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Search Habitat magazine storiesPopular hues get even duskier while new spicy shades bring just the right amount of heat.
Taking in a bird’s eye view of the colours that are currently capturing our attention, you might not think that a whole lot has changed in the colour forecast – and you wouldn’t be completely wrong, either. Many of the key trends that have been in fashion for years have stuck around, though it’s their subtle transformations that are important to take note of... more
A post-quake overhaul inspired by its surroundings.
After the Christchurch earthquakes damaged Stephanie Waterhouse’s beloved 110-year old villa, she had two choices before her: rebuild or move. Surrounded by acres of lush parkland, her mature neighbourhood, St Albans, is eclectic, interesting and centrally located. For her, it was an easy decision to stay in the area she loves and rebuild... more
Bold brights punctuate winning projects at this year’s Resene Total Colour Awards.
This year marked the 10th anniversary since the Resene Total Colour Awards began and saw a new crop of beautiful projects rewarded for their creative colour. Among the amazing array of homes, offices, schools, installations and concepts submitted, it was those with plenty of pops of bold brights and saturated shades that really turned the judges’ heads.... more
Un-leash your creativity with these decorative DIYs for your furry and feathered friends
Sitting pretty - cat window seat; Pack leader - key and leash holder; Vanity fur - pet portrait; Bon appetit - food and water bowl drawer... more
Welcome the change in weather with simple swaps to your decor.
Seasonal transitions often inspire an adjustment to everyday life. Much like you change up your wardrobe when the weather gets warmer or cooler, a change of seasons is the perfect time to spruce up the design scheme of your home, inside and out... more
Artist Max Patté deconstructs technology to capture a world of colour.
It’s been ten years now since British born artist and sculptor Max Patté arrived on New Zealand’s shores, with a goal of travelling the world to broaden his horizons, find fresh inspiration and gain exposure to new places, cultures and practices... more
An art-loving couple takes a fresh approach to a former social housing property.
Auckland’s Grey Lynn neighbourhood is famed for its sprawling white villas and residential streets lined with greenery, but it’s only over the past two decades that gentrification has placed it among the city’s most desirable suburbs... more
Clever use of colour and a bit of planning are all it takes to create inspired kids’ spaces with staying power.
Renovating a child’s bedroom can be fun, but you shouldn’t need to start from scratch every time they outgrow their decorating scheme. With many people feeling their homes are short on space, it’s important that each room be designed well... more
Check out these exciting new chalk finishes and waxes.
Love the look of rustic and antique furniture? Then keep an eye out for Karen Walker Paints Chalk Colour and Wax range, new to the Resene collection of speciality finishes. Karen Walker Chalk Colour paints create a beautiful, velvety matte finish when applied to furniture and other surfaces... more
Grab the kids and some Resene testpots then let your imagination run wild.
Foot fancy — Customise a fresh pair of footwear or fancy up some old favourites – while covering up scuff marks – with nothing more than a few Resene testpots, artist’s brushes and a bit of good quality masking tape... more
Let the games begin — Recreate a classic game in an unconventional format using Resene testpots to paint your own dominoes... more
The line between kitchen and dining spaces continues to blur – for the better.
For many of us, the notion of maintaining a formal dining room is a distant memory. In larger, older homes where a separate room may have initially existed, many are breaking down this traditional barrier in favour of a modern open plan layout... more
A pair of heritage bathrooms really clean up.
Refurbishing a heritage bathroom is a labour of love, and not one for the faint of heart. But for those with a passion for restoring older spaces back to their original beauty, and an inspired colour palette to back it up, the results can be sensational... more
Let the men have their man caves – the age of the ‘she shed’ has begun.
Women are told from a young age to let the boys have their fun, to make way for men to take over the dens, garages and basements of the world with their bar signs and beanbag chairs. Enter the ‘she shed’ – a space for women to immerse themselves in activities that bring them joy... more
Meet the family who embraced minimalist, Scandinavian living when they built their own tiny house.
Located in the heart of Hawke’s Bay and next to acres of farmland is Mike and Loren’s striking home. It’s a build that’s a little smaller than your average home – at just 22m2 it makes the cut for what’s known as a tiny house... more
A fresh coat of paint makes for a striking transformation.
Situated at the end of a lovely cul-de-sac in Hamilton, not far from the river, Lisa Harvey’s home is a standard Huntly brick bungalow. Built in the 1980s, the original exterior finishes, while classic at the time, were beginning to tire and in need of a refresh... more
Amy Moore fills us in on what ‘Team Gizzy’ has been up to since being crowned champion of The Block NZ: On Point in 2018... more
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.