look book
latest
habitat tv
Say goodbye to the morning scramble for keys, coats and sunglasses and hello to this… see this and more videos
blog
Reader roundup: A tiger themed bedroom, a cottagecore bathroom and feathery friends
We’ve got a great roundup of projects from our readers this month. From a rainbow… more
look book 
Bursts of colour on the truss plates in Resene Bright Spark, Resene FOMO, Resene Havocand ResenePicton Blue add personality to the main living area. The timber is stained in ReseneColorwood Rock Salt and finished in ReseneAquaclear.
The loft is stained in ReseneColorwood Rock Salt and ReseneAquaclearwith an added touch of Resene Bright Spark on the window trim.
In the living, kitchen, dining and loft areas, ReseneColorwood Rock Salt was applied to radiata pine plywood, elevating the aesthetics with sophistication. The black finishes create a stunning contrast to the stained wood, also finished in ReseneAquaclear.
A playful haven of creativity and efficiency
If you’ve always wanted to make your home unique, and do it on a budget, then this one is for you. This house uses pops of Resene colour and charming Resene wood stains to show off its natural beauty and design.
Aptly named Sandhill House, for its position atop a solitary sandhill in the coastal village of Waikuku Beach, this home offers space-efficient living, cost-effective materials and a vibrant aesthetic.
Architect and homeowner, Max Warren, has created a playful yet modest three-bedroom timber beach house for his young family of four, showcasing that architecturally designed small budget homes can be accessible, functional and most importantly, aesthetically pleasing.
The house is strategically split into two levels, stepping up the sandhill to mimic the existing contours. The offset gable forms pay homage to historic baches of the area, featuring a coastally appropriate monolithic cladding and a subdued beachy colour palette. The oversized hall and gallery space acts as a central hub, providing efficient access to all rooms while fostering visual and auditory connections.
The colour palette is a vibrant reflection of the family's dynamic nature and the desire to create an exciting home. The truss plates, a unique design feature, are adorned with pops of Resene paint colours in yellow Resene Bright Spark, red Resene Havoc, green Resene FOMO and blue Resene Picton Blue.
Bursts of colour on the truss plates in Resene Bright Spark, Resene FOMO, Resene Havocand Resene Picton Blue add personality to the main living area. The timber is stained in ReseneColorwood Rock Salt and finished in ReseneAquaclear.
The vibrant yellow of Resene Bright Spark in the garage and laundry inject energy into functional spaces, while the animated violet of Resene Ferris Wheel in the alcove marks the entry to the kids' rooms off the main hall, adding a touch of whimsy.
The loft is stained in ReseneColorwood Rock Salt and ReseneAquaclearwith an added touch of Resene Bright Spark on the window trim.
The garage floor is finished in ReseneUracrylin the cheerful shade of Resene Bright Spark.
A hidden ladder in the hall leads to a private home office loft, accessible via a climbing wall and suspended net in the living space, adding an element of fun and creativity. This design choice reflects the essence of this home – a space that encourages play and exploration for the young and active family within.
In the living, kitchen, dining and loft areas, ReseneColorwood Rock Salt was applied to radiata pine plywood, elevating the aesthetics with sophistication. The black finishes create a stunning contrast to the stained wood, also finished in ReseneAquaclear.
In the living spaces and loft, Resene Colorwood Rock Salt brings warmth and sophistication. The hall and bedrooms boast Resene Black White, providing a clean and timeless backdrop. Meanwhile, Resene Ferris Wheel graces the hall and kids' bedrooms, contributing to the playful atmosphere.
“I have specified Resene paints throughout my 12 years of professional experience in the industry,” Max says. “The performance of the products alongside the technical support provided meant the specification of Resene products for my own house was a straightforward decision.”
ReseneColorwood Rock Salt shows off the beauty of the timber while ReseneAquaclear provides the perfect finish.
Max’s commitment to cost-effective sustainability and building efficiency shines through in Sandhill House. Despite budget constraints, the design incorporates passive ventilation, low embodied carbon materials and an innovative subfloor and foundation design that minimised the use of structural steel and concrete.
The house promotes passive airflow through clever design elements, such as a roof window in the loft and a conversation window above, ensuring comfort and energy efficiency.
Proving its wonderful design, Sandhill House won a Resene Total Colour Residential Interior Colour Maestro Award. The judges said: “In this home, less is more. There is a delightful playfulness with touches of colour in the most unexpected places. The colour plays up the structure, inviting you to look at the assembly of the home and find nuggets of colour treasure. Colour brings personality and a sense of fun and levity. The cheerful yellow floor is guaranteed to help start each day with a smile.”
Sandhill House truly shows the harmonious blend of creativity, efficiency and vibrant living. It exemplifies the idea that thoughtful design and quality materials can transform a modest budget into a delightful and functional family home.
design Max Warren, Max Warren Architect
images Christopher Collie
Top tip: There’s a definite trend to natural timber finishes in interiors for flooring and ceilings. It can be tempting to leave them uncoated, but that leaves the timber prone to wear and tear, dust and contaminants that can be impossible to remove later. With Resene Aquaclear waterborne urethane you can apply a clear finish that protects the timber while still allowing its natural beauty to show through. Resene Aquaclear is also available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss finishes for those looking for a higher sheen effect or Resene Aquaclear flat finish for a natural just cut look on walls and ceilings. If a little colour rejuvenation is needed, Resene Colour Enhance may be added to Resene Aquaclear to add extra depth and colour.
Published: 07 Nov 2024
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
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
more inspiration
Where does your mind go when you think of purple?… more
Douglas and Shelley’s neutral haven is filled with creative touches
When Douglas and Shelley moved to Dunedin with their two children, Oscar… more
Joe and Lisa’s bright and beautiful family home
Through their building company, Byrne Homes, builder Joe and designer Lisa… more
Lisa Maria and Paul’s electric Kapiti Coast home
It takes a great eye and flair for colour to… more
When we think neutrals, our minds tend to wander to… more
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
