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Study walls and ceiling in Resene Cashmere, bookcase in Red Oxide, Apple Blossom, Florentine Pink and Sakura.
Future children’s bedroom in Resene Apple Blossom and Florentine Pink, floor in Apple Blossom, hallway walls in Cashmere.
The black box filled with colour
From the street, Roseman Whare keeps its secrets well.
The compact home, designed by homeowners Wade Southgate and Stefanie Brett, presents itself as a simple black box in the front yard of a 1950s state house.
Behind its restrained exterior, the home is filled with plenty of personality, and an unapologetic love of colour. Colour that also won this home a Resene Residential Interior Colour Maestro Award in the 2026 Total Colour Awards.
Built on a cosy 180sqm site as part of a family 'bluefields development', the project was driven by creativity. Every square metre had to work hard, and with a modest budget, Wade, of Sunday Architects, and Stefanie, a teacher at McAuley High School, embraced a hands-on approach, completing the interior themselves.
Kitchen island in Resene Tom Thumb, walls and ceiling in Cashmere.
"The project had a very modest budget and became an exercise in bespoke simplicity to create a unique, yet cost effective architectural home," says Wade. "To save money, the majority of the interior fitout was completed by ourselves, pushing our DIY skills to the limit."
Beyond just painting, the couple, with tireless help from Wade’s sister and her partner, tackled plastering, waterproofing, tiling, floor polishing, cabinetry installation and countless custom details throughout the home. It was a lengthy process, but one that also gave them the freedom to carefully refine every room.
"Colour played a subtle role in this, such as shifting between shades of Despacito and Cashmere between the kitchen to the pantry, emphasising the move from light to dark," says Wade.
Laundry in Resene Sakura.
While the exterior is deliberately understated in black to sit respectfully alongside the family home at the back, the entrance hints at what lies beyond.
"We liked the idea of the stern, dark, black box exterior giving way to soft, playful interior space, much like a black-tie dinner jacket conceals a flamboyant inner-lining that only you know is there."
That contrast starts with Resene New York Pink wrapping the porch walls, paired with rich Red Oxide steps inspired by the iconic stoops of Brooklyn.
As evening falls, the soft pink entrance glows warmly creating a welcoming threshold.
Entrance in Resene New York Pink, outdoor steps in Red Oxide, floor in Apple Blossom.
Inside, the colour palette continues to unfold from room to room. Wade and Stefanie wanted every space to have its own identity. "We were also determined to have no white walls within the home, a hang-over from every neutral-only flat we had ever lived in."
Instead, each room has a mood of its own with colours chosen to complement artwork, tiles or joinery, while still creating a cohesive flow throughout the home.
Study walls and ceiling in Resene Cashmere, bookcase in Red Oxide, Apple Blossom, Florentine Pink and Sakura.
Future children’s bedroom in Resene Apple Blossom and Florentine Pink, floor in Apple Blossom, hallway walls in Cashmere.
The entrance floor in Resene Apple Blossom leads visitors through the entry hall, where soft Cashmere walls and ceilings create an immediate sense of warmth.
In the future children's bedroom, playful Apple Blossom and Florentine Pink create a cheerful combination, while the guest bedroom embraces the calming tones of Beryl Green.
Bathroom walls in Resene Contour.
Bathroom walls in Resene Beethoven.
The bathrooms offer a moodier feel. Resene Contour wraps the main bathroom, shifting throughout the day as natural light filters through the skylight and catches the Japanese mosaic tiles.
In the ensuite, the warm caramel tone of Beethoven envelops the walls and ceiling, sitting comfortably alongside terracotta tiles for a cocooning retreat.
Living area in Resene Despacito.
Kitchen island in Resene Tom Thumb.
The living spaces become lighter again, with Resene Despacito providing a soft backdrop for colourful moments throughout the home. The kitchen island in Tom Thumb, laundry in Sakura, linen cupboard in Tulip Tree, and custom built-in bookcase painted in a collection of colours echoed elsewhere in the house, all add personality against the warm oak veneer cabinetry.
Even the study has its own distinct atmosphere in Red Oxide, offering a darker, more contemplative space for working from home.
Home office in Resene Red Oxide.
Bedroom in Resene Despacito.
Throughout Roseman Whare, colour creates moments of surprise. It defines the character of each room, and transforms a modestly sized house into a home that feels layered and personal.
As Wade puts it: "Overall, we chose colours for each space that bring a warmth, joy and identity to each room, and ultimately these are wonderful sentiments to come home to every day."
interior design Wade Southgate, of Sunday Architects, and Stefanie Brett
build Love Construction
images Emilio Garcia
Resene Pro Tip:
Wade and Stephanie used Resene Uracryl 403 for their outdoor steps in Red Oxide. This is a great heavy-duty choice that’s tough and glossy, and if you’re painting near a roadside or near a public space it also has Anti-Graffiti protection and is easy to clean. For general flooring in more private backyards and patios, use Resene Walk-on paint – and if the area is prone to getting wet you can add Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive.
Published: 04 Aug 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene New York Pink
Resene Apple Blossom
Resene Florentine Pink
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 New York Pink
Resene Apple Blossom
Resene Florentine Pink
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
