look book
latest
habitat tv
Say goodbye to the morning scramble for keys, coats and sunglasses and hello to this… see this and more videos
blog
Orewa’s mural masterpiece adds to its lively beach vibe
Noila Souza's vibrant murals can be found in various locations around Orewa. If you’ve noticed… more
look book 
The Scandinavian-Japanese inspired kitchen is warm and welcoming. The neutral tones in the timber and flooring pair flawlessly with the wallspainted in Resene Half Wan White and ceiling in Resene Quarter Wan White.
The kitchen glows as light pours in the window, highlighting the walls and trims painted in Resene Half Wan White and ceiling in Resene Quarter Wan White.
Earthy toned tiles add to the neutral scheme in the kitchen, complementing the walls and trims paintedin Resene Half Wan White.
TheseResene Half Wan Whitepaintedwalls create the perfect backdrop for the homeowner’s colourful décor and belongings.
The bathroom is moody and luxurious with dark cocooning shades. The window trims are painted in Resene Half Ironsand, pairing seamlessly with the earthy black tiles, with the contrasting upper wall painted in Resene Half Wan White.
The entryway, highlighted with Resene Half Wan White, leads you through to the main living areas and kitchen.
The bedrooms continue the neutral colour scheme painted in ReseneHalf Wan White, showcasing more of the homeowner’s artwork and personal décor.
The exterior of the home is painted in delicately colouredResene Half Duck Egg Blue, with trims and porch detailing in Resene Quarter Wan White.
The front door is painted in Resene Charcoal, providing a stunning contrast between the lighter colours of Resene Half Duck Egg Blue on the weatherboards and Resene Quarter Wan White on the trims and detailing.
A timeless transformation: Modernising a traditional bungalow
When interior designer Rose Schwarz of Schwarz Design was invited to revamp a tired bungalow, the brief was clear. The client wanted a fresh look, a new kitchen and a way to create an additional bedroom without expanding the home's footprint. What started as a project to replace a 30-year-old kitchen evolved into a complete interior transformation, all brought to life with classic Resene hues.
Rose reimagined the layout of the home, presenting her client with five different conceptual options, ultimately going ahead with the most intricate design. The new layout not only allowed for the much-needed third bedroom but also introduced a modernised kitchen, revamped bathroom and cleverly incorporated a laundry space.
Despite the updates, the renovation has stayed true to the home’s original charm – preserving and celebrating the features that had initially drawn the client in three decades ago.
The Scandinavian-Japanese inspired kitchen is warm and welcoming. The neutral tones in the timber and flooring pair flawlessly with the wallspainted in Resene Half Wan White and ceiling in Resene Quarter Wan White.
The kitchen glows as light pours in the window, highlighting the walls and trims painted in Resene Half Wan White and ceiling in Resene Quarter Wan White.
Earthy toned tiles add to the neutral scheme in the kitchen, complementing the walls and trims paintedin Resene Half Wan White.
The use of Resene paints played a central role in the redesign, with almost every inch of the home, inside and out, receiving fresh coats of charming white or delightful hues. Inside, the walls are painted in versatile Resene Half Wan White, while the ceilings are painted in softer Resene Quarter Wan White. In the kitchen, the white shades create a welcoming and warm space paired with timber features and minimalistic fixtures.
These neutrals also create a calming canvas, allowing the bold choices in furniture, cabinetry and furnishings to shine.
These Resene Half Wan White painted walls create the perfect backdrop for the homeowner's colourful décor and belongings.
Resene Half Wan White creates a blank canvas for thoughtfully placed furniture and artwork.
Rose took inspiration from the client’s love for retro 1950s furniture, their art collection and an existing turquoise-green sofa and chair. "The palette was built up from these elements, tying the paint colours seamlessly into the design,” Rose says.
The home’s interior also reflects the client’s appreciation for Japanese aesthetics, minimalism and functionality. The redesigned kitchen, with its clean lines and Scandinavian-Japanese influence, serves as the heart of the home – a space where simplicity meets style and everything has its place. The moody bathroom, another standout feature, is a luxurious retreat with dark, atmospheric tones that invite relaxation.
The bathroom is moody and luxurious with dark cocooning shades. The window trims are painted in Resene Half Ironsand, pairing seamlessly with the earthy black tiles, with the contrasting upper wall painted in Resene Half Wan White.
“I love to introduce shades of black into an interior,” says Rose. “Black makes interiors exciting, sometimes recessing features, often highlighting and contracting with my most favourite colour Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints collection.”
Rose’s favourite room? “This is a hard one, the bathroom with its dark, moody interior inviting you to dim the lights and soak in the luxurious bath or the kitchen where everything has its space and is a place to cook and entertain,” she says. Each room was carefully designed to integrate the client’s love for Japanese and retro design, while also organising their treasured vinyl and recipe book collections.
The entryway, highlighted with Resene Half Wan White, leads you through to the main living areas and kitchen.
The bedrooms continue the neutral colour scheme painted in ReseneHalf Wan White, showcasing more of the homeowner’s artwork and personal décor.
Outside, Resene Half Duck Egg Bluegives the exterior a fresh yet classic feel, while the front door, painted in Resene Charcoal, makes a sophisticated and welcoming statement. Highlighting the detailing and trims of the stunning bungalow is Resene Quarter Wan White, creating a harmonious connection to the interior.
The exterior of the home is painted in delicately colouredResene Half Duck Egg Blue, with trims and porch detailing in Resene Quarter Wan White.
The front door is painted in Resene Charcoal, providing a stunning contrast between the lighter colours of Resene Half Duck Egg Blue on the weatherboards and Resene Quarter Wan White on the trims and detailing.
Of course, the project wasn’t without challenges – particularly navigating product availability during lockdowns. However, the careful planning and foresight ensured that quality materials were never compromised.
“Spatial design by a competent interior designer is often overlooked as an unnecessary expense, but it can make all the difference in the world to how you live your life and the sense of haven that your home can provide,” says Rose. And this renovation shows just how transformative good design can be.
design Rose Schwarz and Juliette Schwarz, Schwarz Design
Top tip: If you’re thinking of using white for your home, be sure to order Resene testpots or Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches so you can see what each shade looks like in your room throughout the day. Another great tip is when you are comparing your whites and are finding it difficult to see the undertones, place a piece of white printer paper underneath each swatch. This will help your eyes to see the undertone in each Resene paint colour.
Published: 17 Sep 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
more inspiration
Douglas and Shelley’s neutral haven is filled with creative touches
When Douglas and Shelley moved to Dunedin with their two children, Oscar… more
Philip and Jane’s glamorous villa looks pretty in pink
While it may have served previous life as a modest… more
Rachel and Steven’s character-filled 1930s bungalow
‘Old world charm meets colourful, contemporary character’ perfectly sums up… more
Stephanie’s post-quake overhaul honours lush surrounding
Following the devastating Christchurch earthquakes, Stephanie Waterhouse was faced with… more
Charlotte Coote’s expertly coloured Mt Macedon home has style to spare
When interior designer Charlotte Coote of Coote & Co and… more
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
