between the slats You will need: • Measuring tape • Pencil • 30mm x 30mm timber for the slats. I used dressed pine • 40mm x 19mm timber for the uprights • 250mm […]

This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winner had some sleepless nights about her edgy paint colour choice, but it was a champion decision The 2022 Resene Colour Awards winne r rewrote the rule book when it came to using bold, unapologetic colour without compromise. Awash in a world of white kitchens, Arna Marshall’s fearless use […]

Playing is not only fun it’s also essential for a child’s healthy brain development. Max out the space PAINT BOOKSHELF (left) From top to bottom: Blue box painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Takaka and animal in Resene Sante Fe. Books in Resene Tussock and Resene Twizel. Blue storage tub in Resene Half Resolution Blue. […]

This historic commercial building is now an asset to Waipu with a refreshed colour palette Lindy Davis and her family bought the former Bank of New Zealand and bank manager’s home a year ago with the idea of returning it to its former  “grand old lady” status. Established in 1924, the heritage-listed building in Waipu, […]

Sticking to a tight budget didn’t stop this clever homeowner from giving two bedrooms a brand new look Meet & greet  Billie Birrell (photographer) and Jackson, six. When Billie Birrell purchased her home, it needed “a lot of love”. She started with the bedrooms, which were previously lifeless, fatigued and lacking in colour. Her vision […]

The winner of the Resene Powder Room Awards 2021 revels in effortless glam and deep sultry blues. Homeowner Mel Spooner’s (right) decision to heed interior designer Clare Kitching’s advice to embrace the lack of the light in her Remuera powder room and create a dark and moody space has turned out to be a winning […]

Get playful and have some fun with waves, squiggles and curvy blotches Wall Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen and floor Resene Walk-on, both in Resene Bone, Resene Kalgoorie Sands. Headboard: Resene Kalgoories Sands. Painted wall frame: Resene Beethoven. Boucle chair from Kmart. Tobacco stripe euro pillowcase and tobacco duvet cover and pillowcase from Foxtrot Home. Cloud […]

There are no white walls in this power powder room – even the ceiling called for colour. When dreaming up the look for her Christchurch powder room, Rebecca Taylor knew she wanted it to be “surprising and a bit fun.” She found Resene Tropic Exotic Wallpaper 220122 fit the bill for the ‘fun’ aspect, but […]

A chic little powder room leaves a lasting impression on guests, with some saying it’s too pretty to use. What happens when you combine an old hallway cupboard and a seldom used wardrobe? For Kate Alcock, it was a sweet little powder room that most guests almost can’t bring themselves to use because it’s too […]

A dramatic powder room that was designed to provoke discussion from those who visit it. Helen Sheppard wanted guests visiting her powder room to feel as though they’d stepped into another world. And her choice of swirly-patterned wallpaper paired with a dark blue ceiling does just that. The dramatic room, painted with Resene Tangaroa to […]

All eyes are on this glam powder room, which embraces its dark and moody setting. Not much light filtered into Mel Spooner’s (left) Remuera powder room, so interior designer Clare Kitching of PeachHaus Design and Development decided to embrace the lack of light to create a dark and moody space with a nod to Hollywood […]

A small powder room with an exotic rainforest vibe. In a home filled with neutral hues, Charlotte Woolston’s powder room is a standout. “It was the perfect place to create a ‘wow’ moment for guests,” she says. She’s certainly achieved that, the room is a popular talking point. “We get such differing opinions,” says Charlotte. […]

This home’s Cape Cod-style and its sweeping sea views made choosing a colour palette easy Meet & greet Keryn (planner) and Jeffrey Broughton (consultant), Rosie, eight, Bill, six, and Izzy, three. Keryn and Jeffrey Broughton spent a year poring over every design decision for the renovation of their Cape Cod-style Dunedin residence. They had many […]

Ditch the plastic and enjoy the thrill of the Christmas countdown with a DIY advent calendar that’s choc-filled with festive activities

Unsure what colour schemes to use in your home? We’ve decoded the trending palettes and how to use them, so you don’t have to New Zealanders are finally embracing warmer shades, even when it comes to neutrals. All that time spent indoors during lockdown last year has us seeking comfort in earthier shades. Coupled with […]

Create a simple crate storage shelf using plywood and a smattering of paint You’ll need: • 1 sheet of 2400mm x 1200mm plywood (at least 17mm thick) • Measuring tape • Pencil • Skill saw • Wood glue • Screws • Drill • 3 wooden crates • Paint brush • Resene Dusky Pink, Resene Sea […]

Previously a storage room, hand-painted daisies in candy hues have transformed this space. See why it’s our first 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards finalist After trying – and failing – to find a wallpaper that suited both her daughters’ tastes, Kirsty Young took it upon herself to create something unique for their chill-out room in […]

Rust is trending this season. Add a touch of aged charm to your patio or garden with Resene’s exciting new rust effect paint. Earthy and naturalistic, the rustic look of weathered steel adds a welcoming feeling – and now it’s easier than ever to achieve this rich, storied look thanks to Resene’s new FX Faux […]

   This year’s Resene Colour Home Awards winners brought subtle colour and a dose of character back to an Oamaru villa Meet & greet Tessa Simpson, 35 (freelance makeup artist), Tyler Simpson, 34 (project foreman), Reeve, 5, and Luca, 3, plus Monty the Labrador. Tessa Simpson never imagined her character-filled Oamaru home would take out […]

This creative owner proves that paint isn’t just for the walls. See how fun-loving ’50s style was the starting point for this home’s colourful makeover. Interior designer Becky Lee has transformed the former blank canvas of her 1950s Christchurch home. When she purchased the house – which she shares with partner Phil Tumataroa, a writer, […]

A vibrant swatch of bird-patterned fabric provided inspiration for a playful paint palette in this refreshed Te Awamutu home In September 2019, Amy and Mark Arnold finished a complete renovation of their home in Te Awamutu. When it came time to choose colours, Amy was thinking an all-white palette would be the best solution. “We’d […]

A palette of blues and greys has given this Oamaru homestead a modern new look When the Simpsons bought their house in Oamaru five years ago, the colour scheme was far from what they’d dreamed of. “The entire house was a sea of beige and yellow – apart from one pink bedroom,” says Tessa Simpson. […]

Officially the colour of the year, according to Pantone, coral couldn’t be more apt for summer. Communicating vitality and energy, it really enlivens the home Fabrics and textiles: For those wanting a subtle injection of coral, try it in the form of soft furnishings, which work well with blush-pink walls. Channelling the colours of Cuba, […]

A magic moment over a glass of wine gave rise to this retro-styled home that uses moody greens, rich timber and pops of vivid orange to create a calm yet cosy vibe A love of mid-century design and Mad Men inspired this Katikati new-build, which combines the style of the past with all the convenience […]

The first finalist of the Resene Colour Home Awards injected a playful dose of pastel colours inside her Helensville family home. Scroll down to discover how you could also get the chance to win $5000 When Sam and Tineka Hoskin finally moved into their first home with their four children after seven years living in […]

Dial down the drama of daily life with the most soothing tone in the palette: Green. We show you how to incorporate this restful hue into your home Green is the colour we most associate with nature and its calming, peace-inducing qualities. Home as a sanctuary is the essential antidote to the demands of work […]

Have you used Resene paints at your place? You could win $5000 Entries are open! Get your entry in by 27 October 2019 and you could be our first finalist How to enter: Email photos and a 200-word-or-more description of your space to [email protected] with your last name and ‘Resene Colour Home’ in the subject […]

Looking to paint your floors? It’s an easy and affordable way to give your space a stylish new look. Here’s how to apply paint to any floor surface A few years ago none of us would have dreamed of painting the floor, but suddenly it’s all the rage and no one can remember quite why […]