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Colour outside the lines: A vibrant villa revival in Dunedin

07 Apr 2025

Hidden among the trees on the hill overlooking St Clair, a grand 1910s Dunedin villa has undergone a remarkable transformation, proving that bold choices do make the biggest impact. What was once a tired home has been revitalised into a strikingly colourful haven, thanks to a thoughtful and meaningful Resene colour scheme inspired by Tibetan prayer flags. 

This full exterior repaint, including the roof, was undertaken by the team at Sims & Blue. “Our clients had some well-defined requirements around the colours and final look of the home,” says Nathan from Sims & Blue. “They wanted this home to reflect their ethos. It was all around the home being a warm and welcoming haven to all who pass through the front door.” 


Inspired by the Tibetan prayer flag, the vibrant colours on this home’s exterior include Resene Bali Hai, Resene Coast, Resene Moon Yellow, Resene Trinidad and Resene Guardsman Red. 


The home’s handrails are a joyful sight and catch the eye, painted in Resene Moon Yellow, Resene Bali Hai, Resene Trinidad and Resene Guardsman Red. The posts, barge boards and fascia are painted in Resene Coast. 

The homeowners’ vision was clear: to create a space of care, warmth and love, where friends from near and far could relax by the sea.To bring their vision to life, they collaborated with Jill Marsh from the local Dunedin Resene ColorShop, who helped craft a colour scheme that embodied their ethos. 

Inspired by the Tibetan prayer flag, the colour palette is as vibrant as it is meaningful. The base blues – Resene Bali Hai and Resene Coast – were chosen to reflect the sea just down the road, grounding the home in its coastal surroundings. These were complemented by bold hues of Resene Moon Yellow, Resene Trinidad and Resene Guardsman Red, creating a stunning visual harmony. 


As welcoming as the home behind it, the gate is painted in the same hues as the exterior – Resene Bali Hai, Resene Coast, Resene Moon Yellow, Resene Trinidad and Resene Guardsman Red. 


A unique and vibrant blue, Resene Bali Hai on the home’s weatherboards creates a striking contrast against the natural surroundings and the vibrant accents in Resene Moon Yellow, Resene Trinidad and Resene Guardsman Red. The roof, posts, barge boards and fascia are painted in Resene Coast. 

The homeowners’ commitment to their vision was evident from the start. “Our clients had drawn the home on a sheet of A4 and coloured this in to show where the various colours were to be used,” Nathan says. “This was pinned to the front door as reference.” 


The client’s initial drawing of their exterior colour scheme, which was matched brilliantly with the vibrant Resene paint colours by Sims & Blue. 

The project required extensive preparation, with all weatherboards and timbers stripped back to bare before the Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss topcoats were applied. As each layer of colour was painted on, the transformation became more apparent. “What was once a dull and lifeless house was being transformed into a warm and welcoming home,” says Nathan. “The finished product is really something special.” 

The vibrant hues extend beyond the weatherboards, with gates and railings also painted in the repeating colours to ensure a cohesive and joyful aesthetic. The impact is undeniable. “Now as you wind up the path, through the lush environment, you are greeted with a massive pop of colour! This home cannot be seen from the road at all, so on arrival the colours really provide the wow factor,” Nathan says. 


The stunning contrast of colours highlight the beautiful details and characteristics of this 1910 villa.  

The project resonated deeply with the team at Sims & Blue, many of whom were eager to be part of such a unique and uplifting transformation. “Some of them were really taken by the meaning behind the colours, and others just liked the idea of completing a project that was something a little different from the normal.”  

This Dunedin villa stands as a testament to the power of bold colour choices, proving that when a home reflects its owners’ spirit and beliefs, it truly becomes something special. Thanks to the inspired use of colour, this once-hidden gem now shines with a welcoming brilliance, radiating happiness to all who visit. 

design and paintSims & Blue

imagesMomentum Agency

Published: 07 Apr 2025