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The living room features the inky Resene Jaguar, contrasting against Resene Daredevil in the kitchen.
Resene Shiraz adds a pop of colour in this bedroom against the lush greenery and neutral tone of Resene Bianca.
The living room features the inky Resene Jaguar, contrasting against Resene Daredevil in the kitchen.
Resene Daredevil brightens the space behind the fireplace. The trims are in Resene Jaguar and walls and ceiling in Resene Bianca.
The master bedroom is painted in Resene Plum with Daredevil trims and Bianca on the ceiling.
Adding warmth to a cold space in the home, this bedroom was painted in Resene Pirate Gold and Bright Spark.
A maximalist mid-century home brought to life with colour and hard work
There is something instantly disarming about Lina and Shipley’s home. It feels lived in, deeply loved and as the colour will tell you, unapologetically bold. The mid-century abode, originally built in the 1950s, has lived many lives, and it shows in the best possible way.
When they bought the house many years ago it came with plenty of character and just as many challenges.
“Our home is a mid-century bach that has seen many additions (as we discovered when renovating) since it was originally built in the 1950's,” says Lina. “We renovated the entire house after purchasing it 'as is where is' just over ten years ago. It was a gruelling year, working full time and coming home and working on the house in the evenings and weekends but we managed to get it done in just under a year.”
That year involved re-levelling the house, ripping out the bathroom and laundry, and leaving no room untouched. “Every room of our three bedroom home needed renovating to bring it from ‘earthquake survivor’ to ‘family home’ vibes,” she says.
The kitchen features Resene Jaguar and Resene Daredevil.
Resene Daredevil brings life and energy to the dining and kitchen space.
The kitchen, which was once small and boxed off, was opened up completely. “The kitchen was tiny and had a wall separating it from the rest of the house so that had to go… removing the wall meant we were able to open the space and give it more flow.”
Renovations all come with their challenges, and the realities of living through one can be, at times, pretty wild. “We had a portaloo for the first two months of the renovation and a ridiculous set up that saw us having to step on floor joists over gaping holes in the floor just to get to the shower. The chickens used to pop their heads up and come inside whenever they pleased.”
Resene Shiraz adds a pop of colour in this bedroom against the lush greenery and neutral tone of Resene Bianca.
Despite the chaos, there were moments worth celebrating. “Then eventually, the downstairs bathroom was complete – the first room in the house to be finished. It was so exciting we threw a bathroom party.”
The bathroom is painted in Resene Gimblet, a near-neutral ochre green.
Both bathrooms are painted in Resene Gimblet, chosen for its lightness without slipping into pastel territory. “I was looking for something that would be light and airy but wasn't pastel blue or yellow. When I opened the tin I knew I had chosen the right colour, the swirls settled on top of the paint where teal and gold – two of my favourites!”
From there, the home slowly came together, with the kitchen saved for last. “The last room to be done – to my absolute displeasure – was the kitchen! What a glorious day it was to finally have this finished!”
The living room features the inky Resene Jaguar, contrasting against Resene Daredevil in the kitchen.
As a florist, Lina’s relationship with colour runs deep. “I have always loved colour and texture and the way the eye moves through designs. Autumn is my favourite colour palette and I really leaned into this when choosing colours for the main living area. I wanted the space to feel spacious, warm and welcoming.”
There is also a strong sense of reclaiming colour choices she once had to soften. “As a kid I was allowed to paint my room a few times and choose the colour myself… I guess this empowered me to go all out and paint those deep, rich colours on the walls of my home.”
The living spaces revolve around two standout hues. A deep blue black and a bold, joyful orange. “The black in the kitchen and the lounge is a Resene colour I absolutely LOVE called Resene Jaguar. It has subtle hints of teal and is a beautiful blue black. The orange is Resene Dare Devil, which I chose for the name,” Lina says.
“This creates a real sense of depth and space when viewed from the fireplace end of the lounge. Now when you sit at the kitchen table looking into the lounge you see that gorgeous orange on the wall, as well as being reflected off the mirror cluster on the cupboard door at the end of the hallway.”
Resene Daredevil brightens the space behind the fireplace. The trims are in Resene Jaguar and walls and ceiling in Resene Bianca.
The whites throughout the house work to soften and contrast against the bolder tones. Resene Quarter Scotch Mist on the walls and Resene Bianca on the ceiling add warmth and became the perfect choice of neutrals.
Bedroom painted in Resene Observatory and Shiraz, with Bianca on the ceiling.
The bedrooms are layered and expressive. One space features Resene Observatory and Resene Shiraz. “A colour combo perhaps inspired by our trip to Turkey the year before we bought the house.”
Adding warmth to a cold space in the home, this bedroom was painted in Resene Pirate Gold and Bright Spark.
Another bedroom, once Lina’s flower studio, now glows in Resene Pirate Gold and Resene Bright Spark. “Inspired by my love of autumnal colour and the fact that this room is quite a cold room. I wanted some colours that would make my flower designs pop so I went with these rich, bright yellows.”
The master bedroom is painted in Resene Plum with Daredevil trims and Bianca on the ceiling.
“I wanted the master bedroom to be cosy, warm and lush,” Lina says. “I went with Resene Plum, a delicious, rich purple – reminiscent of a colour I once wanted as a child but had to settle for a soft lavender instead.”
Rather than emulating a specific look, Lina followed instinct. “I don't really have a ‘style’ per se. I wanted to make my house a home – warm and inviting, and with personality.” The result is a layered, plant-filled space that feels both collected and intentional.
“Most of the furniture we have has been thrifted, found or made… With my love for all things botanical, it may also be no surprise that there are many, many plants in the house.”
When asked which is her favourite space, Lina doesn’t hesitate to single out the living space. “I love all the plants, the colours, the light. When the sun shines the disco balls send sparkly motes of light around the space and at night the low light, lamps and candles create such an inviting vibe.”
There is one thing you will not find here. “We do not have a TV! Which I absolutely love. We are a music and books kind of household.”
This is a home that tells its story honestly. One layer, one colour and one bold choice at a time. Lina’s home shows that you can truly make a space that reflects your own personality and journey.
Top tip: Strong colours like many of the shades selected by Lina will tend to highlight any imperfections in wallboards, more so than lighter, off-white and neutral shades. To enhance this try using Resene SpaceCote Flat which also imparts a more subdued, contemporary finish or if using a low sheen finish (SpaceCote Low Sheen) consider using Resene Broadwall Surface Prep and Seal as wallboard surfacer before topcoating.
Ready to add some colour into your home? Head into your local Resene ColorShop to pick up some testpots of your favourites so you can test them out before making a decision. And if you need some advice, Ask a Colour Expert online for free!
Published: 15 Jan 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
