Reader roundup: A whimsical shed, blushing doors and exterior refreshes

19 Jun 2025

We’ve got a great roundup of projects from our readers this month. From community paint by numbers to testpot flowers, you’re sure to find some inspiration here! Remember we love to see your finished projects, so please email us some photos and the Resene colours and/or Resene wallpapers you’ve used to editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.  

Zara created a striking dress design for Toi, the nationwide competition for school age costume designers. Her design, named ‘Life is better in colour’ and made from Resene paint swatches, won an Outstanding Stage Presence award.

“The regional competition was held in Christchurch Town Hall and the day was packed with hair, make-up, a professional photo shoot, a mentor meeting with a WOW (World of Wearable Arts) designer and a runway show,” says Carol, Zara’s mum. “Zara has been working on her dress since signing up in February. Many hours have been spent, with a lot of trial and error, before settling on the final design. The dress represents the colour wheel, and each paint card cut up and attached to ribbons which had to be carefully and individually sewn to the hooped underskirt. Zara is already planning next year's design.”

This paint by number design was painted by thousands of clever and creative show-goers at the recent Auckland Home and Garden Show using Resene testpots – a great way to get showgoers making their mark with colour. If you have your own paint by numbers kit at home and don’t have all the colours you want, stop into your local Resene ColorShop to pick up some of your favourite testpots and make it your own!

To see a list of the upcoming Home and Garden Shows around the country visit homeandgardenshow.co.nz.

We love an exterior refresh, and this one offers a bright and modern update to a classic home. A Resene Construction plaster system has been applied over the dated red brick and is now painted in dreamy Resene Thorndon Cream. The roof is painted in Resene Ironsand for a stunning contrast.

Stacy is in the middle of renovating her 1930s bungalow and one stand out colour she has come to love is Resene Antidote, painted here on these doors. “We first used it in my daughter’s bedroom and loved it so much that we carried it through to our main wardrobe doors, which my hubby built – perks of having a builder at home,” she says.

“It’s such an interesting colour. Technically it sits in the browns, but depending on what you pair it with, it shifts. With pinks or purples, it throws a dusky mauve, and we once had forest green in the room, which brought out more of a warm brown tone. I can even imagine it working beautifully in a boys’ space when styled with deeper greens. Honestly, I just love it!”

Check out more of Stacy’s renovation on her Instagram.

Colourworld Geelong had a little bit of fun with Resene’s colour palette turning colour testpots into gorgeous flowers. These autumnal hues include Resene Brown Pod, Resene Lonestar, Resene Spring Wood, Resene Mexican Red, Resene Dynamite, Resene Sunglo and Resene Redwood.

If you’re planning on painting your own artwork or wall mural at home – you can use the hex codes of the Resene colours online to digitally design your work then head into your local Resene ColorShop to pick up the paints you’ve chosen when you’re ready to get to work! 

habitat reader Alpesh wanted to brighten up his garden shed, but wanted more than just a solid paint colour. Now a whimsical design graces its exterior that brings joy in all months of the year. “I wanted to build a custom garden shed that fitted into the available space while adding personality and charm,” he says. “The inspiration behind my design was to create a playful and cheerful atmosphere to the garden.” Alpesh’s shed is painted in Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Adrenalin, Resene Bright Spark and Resene Bilbao.

Katrina also decided it was time to give the exterior of her home a refresh. “Bringing the old girl into a fresh new look,” she says, of her classic villa. Once a slightly dated cream, Katrina’s home is now painted in cool and modern Resene Quarter Silver Chalice, with trims in Resene Alabaster and doors in Resene Karaka to match the roof.

Remember, you can still paint your home during the cooler months thanks to Resene Wintergrade Additive. Specially formulated to cure in temperatures as low as 3°C, you can add Resene Wintergrade Additive to a range of Resene paints – including Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and Resene Sonyx 101 – to help you keep your project moving even when the weather slows down. Just make sure you follow dry-time guidelines and always check the forecast before you pick up your brush.

Published: 19 Jun 2025