Before Robyn moved in, there was no garden around the Victorian workers' cottage that she has now called home for 18 years. Still, the keen gardening enthusiast loved the quaint building – especially its sunny, north-facing aspect. Inspired by the brilliant colours of Monet’s garden at Giverny in France, she painted the house in bold shades of blue, red and lime, and planted a garden equally vivid. It is now a Garden of National Significance with the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

What was the biggest challenge?

Experimenting with cool reds (magenta, crimson and fuchsia) and hot reds (scarlet and terracotta) and realising that they didn't work together in a small garden space.

What was the greatest success?

Painting the trims and doors at the back of the cottage using lime green Resene Wasabi, so that I could use a wider range of colours, including cool reds, apricots and creams.

Which area do you get your greatest satisfaction from, and why?

I appreciate them all equally for the different individual characters they have.

What is your advice for someone trying to achieve a similar look?

Use your eyes – observe and notice nature and colour all around you, and never give up experimenting.

A blue and red theme on the front deck was first inspired by the Resene Guardsman Red front door.

The Resene Bermuda Grey house exterior works just as well with bright colours as it does with the creams and greens of this part of the garden, where the sprawling roses and wisteria vines contrast with the perfectly manicured round buxus bushes.

The demure image of roses, pansies and wisteria is challenged by a pairing with lime green Resene Wasabi.

A little corner of the garden departs from the scarlet, blue and lime colour theme, but is equally bright, bold and cheerful.