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This is a beautiful space to showcase the owners treasured art and belongings. The orangerie is painted top to bottom in Resene Smoky Green from the Karen Walker Paints collection.
The orangerie is filled with light, showcasingthe classic soothingResene Smoky Green from the Karen Walker Paints collection.
In the kitchen, a combination of Resene Jurassic and Resene Innocence offer a moody feel, with a stunning contrast against the walls and trimspainted in Resene Quarter Linen.
The moody mudroom is colour drenched in Resene Powder Blue from the Karen Walker Paints collection.
The bathroom is cosy and inviting, painted in Resene Smoky Green from the Karen Walker Paints collection. The gold fixtures and wall panelling add a touch of luxury to the space.
This bedroom is bold and brilliant, painted ceiling to walls in the slate blue of Resene Atomic.
The living room is painted in a gentle earthy white, Resene Quarter Linen. This neutral backdrop allows the homeowners’ charming décor to take centre stage.
The dreamy flaxen shade of Resene Quarter Linen carries into the living room providing a contrast to the fireplacepainted in Resene Gunmetal.
This unique coffee table’s legs are painted in Resene Aphrodisiac, a romantic soft red that blends with the hues in the rug.
Living the French dream: A colourful heritage home makeover
Dreaming of a space that felt rustic yet stylish, and filled with personality, a family of four set out to transform their 1920s bungalow in Auckland into a blend of heritage charm and bold modernity. With the help of interior designer Lynne Browning and a rich palette of Resene paints, their vision came to life, resulting in a home that exudes warmth, character and an undeniable French flair.
The homeowner, a self-proclaimed Francophile, spent years living in France and brought back a deep appreciation for the timeless elegance of French design. Her vision included spaces that displayed her lifelong collections, embraced natural light and encouraged year-round enjoyment of the elements.
Central to this dream was the addition of an orangerie – a glasshouse structure reminiscent of traditional French garden retreats. The glasshouse posed an intriguing challenge. Originally considering black, Lynne and her clients opted for a green finish that tied in with the home’s colour story while nodding to traditional orangeries and humble garden sheds.
This is a beautiful space to showcase the owners treasured art and belongings. The orangerie is painted top to bottom in Resene Smoky Green from the Karen Walker Paints collection.
The orangerie is filled with light, showcasingthe classic soothingResene Smoky Green from the Karen Walker Paints collection.
While the original bungalow layout already suited the family’s needs, the renovation reimagined key areas, including a scullery off the kitchen, a new mudroom-laundry connection to the garage and reconfigured living spaces. These changes enhanced functionality while preserving the home’s inherent charm.
In the kitchen, a combination of Resene Jurassic and Resene Innocence offer a moody feel, with a stunning contrast against the walls and trimspainted in Resene Quarter Linen.
The moody mudroom is colour drenched in Resene Powder Blue from the Karen Walker Paints collection.
The bathroom is cosy and inviting, painted in Resene Smoky Green from the Karen Walker Paints collection. The gold fixtures and wall panelling add a touch of luxury to the space.
Breaking away from the stark black-and-white scheme of their previous home, the family embraced a bolder, more varied palette. With Lynne’s guidance, the interiors adopted a cohesive, moody colour story, using Resene Smoky Green from the Karen Walker Paints collection as the unifying hue. This versatile shade, applied in varying depths, set the tone for additional selections like Resene Robin Egg Blue, Resene Powder Blue, Resene Jurassic, Resene Innocence, Resene Gunmetal, Resene Mystic, Resene Quarter Linen, Resene Swirl and Resene Atomic.
“While far from pedestrian, the palette remains sympatico with the sense of heritage and tradition,” says Lynne. “Each room was painted in a single colour, including the walls, ceilings and trims, creating a sense of saturation and immersion.”
This bedroom is bold and brilliant, painted ceiling to walls in the slate blue of Resene Atomic.
For the master bedroom, a clever twist saw Resene Half Robin Egg Blue extend from the exterior of the house into the interior, connecting the space with its adjoining balcony and the surrounding views.
Achieving this rich colour saturation required meticulous planning and skilled craftsmanship. From cabinetry hand-painted with Resene Scumbling Glaze and sealed with Resene Aquaclear Natural for a matte, aged effect, to the use of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen for a soft, contemporary look throughout, every detail was carefully considered.
The living room is painted in a gentle earthy white, Resene Quarter Linen. This neutral backdrop allows the homeowners’ charming décor to take centre stage.
The dreamy flaxen shade of Resene Quarter Linen carries into the living room providing a contrast to the fireplacepainted in Resene Gunmetal.
This unique coffee table’s legs are painted in Resene Aphrodisiac, a romantic soft red that blends with the hues in the rug.
The glasshouse, with its extensive exposure to sunlight, demanded Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, chosen for its superior UV protection. Meanwhile, the fireplace surround was painted in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss for durability, and the capitals supporting a glass coffee table were highlighted with Resene Enamacryl gloss, adding just a touch of shine to the otherwise matte aesthetic.
This renovation stands out for its deep respect for the home’s history while incorporating the family’s unique story. Visitors consistently praise its attention to detail and the refreshing departure from cookie-cutter designs.
Whether it’s the rich greens of the glasshouse, the timelessly painted cabinetry or the carefully curated collections that fill the rooms, this home is a masterpiece of personality and style. It’s a space that truly celebrates the art of living – French-inspired and unmistakably Kiwi.
design Lynne Browning, Lynne Browning Design
images David White
contributors Specialty Painting, Chain Construction and Johnson Contractors
Top tip: If you have an older character home, you can help to hide imperfections by choosing lower sheen finishes such as Resene SpaceCote. The matte and lower sheen finishes help to diffuse the light. You can also use gloss finishes such as Resene Enamacryl to attract attention to feature areas as the glossy finish will help the colour pop.
Published: 12 Dec 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Robin Egg Blue
Resene Robin Egg Blue
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
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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If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
