Philip and Jane’s glamorous villa looks pretty in pink

While it may have served previous life as a modest bungalow, Philip and Jane’s 1920s Auckland home has since seen a complete transformation into the bold and modern multi-level stand out it is today. The home’s history as a worker’s cottage was something the couple were incredibly respectful of when approaching their renovation, one that’s been honoured through its striking details highlighted by an artful Resene colour palette.

“Although we had an idea of what we wanted, we didn’t really know how it might be achieved,” says Philip. 

Enlisting the help of architect Malcolm Walker, the pair were given new ideas for how to utilise the existing space, add some impressive modernisations, as well as sympathetic options to honour its heritage.                                                                           

While the property enjoyed a two-storey extension in the 1990s, Malcolm felt it lacked cohesive flow and adequate light. 

“Circulation and the nature of the spaces were thoroughly revisited. We wanted to make the most of the historic nature of the original house while highlighting the spectacular views of the adjacent park space and the Waitakere Ranges,” Malcolm explains. 

The result of his efforts, along with the considered palette of Resene pinks, whites, earthy tones and touches of midnight blue, has become an open, light and modern home that’s been lovingly restored from top to bottom.

Resene White has been used to great effect throughout, setting a cool and calming tone, and cleverly lends permission for personable and colourful accents to stand out. These strike you upon entering as you’re met by an expansive woven mat hanging in the hallway, comprised mainly of jovial yellow, vibrant pink and rusty orange. At the end of a hallway, a stripe of yellow glass has been inset.

Making use of the home’s origins extended to the existing stairway, which has been opened up to create additional space and allow for the addition of several skylights – a godsend in this once-dark home. The stairwell is hard to miss in vivacious Resene Glamour Puss, providing a connection between the refreshed three-level split kitchen, dining and living spaces.

The story behind this striking pink along with softer Resene Cosmos, which was used on the ceilings of the hallway, dates back to a distinctive moment in time Philip couldn’t shake. “I have a memory of visiting the house of a stylish person in the 1970s. The living room at night was a lovely, warm soft pink that bathed one in a beautiful light,” says Philip.

The decision to use Resene Glamour Puss has massively paid off, generating a creamy blush glow that floods through to adjoining room, which bounces off the adjacent Resene White walls, creating a sense of warmth. To tie the exterior and interior together, a touch of Resene Cosmos was also used to colour the entry soffits and complement the soft pink mosaic tiles that punctuate the exterior entryway.

Both the kitchen and living room have been refreshed and modernised with Resene White, and given a touch of flair thanks to Philip and Jane’s artistic and energising additions. “Although an older house, we wanted to achieve a contemporary, uncluttered look even though we have quite a few possessions and pieces of art. There was a lot of thinking required before decisions could be made about how our furniture could work with different options,” she says.


The kitchen has moved towards a contemporary aesthetic with a moody, smoky grey countertop and near black cabinetry. Jane is a huge fan of the transformation, given she wasn’t particularly fond of the kitchen before. The expansive living room has also been given an injection of personality against the neutral walls, in the form of art and home accessories. Resene White has also been used on the beamed ceiling, enabling the eye to be lifted up and out, giving height to what could have otherwise been an enclosed space. 

The fresh colour palette enables the art, furniture and soft furnishings to pop and become the focal point of the room. All the while, the reflective space intended for gazing out of the window and onto the surrounding bush is delicately immersed in a subtle pink glow thanks to the throw of colour off the Resene Glamour Puss statement wall.

Published: 04 Mar 2020

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

Kitchen, pink and black kitchen, kitchen benches, splash back, concrete flooring, Resene

Jane and Philip’s newly renovated kitchen is painted in the fresh, light hues of Resene White and complemented by moody charcoal bench tops and a counter-to-ceiling mosaic tile splash back behind the range. The accent wall at the left is in Resene Glamour Puss. If you’re planning a large, bold feature wall, choose a matte finish such as Resene SpaceCote Flat to mask surface imperfections. Additionally, to protect concrete floors from wear and tear, use Resene Concrete Wax. 

Dining room, accent wall, pink wall, neutrals with pink, Resene

Hints of fuchsia have been used within the dining area to tie in the colour of the Resene Glamourpuss accent wall. Resene Half Nullabor can be seen at the left while the rest of the walls and ceiling are in Resene White.

Dining room, Dining area, neutrals, brown walls, feature wall, art wall, white ceiling, Resene

In the dining area, Resene Half Nullarbor provides an earthy backdrop for some of the homeowners’ most treasured artworks. The batten ceiling and adjacent walls are in Resene White.

Sitting area, Living room, White walls, white ceiling, Resene

Crisp whites, such as Resene White (seen here on the walls, ceiling and trims), and lofty batten ceilings can really help to visually lift and brighten a dark space. Paired with a light base like this seagrass carpet and a creamy high-pile rug, the height of the room is enhanced further. For added interest, homeowners Jane and Philip have added bold pops of emerald, aqua and chartreuse through their curtains and furniture.

ceiling beams, white ceiling, patio doors, white walls, resene

Impressive ceiling beams and battens are a hallmark of the home. In the lofty second floor addition, light floods in from sliding patio doors that overlook Western Springs. The walls, ceiling and trims are painted Resene White. 

Window, feature wall, statement wall, pink wall, white, ceiling, Resene

To help open up the space, a window was added to the rear extension. It allows natural light to pour in on to the Resene Glamour Puss statement wall. The adjacent wall, ceiling and railing are in Resene White.

Stairwell, stairs, pink walls, pink stairs, Resene

Architect Malcolm Walker used bold Resene Glamour Puss in the home’s open stairwell as a striking, space-defining accent that links the upstairs living space with the kitchen, dining and den below. The adjacent wall and balcony railing are in Resene White, while the ‘throw’ from the Resene Glamour Puss might have you believe it is pink. 

wall art, wall mat, pink ceiling, white walls, Resene

A vibrant woven mat hangs on the wall just inside the entryway, setting the tone for the rest of the space beyond. The walls are painted Resene White and the door is painted Resene Black Rock.

Den, batten ceiling, ceiling, sky light, hallway, stairwell, living room, Resene

In the cosy ground floor den, the walls are painted Resene White and are complemented by a batten ceiling in Resene Cosmos, a colour that continues on to the sky lit ceiling in the hallway. Resene Glamour Puss wraps around the corner of the stairwell on to the bathroom door. The bulkhead is painted Resene White.

Bathroom, bathroom feature wall, pink door, pink, black, white, bathroom tiles, Resene

Bathroom feature wall in Resene Black Rock, surrounding walls in Resene White and door in Resene Glamour Puss. To protect your bathroom from moisture, use Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom, which has the anti-bacterial protection silver and the mould inhibitor MoulDefender. For doors and skirting boards, choose Resene Lustacryl for hard wearing low sheen finish or Resene Enamacryl for a gloss finish.

house exterior, White House, red awnings, 1920's villa, black door, Resene

From the front, the home’s simple and understated white and red exterior may look similar to when it was originally built in the 1920s, save for its attractive Resene Black Rock door and bright pops of Resene Havoc beneath the awnings.

bedroom, spare bedroom, white, brown, wooden bedroom furniture, Resene

Philip and Jane’s spare bedroom looks welcoming with walls in Resene White paired with darker timber furnishings and worldly touches.

architect Malcolm Walker, Malcolm Walker Architects

images Tom Young

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Resene Glamour Puss

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