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From global design to a family studio in Aotearoa
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“After studying… more
Ultramarine and Smoulder for a modern Scandi farmhouse
Delwyn and her husband purchased their home in 2020 and by 2022 the renovations had begun. The late-90s build had what Delwyn called “good bones”, but it was a little dark and cold. Now reimagined through some practical upgrades and creative direction, it leans into a ‘modern farmhouse’ style with a bit of Scandinavian charm – and some extraordinary bursts of colour.
“The home was pretty generic when we moved in,” Delwyn says. “I love to work with colour, so was keen to create an interior that felt welcoming, warm and relaxed.”
A consistent base of Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints range, in a SpaceCote Low Sheen finish, creates cohesion throughout the home and helps to bring colour and personality into focus.
In high-use areas, Resene Lustacryl offers durability and gloss level contrast on architraves, and in the more colour-rich rooms they disappear into walls painted edge-to-edge in the same hue for a seamless effect.
Main living area walls and ceiling in Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints range.
Office feature painted in Resene Ultramarine, surrounding wall and ceiling in Wan White.
The office tells a bold story, with a sweeping curve of Resene Ultramarine cutting across the crisp white walls. Inspired by mid-century architecture and Yves Klein Blue, Delwyn got her ultimate creative workspace at home. “I didn’t think my husband would be too keen on a whole office in that colour, so I got out some string one day, pencilled in the curve and coloured it in to achieve my creative corner!”
Dining feature wall in Resene Shilo, surrounding walls and ceiling in Wan White.
In the dining area, Resene Shilo, a gentle coral pink, introduces warmth through a single feature wall. “I really like it as it’s a salmony pink,” Delwyn says. “It relates to the terracotta tiles outside and complements the warm grey cedar that is a on the columns just outside the bifold doors. It’s a happy coincidence that it ties in with my Jane Schriffer painting too.”
Drawing room walls in Resene Smoulder, ceiling in Shilo.
The drawing room takes a more immersive turn, wrapped in the deep red of Resene Smoulder, with a ceiling washed in leftover Shilo. “There should be more coloured ceilings in the world in my opinion!” Delwyn says, and here it works beautifully.
The deep, magenta-based tone creates a warm cocooning effect. “I wanted it to feel like a real retreat, enveloping like a hug.” By day it plays against the greenery outside, and by night, under soft lamplight, it becomes an intimate, almost sunken “conversation pit.”
Exterior painted in Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints range.
Rendered exterior is painted in Resene Wan White.
Outside, the rendered exterior is painted using Resene X-200 in Wan White. This classic white, along with the timber garage, creates a cohesive design from the outside in.
Delwyn’s background as a spatial designer is evident in the balance between structure and spontaneity. She describes her interiors as having ‘a joyful spark’, shaped by mid-century lines and softened through colour and materiality. This is especially clear in the main living and dining space – Delwyn’s favourite spot – where shifting light reveals “so many delightful pockets of goodness.”
In this home colour doesn’t just decorate, it defines how each moment is experienced.
colour selection and images Delwyn
design Malcolm Taylor and Associates
build James Ingham Builders
Resene Pro Tip:
If you’re thinking of adding some feature walls in contrasting colours, be sure to invest in some quality painters tape to get clean lines against the ceiling/architraves and surrounding walls. Once the tape is in place, cut in using the same colour as the walls first (for example, Resene Wan White for Delwyn’s walls), then once dry go ahead and paint your feature wall in your chosen colour. This will stop the paint from bleeding and give you a crisp edge when the tape is removed. Opt for Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in your chosen colour for feature walls for a durable, easy-clean, velvety finish.
Published: 21 May 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
the look
If you're stuck on what
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the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
