The couple went back and forth to Bali to create an authentic look for their tropical island-inspired home and garden. The walls are painted in Resene Coyote tinted into Resene X-200 weathertight membrane. The posts and beams are stained in Resene Woodsman Treehouse. The bargeboards and other decorative elements are in Resene Coffee Bean.

Water is a big feature in the Balinese-style garden. The exterior is painted in Resene Coyote. The posts and beams are stained in Resene Woodsman Treehouse.

Swans from Bali guard the pool. The exterior is painted in Resene Coyote. The posts and beams are stained in Resene Woodsman Treehouse.

The ‘secret garden’ at the back of the house is Colin’s favourite. The exterior is painted in Resene Coyote. The bargeboards and other decorative elements are in Resene Coffee Bean.

The garden features a couple of free-standing, thatch-roofed cabanas. The poles are finished in Resene Woodsman Treehouse wood stain.

We asked Tania Barke of Through the Garden Gate for an alternative scheme for the garden. She suggested adding a bit of the magic of the Mediterranean, with mandarin potted trees guarding the main door, and a trellis holding geraniums in Resene Zinzan pots.

Resene Miso cladding and Resene Rivergum trims are offset by a deep red Resene Mighty front door and crisp Resene Black White paths.

Robert Luijten of Luijten Landscaping suggests doing double duty with the garden, by adding a second level – creating privacy for the cosy seating area at the bottom. He’s chosen Resene Clay Creek, an earthy warm colour, as a quiet backdrop for the plants and to complement both the planters in Resene Thistle and the colour of the kwila, finished with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.