Louise gave her North Auckland home a makeover, painting the exterior of the house in Resene Revolution, and offsetting it with beautiful subtropical plants. The trims are Resene Half Alabaster and the roof is Resene Foundry. Resene Revolution is from an older collection; try Resene Neutral Bay as another option. 

A new deck was designed by Louise, as well as planters and steps, to lead from the raised back door to the garden. The deck is finished with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil, and the furniture is stained with Resene Pitch Black wood stain.

One of Louise's favourite spots is the old garden shed, which has been converted into a garden bar and is painted in Resene Escape with a door in Resene Cello. 

She repainted these Cape Cod chairs in Resene Black, which look great on the veranda boards, painted in Resene Walk-on tinted to Resene White Pointer. 

In the back garden, the lawn is fringed with new subtropical planting beds, with a fun signpost and fences finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Pitch Black wood stain.

Louise also installed a series of boardwalks, finished in Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.

In every issue of habitat, we ask a landscape designer to suggest an alternative scheme for the featured garden.

Lynn Cairney, of Fusion Landscape Design, suggested this design, with two distinctive outdoor areas, separated by a wall in Resene Breathless and anchored by a deck stained in Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain Tiri. The trims are in Resene Half Sea Fog. 

With existing mature palms along the boundary and new palms out front, the upper level has a sense of intimacy and softness.

The neutral colour palette of Resene Breathless weatherboards, Resene Half Sea Fog trims and Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain Tiri will stand the test of time and fashions. Meanwhile, bright fabrics and flowers add impact and interest, and can be easily updated.