Gentle and harmonious, this kitchen features a quartet of classic coastal colours. Resene Orchid White is a reserved yet steady, oriental cream on the cabinetry while its cousin Resene Half Orchid White is a pale warm white for the ceiling and window trims. Resene Akaroa, the palest pebble grey, brings a subtle depth to the walls, while the crisp sea blue of Resene Botticelli is a welcome contrast on the island shelf and splashback. The deeper sand tones of Resene Quarter Mondo anchor the island base.

This kitchen is a study in contrast with bold wall colour used alongside more conservative shades. On all of the cabinetry, Resene Black White lends its chalky white calcite grey tones, then suddenly, the deep and mysterious Resene Diesel blackens the walls. In contrast, the fresh salad green of Resene Celery appears on the splashback. Understated Resene Half Alabaster is used on the ceiling and trims.

If earthy tones are your forte, the Resene Half Stonewashed cabinetry will answer your needs. It’s offset with the versatile neutral Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta on ceiling and window frames while the skeletal pared-back Resene Quarter Fossil shines on the walls and open cabinet. A sharp pop of chilli red Resene Jalapeno draws the eye to the shelf and splashback.

The original schemes uses an unexpected but stunning palette of colours, including the subdued, greyed hues of Resene Washed Green for a touch of nature’s beauty to the cabinetry and island base, set alongside the clean transparent blue of Resene Scandal in the open cabinet above the refrigerator, and the elegant shadowy lilac of Resene Centaurian (who would have thought purple would look so good here?). The absolute classic of Resene Quarter Spanish White sits on the ceiling, trims, walls and splashback.

This cool scheme for a boy's room features walls in Resene Bounty, a Provencal steel blue with a grounding patina of age. It’s a colour that will take children from babyhood through to the teen years, and has an aged vintage feel. Contrasting crisply on the ceiling and skirting is Resene Half Ecru White, a clean-edged shade with a warming touch of ivory.

Feature walls rule, but with a twist. Resene Blackboard Paint provides the perfect reusable canvas for a budding Picasso to hone his or her skills, and the smart black contrasts perfectly with Resene Chaos, used on the window wall. This bold, sassy pillar box red is bright, pure and infinitely interesting. Chalky, soft almost-grey Resene Black White complements this scheme perfectly, on the ceiling and trims.

There are no rules with kids’ colour, and if he or she has more than one favourite – no problem! The deep delicious summer sea blue of Resene Surfs Up – used on the back wall and window frames – sits easily with the flamboyant yellow-based green of Resene Wham on the adjacent wall for a result that’s undeniably striking. Sharp white Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream is perfect for the ceiling and trims with its faint, inherent touch of green.

The mischievous clean, bold orange of Resene Orang-atan has proved a huge hit in the Resene KidzColour range with its lively and uplifting qualities. It resonates perfectly with the blue furniture and with Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, a versatile, changeable, almost white neutral used on the ceiling and trims.