A front door in the gorgeous Resene Raven opens to the villa’s light-filled hallway. Previous owners had introduced a textured finish to the hall and stairwell walls, and painted it in a 90s sea green. It felt dated, but a refresh with walls in Resene Half Thorndon Cream and trims and ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream has modernised the look.

The lounge feels both character and light-filled, with walls in Resene Half Thorndon Cream and trims and ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. “To re-design the home, we developed a mood board that used the ‘given’ existing colours as a starting point – i.e. kitchen cabinets, wooden floors, a brick fireplace, exterior paint colours, and went from there.”

The wall tone changes subtly throughout the day, a warmth and a glow emerging in later light. Walls are in Resene Half Thorndon Cream and trims and ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

“One very heavy discussion point was the fireplace – whether to keep it natural or paint it white. We waited until the flooring had been done, once they were lighter (less orange) the brick fireplace felt right at home,” says Kate. The bricks offer wonderful contrast against the soft furnishings and walls in Resene Half Thorndon Cream , and trims and ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

Window trims in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream are stunning in the fresh dining space. Walls in Resene Half Thorndon Cream and ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

“We changed the kitchen bench from dark grey granite to a light colour, further streamlining the space. Adding a white tap and sink brings the focus to the view. The white subway tiles fit the ‘cottage villa’ style. The horizontal layering helps the kitchen appear wider, and the gloss provides more light.” Walls in Resene Half Thorndon Cream and ceiling and trims in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream

The home’s bedroom colours have been kept soft and natural. The three-storey home has a unique layout with a double bedroom, bathroom and a living area on each level. Each bedroom’s walls are in Resene Half Thorndon Cream, and ceiling and trims in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream

“We removed a second door that although it enabled the bathroom to be accessed from the living room, it cut down on living room usable space. It also stopped the bathroom from feeling private. The modern brass mirror here contrasts with the more traditional taps.” Vanity, walls, ceiling and trims in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

The front door is in-keeping with the contemporary-cottage feel in Resene Raven. Weatherboards in Resene Triple Thorndon Cream and trims in Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

The Devonport villa has a maritime feel that wouldn't look out of place in San Francisco's Sausalito. Weatherboards in Resene Triple Thorndon Cream, window trims in Resene Half Thorndon Cream, roof, top of verandah and other details under soffits in Resene Half Friar Greystone.