A modern, playful take on mid-century design

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 of mid-century inspiration, this home, brought to life by the design team at Box™ - The Architect Builder, is a canvas of joyful and striking Resene hues.

The magic of this home lies not just in its architectural design but also in the personal touches. The owner’s mantra, being "Life is short so you might as well have the colours and finishes that make you smile every day" echoes throughout, guiding the selection of every shade and pattern.

A fresh and soft pastoral green, Resene Peace, graces the kitchen cabinets and island, complementing the walnut cabinetry. The walls are painted in Resene Elderflower and ceiling and trims in Resene Black White.

The sage green of Resene Peace serves as a timeless shade in this kitchen. One that would suit a home of any era and age.

The owner’s interest with mid-century design served as a guiding light for the colour scheme. Drawing inspiration from the era's bold yet sophisticated palette, the design team opted for a blend of vibrant yet gentle and soothing tones. Resene paints and colours were carefully chosen to complement the existing architectural elements while infusing each space with personality.

In the kitchen, frozen walnut veneer cabinetry finds harmony with the soft sage-green tone of Resene Peace, creating a balance between warmth and modernity. The subtle yet striking shade of green adds depth without overwhelming the space, serving as a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous all-white kitchens.

A happy San Franciscan influenced blue, Resene Norwester, was chosen for a feature wall in this bedroom, creating depth and a separate space for a work desk. The surrounding walls are painted in Resene Elderflower and ceiling and trims in Resene Black White.

This playful bedroom is painted in Resene Romantic, with ceiling in Resene Black White.

The children's bedrooms are transformed into vibrant havens of creativity, with Resene pink and teal blue splashed across the walls behind their built-in desks. These colours evoke a sense of playfulness and imagination, reflecting the youthful spirit of their inhabitants. 

Calming and gentle, Resene Green Spring  adorns the panelled wall in the master bedroom, creating a tranquil and relaxed space. Surrounding walls are in Resene Elderflower with ceiling and trims in Resene Black White.

The charming sage green of Resene Peace was the perfect choice for this home office, creating a calm working space. This shade works well with the walls painted in Resene Elderflower, a warm white, and ceiling and trims in Resene Black White.

Even the master bedroom embraces colour with open arms, as a fresh and calming green, Resene Green Spring comes to life on the walls for a delightful feeling of solace and serenity.    

Another feature in the home is the powder rooms, each graced with their own unique and vibrant shades of warming yellow and tranquil blue. The tiles next to each shade mimic the warm and cool tones in the paint, adding another layer of harmony. 

This master ensuite is painted in Resene Crowdpleaser, a golden cream, mellow and easy on the eye, with speckled tiles for added playfulness. Trims in Resene Black White.

A shade that has always suited a bathroom, Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, adorns these walls, with cool toned speckled tiles and Resene Black White on the ceiling and trims.

Above all, this home is a celebration of family living. The homeowner’s decision to prioritise their family's happiness is evident in every choice made. Rather than conforming to trends or conventional wisdom, they've embraced colour and pattern wholeheartedly, creating a space that reflects their unique personality and values.

The bench seat alongside the dining table creates more space in the main area of the house and is made fun and lively with its tropical design. The wooden features teamed with the sage-green kitchen and tropical design bring nature indoors creating a calm and inviting space. The walls are painted in Resene Elderflower with ceiling and trims in Resene Black White.

Resene Peace also graces the laundry room, connecting to other spaces in the home and working well with the walls in Resene Elderflower and ceiling and trims in Resene Black White.

In a world often dominated by neutral palettes and safe choices, this home stands as a beacon of individuality and joy. Through the skilful use of colour and a touch of creativity, Box™ has transformed a house into a home — one filled with laughter, love and the vibrant hues of life.

design Box™ - The Architect Builder, box.co.nz

images Sophie Heyworth

Top tip: The more knowledge you have about colour and its influence on your living environment, the better placed you will be to choose colours that will be right for you. Colours generally work best when related to their surroundings, with the final result of a successful colour scheme being one of harmony, visual order and a feeling of continuity. For advice on how to choose colour, check out the Resene Colour Choices book online, or have a listen to habitat by Resene’s latest podcast series If These Walls Could Talk for decorating inspiration and expert tips.

Published: 17 Apr 2024

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 Elderflower

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Resene Black White

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Resene Green Spring

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Resene Crowdpleaser

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Resene Half Duck Egg Blue

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