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Living room painted in Resene Double Spanish White, trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Hallway in Resene Double Spanish White, trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Office in Resene Tom Thumb, showing the shifting colour from day to night. Trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Day room in Resene Tom Thumb with trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Exterior in Resene Indian Ink and Half Black White. To get this front door look, use the bright red Resene Poppy.
Izabela and Ninan’s dream home with Indian Ink to Tom Thumb
This is a family home where bold decisions met careful planning, and where colour plays a defining role in shaping both mood and identity. Designed by the homeowners themselves and built by Sentinel Homes, the house reflects exactly what they set out to achieve.
Home to Izabela, Ninan and their son Alexander, the house has evolved into a warm, light-filled retreat that balances family life with a strong sense of style. “We knew what we wanted, a modern house with traditional elements,” Izabela says. And from the outset, orientation was key. With a north-facing site, the home was designed to capture sunlight throughout the day, something that directly influenced the colour palette within.
Living room painted in Resene Double Spanish White, trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Hallway in Resene Double Spanish White, trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Rather than opting for stark whites, Izabela chose a softer, warmer base using Resene Double Spanish White across all interior walls. “We didn’t want to have white walls in our house as this feels quite clinical to us.” Instead, the gentle warmth of Double Spanish White works with the shifting light, enhancing the sun as it moves through each room. Crisp detailing comes through in the trims, painted in Half Black White, and ceilings are finished in the lighter Quarter Black White, creating a subtle layered effect that feels cohesive and calm.
Bedroom in Resene Double Spanish White.
Office in Resene Tom Thumb, showing the shifting colour from day to night. Trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Over time, the colour palette has continued to evolve. Izabela felt ready to introduce bolder tones, starting with Ninan’s office. Painted in Tom Thumb, a rich, earthy green, the room transformed into a calming yet energising workspace. “I loved everything about this colour,” she says. “The way the light bounces off the walls during the day and how cosy and welcoming his office looks in the evening.”
The success of the office led to the same colour being used in the day room, now Izabela’s favourite space in the house. Styled with white shelving and an orange sofa, it is a vibrant yet grounded room that perfectly captures the home’s personality.
Day room in Resene Tom Thumb with trims in Half Black White.
Day room in Resene Tom Thumb with trims in Half Black White and ceiling in Quarter Black White.
Choosing these colours wasn’t straightforward. “This was a very daunting and pretty scary process,” Izabela says. With the house still under construction, decisions had to be made without testing samples on finished walls. “We had to use our imagination.” Weeks of research, mood boards and countless trips to paint, flooring and tile shops followed, as every detail, from cabinetry to grout, was carefully considered.
Exterior in Resene Indian Ink and Half Black White. To get this front door look, use the bright red Resene Poppy.
Outside, the home makes a striking first impression. The weatherboards are painted in Indian Ink, a bold, inky blue that shifts beautifully with the light. Paired with Half Black White on the brickwork, boxing and fence, the exterior achieves a balance between drama and familiarity. The colour choice was not without debate though. “My husband wanted more traditional looking house… but I wanted something completely different that stood out among all grey and brown houses.” Izabela’s vision won. “I must say that we were blown away with the result. It is such a beautiful hue and it changes depending on the time of the day and weather.”
Weatherboards in Resene Indian Ink with brickwork, trims and fence in Half Black White.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but it’s one Izabela encourages others to embrace. “Don’t go blindly into any project without research, have a plan, idea, dream, vision and stick to it,” she says. “Don’t be afraid of bold colours. Listen to specialists, they have an experience that you can lean on and draw from.
“Know what you want, but the most important thing is to have fun. It doesn’t matter how stressful the journey is, enjoy the ride. Once the project is over you will look back at it and you will feel incredibly proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
After nearly three and a half years in their home, it continues to evolve, with plans already in place for Alexander’s room. One thing is for certain though, colour will remain at the heart of every decision.
colour selection and images Izabela
build Sentinel Homes
flooring EcoDure
Top tip: Dark moody shades are softened when tinted into low sheen and especially flat or matte finishes. Resene SpaceCote Flat was designed to achieve this look and while not quite as tough as its sister SpaceCote Low Sheen it is perfect for most rooms in the house. The contemporary and stylish finish simply works with deep colours and has the added benefit of reducing the impact of critical light and any surface imperfections.
Published: 25 Feb 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
