Planning a new look for your home and need help to get started? Each issue of habitat magazine showcases home projects and renovations to inspire you on your design journey.
Projects include bespoke builds and character renovations and everything in between - from the humble bach to the unique and quirky to high-end luxury. There are colours and styles to pique your interest no matter what your style preference. Each project provides 1-3 alternative design solutions to spark your imagination and the possibilites available.
View homes in the country, urban areas, at the beach or in the forest. Discover architects, designers and homeowners who have crafted remarkable buildings and spaces that speak to one's unique aesthetic, site or structure.
As always, learn how colour brings to life each individual vision and sets the mood both inside and out. Colour truly can transform the look and feel you want to achieve. We hope the following featured homes help you get inspired for your own project!
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Resene Bismark transforms this home, complementing its 1970s aesthetic and wrapping it in a warm hug... more
habitat 39, spring/summer 23/24
A beautiful palette of Resene Whites & Neutrals turn a rambling rural property into a sophisticated home... more
habitat 39, spring/summer 23/24
A near-century-old worker's cottage in Queensland couldn't have landed in better hands... more
habitat 38, autumn/winter 2023
Ann was determined to go bold during the remodel of her Wellington deco-styled home, opting for bright colours tempered by more subdued hues... more
habitat 38, autumn/winter 2023
A new build has a splash of old-world charm thanks to an interior designer's colourful touches... more
habitat 37, spring/summer 22/23
One small testpot led to one giant leap in the decoration of this couple's home... more
habitat 37, spring/summer 22/23
An experienced renovator defies the odds and brings her beautiful home in on time and under budget... more
habitat 36, autumn/winter 2022
A small but vibrant home inspired by Antarctica and the desert... more
habitat 36, autumn/winter 2022
The Northcote home of a rower-turned- designer bathes in Resene colours that reflect the surrounding harbour... more
habitat 35, spring/summer 21/22
An interior designer has decorated her glamorous villa with love – and Resene paints – from floor to ceiling... more
habitat 35, spring/summer 21/22
A traditional villa with a striking modern extension has found harmony through its combination of greens and whites... more
habitat 34, autumn/winter 2021
Inspired by a woman they had never met, the homeowners of this 1950s home embarked on a colourful journey through time... more
habitat 34, autumn/winter 2021
As stylist Annick Larkin shows, decorating a family home is not a one-and-done game... more
habitat 33, spring/summer 2020
Bold Resene blues add character to this Kapiti Coast home's spectacular contemporary update... more
habitat 33, spring/summer 2020
Hard work pays off in spades for a charming Waiuku farmhouse... more
habitat 32, autumn/winter 2020
A post-quake overhaul inspired by its surroundings... more
habitat 31, spring/sumer 19/20
An art-loving couple takes a fresh approach to a former social housing property... more
habitat 31, spring/sumer 19/20
With two little ones and another on the way, Emma and Henry faced an all too familiar problem. They were rapidly outgrowing their cute three-bedroom traditional 1930s bungalow... more
habitat 30, autumn/winter 2019
Seven years after building their house, it was time for interior designer Annabel Berry and husband Simon to test out some new waters... more
habitat 30, autumn/winter 2019
For advertising executive Marcelle Baker decorating her home was more like a passion project than a job that had to be done... more
habitat 29, spring/summer 18/19
Many of us dream of living the bach holiday lifestyle all year round, but few of us have the opportunity to actually do so... more
habitat 29, spring/summer 18/19
Although the owners of this Wellington house aren’t afraid of colour, when architect John Mills first showed them a proposed scheme for their renovated Roseneath home, there was a sharp intake of breath... more
habitat 28, autumn/winter 2018
One room in this elegant two-storey villa missed a colour conversion... more
habitat 28, autumn/winter 2018
They didn’t set out to impose a particular style on the house, only to break up the cream... more
habitat 27, spring/summer 17/18
Open up the door and you’re treated to a rich sensory experience of colour and character... more
habitat 27, spring/summer 17/18
Going eco isn’t all about muted browns and greens. This family go for bold... more
habitat 26, autumn/winter 2017
A designer sister-in-law steps in to help with a major renovation... more
habitat 26, autumn/winter 2017
A replica villa lets its owners blend old and new with a dreamy colour palette... more
habitat 25, spring/summer 16/17
It all began with three cushions. Innocent accessories that sparked a colour adventure... more
habitat 25, spring/summer 16/17
It's no surprise that a woman who colours her hair pink, purple or green isn't afraid of using an array of bold colours and out-there wallpapers in her own home... more
habitat 24, autumn/winter 2016
When building their new home, colour was as critically important as architectural design for this Wellington couple... more
habitat 24, autumn/winter 2016
Strong colour and unusual features take this seemingly simple home beyond the usual... more
habitat 23, spring/summer 15/16
The couple was well-prepared for the renovation process, having rebuilt a house in Sydney just 18 months before... more
habitat 23, spring/summer 15/16
A renovation by ‘remote control’ didn’t hinder the progress of Maggie Robertson’s colourful ‘forever home’... more
habitat 22, autumn/winter 2015
The familiar sight of schist and cedar wraps the Wanaka home of art patron Jan Warburton... more
habitat 22, autumn/winter 2015
The colours of a driftwood-strewn beach on a bright summer’s day gently wash over this designer’s own home... more
habitat 21, summer 14/15
A joyous jumble of sunny colour welcomes visitors to the Nettle house on the outskirts of Havelock North... more
habitat 21, summer 14/15
A blank canvas was the perfect invitation for one creative homeowner to experiment with colour... more
habitat 20, winter 2014
There’s no need for a street number when you head to Fiona Sheffield’s fringe-city home... more
habitat 20, winter 2014
A confident colour and lighting consultant and his adventurous client create a bounty of brave and unexpected delights... more
habitat 19, summer 13/14
Soft aged colours all look like gentle reflections of the same thought process in this labour-of-love villa... more
habitat 19, summer 13/14
Fearless use of colour lifts Lian Bruce’s house way beyond the one-neutral-fits-all philosophy... more
habitat 18, winter 2013
Soft hues provide a calming antidote for an executive couple’s busy city lifestyle... more
habitat 18, winter 2013
A grand old home with great bones has become the canvas for some adventurous colour and a collection of pre-loved pieces... more
habitat 17, summer 12/13
Some people and their houses possess a kind of magic. Take Kirsty Cashmore. It helps that she lives in the dreamy romantic, French-settler village of Akaroa... more
habitat 17, summer 12/13
A savvy couple respond to the economic times with a creatively cautious renovation... more
habitat 16, winter 2012
A riotous range of colours used originally on this 21-year-old architect-designed house have been kept as is in a recent update... more
habitat 16, winter 2012
It's testament to the timeless quality of Resene paint colours that when Nicole McKenzie renovated her eight-year-old house, she only changed one wall colour... more
habitat 15, summer 11/12
Using eco-friendly design ideas in a new home is relatively easy but what about a renovation?... more
habitat 15, summer 11/12
Today, their Cape Cod-style home is a treasure trove of vintage finds, cherished and inherited items and soothing colour... more
habitat 14, winter 2011
This award-winning rural home has a special twist – it can be picked up and moved should the owners desire... more
habitat 14, winter 2011
Chris Bracegirdle and Lindsay Robinson’s self-assured Christchurch house is a great example of how best to live... more
habitat 13, summer 10/11
Craig St George found his perfect home in the unlikely guise of an old butcher’s shop... more
habitat 13, summer 10/11
Artist and colour consultant Angela Pietkiewicz Williams is certainly not afraid to make a bold statement... more
habitat 13, summer 10/11
A variety of rich colour transforms the walls of this grand masonry villa... more
habitat 12, winter 2010
This carefully renovated historic home retains its original character and meets the needs of a modern family... more
habitat 12, winter 2010
Inspired by a style icon’s paint range, this soothing villa interior is a beautiful yet unpretentious home for a busy family... more
habitat 11, summer 09/10
A new bach ensures this much-loved family holiday location will continue to be used and treasured... more
habitat 11, summer 09/10
Not content to just paint walls, this homeowner also uses floors and furniture as a creative outlet... more
habitat 10, winter 2009
Going against the grain has never been much of an issue for Waikanae couple Lorna and Matene Love... more
habitat 10, winter 2009
This creative award-winning Hawkes Bay home is a dynamic blend of shapes, materials and colours... more
habitat 09, summer 2008
In a project its owner describes as 'lunacy from a number of perspectives', two old homes have been expertly melded into one... more
habitat 09, summer 2008
A neglected farm cottage is transformed into a comfortable yet sophisticated family home... more
habitat 08, winter 2008
When Mary Roberts first laid eyes on plans for her own most recent residential project in Christchurch's seaside village of Sumner... more
habitat 08, winter 2008
The crisp, contemporary lines of this house, named MountainView by its designer – who created it for his parents' retirement... more
habitat 07, summer 07/08
Drawing their inspiration from local wineries and historical buildings, and using raw materials on their property... more
habitat 07, summer 07/08
It took just a few thumbnails posted on an internet property site to convince Jason Hague-Smith he'd found a house ripe for renovation... more
habitat 06, winter 2007
A walk down a typical street of Ponsonby villas reveals that there is a fine line between trendy and timeless... more
habitat 06, winter 2007
When homeowners are developing the brief for their ultimate home, they usually expect to take some time over the process... more
habitat 05, summer 06/07
A dilapidated villa sharing a section with a disused boot factory might not sound like your average dream home... more
habitat 05, summer 06/07
Keryn Henderson admits she can get a little complacent about the magnificent sea view, framed by pohutukawa... more
habitat 04, winter 2006
Designing a holiday home on a beautiful wooded site near a river, for clients... more
habitat 04, winter 2006
This unconventional bach shows how stripping back a design to the bare elements can create a more authentic and relaxing holiday experience... more
habitat 03, summer 05/06
Hosting a hoard of children and grandchildren at the beach house may not be everyone's idea of a relaxing holiday... more
habitat 03, summer 05/06
Liz and Paul Gallagher bought their 90-year-old villa, situated on two acres of farmland at Dairy Flat outside Auckland, 12 years ago... more
habitat 02, winter 2005
Down a private lane at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac is a residence whose geometric structure is an architectural wonder... more
habitat 01, summer 04/05
Architect Michael Fisher describes a bach he has designed at Hahei in the Coromandel as a cantilevered pavilion set against the bush... more
habitat 01, summer 04/05
habitat is printed on environmentally responsible paper using environmentally responsible ink.
From #8 onwards, copies flow wrapped and sent to Resene ColorShop Cardholders are flow wrapped in environmentally responsible material from epi-global. This product when discarded in soil in the presence of microorganisms, moisture and oxygen will biodegrade decomposing into simple materials found in nature, as described in ASTM D6954-04.
Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.
Specifiers:
If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.
habitat is printed on environmentally responsible paper using environmentally responsible ink.
From issue 8 onwards, copies flow wrapped and sent to Resene Cardholders are flow wrapped in environmentally responsible material from epi-global. This product when discarded in soil in the presence of microorganisms, moisture and oxygen will biodegrade decomposing into simple materials found in nature, as described in ASTM D6954-04.
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