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The soft ochre of Resene Negroni is painted in the dining space, with surrounding walls in Resene Sea Fog and ceiling in Resene Alabaster. Internal blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White.
Seamlessly blending into its hillside site, this three level home features Resene Half Black White on blockwork and Resene Concrete Clear on garage lintels. Use Resene Charcoal for similar shade to this dark cladding.
From the outside, the internal stairwell in Resene Hero illuminates the polycarbonate wall create a soft glow and lantern effect. The exterior blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White.
The lively orange of Resene Hero graces the internal stairwell next to the polycarbonate wall. Blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White and the door is painted in Resene Half Taupe Grey.
In the living space, the walls are painted in Resene Sea Fog, and the American white oak ply ceiling is finished in Resene Aquaclear. The entry space on the left is painted in Resene Element.
The soft ochre of Resene Negroni is painted in the dining space, with surrounding walls in Resene Sea Fog and ceiling in Resene Alabaster. Internal blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White.
The pastel rose hue of Resene Pot Pourri was used in the children’s room, offering a playful yet restful touch.
The master bedroom features the striking green of Resene Ranger, complemented by the muted cabinetry in Resene Half Taupe Grey, surrounding walls in Resene Sea Fog and play ceiling finished in Resene Aquaclear.
The green feature wall in Resene Ranger wraps around to the upstairs office connecting the two spaces. The timber ceiling in Resene Aquaclear adds a grounding touch while the walls in Resene Sea Fog brighten the space.
A family home full of surprises
This is a home that brings together family comfort, design innovation and the versatility of striking Resene paints and finishes. Mike Callaghan, who designed this home for his own young family, created a site-specific, environmentally conscious space that balances indoor and outdoor living, but without feeling oversized. The three stepped forms climb with the hillside, with each level having its own function while remaining intimately connected.
The home unfolds across three levels, sitting lightly on a garage plinth. The entry and main living spaces open onto a patio and lawn. The mid level houses the children’s bedrooms, landing and guest spaces. And the top floor is dedicated to the master suite and study. Throughout the home, light and colour are carefully considered, as well as flexible areas that will adapt as the children grow.
Seamlessly blending into its hillside site, this three level home features Resene Half Black White on blockwork and Resene Concrete Clear on garage lintels. Use Resene Charcoal for similar shade to this dark cladding.
From the outside, the internal stairwell in Resene Hero illuminates the polycarbonate wall create a soft glow and lantern effect. The exterior blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White.
The lively orange of Resene Hero graces the internal stairwell next to the polycarbonate wall. Blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White and the door is painted in Resene Half Taupe Grey.
Colour plays a starring role in the atmosphere of each space. A neutral base of Resene Sea Fog, Resene Alabaster and Resene Half Black White run throughout, allowing the home’s timber ceilings in Resene Aquaclear, black steel details and terracotta tiles to shine. And against this, each room gets its own personality.
In the living space, the walls are painted in Resene Sea Fog, and the American white oak ply ceiling is finished in Resene Aquaclear. The entry space on the left is painted in Resene Element.
The soft ochre of Resene Negroni is painted in the dining space, with surrounding walls in Resene Sea Fog and ceiling in Resene Alabaster. Internal blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White.
The dining area glows with Resene Negroni, a soft pastel ochre that creates a striking contrast with black accents and artwork. The timber floor grounds the space complementing the warmth of the walls.
The guest bedroom is completely immersed in Resene Blue Moon, a serene grey-toned blue that feels cocooning and restful. The children’s bedrooms are bright and playful in Resene Pot Pourri and soft yellows, while the stairwell pops with uplifting Resene Hero, a vibrant orange that creates a warm glow against the polycarbonate wall at dusk.
The guest bedroom is drenched in Resene Blue Moon, creating a cosy space for guests.
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The pastel rose hue of Resene Pot Pourri was used in the children’s room, offering a playful yet restful touch.
Upstairs, the master bedroom and study are defined by Resene Ranger, a crisp forest green that ties in with lush indoor planting and contrasts with cabinetry in Resene Half Taupe Grey. The design is bold but harmonious, complementing the textures in the timber flooring, wool carpet and white painted blockwork in Resene Half Black White. It’s a joyful nod to mid-century Canterbury design.
The master bedroom features the striking green of Resene Ranger, complemented by the muted cabinetry in Resene Half Taupe Grey, surrounding walls in Resene Sea Fog and play ceiling finished in Resene Aquaclear.
The green feature wall in Resene Ranger wraps around to the upstairs office connecting the two spaces. The timber ceiling in Resene Aquaclear adds a grounding touch while the walls in Resene Sea Fog brighten the space.
On the exterior, natural tones are balanced with strength and character. The blockwork is painted in Resene Half Black White sitting beneath dark cladding in a deep royal blue, all grounded by handmade terracotta tiles.
For Mike, the colours are more than decorative. They create mood and define each space. Whether uplifting and playful, or calming and immersive, they have created a home that is uniquely personal.
Built to a tight budget and on a somewhat challenging hillside site, this house shows how thoughtful design, colour and detail can transform a family home into something both highly functional and quietly joyful.
design Mike Callaghan, Johnstone Callaghan Architects
build Clive Barrington Construction
images Sam Hartnett
Top tip: If you’re planning to go for a colourful mix of hues in your home, make sure you test the colours in the spaces you plan to use them in using Resene testpots. Paint two coats onto large A2 card leaving an unpainted border around the edge, then move the sample around the room to see how it looks at different times of the day. Alternatively you can order Resene Drawdowns online.
Entrant in the Resene Total Colour Awards 2024.
Published: 01 Oct 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Taupe 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 Half Black White
Resene Half Taupe 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.
