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
New Zealand designer wins Supreme WOW Award
Sacred Nightfall, an intricately hand-painted garment, has won over the judges and been awarded the… more
Kitchen walls and ceiling in Eighth Pearl Lusta, timber ceiling finished in Resene Aquaclear Natural.
Fireplace in Resene Porter, timber ceiling and upper wall finished in Resene Aquaclear Natural, surrounding walls in Eighth Pearl Lusta.
Exterior in Resene Kensington Grey and Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Driftwood, fence in Porter.
Light fantastic
There is something truly remarkable about a home designed to change with the hours. Inside this new build, by Rogan Nash Architects, light isn’t an afterthought, or purely practical, it plays an integral role in how the interior looks and feels. Light shifts from bright pools of sunshine to a softer golden glow as morning rolls into night.
The family home is surrounded by an eclectic mix of older and newer houses. The challenge, then, was to create something distinctly modern that still felt comfortable within the established neighbourhood.
“One of the most interesting aspects of the project was designing a generous, light-filled family home on a corner site that slopes and sits among a lively mix of heritage villas and contemporary houses,” says Eva Nash of Rogan Nash Architects.
Kitchen walls and ceiling in Eighth Pearl Lusta, timber ceiling finished in Resene Aquaclear Natural.
Kitchen in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta.
A series of gabled forms steps down the site taking cues from the rhythm of the surrounding streetscape while creating soaring interior spaces within. Generous glazing and high windows draw north-western light deep into the open-plan kitchen and living area, where soft linen curtains diffuse its intensity.
Above, cedar-lined ceilings bring a new layer of warmth. Finished in Resene Aquaclear Natural, the timber holds on to its natural beauty and grain, with a continuous cedar band extending down the walls to emphasise the height and shape of the gables.
Cedar ceiling and wall finished in Resene Aquaclear Natural.
“Cedar is a defining material throughout the interior, and Resene Aquaclear Natural was selected to protect the timber while preserving its honest, sun-warmed tone,” says Kate Rogan of Rogan Nash Architects.
Warmth continues across the main walls and ceilings in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta. “Chosen for its subtle warmth, this off-white provides a calm, luminous backdrop that responds beautifully to changing daylight, avoiding the starkness of a cool white while remaining fresh and versatile,” says Eva.
Walls and ceiling in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta.
Fireplace in Resene Porter, timber ceiling and upper wall finished in Resene Aquaclear Natural, surrounding walls in Eighth Pearl Lusta.
Against this lighter backdrop, deeper coloured décor and materials give the home weight and definition. Toasty reds and terracotta hues, detailed marble and oak, all create a rich, earthy palette. Meanwhile, the fireplace and integrated shelving, in Resene Porter, provide a dark, smoky focal point in the living space.
Colour also helps distinguish quieter areas of the home. The snug is painted in Tana, a muted neutral green that creates a retreat away from the openness of the main living spaces, and in the daughter’s bedroom, Resene Blanched Pink feels playful without overwhelming the room.
Throughout, walls are painted using a SpaceCote Low Sheen finish, while ceilings are in SpaceCote Flat to reduce glare and diffuse the abundance of natural light.
Girl’s bedroom in Resene Blanched Pink.
Light, however, remains one of the project’s biggest considerations. Welcoming the north-west sun without allowing the house to overheat required careful modelling of glazing, roof overhangs, louvres, pergolas and perforated metal screens.
The same balance between openness and intimacy shapes the floorplan. The kitchen, living spaces, decks and garden flow together for a family that loves food, gathering and entertaining.
Exterior weatherboards in Kensington Grey.
Vertical weatherboards in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Driftwood.
Outside, the home’s palette was designed to balance solidity and softness, allowing it to sit naturally within its environment. “A restrained, layered palette was chosen to complement the architectural form and the surrounding landscape, rather than compete with it,” says Eva.
Resene Lumbersider in Kensington Grey on weatherboards keeps things calm and grounded, while Abodo vertical weatherboards stained in Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Driftwood adds warmth and enhance the natural timber. Resene Porter, also using a Lumbersider finish, provides a deeper accent across fencing, blockwork and architectural details, anchoring the softer grey and timber tones.
Exterior in Resene Kensington Grey and Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Driftwood, fence in Porter.
This is a home that feels grounded yet uplifting. Where architecture, colour and natural materials work together to capture the wonderfully fleeting daily light.
design Rogan Nash Architects
build Modus Developments
painting Troy Ironside
images Simon Wilson
Resene Pro Tip:
When staining exterior timber surfaces, use a wood stain from the Resene Woodsman range. For vertical surfaces like weatherboards and fences, their latest wood stain, Woodsman Natural Wood Oil, is based on renewably source materials and has a natural authentic look that is highly sympathetic to timbers like cedar and Abodo. For decks, use your chosen shade in Woodsman Decking Stain. And if you’re opting for a dark coloured stain, use the Resene CoolColour version to protect the timber from heat damage over the warmer months.
Published: 14 Oct 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Blanched Pink
Resene Kensington Grey
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 Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Blanched Pink
Resene Kensington Grey
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
