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The southern charm of Silky Oak Ranch
30 Jan 2025
When Susanne and her family moved into their mid-1990s colonial-style home in Palmerston North, it was clear they’d found something special. Resting on a picturesque 5-acre lifestyle block, the house,…
Afternoon delights: Quick and colourful projects to try at home
24 Jul 2024
Picture the scene: you’ve got a free afternoon and you feel like getting busy with a craft idea. This is where Resene testpots come into their own – just the…
Turn up the heat this winter with these warm-toned designs
16 Jul 2024
Here we are in mid-July and yes, it’s cold outside! Just the time to introduce warm colours to your home and bring in the sunshine, whatever’s happening outdoors. Whether it’s…
Red-letter days: How to use this rosy shade in your home
10 Jul 2024
Warm, bold, chic or cosy – red can do it all. From glam to retro, bright to burnished, red hues bring personality and style to your interior. And while winter…
A home among the trees: The innovative design of Bell House
03 Jul 2024
It’s safe to say Christopher’s house in Whitby, Porirua presented the team at Robertson Architects a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Nestled in amongst the tree canopy sits the…
Colour Connection: How to create a harmonious space using colour
24 Jan 2024
How easy it is to fall in love with colour. Who wouldn’t get a mood-boost in a room painted in Resene Outrageous, a bright orange and a dose of pure,…
A 1980s farmhouse transformed into a modern, award-winning masterpiece
14 Nov 2023
In the picturesque region of Victoria, a remarkable transformation has taken place, breathing new life into a 1980s brown-brick farmhouse that once turned its back on the stunning views the…
From homework to hangout: Smart and stylish ideas for kids' and teens' spaces
06 Sep 2023
Creating vibrant and functional spaces for kids and teens can be an exciting endeavour. These areas are not only where they study and play but also where they express their…
Create your dream wall mural at home with this expert advice
24 Aug 2023
A mural provides a fulfilling way to express your personality and creativity, and also has the power to transform the atmosphere of a room, creating a focal point that adds…
Craftcore: A new trend in home decor for the DIY enthusiast
13 Jun 2023
In an era of mass production and digital innovations, where technology reigns supreme, a remarkable trend has quietly emerged, breathing new life into the world of craftsmanship. Craftcore is a…
Inside the home of stylist extraordinaire Shelley Ferguson: A budget-friendly transformation
23 May 2023
You may know Shelley Ferguson for many things, including her appearance on TV shows like TV3’s The Block NZ, her skills as an award-winning stylist and even her role as…
Cabincore chic: How to achieve the look without going full rustic
17 May 2023
Romanticising the idea of living in a cabin or a cottage in the woods, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, cabincore is characterised by a focus on…
From bland to grand: Transform your space with a feature wall
22 Mar 2023
Are the rooms in your home looking a little flat? Or maybe you’re tired of seeing the same old colour on each wall? A feature wall might be just what…
From aging wood to wonderfully bright, this Lockwood home got its style back
22 Mar 2023
Built in 1993 to what was a standard design at the time, this Lockwood home in Napier was in desperate need of a makeover. Owners, Tracey and Kevin Richardson loved…
Four inspiring home office colour schemes
14 Feb 2023
A home office is a space where creativity, productivity and comfort should all come together to create an efficient and inviting work environment. With the rise of remote work and…
5 ways to transform your outdoor space
18 Jan 2023
Summer is here, even though the recent weather may not suggest so. Now is a great time to refresh your outdoor space, whether you want to add a pop of…
Top stories for 2022: From restored villas to blue-themed rooms and inspiring neutrals, these are our most-popular reads this year
20 Dec 2022
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to revisit habitat readers’ most read stories of 2022. From villa makeovers to a whimsical gingerbread home and tips for trying…
Blushing with pride, interior stylist Amber Armitage has a modern take on classic Kiwi bach colours
01 Dec 2022
During the uncertainty of the pandemic, Amber Armitage knew one thing for certain when she saw a real estate listing for a home in Mangawhai - she had to buy…
Beach house style: Coastal colour schemes to embrace at home or the bach
02 Nov 2022
In New Zealand and Australia, no matter where you are, you’ve never very far from the beach. Many of us have grown up in or around the water, so why…
5 new botanical wallpapers to bring new life to your home
22 Sep 2022
Oscar Wilde, a writer known for his dry wit, once said of the floral wallpaper in his bedroom, “Either it goes or I do”. Clearly, the Irishman wasn’t looking at…
Three’s The Block NZ: Kitchen & Dining room week
08 Sep 2022
Kitchen & Dining room week on The Block NZ is always sure to bring some drama, but despite a power cut, a leak, multiple delays and an artwork fiasco the…
Three’s The Block NZ: Master bedrooms and ensuites revealed
24 Aug 2022
This week on Three’s The Block NZ, teams were tasked with completing their master bedroom and ensuite space. Judges were impressed this week with the teams’ use of Resene colours…
Renovation masters Alice and Caleb at it again: A stunning Orewa home makeover
22 Aug 2022
Returning to the site of their first ever home renovation was both surreal and sentimental for DIY experts Alice and Caleb. “This is the first home we renovated and we…
Three’s The Block NZ: It’s living room time
18 Aug 2022
Emotions have been high this week on Three’s The Block NZ as teams are starting to feel the exhaustion and fatigue set in. The days have been long, prompting some…
Get the Barbiecore interior look and think pink
18 Aug 2022
Missing a little boldness and fun in your home? The Barbiecore interior trend has arrived. Barbie-inspired looks embrace all that is pink and takes a maximalist approach. Go glam and…
Three’s The Block NZ: Study or upstairs sitting room week
11 Aug 2022
The teams from Three’s The Block NZ had a choice this week to either create a study or sitting room in their upstairs space. Bold Resene Gunmetal features in one…
Three’s The Block NZ: It’s Family Bathroom week
03 Aug 2022
Another action-packed week on Three’s The Block NZ saw the teams create four stunning family bathrooms. The soft and neutral Resene Half Bianca, Resene Half Sea Fog and Resene Eighth Pravda all…
Kid’s bedrooms revealed on Three’s The Block NZ
27 Jul 2022
Another exciting week on Three’s The Block NZ saw the teams create four colourful kid’s bedrooms. Bold use of the colours Resene Bounty and Resene Sea Fog saw one team score a…
Three’s The Block NZ room reveal: Guest bedrooms are first up
27 Jul 2022
This season of Three’s The Block NZ promises to be action-packed if the first room reveal is anything to go by. The Guest Bedrooms revealed in last Wednesday’s episode of the hit Three reality…
Small wonders: Teeny House winners revealed!
23 Jun 2022
The winners of the Habitat by Resene Teeny House Competition show that size doesn’t matter when it comes to creativity and style. Decorators young and old entered the competition which…
The 100-year-old Nelson villa restored by renovation masters, Alice and Caleb
19 May 2022
Alice and Caleb are certainly no strangers to a challenging DIY project – sledgehammers, paint brushes and power tools have been at the ready for the last decade. The couple…
Liveable luxury at home: 5 ideas for a touch of affordable glam
02 Mar 2022
Luxury means something different to everybody. We often associate it with opulence and wealth, but luxury can be as simple as 30 minutes of peace and quiet to read a…
Make your mark with wood stains indoors and out
17 Feb 2022
Back in the day wood stain used to really only come in one colour - a good old dark brown. That’s the colour of all wood, right? Particularly if you…
Top stories for 2021: From Resene Duck Egg blue to Peter Wolfkamp’s cottage, these are some of our most-read stories this year
23 Dec 2021
Top stories for 2021: From Resene Duck Egg blue to Peter Wolfkamp’s cottage, these are some of our most-read stories this year
As the year ends, it’s time to take stock,…
Create Christmas with the colours of the South Pacific: Blue and green festive ideas
02 Dec 2021
Two festive room ideas
Christmas is on the cards… but not the one with snowy winter wonderlands!
Here, in the South Pacific the colours of our world are the calming blues of the…
A Melbourne grande dame gets a graceful colour makeover with Resene Merino and Greek-inspired blues
02 Dec 2021
Adding a touch of the Santorini vibe to their home was a must for this couple of Greek heritage, Nikki and Steve Koutspis. After all, the Melbourne couple eloped to…
The Block NZ Auction Grand Final is here! Take a look at the finished builds
11 Nov 2021
Three’s The Block NZ has returned to our screens for The Block NZ Auction Grand Final on Sunday 14 November, and it’s worth the wait. Set in Auckland’s aspirational inner-west…
Derelict to delightful: Resene Double Foundry and Marley Stratus give this bungalow timeless style
28 Oct 2021
This 1920s bungalow has had an adventurous life. With its handsome Resene Double Foundry exterior colour and matching Marley Stratus Design Series® spouting and downpipes in Grey Friars®, on first appearance…
Recharging colour ideas to give your home a pick me up (in under 48 hours)
14 Oct 2021
If you’re after a splash of joy in your life, we have the perfect projects to give your home a revitalising renovation. Embrace the warmer weather and bright Resene paints…
The Block NZ’s Peter Wolfkamp creates a striking monochrome palette inside his Devonport cottage with Resene Half Merino
07 Oct 2021
The Block NZ’s site foreman Peter Wolfkamp traded the rule book for a paintbrush when he renovated his circa 1910 cottage. He and his wife Debbie rose to the challenge…
The hottest paint colours and decorating trends for 2022
29 Sep 2021
Creativity is on trend this year and the hottest Resene paint colours are here to help. We all have our own unique and wonderful style, so much so that some…
Three’s The Block NZ outdoor areas are a breath of fresh air
09 Sep 2021
The final week on Three’s The Block NZ saw the teams put the finishing touches on their outdoor spaces. Their garden creations popped against their elegant houses in Resene Element,…
How to create the perfect colourful hobby room or shed for your home
09 Sep 2021
Spending more time at home has allowed us to get more creative, take up new hobbies and rediscover old ones. With the changing landscape of working – and with working…
From bland to beautiful: This Christchurch couple filled their charcoal and pink bungalow with paintings, plants and peacefulness
02 Sep 2021
For self-confessed serial renovators Leigh and Cory, colour is everything. When the couple first bought their 1920s three-bedroom bungalow in Christchurch it was painted tip to toe in white. With…
Cosy courtyards and brilliant balconies on Three’s The Block NZ this week
02 Sep 2021
Week eleven on Three’s The Block NZ saw the teams venturing into the outdoors to create some jaw-dropping courtyards & balconies. With looming deadlines and tight spaces, the teams rallied…
Amazing garage ideas as seen in Three’s The Block NZ Garage & Laundry week
26 Aug 2021
It was the week to win this week on Three’s The Block NZ. With $7000 up for grabs and the chance to remove another team from room reveal, the teams…
Rustically rural: Inspiration for this Taupaki home’s enchanting blue and green feature walls is grown from nature
26 Aug 2021
Warren and his wife Louise had always dreamed of living in the country. Inspired by the classic country lodges of yesteryear, the couple decided to create their very own and…
Surprises and second chances on Three’s The Block NZ’s Do Over Week
19 Aug 2021
This was the week for second chances and do overs for the teams on Three’s The Block NZ as they inched closer towards the finish line. The teams were given the opportunity…
Elegant entrances, stairs, hallways & powder rooms from Three’s The Block NZ this week
11 Aug 2021
The skyscraper heights of the hallways were a tall order this week on Three’s The Block NZ as the teams raced to complete their entrances, stairs, hallways & powder rooms.…
Open plan hacks: How to make your spaces work for you
11 Aug 2021
Open up to the idea of doing more with your space. Open plan homes have become increasingly popular and with a range of Resene colours and some creative hacks, it’s…
Find out which fabulous family room took out the top prize on Three’s The Block NZ this week
05 Aug 2021
What a week on Three’s The Block NZ! The teams were under the pump to finish their family rooms and used luscious green Resene Middle Earth and elegant Resene Stack…
A gate to remember: A garden that pops with colour in Hurunui
13 Aug 2021
When Meg calls her Hurunui home a “do-up”, she just might be making the understatement of the year. When she and her husband, Tom, moved in 30 years ago, the…
Picture perfect: How to create a gallery wall for any type of artwork
05 Aug 2021
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a wall of pictures can take you on a journey. The trend of creating gallery-style walls has been taken to…
See what’s cooking in the drool-worthy kitchen & dining rooms on Three’s The Block NZ
29 Jul 2021
The teams were busy cooking up some creative designs on Three’s The Block NZ this week as they tackled their kitchen & dining rooms. With a packed schedule and grand…
Functional or fashionable? Bold batten ideas to inspire your interiors
22 Jul 2021
Batten down and get ready for an elegant design hack to embellish your interiors. Gone are the days of battens being solely used for fastenings and functional purposes. Now, battens…
Check out these luxurious living rooms from Three’s The Block NZ
21 Jul 2021
Block-a-holics were treated to another week of creativity on Three’s The Block NZ. Living Room Week took the competition to new heights, with some of the cathedral-like spaces transformed in…
The drama continues on Three’s The Block NZ for Master Bedroom, Ensuite & Wardrobe week
14 Jul 2021
This week saw the teams on Three’s The Block NZ vying for a massive $10,000 prize for their master bedrooms, ensuites & wardrobes. With some clever building skills and creative…
It’s a bathroom bonanza on Three’s The Block NZ this week
07 Jul 2021
Family Bathroom Week on Three’s The Block NZ proved to be one of the biggest weeks to date. The week was interrupted when New Zealand was plunged into level four…
Three’s The Block NZ picks up the pace with Kid’s Bedroom week
01 Jul 2021
Another exciting week on Three’s The Block NZ saw the four teams create five colourful Kid’s Bedrooms. With $7000 on the line, the teams continued to up the ante treating…
Three’s The Block NZ gets off to a colourful start with showstopping Guest Bedrooms
24 Jun 2021
This season of Three’s The Block NZ promises to be quite colourful if the first room reveal is anything to go by. The Guest Bedrooms revealed in last Sunday’s episode…
Shortland Street behind the scenes: Michael Galvin shares his thoughts on Chris Warner’s colourful new townhouse PLUS check out the Warner house through the ages
24 Jun 2021
On 17 May Kiwis were glued to the screen, watching in shock as Chris Warner’s house went up in smoke. Shortland Street’s drastic cliff-hanger saw the beautiful beige home of…
10 room makeover projects for under $500 (that you can do in a weekend)
27 May 2021
If you’re strapped for time and strapped for cash, then these ideas are for you. Having a budget before you start your renovation is a great way to stay on…
How to be flaw-some: Ten perfect touch ups to help you embrace your home’s imperfections
13 May 2021
Everyone needs a bit of TLC every now and then, including our homes. It’s easy to see the flaws in our living spaces; a scuff mark here, a nail hole…
This artist’s Brisbane home is so colourful even the 85m fence is an elegant rainbow
28 Apr 2021
Artist and colour consultant Kelly Southee isn’t on the fence about using colour in her Brisbane home. Originally from Upper Hutt, Kelly’s new home on the outskirts of the Toohey…
Beachside cottage bought online on an impulse receives a contemporary coastal refresh while retaining original bach style
25 Feb 2021
Spontaneous home buying is not for the faint of heart but when a worn down 1950s Glenbrook Beach bach popped into her inbox it was love at first click-of-the-mouse for…
Four easy-peasy colour blocking bedroom ideas from Resene Living
20 Jan 2021
The Astra Alabaster duvet set from the Resene Living range is a handsome neutral duvet set designed to work with Resene paint colours. The neutral design allows you to be…
Minor changes that make a big impact: Ways to improve a rental property using paint
20 Jan 2021
Painting walls and furniture are two minor changes you can make to rental properties. When painting walls seek written permission from a landlord. The green wall block is painted in…
Dividing lines: How to create shared spaces using paint
14 Jan 2021
Sharing space can be hard for many of us, but these clever paint ideas will make it easier to create office spaces, study zones - and keep the peace.
Left wall…
A Canterbury artist chooses punchy pastels and sunny-day blues to give her family’s old-school villa a fresh, modern twist.
09 Dec 2020
Old-school character was top of the list when Libby Chambers and her husband Aaron went searching for a new home. They moved into a 120-year-old villa seven years ago just…
7+ ideas for creating an outdoor space that’s great for guests and entertaining
08 Dec 2020
As the temperature rises so too does the demand for parties and social gatherings.
By using a few fundamental design principles, you can transform your outdoor space into an area that’s…
Shelley Ferguson tackles a tricky renovation to transform a tired bungalow into a stylish grey home with a modern Art Deco feel
25 Nov 2020
Shelley Ferguson has seen it all as a host on the TV3 DIY show, The Block NZ, but even she was shocked by what she encountered when she began renovations on a…
Our guide to the ultimate media room
04 Nov 2020
A great media room is the sum of its parts, from the materials and colours it harbours to its curtains and, of course, its screen. It’s about those considerate details.…
10 unique ways to enliven your floors with paint
29 Jul 2020
When it comes to floors, we often forget that a paintbrush is a great option for giving them a colourful refresh. Much like your walls, your ‘sixth wall’ – the floor…
Kate and Dave take to the country
10 Sep 2014
Trading bright city lights for a quiet country homestead was a brave move that paid off for Kate Arbuthnot and Dave Hassan.
They made the move from central Auckland in 2008,…
Six easy paint ideas
15 Oct 2014
It’s amazing what you can do with a small amount of paint and a bit of inspiration. Take a look at some of these clever projects to get you inspired:
Summer…
1 house, 4 ways: exterior
05 Nov 2014
It’s coming up for house painting season so to help you settle on a colour scheme, here are some ideas from our Habitat Plus booklet ‘1 look, 4 ways: exterior…
Living room, 3 ways
20 Nov 2014
When Trudie and Mike Nettle moved into their Hawke’s Bay home, with kids in tow, all of the walls and trims were painted in white Resene Alabaster. Trudie was keen…
7 super creative painted walls
26 Mar 2015
Stencils, over-sized geometric patterns, simple murals, colour blocking… we’re keen to give our homes the edge and add a bit of individuality. Happily, there are many ways of doing that…
How to... colour block
14 Mar 2016
Colour blocking is exactly what it sounds like – a design technique that groups blocks of colour together. It’s a simple way to not only dress up your walls but also your…
Megan and Gordon embrace the lifestyle
16 Apr 2015
Highland cows, chicks, bees, a kunekune pig, cats, dogs… oh, and a special spot for mother-in-law Noeline. A marriage of stylish Customkit home and Resene paint gave Megan Ashe and…
Tim and Annick's cornucopia of colour
10 Sep 2015
Back in 2009, Tim and Annick Larkin were combing Auckland’s city fringe for a character-filled home that could cope with the needs of their growing family. This neutrally decorated, weatherboard beauty…
Millie and Duncan's special memory home
20 Aug 2015
A new home that combines character and charm, and a stunning palette of Resene colours is the result of a true family collaboration… and stands in memory to a very…
Resene Total Colour Awards announced: Enduring solutions win
24 Sep 2015
Timeless colours were clear winners in this year’s Resene Total Colour Awards, announced last night.
The Residential Interior award went to Lisa Day and Scott Donnell of Donnell & Day Architecture…
A world of colour
09 Dec 2015
Colourist Megan Harrison-Turner takes us to exotic places, and shows how colour can bring a little bit of overseas into our homes.
Moroccan spice
Inspiring writers, poets and designers for decades, the…
Colourful Christmas greetings
01 Dec 2015
Bright festive greetings from us to you! We're taking a break for the next two weeks, and will be back on January 7. Meanwhile, we're painting to the end, and…
Exteriors: rebels with a cause
03 Mar 2016
There are pretty house exteriors, simple house exteriors, ones that blend with the landscape, then there are others that demand a second look. Strong, handsome exteriors that exude confidence. And…
Steve and Lynn’s slice of country in suburbia
09 Jun 2016
Getting the feel and feature of a rural lifestyle property with only a typical-sized suburban plot to play with – that was the challenge facing designer Steve Birkhead of Integrating…
Colin and Wendy find purity in white
30 Jul 2016
When Colin and Wendy planned a house to replace their old 1950s Mangawhai Heads bach, they had a very clear vision from the outset. The new house would be pure…
Erin and Jaron’s cleverly recycled alpine retreat
07 Mar 2016
It may not look recycled in that vintage way we’ve become used to, but this Nelson Lakes holiday home is, in fact, an example of extremely clever re-use. Its interior…
Godfrey and Adele’s stunning ultra-individual home
25 Aug 2016
When Godfrey Sadler and Adele Bird began their self-build home project seven years ago, they weren’t keen on following the crowd. Exposed steel beams, a soaring wall of honed concrete…
Resene award winners show true colour spirit
09 Sep 2016
A house that marries yellow, turquoise and red; another that allows playful textures and architectural lines to shine; and an apartment block that turns a striking colour-blocked wall to the…
Kirsty and David's story of old and new
12 Jan 2017
David and Kirsty Wraight have the best of both worlds. Building a villa from scratch will give you that, melding old world charm with the joys of modern housing.
Set in Marlborough's…
3 favourite colours
15 Mar 2017
We asked three Resene colour experts to pick their favourite colours from the Resene The Fashion Range 18 fandeck, with insights to colour trends for the home.
What did we learn? Strong greens…
Handcrafted wallpapers revived
29 May 2017
Resene has revived the work of one of the country’s celebrated wallpaper designers – and given homeowners the chance to customise those designs with their own colours.
The new Mason Classic…
Kate and Matt's ever bolder colour adventure
29 Jun 2017
Tucked down the end of a forking driveway, sharing a fence with the local school, Kate Alexander and Matt Kardos' home feels a long way from its urban location.
The 1950s weatherboard sits…
Jenna and Paul turn plain into perfect
10 Aug 2017
When hunting for their first home, Paul and Jenna Sims didn't have to look long before falling in love with this design and build property, with its open plan living and walls painted…
Andy and Nate's winning home on The Block NZ
21 Sep 2017
After twelve weeks of intense renovating, The Block NZ teams went to auction last Sunday night, selling the four terraced homes based in Auckland's Northcote. Andy and Nate took out the…
Amanda’s beachy modern take on mid-century
25 Jan 2018
When designer Amanda Neill helped renovate a 1970s architect-designed apartment in an Auckland beachside suburb, she skilfully combined the owner’s love of mid-century style with the colours of the sea.…
TV couple’s stunning renovation
12 Jul 2018
Being part of an intense and demanding reality TV show like The Block might put some contestants off renovating for life. Dynamic Australian husband and wife team Michael and Carlene…
Our favourite rooms on Three’s The Block NZ… so far
23 Aug 2018
We’re halfway through this year’s The Block NZ, with six room reveals under the teams’ belts. Week by week, the four homes are becoming more and more beautiful as the…
Lara and Isaac’s artful and magical makeover
01 Nov 2018
The day after Lara Bui and Isaac Weston bought their 1970s home in Matua, Bay of Plenty, in 2010 they launched into a renovation with gusto. It would turn out…
Sarah’s cute and colourful family home in Invercargill
15 Aug 2019
Choosing a location to purchase a property is often a challenge. But for Sarah Chapman, husband Riki and their three children, relocating to Sarah’s home town was an easy choice.…
Flint & Celia’s subtropical outdoor living space in Hawke’s Bay
28 Aug 2019
When Flint and Celia Collinson built their home in Hawke's Bay, they approached the project with a unique point of view, working their design from back to front. With plans…
Sarah creates an expertly coloured country chic sanctuary
11 Nov 2019
When Sarah Eaton of Tailormade Space was hired to provide a full interiors concept on a new build in Canterbury, the leafy rural setting became the perfect opportunity to create…
Stephanie’s post-quake overhaul honours lush surrounding
11 Feb 2020
Following the devastating Christchurch earthquakes, Stephanie Waterhouse was faced with a major decision: rebuild her beloved but damaged 110-year-old villa or pack up and move. However, her stunning St Albans…
Joe and Lisa’s bright and beautiful family home
18 Mar 2020
Through their building company, Byrne Homes, builder Joe and designer Lisa are no strangers to creating a beautiful home. But when it came to constructing and customising a space of their…
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