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In this retro meets modern living room, the walls are painted in Resene Wheatfield, with Resene Half Wheatfield on the ceiling, a neutral base for Barbie’s striking décor.
In this kitchen, the Samsung fridge sings of warmth in Resene Summer Rose, pairing well with the wood tones and warm hue of Resene Wheatfield on walls.
Golden hues in furniture and the screen divider offer warmth and complement the walls in Resene Wheatfield and ceiling in Resene Half Wheatfield.
This cosy living space is warmed up with Resene Wheatfield, offering a canvas for all of Barbie’s treasures.
In the bedroom, a Japanese-inspired design, Resene Wallpaper Collection 2311-174-04, adorns the feature wall, paired with Resene Rainee painted on walls and Resene Half Wheatfield on the ceiling.
The gentle grey green of Resene Rainee creates a restful space in the bedroom, pairing well with the muted pink tones in Resene Wallpaper Collection 2311-174-04.
Barbie’s dream house
When Naomi Robbins walked through the doors of her grandmother’s Mount Maunganui home, she saw more than just retro charm and sun-soaked views – she saw potential. With its stone masonry, sunken lounge and vintage spirit, the home was calling out for a thoughtful refresh, and a colour palette to match. Resene quickly became an essential part of Naomi’s vision to bring warmth, personality and softness into the space.
“Its bones were crying out to be brought to their former glory,” Naomi says of the mid-century modern gem. Fresh out of Victoria University’s architecture school, Naomi took on the project as her very first, guided by builders and her mentor Bruce Parker, as well as the deep love she holds for the client, her grandmother Barbara, or ‘Barbie’ as she’s affectionately known.
The result is a space that feels as though it was plucked from Barbie’s own imagination, wrapped in personality, warmth and carefully considered colour. “The final space is quite literally ‘Barbie’s Dream House,’ a warm cosy oasis that sings of my grandmother’s life and character,” says Naomi.
In this retro meets modern living room, the walls are painted in Resene Wheatfield, with Resene Half Wheatfield on the ceiling, a neutral base for Barbie’s striking décor.
In this kitchen, the Samsung fridge sings of warmth in Resene Summer Rose, pairing well with the wood tones and warm hue of Resene Wheatfield on walls.
From the start, the home was designed around Barbie’s impressive collection of art and antiques, so colour and light were key. Naomi wanted a scheme that was “warm and light” while allowing the materials like tiles, timber and metals to shine. She carefully tested colours in each space before settling on a base of Resene Wheatfield and Resene Half Wheatfield throughout.
“I wanted to complement the natural colours within the materials while keeping the house warm and light,” she explains. The soft, creamy tones also paid quiet homage to Japanese design, a reference that subtly influenced the project’s peaceful palette and layered textures. “The warmth of Resene Wheatfield reflected this.”
Golden hues in furniture and the screen divider offer warmth and complement the walls in Resene Wheatfield and ceiling in Resene Half Wheatfield.
This cosy living space is warmed up with Resene Wheatfield, offering a canvas for all of Barbie’s treasures.
Naomi didn’t stop at calm and cosy though. A gentle dose of fun and femininity also found its way into the palette. “Resene Rainee as a feature wall colour was chosen in the master bedroom to complement Resene Wallpaper Collection 2311-174-04 from the Resene V & A Wallpaper Collection,” Naomi says.
Perhaps one of the most playful touches in Barbie’s home is the Samsung fridge painted in Resene Summer Rose – an idea as delightful as it is design-savvy. “It ties in the pink carpet throughout the home and brings the sense of femininity to every space,” she says.
In the bedroom, a Japanese-inspired design, Resene Wallpaper Collection 2311-174-04, adorns the feature wall, paired with Resene Rainee painted on walls and Resene Half Wheatfield on the ceiling.
The gentle grey green of Resene Rainee creates a restful space in the bedroom, pairing well with the muted pink tones in Resene Wallpaper Collection 2311-174-04.
That nod to Barbie’s flair for colour was a leap of faith. “Barbie was weary of making the home too colourful at first, but has fallen so in love with Resene Summer Rose that we plan to make all the new cabinetry the same to continue the cohesion of the home,” Naomi says.
Barbie’s personal tastes added another layer of complexity. She’s a big fan of royal blue, a tone that’s featured prominently in her art and furnishings. Naomi toyed with adding a blue feature wall to the living room but ultimately stepped back to let the architecture breathe.
“Due to the size of the home the biggest challenge was finding a balance between creating complex architecture and overloading the space,” she says. “I eventually decided that having Resene Wheatfield on the walls consistently in the living area would bring a sense of calm to the rest of the space.”
Barbie’s bathroom is fresh and inviting painted in Resene Wheatfield.
Now, with the main work complete and a plan in place to extend the home with a walk-in pantry and larger garage, the future of this house feels as lovingly imagined as its present. Every corner holds a story. Every material sings in harmony. And every Resene hue, thoughtfully chosen and placed, wraps the space in the feeling Naomi hoped to create all along.
“I took the opportunity to create a uniquely feminine space that would nurture her for the rest of her days,” Naomi says. Mission accomplished.
design Naomi Robbins
build Falcon Build
Get in touch with Naomi: [email protected].
Top tip:To choose the right white paint for your walls, consider the desired mood and the room's exposure to light. Warm whites with yellow, brown or red undertones – Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Spanish White and Resene Pearl Lusta – are ideal for creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere, particularly in rooms with less natural light, like south-facing rooms. Cool whites with grey, blue or green undertones – Resene Black White, Resene Alabaster and Resene Sea Fog – offer a crisp, modern look and are best for areas with ample natural light, such as north-facing rooms. Use a lower sheen finish like Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen on walls and Resene SpaceCote Flat on the ceiling to help diffuse the light.
Published: 19 Jun 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
