Auckland eco home built from recycled power poles is splashed with vibrant Resene yellows and rocky coast greys

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 Resene paints and wood stains which ties in with the coastal landscape.

Peta is the design manager for Yellowfox Interior Design and Joe recycles native timbers from demolished homes through his business Kauri Homes. Their house which they share with teenage boys Andy and Sam is built from recycled materials including timber power poles rejuvenated with Resene Natural wood stain and other salvaged building materials including a kitchen island made from railway sleepers. Not only are the building products sustainable but the house is coloured in vibrant Resene paint and wood stains tie into the rocky coastline and farmland nearby.

“One of the first things we considered was how the home would sit in the natural environment,” says Peta. “The shape of the house mirrors the contours of the land and reflects the rocky outcrops found in the surrounding paddocks. 

Peta took inspiration from the greens, blues and charcoals of the landscape she encountered on her walks around the local coastline.

“I would even take my Resene fandeck on my walks so I could match the perfect colour.”

“We chose Resene because I have always used it, it’s just an old favourite. I know every colour so well I don’t even have to think about it.”

Peta’s home blends into the landscape with brown and black tones. The recessed brick exterior at the front of the house painted in Resene Nero and timber accents in Shadowclad plywood painted in Resene Nero and the outer cladding on the sides made from power poles finished in Resene Woodsman Natural

Inside, Peta’s home is spacious; filled with natural light and a thoughtful colour palette inspired by the greens, blues and charcoals of the landscape she encountered on her walks around the local coastline. 

Pops of yellow décor are scattered throughout the home, culminating in a vibrant yellow powder room. The powder room’s walls are splashed with Resene Wazzup; a loud, golden citrus colour that works perfectly with the upcycled timber used throughout.

“There is a lichen that grows on the rocks on the coastline nearby that has a bright mustard colour,” says Peta. “I love how the yellow plays against the charcoal rocks.”

Peta achieved a crisp aesthetic in the study, bedrooms and open plan dining area by painting the walls in Resene Black White. In the kitchen, walls and cavity sliders in Resene Black White complement the dark back wall in Resene Armadillo. A subtle nod to the dark hues of the exterior, Resene Armadillo grounds the kitchen and highlights the recycled bench made from railway sleepers.

In Peta’s favourite room, the family room, walls in Resene Black White act as a blank canvas for Peta’s refined wooden décor. “In terms of style, I like what I like,” says Peta. “If I had to put my style in a box I would say it’s mid-century modern.”  

Raising two teenage boys, one of the challenges Peta and Joe faced was living with a growing family in a small space.

“Every inch of the home needs to be considered when space is at a premium.”

She also enjoyed the challenge of designing a home for herself instead of clients

“It’s an opportunity to put myself in my client’s shoes and work through the stress of creating something that is just for me and the people closest to me.”

“As a designer, having the opportunity to design my own home is a dream come true,” says Peta, who shares the home with Joe and her two teenage boys, Andy and Sam. “I get to try out ideas and really push myself."

Peta used Sthapatya Veda design principles to decide on the architectural layout of the home. “The most important principles of Vedic architecture are the direction and orientation of the home and the auspicious placement of the main entranceway for the positive influence of wealth and fulfilment,” says Peta. “As a result, this home is a simple, butterfly wedge-like form that interacts with the landscape.

“We just love watching the ever-changing farm life outside our window; lambs in spring, cows and the odd Clydesdale.”

Top tip: If you have a timber finish or accents of wood on the exterior of your home, use Resene Waterborne Woodsman wood stain to protect it. Resene Waterborne Woodsman is an exterior wood stain designed to add colour to new or previously stained timber, while still allowing the natural beauty of the grain to show through.

Did you know? Sthapatya Veda or Maharishi Vastu Architecture is a set of design principles derived from a prominent Indian yogi. The movement is similar to feng shui and emphasises the use of green building materials. Other considerations include the slope and shape of the building exposure to the rising sun, location of nearby bodies of water.

Check out more from Yellowfox Interior Design here 


The wedge-like form of Peta and Joe’s new home is accentuated with recessed brick walls painted in Resene Nero. The recycled timber adds warmth to the exterior and is finished in Resene Woodsman Natural. The cladding is Shadowclad in Resene Nero, with the roof and guttering in COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey.

 

The walls in Resene Nero at either end of the home are recessed to create protection from the elements. Recycled non-toxic materials finished in Resene Woodsman Natural are used where possible to add character and ensure the home is suited to the conditions of the climate.

 

Energetic Resene Wazzup colours the walls of the family’s washroom and is inspired by the spritely yellow hues of the lichen on the nearby Mangere coastline.

 

The kitchen walls and cavity sliders in crisp Resene Black White highlight the feature wall in deep Resene Armadillo.

 

The wall-to-wall doors of the open plan kitchen and dining room open out to vistas of the surrounding paddocks and coastline. The walls are in Resene Black White and the fireplace brick plinth is painted in Resene Black

 

Behind a standalone wall in the dining space sits an elegantly simple lounge area with walls and ceiling in Resene Black White.

 

Natural light from the office window bounces off the Resene Black White walls and into the narrow space.



Peta’s favourite room, the family room, holds a collection of her modern mid-century furniture that shine against the walls in Resene Black White.

 

The mix of painted brick and flat walls painted in Resene Black White add interest to the couple’s Scandi-style master bedroom.


The kids’ bedroom pairs a ceiling and walls in Resene Black White with furniture made from recycled timber.

Published: 24 Jun 2021

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

register h icon  look book

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Login or Register to get started!

×

register h icon  look book

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Login or Register to get started!

×
Square square colour information icon
Square square colour information icon

Resene Black White

register h icon  look book

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Login or Register to get started!

×

register h icon  look book

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Login or Register to get started!

×

register h icon  look book

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Login or Register to get started!

×

the look

If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.