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Once dark and dim, this toilet is now modern and bright, painted in Resene Fun Green with Resene Quarter Rice Cake on doors and Resene Ceiling Paint White on the ceiling.
Once dark and dim, this toilet is now modern and bright, painted in Resene Fun Green with Resene Quarter Rice Cake on doors and Resene Ceiling Paint White on the ceiling.
The staircase shines with its high-pitched ceiling painted Resene Ceiling Paint White and a warm new coat of Resene Rice Cake on the walls.
The gentle backdrop of Resene Rice Cake makes way for Karl and Tim’s playful Kiwi artwork. The doors are painted in Resene Quarter Rice Cake.
In this living room, the duo’s personal décor takes centre stage against the warm neutral of Resene Rice Cake. The ceiling in painted in Resene Ceiling Paint White.
Contrasting colours in bold black and lively hues in décor make this space a home for Karl and Tim. The walls are painted in Resene Rice Cake and ceiling in Resene Ceiling Paint White.
The pair’s favourite space, the master bedroom, is now bright and welcoming adorned in Resene Rice Cake and Resene Ceiling Paint White.
The guest bedroom was also restored in the dreamy Resene Rice Cake with the ceiling highlighted in Resene Ceiling Paint White.
From orange overload to contemporary classic
When Karl and Tim bought their home four years ago, it was a time capsule from the 1980s, but perhaps not in that cool, retro way you might think. With orange-toned timber on every wall, dark brown ceiling beams and a generous sprinkling of grime, broken hinges and rotting fixtures, it was in desperate need of some TLC – and a fresh coat of Resene.
“Our house came with dirt, grime and 40 years of neglect,” says Karl. “It even had no window catches on some of the windows, a rotten shower and everything seemed broken. We have replaced every door handle, every hinge, every light switch. We even custom cut all of our Venetian blinds as there were no curtains.”
Where others may have seen a hefty to-do list, Karl and Tim saw potential. And as a self-proclaimed interior obsessive who grew up rearranging furniture in his room and eyeing up neighbours' homes with admiration, this was just the job for Karl.
“We love mixing contemporary in with classic,” says Karl. “We wanted clean and fresh, but warm and cosy.”
The couple, Karl, a salon owner, and Tim, an engineer, rolled up their sleeves and took on the reno themselves. The result is a labour of love that blends timeless details with a modern softness, creating a bright and beautiful haven for them, plus Cooper the dog and Ollie the cat, to call home.
Once dark and dim, this toilet is now modern and bright, painted in Resene Fun Green with Resene Quarter Rice Cake on doors and Resene Ceiling Paint White on the ceiling.
The staircase shines with its high-pitched ceiling painted Resene Ceiling Paint White and a warm new coat of Resene Rice Cake on the walls.
One of the most eye-catching makeovers is the vibrant green toilet, painted in Resene Fun Green. Once a dark and pokey room, it now pops with colour and character, helped along by a patterned monochrome floor tile and playful angles from the steep ceiling. It’s a brave use of colour in a tiny space, but it absolutely works!
Beyond the loo, the hallway and staircase set the tone for the rest of the house with crisp white panelling and clean lines. Painted in Resene Rice Cake with trims in Resene Quarter Rice Cake, the walls now reflect the light that floods in through generous windows, making the once-dark interiors feel open and refreshed.
The gentle backdrop of Resene Rice Cake makes way for Karl and Tim’s playful Kiwi artwork. The doors are painted in Resene Quarter Rice Cake.
In this living room, the duo’s personal décor takes centre stage against the warm neutral of Resene Rice Cake. The ceiling is painted in Resene Ceiling Paint White.
Contrasting colours in bold black and lively hues in décor make this space a home for Karl and Tim. The walls are painted in Resene Rice Cake and ceiling in Resene Ceiling Paint White.
The stairs are dotted with simple artworks and quirky touches, showing off Karl and Tim’s personality and playful side. The fresh white backdrop has turned what used to be a dark corridor of orangey-brown timber into a bright, layered space that feels considered without being over-styled.
In the living and dining areas, mirrors bounce light around and mix with classic touches like a silver-framed bar cart and statement lighting. The look is equal parts practical and polished. There’s a real sense of balance here too. Vintage meets contemporary and nothing feels too precious to live in.
The pair’s favourite space, the master bedroom, is now bright and welcoming adorned in Resene Rice Cake and Resene Ceiling Paint White.
The guest bedroom was also restored in the dreamy Resene Rice Cake with the ceiling highlighted in Resene Ceiling Paint White.
The bedrooms are Karl and Tim’s favourite spaces, and it’s easy to see why. After battling endless beams and more gapping than they care to remember, the towering ceilings now sing in Resene Ceiling Paint White against walls in warm Resene Rice Cake. “I never want to paint them again,” Karl jokes. “They’re so high!”
Textural layers in soft tones of pink and green, crisp blinds, custom-cut by the pair themselves, and a sense of peaceful elevation all add to the retreat-like feel of the master. It’s a far cry from the timber cloaked cave it once was.
Every corner has been carefully considered. And while the home is still a work in progress, it already reflects the heart Karl and Tim have poured into it.
Only in their late twenties and together for an incredible eight years, the couple have not only transformed their house, but they’ve built a home that tells their story. “We just love creating our own safe haven,” they say.
And it’s one with a whole lot of style, soul and fresh coats of Resene.
Want to see what Karl and Tim’s home looked like before all their hard work? Take a look below:
Top tip: If you’re painting over old varnished timber walls that have yellowed, you can save yourself the stripping step. Simply clean the surface then apply Resene Waterborne Sureseal onto the varnish. Once dry, this will give your topcoats something to stick to. It’s a quick and easy way to update the surface while minimising the prep.
Published: 29 Jul 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
