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 1970s gem, a Kiwi cow shed and Resene art
We’ve got a great roundup of projects from our readers this month. From a master… more
Through the hall in Resene Rivergum, you’ll find the cosy family room adorned in Resene Aubergine, a vibrant burgundy with plenty of depth.
The strong, green-toned ochre, Resene Bullwhip, was used in the snug, adding depth and complementing the family’s colourful artwork and décor.
The custom cabinetry is painted in the soft red of Resene Summer Rose. The kitchen and dining walls are painted in Resene Bullwhip and surrounding walls and ceiling in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
The hallway is drenched in Resene Rivergum, a refined green that leads the way and creates a striking backdrop for the artwork and colourful floor runners.
Through the hall in Resene Rivergum, you’ll find the cosy family room adorned in Resene Aubergine, a vibrant burgundy with plenty of depth.
Earthy hues combine in the gallery and kitchen with Resene Rivergum, Resene Bullwhip and a custom Resene Colorwood shade on timber panels. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
Bold, bright, and a statement in the home, Resene Clockwork Orange leads the way upstairs, casting a warm glow on the surrounding walls in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
Alice’s bedroom (left) is painted in Resene Rivergum, and the master bedroom (right) is adorned in the warm Resene Summer Rose.
Nine-year-old Jack chose Resene Thumbs Up (left) for his bedroom, while George, 11, chose the cool Resene Lazy River. The ceiling is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
From shaky ground to solid hues
For Angela and Mark Godenho and their three children Alice, George and Jack, home has always been a place to nurture growth, embrace joy and hold strong through challenges.
After the 2011 earthquakes left their original 100m² bungalow “irresponsibly and appallingly repaired” the family endured many battles with insurance, EQC and repair programmes. “We went into fight mode to get the foundations repaired,” says Angela. By 2021, the case was finally settled under the EQC on-sold programme, and resulted in a complete rebuild and opportunity to start again. This time with intention, heart and just a few, to say the least, bold Resene colours.
The strong, green-toned ochre, Resene Bullwhip, was used in the snug, adding depth and complementing the family’s colourful artwork and décor.
The custom cabinetry is painted in the soft red of Resene Summer Rose. The kitchen and dining walls are painted in Resene Bullwhip and surrounding walls and ceiling in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
Angela, who’s also an interior designer, knew exactly what she wanted, but also consulted her family to gather a brief that would fit for everyone. “We live inside spaces, so we need these spaces to function well and support the way we live, most importantly the journey between these spaces must remain joyful and surprising.” That idea of surprise and joy became the guiding principle for the Godenho family’s new home.
The house is made up of two structures, one shared and one private, connected by a central corridor linking the front of the property to the rear garden. From the street the form is simple and respectful of its community, but Angela describes architecture as “the 200mm between the fun bits, and its only real purpose is to keep us warm, dry and hold the solar panels in place. We need a treasure box to protect the colourful jewels inside.”
Those jewels are the colours of course!
The hallway is drenched in Resene Rivergum, a refined green that leads the way and creates a striking backdrop for the artwork and colourful floor runners.
Through the hall in Resene Rivergum, you’ll find the cosy family room adorned in Resene Aubergine, a vibrant burgundy with plenty of depth.
“Colour has the ability to influence behaviour, bring joy and reflect personality,” Angela says. “Each space within the home has been given a name and unique identity with the use of block colour choices selected from clients previously completed workplace projects.”
The painter may have been “slightly horrified” at the idea of eight feature colours, but Angela knew the repetition of curves and finishes would bring cohesion throughout her home.
The base of the home is grounded in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Angela’s “absolute go-to” for its ability to balance both warm and cool tones. The house then opens up into a series of vibrant and personal shades. The entrance is a tunnel of Resene Rivergum, drawing people into the home. The snug, dining and kitchen are painted in Resene Bullwhip, which Angela laughs was nicknamed “baby poo” by tradies. Even so, she loves it for its golden warmth against the walnut cabinetry and red travertine.
Earthy hues combine in the gallery and kitchen with Resene Rivergum, Resene Bullwhip and a custom Resene Colorwood shade on timber panels. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
Bold, bright, and a statement in the home, Resene Clockwork Orange leads the way upstairs, casting a warm glow on the surrounding walls in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
The family room is adorned in Resene Aubergine, a deep and unexpected burgundy that Angela has loved since 2003. With the couch and flooring in a similar hue, this space is cosy, cocooning and the best kind of bold. The stairwell, certainly one of the most bravest features in the home, is drenched in Resene Clockwork Orange, Angela’s homage to Sir Miles Warren and his favourite ‘retro’ shade.
The master suite softens into Resene Summer Rose, a soft terracotta hue, chosen to complement the Moroccan bedhead in reds, mustards and greens. And upstairs, each of the children claimed their own colour, adding a personal touch to their space.
Alice (12) chose Resene Rivergum, saying it’s “a sophisticated and calm colour that felt like outside.” George (11) went for Resene Lazy River because it felt “like being by the lake in Wānaka or in the sky at the park.” And Jack (9) picked Resene Thumbs Up “for its happiness and because I just like it.”
Even the storage has a story, with a custom stationary cupboard painted in Resene Apple Blossom and Resene Jambalaya. The latter, Angela says, “representing the first meal my husband cooked me.”
Alice’s bedroom (left) is painted in Resene Rivergum, and the master bedroom (right) is adorned in the warm Resene Summer Rose.
Nine-year-old Jack chose Resene Thumbs Up (left) for his bedroom, while George, 11, chose the cool Resene Lazy River. The ceiling is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
The six-year journey from quake damage to rebuild was surely a test of patience and perseverance. But once the work began, it became a celebration. “I honestly had the most fun I have ever had on a project,” Angela says. “We had an amazing team of engineers, builders, sub-contractors and suppliers. ‘Bold and brave’ are some of the comments from family and friends.”
David King, the family’s contact at Resene throughout, suggested the home be nicknamed HMS Godenho, not only for its Resene Gull Grey exterior but because like a ship it had weathered a battle and emerged stronger. Inside though, it is vibrant, joyful and full of colour that tells the story of a family who fought hard for their home and made it a treasure chest of memories and personality.
project Angela Godenho, Simplify and Amplify
build Edge Developments
painting Picture Perfect
images Anna McLeod
Top tip: Choosing the Resene right paint finish is just as important as choosing the right colour. Angela used Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen on walls and ceilings for a warm, durable base, while Resene Enamacryl gave cabinetry and details a glossy pop and tough durability. For the timber panels in the hallway and gallery, Resene Colorwood stain in a custom Resene colour added depth and connection to the landscape. Matching your finish to the function means your bold colour choices will truly shine and last. If you’re unsure what finish to use, head to your nearest Resene ColorShop or Ask a Resene Paint Expert online for free.
Published: 17 Sep 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Apple Blossom
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 Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Apple Blossom
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
