After 15 years of neglect, this historic hotel has been rescued with a major refurbishment that has once again made The Riverhead the focal point of the community in the upper Waitemata Harbour.

The hotel, which was originally built in 1876, has undergone extensive renovations by owners Paula and Stephen Pepperell. These have retained its special character. The existing smoke-stained ceiling timbers, for example, were found complete with the original builder's marks and reinstated over newly lined plasterboard ceilings. The boards were also used around the front of The Landing Restaurant Bar.

A wide range of Resene colours features on both the exterior and interior. The weatherboards are painted in Resene Double White Pointer, with entrance doors in Resene Livewire, a deep ruby red, and Resene Chicago, a masculine grey.

The warm and inviting palette inside includes Resene Mondo, a complex grey green; Resene Rhino, a smoky grey-blue; and Resene Mai Tai, a red-gold amber. The Landing restaurant features Resene Magma on the ornate anaglypta wallpaper, a red-gold metallic; Resene Jandal, a yellow brown; and Resene Fire, a brick orange.

*Warm and inviting Resene colours enhance the traditional character of the refurbished Riverhead hotel. The Landing restaurant, below right, features Resene Fire behind the stone fireplace, and Resene Jandal on the adjoining wall. The painting contractor was NG Painters.