Winners of the Resene Kid’s Room Mural Competition Revealed

Step into the Gryffindor common room and discover the winners of the Resene Kid’s Room Mural competition, featuring magical and coastal-inspired DIY designs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 5:43 AM EDT

Source: Stuff

First Place: The Gryffindor Common Room (Nelson)

Todd and Mary Seelen of Nelson took the top prize of a $500 Resene paint voucher for their total transformation of their son Brodie’s bedroom. Far from a simple wall painting, the Seelens created an immersive experience inspired by the Harry Potter series.

The Walls: To achieve a realistic castle look, the walls were coated with plaster and sponged for texture, with "brick" lines carefully cut in.

The Fireplace: Crafted from repurposed polystyrene and painted with a blend of Resene Black and Resene Black White to build depth.

The Ceiling: To create a magical night sky, the ceiling was painted Resene Black, sponged with Resene Midnight, and finished with a "fine splatter" effect of white paint flicked from a brush to create distant stars.

The Finishing Touches: "Old books" wallpaper and vintage furniture completed the look of a Hogwarts study nook.