22 Jan 2025
After a well-deserved holiday break, diving back into work might feel a bit daunting. But what if your home office could inspire productivity, creativity and maybe even a touch of…
15 Jan 2025
Nestled in the charm of 1970s design, Becka’s home is a celebration of light, colour and personality. With its unique architectural features – wall arches, wood panelling, a grand arch…
28 Nov 2024
Black is more than a colour – it’s a cultural statement. From the iconic All Blacks to our love for monochrome fashion, we’ve embraced the beauty and boldness of black.…
07 Nov 2024
When it comes to home décor, few colours can create a warm and inviting atmosphere like orange. Known for its vibrant energy and welcoming aura, orange adds an eye-catching touch…
07 Nov 2024
If you’ve always wanted to make your home unique, and do it on a budget, then this one is for you. This house uses pops of Resene colour and charming…
09 Oct 2024
Nestled into the side of a Wellington hill, this stunning multilevel home offers a bold and inviting retreat for its owners, who moved from Sydney and wanted to bring a…
02 Oct 2024
When it comes to creating the perfect first impression, the exterior of your home speaks volumes. Whether you’re looking to evoke modern sophistication, vintage charm or classic appeal, the right…
02 Oct 2024
Bridget and her family’s 1930’s weatherboard farmhouse in New Plymouth is a celebration of colour and vintage charm. With sweeping 180-degree views of the ocean and Mount Ruapehu in the…
03 Jul 2024
Biophilic design, a concept rooted in our intrinsic connection to nature, will always be a popular choice for home interiors. By incorporating natural elements and themes into your living space,…
05 Jun 2024
Transform your home into a serene sanctuary with the soothing shades of Resene greens. From subtle pastels to vibrant tropicals, these colours can bring a touch of nature indoors. We’ve…
28 May 2024
Making the most of small rooms or empty walls in your home can transform underutilised areas into functional and stylish spaces. Whether you’re looking to add a workspace, update a…
14 May 2024
Renters rejoice! Just because you’re not the one who owns your home, it doesn’t mean you can’t decorate it and make it a space that you love. With a bit…
17 Apr 2024
In the picturesque, North Shore suburb of Takapuna, nestled within a light-filled home, is a vibrant oasis of colour and character. Decorated with an eye for playfulness and a dash…
04 Apr 2024
Forever calming and restorative, the ease at which neutrals create a sanctuary-like setting means they’ll always have a place in the home. Their elegance and sophistication is why many people…
06 Mar 2024
Let’s face it, purple may not be the first colour that comes to mind when we think about home design, however, it’s all in how you use it. You might…
15 Feb 2024
It’s that time of year when most of us are back to work after a long, relaxing break. No doubt a lot of this time was spent outdoors enjoying the…
05 Feb 2024
Inspired by a woman they had never met, the homeowners of this 1950s home embarked on a colourful journey through time.
Visitors to Ann Shelton and Duncan Munro’s Wellington home often…
31 Jan 2024
As we begin the new year and get back into our busy lives it’s important to ensure we have a space that is comfortable and enjoyable to live in. Leave…
10 Jan 2024
Whether you’re coming back to work after a magical overseas trip or dreaming about getting back into travel after the world's borders have finally opened, you’re probably longing for that…
28 Nov 2023
In the heart of Ōrewa, where ocean views and picturesque landscapes surround every window, you’ll find a townhouse that’s had a remarkable transformation. With an open brief, talented interior designer…
28 Nov 2023
They say change is the only constant in life, but as we have all found, the pace of change has steadily increased over the past few years. The pandemic, which…
17 Oct 2023
From subtle neutrals to vibrant colours and extravagant Versace designs, you’re sure to find your dream wallpaper in these collections We’re taking a look at a design from each of…
20 Sep 2023
The allure of the Hamptons style is ever enduring in home design, characterised by its breezy, coastal charm and timeless elegance. Achieving this look in your home doesn't have to…
14 Sep 2023
When Charlotte Van der Wielen, Creative Director of City Style Co., and her husband purchased a home on Fendalton Road in Christchurch back in 2019, they immediately saw its potential.…
06 Sep 2023
Creating vibrant and functional spaces for kids and teens can be an exciting endeavour. These areas are not only where they study and play but also where they express their…
06 Sep 2023
The transformation of this mid-century Wellington home will show you the power of design to redefine spaces, inviting warmth, light and colour to coalesce in perfect harmony. This renovation project,…
30 Aug 2023
In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, we are constantly bombarded with stimuli, making it increasingly challenging to find moments of tranquillity. Emotional escape is a crucial coping mechanism for maintaining mental…
30 Aug 2023
Nestled amidst the tree-lined streets in Mt Eden, Auckland, is a 1960s mid-century gem that has undergone a remarkable transformation. Homeowner Amy and her family worked hard to revive the…
08 Aug 2023
If you love a villa makeover as much as we do, this charming 1910 villa is sure to catch your eye. Painted in stunning Resene neutrals, this home is a…
01 Aug 2023
When Felicity and her husband stumbled upon their dream mid-century home, they knew they had found something special. The house immediately captured their hearts, and they wasted no time in…
25 Jul 2023
When it comes to interior design, colour plays a vital role in creating the desired ambiance and influencing our emotions. Understanding the psychology behind paint colours will allow you to…
19 Jul 2023
They’re one of the most overlooked parts of the home, but ceilings can be transformative. With thousands of Resene paint colours, you can treat your ceiling as the fifth, and…
17 May 2023
When Tina and her family saw their now home advertised on Trade Me as an office, they saw potential right away. Upon viewing the structure, Tina immediately felt that she…
17 May 2023
Romanticising the idea of living in a cabin or a cottage in the woods, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, cabincore is characterised by a focus on…
10 May 2023
Amalia and Matt bought a barn shed in 2014 with a vision to transform it into a modern Hamptons style barn house. Using bold greys like Resene Ironsand and gentle…
04 May 2023
Homeowners Jon and Natasha wanted a home that was exciting, spacious and social, with pops of bold colour throughout. With a joint effort from kitchen designer Alison (Ali) Withers and…
13 Apr 2023
Architectural and interior designer at Home Factor, Priyanka Sareen, has done it again. With an array of soft and bold Resene paint colours, she drew inspiration from the natural environment…
14 Feb 2023
A home office is a space where creativity, productivity and comfort should all come together to create an efficient and inviting work environment. With the rise of remote work and…
02 Feb 2023
When Lisa and Toby Morse purchased their home, the back of two 1970s units in Merivale several years ago, it was dated, tired and overgrown. With the help of some…
25 Jan 2023
Do you find yourself walking past a dull corner or room in your house and wonder what you can do with such a small space? Or perhaps you have a…
25 Jan 2023
Buying a house can be tricky, especially when you can’t find one that ticks off everything on your dream home checklist. Seeking a specific design and layout to complement their…
20 Dec 2022
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to revisit habitat readers’ most read stories of 2022. From villa makeovers to a whimsical gingerbread home and tips for trying…
14 Dec 2022
Saskia Thornton and Mike Eastwood spend most of their year in Amsterdam but when they come home to New Zealand they enjoy summer in the most Kiwi of ways.
The couple…
17 Nov 2022
Interior designer James Peters saw nothing but opportunity when he saw the white walls of the apartment he owns with his partner. The two busy professionals, wanted a cosy haven…
02 Nov 2022
In New Zealand and Australia, no matter where you are, you’ve never very far from the beach. Many of us have grown up in or around the water, so why…
14 Oct 2022
Young architectural graduates Geordie and Emma Shaw had some guts when they purchased the dingy, worn apartment located at the scene of an unsolved murder in the capital. But the…
15 Sep 2022
When Alex and Brendon walked into their 70s home for the first time, they immediately saw charm and potential – even though the property had some quirks. When the couple…
24 Aug 2022
Give your home a dramatic touch with inky hues inspired by the night sky. Create a cosy and luxurious look this winter with on-trend colours like Resene Nocturnal and Resene…
18 Aug 2022
Missing a little boldness and fun in your home? The Barbiecore interior trend has arrived. Barbie-inspired looks embrace all that is pink and takes a maximalist approach. Go glam and…
10 Aug 2022
A bold Resene Galliano yellow door greets roadside passers-by at Holly and Brett’s home in Taupō, and hints at playful colour use inside. The couple signed on the dotted line…
03 Aug 2022
Peer out the window of this Wairarapa Coast home and you might spy fur seals, dolphins or nesting gulls. Perched on a hilly corner in Castlepoint, this home is character-packed…
06 Jul 2022
While growth spurts might have you overhauling your child’s wardrobe each season, thankfully a well-designed bedroom doesn’t have to be outgrown quite so quickly. With a little inspiration from Resene,…
06 Jul 2022
Rachel’s home is rich in history, having long peered out towards Auckland’s harbour on Buchanan Street. One of Devonport’s earliest villas, the iconic home’s interior has just received a head-to-toe…
29 Jun 2022
Once upon a time Ian and Georgia’s Auckland home would have likely been adorned with macrame and shag rugs. The home was designed by renowned architect Marshall Cook in the…
05 May 2022
Go deep, dark and dramatic with a vampy interior look this winter. Inkier hues can be used to suit your existing personal style, be it a moody and mystical look…
30 Mar 2022
Small cabin solutions with SheShed
Beachy keen
When Lea decided to create a garden studio which could also double as a sleepout for her teenage daughter, she pulled out all the stops…
17 Mar 2022
If you’re looking to add instant wow-factor to a bland room, a feature wall is calling your name. They’re relatively simple to create but can pack a punch in terms…
17 Mar 2022
Guests at Mark and John’s Nelson California bungalow never have any trouble finding their address, all they need to do is look out for the bright red letterbox. Resene Havoc…
09 Mar 2022
Closing the deal on a derelict 100-year-old villa marked the beginning of a long and winding renovation road for New Plymouth’s Gina and Rick. When they bought the neglected villa…
09 Mar 2022
If there’s a room in your home that you feel needs a little reinvention, a painted archway could be just what you need. A complete room refresher doesn’t mean you…
03 Mar 2022
A cottage garden is a peculiar choice for a perfectionist. Puriri Lane Garden in Drury is like something from a fairy tale, with delicate blooms such as cosmos, nigella and…
19 Jan 2022
One of the country’s oldest homes is looking good for another century in fresh coats of Resene paint inside and out. Kohukohu Villa in historic Hokianga, Northland was built as…
16 Dec 2021
Green is a colour that can evoke powerful emotion, it’s a dominant colour in nature associated with renewal and life and so represents harmony, balance and peace. And who doesn’t…
09 Dec 2021
Working at home is the trending topic of 2021 - and nothing suits business consultant Cath Vincent and music producer Aron Neale better than working in their own 1950s converted…
11 Nov 2021
Three’s The Block NZ has returned to our screens for The Block NZ Auction Grand Final on Sunday 14 November, and it’s worth the wait. Set in Auckland’s aspirational inner-west…
11 Nov 2021
There’s nothing better than a seamless indoor/outdoor flow during the warmer months; the breeze flowing through your lounge or opening up the sliding doors to invite the garden inside. But…
04 Nov 2021
Hannah and Malachi are taking working from home to a stylish extreme. With a flurry of interruptions to their business due to covid, the husband and wife team – who…
28 Oct 2021
This 1920s bungalow has had an adventurous life. With its handsome Resene Double Foundry exterior colour and matching Marley Stratus Design Series® spouting and downpipes in Grey Friars®, on first appearance…
27 Oct 2021
If you want something done, ask a busy person, and interior and spatial designer Samantha Rei has definitely been busy in the past year. She project managed the full reconstruction…
29 Sep 2021
Creativity is on trend this year and the hottest Resene paint colours are here to help. We all have our own unique and wonderful style, so much so that some…
30 Sep 2021
Joanne and Christopher had their work cut out for them transforming a 1970s state house for power plant workers into a monochrome family haven. With good bones, plenty of land…
23 Sep 2021
Sarah and Chris don’t do things by halves. With nothing but a few paddocks on the outskirts of Feilding and an ambitious idea, the couple embarked on the challenge of…
16 Sep 2021
Welcome the early days of spring by inviting fresh colours into your home. There’s nothing better than a crisp spring day and the fragrance of blossoming flowers carried on the…
16 Sep 2021
Interior designer Litsa Jackson has a way with white. Ever since she began her interior design business, Inside Storey, she’s loved the way the perfect white can bring a space…
09 Sep 2021
Spending more time at home has allowed us to get more creative, take up new hobbies and rediscover old ones. With the changing landscape of working – and with working…
23 Dec 2021
Time flies when it comes to the latest trends in interior design. With daring décor and new colour palettes to be discovered around every corner, take a moment to embrace…
02 Sep 2021
For self-confessed serial renovators Leigh and Cory, colour is everything. When the couple first bought their 1920s three-bedroom bungalow in Christchurch it was painted tip to toe in white. With…
25 Aug 2021
Colour yourself happy with our top calming colour picks. With many of us working from home, it’s time to start creating spaces that work for us. Colour psychology states that…
19 Aug 2021
Looking at it today, it’s difficult to believe that Vaughan and Noel’s vivacious and sophisticated home started its life as a cottage back in 1912. The couple purchased the house in Auckland’s…
11 Aug 2021
The skyscraper heights of the hallways were a tall order this week on Three’s The Block NZ as the teams raced to complete their entrances, stairs, hallways & powder rooms.…
11 Aug 2021
Open up to the idea of doing more with your space. Open plan homes have become increasingly popular and with a range of Resene colours and some creative hacks, it’s…
05 Aug 2021
What a week on Three’s The Block NZ! The teams were under the pump to finish their family rooms and used luscious green Resene Middle Earth and elegant Resene Stack…
05 Aug 2021
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a wall of pictures can take you on a journey. The trend of creating gallery-style walls has been taken to…
05 Nov 2021
The hottest paint colours right now are both grounding and ground-breaking. The focus this season is on renewal and nurturing with colours that are going back to nature with interior…
15 Jul 2021
The renovation of Huntly House has more drama than a reality TV show. Homeowners Hayley and Chris embarked on an incredible adventure when they restored their triple storey, seven bedroom…
01 Jul 2021
Homeowners Sara and Brendon live life on the edge. They mountain bike along steep forest trails, surf the shoulders of Whangamata’s rolling waves, and live in a house that teeters…
24 Jun 2021
The environment is at the heart of Joe and Peta’s stunning home in Mangere Bridge, Auckland — from the upcycled building materials used in construction to the interior and exterior…
10 Jun 2021
Wallpaper has made a glittering comeback in our homes over the years, from fabulous feature walls to magical murals. Whether you’re after a contemporary look or a casual atmosphere, Resene…
05 May 2021
When it comes to repainting your home, chances are your colour palette will include some off-whites – whether that’s just for the trims and joinery or tip to toe. But…
29 Apr 2021
Should red and green really never be seen? Will brown and blue really never do? The old colour rhyme rules have been around for years, but sometimes ‘rules’ are made…
24 Mar 2021
As the natural world blazes with the rich reds and oranges of autumn, find your indoor oasis with Resene’s wide range of revitalising greens. From a small splash of paint…
11 Mar 2021
Makeup artist Amber Carroll is used to transforming her clients for weddings and photoshoots, so when it came to her own she was keen to give it a bit of…
18 Feb 2021
The saying may be 'home is where the heart is' but really, it's the dining room specifically that is often the beating heart of a family home. It's where we…
20 Jan 2021
Painting walls and furniture are two minor changes you can make to rental properties. When painting walls seek written permission from a landlord. The green wall block is painted in…
19 Jan 2021
Bold Resene blues add character to this Kapiti Coast home’s spectacular contemporary update.
When you’re building your ‘forever home,’ it can be difficult to design it in a way that’s forward-thinking enough…
14 Jan 2021
Sharing space can be hard for many of us, but these clever paint ideas will make it easier to create office spaces, study zones - and keep the peace.
Left wall…
25 Nov 2020
Shelley Ferguson has seen it all as a host on the TV3 DIY show, The Block NZ, but even she was shocked by what she encountered when she began renovations on a…
18 Nov 2020
The adage ‘dress for success’ is also true of office nooks. Having a work space at home that’s organised and conducive to your practice, projects and thought processes is a…
09 Sep 2020
Restful, relaxing and reassuring, blue hues have long been used to create tranquil spaces in our homes. A colour that calls to mind the sea and the sky, it’s ideal…
22 Jul 2020
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to finally settle on a wall colour only to be stumped on what to hang on the walls afterwards. There’s an easy solution to this,…
15 Jul 2020
For most of us, if we’re lucky enough to have one, a garage starts off as a place to park our cars, bikes and lawn mower, but generally ends up…
15 Jun 2020
As we enter a new season, it’s natural to want to change things up around the home. What better than a new colour scheme to freshen up your bedroom or…
08 May 2014
There’s a debate going on in our house at the moment. We’re planning major renovations, and have included a fairly generous study or home office on the plans (I imagine…
08 Sep 2014
A rainbow of waterfront buildings, playfully-coloured ceilings and a retro coastal bach were some of the highlights from last night’s Resene Total Colour Awards – showing carefully chosen Resene colour…
15 Oct 2014
A newly built home was the perfect canvas for a makeover using Resene white, black and grey.
House hunting is never an easy feat, and for most couples checking off the…
30 Oct 2014
A careful blend of quiet Resene colours to sit alongside the raw beauty of plywood and concrete has resulted in a stunning home that responds to its wind-swept Wairarapa setting.
When…
19 Aug 2015
Designer Tina Stephens of Roomie Interior Design was recently given a very personal commission – to redesign both the structure and the interiors of her parents’ home, using soft beachy…
02 Jun 2015
Mixed fringe-city zoning lets the owner of this small two-storey inner-city villa work from the ground floor, and live upstairs. Interior designer James Peters helped him convert it from a…
01 Feb 2015
When it comes to making an entrance to a quirky home office, new home builder Michele Powles and her husband James wanted something a little out of the ordinary, but…
14 Dec 2015
One kiwi icon met another when Tracy Murphy transformed her ex Lockwood showhome with Resene paint. Both Lockwood and Resene are New Zealand companies born mid last century… and both are…
16 Feb 2016
The kids are back at school, and you’ve probably been back to work for a few weeks now.
Are you one of the lucky ones who are able to flexi-work –…
05 May 2016
One room is bright orange, another is turquoise, a third is bright blue and the living room sports a rampant floral wallpaper from Resene. Designer Debbie Omond doesn’t shy away…
22 Jun 2016
Amanda Neill is a designer who’s known for her ability to tie gorgeous furnishings with the right Resene paint. And when some clients wanted a relaxed feel for the new…
14 Oct 2015
When Greg and Sandra decided to downsize, they gave their new home their own take on ‘neutral’. Given that the previous house had been painted in red and purple, ‘neutral’…
09 Mar 2016
Chalkboards aren’t a new idea. List-making homeowners have been using them for some years now, spurred on by the ready access to chalkboard paints like Resene Blackboard Paint.
But chalkboards aren’t…
27 Oct 2016
When Phil and Yvonne Dorn faced their new build project, they knew what they didn’t want. They felt that many modern homes were too big, lacked character, were too minimalist…
08 Feb 2017
Who better to tell us their favourite Resene colours and why they're hot for 2017/2018 than Resene colour experts themselves? We asked three colour experts about what's trending in interior colour for…
16 Mar 2017
When Ian and Sharon first saw their house, it had lumpy plaster cladding, dark rooms and multiple levels. It was retro 70s… but not in a good way. Today, it…
31 Aug 2017
This year’s winners in the Resene Total Colour Awards created schemes of often multiple strong colours for their projects, pushing the boundaries of colour use both inside and out.
The winner…
23 Nov 2017
With original pressed ceilings, high stud height and classic villa features, this North Auckland home was already in great shape. So when Amanda Neill of Designworx was asked to design the…
30 Aug 2018
The winners of this year’s Resene Total Colour Award were announced at a gala evening last night, with some unexpectedly bold projects taking top honours.
From a full-on pink dining room,…
18 Oct 2018
When advertising executive Marcelle Baker came to designing the interior of her renovated, century-old villa in Onehunga, Auckland, colour was key in the form of a bold Resene palette. “I…
01 Nov 2018
The day after Lara Bui and Isaac Weston bought their 1970s home in Matua, Bay of Plenty, in 2010 they launched into a renovation with gusto. It would turn out…
13 Dec 2018
This beautiful serene space has been created to be an inviting and comfortable escape that’s refreshingly gender neutral. Just a quick change of the focus artwork shifts the room subtly…
31 Jan 2019
It’s colour and more colour for Dion and Rebecca’s Cambridge home, which has seen itself transform into the beauty it is today after 10 years of renovations – with the…
14 Feb 2019
After doing some research on Sunday drives, Lisa knew that she wanted to go grey to update the exterior of her 1947 Wellington home. The tricky part was deciding which…
13 Mar 2019
After Tim and Amanda Parker bought a two bedroom 1960s weatherboard home in New Plymouth, they spent six weeks renovating it before moving in. Like many families, six weeks wasn’t…
10 Apr 2019
For a couple balancing busy careers in swim coaching and economics, home is the place to relax and take time out, surrounded in Resene colours. It was the lifestyle that…
23 May 2019
Artist Hana Carpenter and her husband Samuel, a historian, live in Lower Hutt, Wellington. Like many houses in the area, theirs was a three-bedroom 1940s weatherboard at the front of…
04 Jul 2019
As we continue to handle more and more of our business responsibilities on portable devices, homework is no longer just a concept for school-aged children. But if you’re feeling squeezed…
31 Jul 2019
Debra DeLorenzo is no stranger when it comes to interior renovation and design. As an interior designer by trade, there’s nothing she loves more than to unleash her creative prowess and…
05 Sep 2019
When Architect Michael Cooper built a new extension on Emily and Henry’s 1930s bungalow in Auckland’s Pt Chevalier neighbourhood to reorganise and expand their floor plan, it created a brand…
06 Nov 2019
Perched on the upper slopes of Mt Pleasant Hill in Christchurch is a petite two bedroom home with sweeping views to the alps, Kaikoura mountain ranges and Pegasus Bay. As…
28 Jan 2020
Children change so fast, and so do their tastes. But let’s face it – not everyone has the time to constantly change their kid’s bedroom décor every time they outgrow…
18 Mar 2020
Whether you’re lucky enough to have a home office all to yourself or have to fit your desk into an existing space, it’s important to clearly define your working environment…