Seaside Escape Reimagined – Colouring the Country, Naturally
Hidden in a valley embraced by native trees and the quiet rhythm of Ōhiwa Harbour, Seaside Escape has been re-imagined from a canvas glamping tent into a handcrafted timber retreat - a place where nature, craftsmanship, and colour meet.
A Hidden Haven
When we first arrived, this land was farmland. There was deep, rich soil with long grass roots and promise in every direction. Over time, thousands of native trees were planted: ponga, kanuka, harakeke, manuka, griselinia. Each was chosen for their beauty, resilience, and gift to the birdlife that now fills the valley with song.
We call this area the hidden valley. It’s tucked away from the main track, surrounded by the harbour and sheltered by our plantings. It’s the perfect setting for what has become one of the three sisters of Wainui Seaside Glamping: Barnie, Seaside Escape, and our family homestead.
From Tent to Timber
Seaside Escape began as a glamping tent, a cosy canvas hideaway. But in 2025, with the help of a talented local builder team, we replaced the canvas with a permanent timber structure that carries Barnie’s rustic American-barn charm. Weatherboards, gable rooflines, and handcrafted details give it strength, warmth, and continuity with its sisters. Building longevity and resilience into Seaside Escape so it can be shared and enjoyed for years to come.
“Every project teaches you something, and this one taught us patience and the power of colour.”
Having lived off-grid in Barnie while building our home, we knew the value of simplicity, good materials, and honest workmanship. Seaside Escape became the next expression of that journey and a way to honour our land, our story, and the people who helped shape it.
Among the new timber walls now hang photographs of family who connect us deeply to this region, including images of Kate Wyllie, the first Māori nurse in New Zealand, of Wyllie Cottage in Gisborne, the oldest European house still standing in the area, originally built in 1872. Along with her parents, Thomas and Keita either side. These quiet reminders of ancestry and craftsmanship inspired the care we brought to every detail.
The Colour Journey
The entire Resene Whakatāne team had a hand in helping us choose and layer finishes that would complement the natural setting.
For the feature wall we selected Resene Wasabi, a calming green that felt like it had been lifted straight from the valley. We first spotted it in the Resene Emerge – Pick Your Palette Issue 01 guide and knew instantly it was right choice. No test pot needed! When the paint dried, it harmonised perfectly with Tony’s photograph of a ruru, now hanging on the wall as a gentle reminder of the native life around us. Colouring the Country Naturally! The lampshade even got a new life, painted in Resene Flax and sealed with Aquaclear.
The walls were stained with Resene Colorwood Natural Wood Stain and finished in Resene Aquaclear untinted, creating a subtle richness that enhances the natural grains rather than hiding them.
For the ceilings we experimented, tinting the Aquaclear slightly – a trick we learned mid-project. That small adjustment brought out depth and warmth, softening the light while maintaining the timber’s integrity. Outside, the canopy roofing over the deck received the same tinted Aquaclear for extra durability and continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Seaside Escape, Colouring the Country
Lessons learned (and shared)
Like any rural project, nothing goes perfectly to plan haha, but those small challenges teach you plenty!
We discovered how important it is to apply stain before selecting filler colours. With guidance from Tash at Resene Whakatāne, we learned how subtle differences can change a finish. Our PAL Wood Filler (Pine) and PAL Contract Filler varied a little too much, yet together we made them work. The takeaway? Stain first, match second so your nails truly become invisible.
“Sometimes the best results come from working with the problem, not around it.”
To brighten the exterior outdoor table, we used Resene Enamacryl in Mid-Tone Java. A beautiful bold, refreshing blue that tied beautifully with our turquoise Keto chairs from Trade Tested. Every detail, from the shaded deck to the rich timber trims, feels alive with colour and character.
A shared creation
This project was more than paint and timber; it was people. Irwin's an amazing craftsman/builder who guided Stefan and Tony on this journey and made it possible to handcraft the bedside table and bedhead using locally milled douglas fir. Clint and Tash and all the team from Resene Whakatāne offered practical advice and genuine enthusiasm. Their knowledge gave us confidence to experiment, adjust, and find beauty in the process.
We’re also grateful for Andy at Fairview for the fantastic slider windows, and Robert from Speedy Screens for the aluminium insect screens. We love supporting local businesses, independently owned and operated, and good old fashioned kiwi service. It’s a local effort through and through.
A place to pause
Today Seaside Escape welcomes guests from near and far. Here, people reconnect: they put away their phones, breathe in the harbour air, listen to the ruru at dusk. We often see couples walking down the track hand-in-hand, the same track where this idea first began years ago.
“We love seeing the relaxed expressions as guests leave - it’s a quiet kind of joy.”
Surrounded by farmland and friendly faces, Seaside Escape celebrates the good life: simple, grounded, full of colour.
With every project we complete, we’re reminded how much creativity and resilience live in rural New Zealand.
With the help of a talented local builder team and guidance from the friendly experts at Resene Whakatāne, we transformed the Glamping Tent into a Seaside Haven using a palette inspired by the land around us.
Inspiration for Your Own Project
For those inspired to begin your own transformation project, here’s what helped bring ours to life:
- Resene Wasabi – Interior feature wall; a calm, nature-inspired green from the Resene Multi-Finish range.
- Resene Colorwood Natural Wood Stain – for interior timber walls; enhances natural grain and warmth.
- Resene Aquaclear (untinted and tinted) – clear urethane finish for walls, ceilings, and deck lining; adds soft sheen and protection.
- Resene Enamacryl – Mid-Tone Java – Exterior trims and accents; cheerful green contrast tying in with turquoise outdoor chairs.
- PAL Wood Filler (Pine) – For small timber repairs prior to staining.
- PAL Contract Filler – Interior/exterior filler used for larger surface preparation.
Stay tuned for what’s next in our creative journey.
