A contemporary home in the heart of Ruapehu

When Mike and Diana decided to build their dream home in the Ruapehu District, they turned to Resene to help them bring their modern, contemporary vision to life. Their stunning home, completed just before Christmas, blends raw, rustic finishes with deep, warm tones, creating an inviting and comfortable space that fits perfectly with the natural surroundings. 

“We wanted deep, warm tones,” says Diana. “Colours that complement and contrast with the birch plywood, rendered concrete, concrete floors and stainless steel.” 

Mike and Diana's connection to the Ruapehu area is a long-standing one. They both holidayed in the region as children and then continued the tradition with their own family. Their search for a home led them to an 8000sqm section with panoramic views of the mountain. After relocating from Wellington four years ago, they moved into their new contemporary home, which was built by their son, Ben, and Mike. 

“We asked our son Ben if he would like to build it,” says Diana. “He was keen, so he moved up here too with his partner Stacey and their toddler. Another one has also been born since.  

Alongside a home packed with rich textures and colours, the build was largely a father and son project which makes the story of Mike and Diana’s home even more special – one that was filled with memories even from the very beginning.  


In this cosy living space, the bold earthy hue, Resene Element, graces the walls complementing the rendered concrete and red fireplace. The trims are painted in Resene Black 


In the kitchen, the dark green of Resene Midnight Moss creates depth with a subtle hint to the surrounding natural environment. Pops of red, black and gold create a stunning contrast and add to the contemporary design.  

The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area is the heart of the house and a favourite for both Mike and Diana. “It’s inviting, comfortable and perfect for entertaining,” Diana says. The living area features Resene Element on the feature wall, a deep, earthy colour that complements the rendered concrete, black architraves and red fireplace. 

The kitchen, with its stainless-steel bench and concrete floor, pops with Resene Midnight Moss, a bold choice that contrasts beautifully with the light birch ply, bringing vibrancy to the space. In fact, Diana and Mike loved this deep green so much they also used it in the media room where it creates a cosy and cocooning space. 


A warm green, Resene Spanish Green, creates an inviting atmosphere in the master bedroom.  


The pigmented, alizarin red of Resene Persian Red offers warmth in this bedroom while also bringing out the warm tones in the birch plywood.  


In the third bedroom, Resene Blue Bark graces the wall behind the bed creating a cosy and cocooning feel.  

In the master bedroom, Resene Spanish Green offers a softer, calming atmosphere, perfect for relaxation. “We wanted a warm, sunny room with a green theme,” says Diana. In contrast, the other bedrooms feature Resene Persian Red and Resene Blue Bark. These deep colours pair perfectly with the birch plywood and match the couple’s collection of Afghan rugs. 

For thetrims, architraves and doors, Mike and Diana opted for sleek Resene Black, using ReseneLustacryl for its tough durability. The soffits were painted in Resene Ebony, matching the steel elements throughout the home. Throughout the whole home, the use of contrasting colours, textures and finishes creates a striking design, one that is contemporary but also one that reflects Diana and Mike’s style.  


Bold and beautiful, dark hues ripple throughout Mike and Diana’s home giving them the contemporary design they wanted. Resene Element (left) offers a more neutral feel in the living room, while Resene Midnight Moss (right) brings in a touch of nature reflecting the local environment. Trims and doors are painted in Resene Black 


ReseneLustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to ReseneBlack was used on the doors and trims throughout the home offering a modern touch while contrasting with the birch plywood walls.  


The dark hue of Resene Element offers depth and contrast in the living room while also framing the stunning views of the outdoors.  

As with most renovations and decorating projects, this one wasn't without its trials. "Maintaining a consistent 3mm negative detail around the ply and painted panels was the biggest challenge," says Diana. "But in the end, it was worth it for the clean, modern look it gives the home." 

From the planning stages to the final touches, this home was a family affair, with father and son Mike and Ben working closely together on the build. Whether it's the vibrant feature walls or the deep tones that reflect the beauty of the surrounding landscape, Mike and Diana’s home showcases how colour can truly transform a space. The combination of contemporary design and natural materials creates a timeless aesthetic that honours the family's long connection with the Ruapehu area. 

build Ben Swift, BWS Building
specifier MnM Design
paint Johnathan Moore and Mike Swift
images Suraya Hollands 


Top tip: Your paint finish can impact how well your chosen shades work in your home as the level of shine – whether it is gloss, semi-gloss, low sheen or flat – will change how it reflects light. When opting for a dark shade especially, a matte or low sheen finish like Diana and Mike’s choice Resene SpaceCote reduces glare and gives darker hues a velvety finish. A popular option is to use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen on walls, Resene SpaceCote Flat on ceilings and Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss on trims, with Resene Enamacryl gloss on the front door. 

Published: 29 May 2025

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

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Resene Midnight Moss

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Resene Spanish Green

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Resene Persian Red

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