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The dining room showcases the homeowners’ eclectic décor which is complemented by the walls painted in Resene Merino, a feature wall in Resene Haven, flooring in Resene Drought and trims and doors in Resene Double Alabaster.
The kitchen, open-plan and inviting, shines in Resene Merino, with a refreshed breakfast bar in the lively Resene Coast. It’s a clever choice that ties the spaces together seamlessly.
The laundry, a functional space adjoining the kitchen, boasts walls painted in Resene Sea Fog and Resene Coast on the v-groove wall panelling.
Emma and Simon's eclectic tastes extend beyond walls, with Resene paints adorning select pieces of furniture too. A living room drinks cabinet dons the adventurous Resene Xanadu, while stools carry the elegant hues of Resene Bismark and Resene Wafer.
The living room features a pop of colour on the stool, painted in Resene Bismark, with walls in Resene Merino and trims in Resene Double Alabaster.
A delightful and sweet pink, Resene Wafer, was painted on walls in four-year-old Nia’s room, with surrounding walls in Resene Eighth Drought and trims in Resene Double Alabaster.
The hallway and entrance is light and welcoming, painted in Resene Merino with trims in Resene Double Alabaster and a bright front door in Resene Bismark.
Daring to dream in colour: A 1940s state house makeover
In a lovely Wellington neighbourhood stands a 1940s state house, a canvas of history and potential that caught the eye of Emma and Simon. Unfazed by the mish-mashed interior and outdated colours, they took on the challenge of redefining their living space using a unique and stunning palette of Resene paint colours.
Initially boasting 1940s charm, the house had undergone several changes over the years. Emma recounts the odd walls, lost features and an outdated late-90s colour scheme of lime greens, buttery yellows and questionable purples that had lingered for far too long. Drawn more by the location and space than the house's aesthetic, Emma, Simon and their two children, Joshua and Nia, now have a home that is truly theirs.
The dining room showcases the homeowners’ eclectic décor which is complemented by the walls painted in Resene Merino, a feature wall in Resene Haven, flooring in Resene Drought and trims and doors in Resene Double Alabaster.
Colour selection played a pivotal role in breathing new life into the home. The living room, painted in serene Resene Merino, and Resene Double Alabaster on doors and trims, is a harmonious blend. A bold move was the Resene Haven accented dining area, providing a distinctive and unique touch. The removal of carpet in the living room also saw the choice of Resene Drought, a warm dusty beige, being used on the floor, marking one of their most recent triumphs.
The kitchen, open-plan and inviting, shines in Resene Merino, with a refreshed breakfast bar in the lively Resene Coast. It’s a clever choice that ties the spaces together seamlessly.
The couple's love for colour and a collection of global artworks guided their choice of a neutral base with splashes of bold Resene greens and blues. A Resene colour consultant played a crucial role in crafting the initial palette, providing a foundation for the evolving interior.
The laundry, a functional space adjoining the kitchen, boasts walls painted in Resene Sea Fog and Resene Coast on the v-groove wall panelling.
Describing their style as ‘eclectic’ and ‘lived-in’, Emma notes the inevitability of a home with young children not adhering to magazine perfection. Their house is a vibrant expression of their personalities - a living space that tells a story.
Emma and Simon's eclectic tastes extend beyond walls, with Resene paints adorning select pieces of furniture too. A living room drinks cabinet dons the adventurous Resene Xanadu, while stools carry the elegant hues of Resene Bismark and Resene Wafer.
The recently transformed living and dining area steals the spotlight as their current favourite space. The painted floor brought a newfound brightness and modernity, proving the impact of thoughtful design. The laundry, an original project, stands as a testament to their DIY prowess, evolving from a storage cupboard to a functional and stylish space.
The living room features a pop of colour on the stool, painted in Resene Bismark, with walls in Resene Merino and trims in Resene Double Alabaster.
Emma's self-taught plastering skills, acquired through YouTube tutorials, stand out as a significant achievement. The mishmash of various flooring and wall surfaces posed the biggest challenge, requiring creativity to unify them seamlessly.
A delightful and sweet pink, Resene Wafer, was painted on walls in four-year-old Nia’s room, with surrounding walls in Resene Eighth Drought and trims in Resene Double Alabaster.
Resene Coast is one of this duo’s favourite colours, gracing the kitchen and laundry with its deep blue allure. It's a hue that resonates with them, adding character to their living spaces.
As for the future, a potential makeover for eight-year-old Joshua's room is on the horizon, promising to inject a splash of colour into the last untouched space. Emma and Simon also hope to rebuild the deck and restore the original rimu floorboards in the hallway, with a well-deserved break afterward to savour the fruits of their labour.
The hallway and entrance is light and welcoming, painted in Resene Merino with trims in Resene Double Alabaster and a bright front door in Resene Bismark.
Emma and Simon's home shows us the transformative power of colour, turning a dated canvas into a vibrant tapestry of personal expression and colourful character.
Top tip: Using bold Resene colours can really liven up and add depth to a space. Consider first what functions you're going to be using the room for: is it a cosy retreat, a lounge for entertaining or somewhere practical for getting work done? Decades of studies have shown that the colour you choose in a space impacts your mood when you're in it, so you'll want to select one that brings the right vibe for the activity at hand. A strong colour scheme that showcases deeper, more saturated colours can elicit a strong emotional response. Certain bold shades create feelings of security and comfort while others may feel too heavy or even closed in. If you need more help deciding which colours are right for you, book a Resene Colour Consultation, www.resene.com/colourconsult, with a Resene Colour Expert, virtually, instore or at home or Ask a Resene Colour Expert online, www.resene.com/colourexpert.
Published: 06 Dec 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
