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A mid-century marvel, this open living and dining space with modern touches is charming and elegant. The walls are painted in Resene Black White with trims in Resene Alabaster.
A fresh new space compared to the vibrant but dated colours that covered the walls before. Resene Black White has opened this space up and is the perfect contrast to the dark exposed beams on the ceiling. Wooden features and modest furniture bring the whole look together. Trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
A minimal and timeless kitchen where artwork and superb décor shine. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Black White with trims in Resene Alabaster.
The office space is bright and fresh, painted in Resene Black White, and has an almost modern-industrial feel with its brickwork, steel and wood décor.
A scalloped half-wall painted in Resene Half Sisal adds a playful touch to Amy’s daughter’s bedroom. It’s complemented by the surrounding walls painted in Resene Black White.
Amy’s son’s room follows the theme with the rest of the house in Resene Black White but has a subtle and fun feature wall with dots painted in Resene Bokara Grey.
The contrasting dark and light neutrals flow into the outdoor decking area, creating a visually appealing space for entertaining or relaxing outdoors. The exterior is painted in Resene Coast with trims in Resene White Pointer.
The timeless appeal of Resene Coast was used on exterior walls with trims in Resene White Pointer. This choice of colours looks striking amidst the lush greenery surrounding the outdoor space and property.
Reviving mid-century elegance: A home transformed with timeless shades
Nestled amidst the tree-lined streets in Mt Eden, Auckland, is a 1960s mid-century gem that has undergone a remarkable transformation. Homeowner Amy and her family worked hard to revive the architectural brilliance of their home, while also infusing it with a modern touch using fresh and timeless Resene neutrals.
The house, designed by renowned architect and photographer William Haresnape, was a testament to the era's aesthetics, yet was in need of a makeover as the mustard and red shades were not quite the modern touch Amy and her family were after.
"I have always loved mid-century design and architecture," Amy shares. The moment she stumbled upon the house just around the corner from their previous residence, it was as if destiny had beckoned. "It needed a lot of work," she admits, reflecting on the overwhelming task that lay ahead. But Amy saw past the challenges and the tight budget, envisioning a home where her family could thrive.
The house boasted a colourful history, although not one Amy aimed to retain. The bygone hues still clung to the walls - vibrant reds, yellows and greens that had long faded from contemporary trends. Amy wanted to honour the home's architectural legacy by restoring its original charm while crafting a space fit for a modern family. "I wanted to restore the house back to more of its origins to make it light and practical for a young family.”
With a clear vision in mind, Amy went on the hunt for a carefully curated palette of colours. The interiors of the main living areas and hallways were coated in the soothing tones of Resene Black White, a choice that exudes freshness while allowing the natural timber elements to shine. Complementing this, ceilings, doors and trims don the timeless elegance of Resene Alabaster, creating a harmonious balance throughout the house.
Amy's colour choices were guided by her understanding of design aesthetics, as well as her personal inclinations. "I am a lover of whites and I wanted the natural timber of the house to shine,” she says. Her selection of Resene Black White was a testament to this, emanating freshness and warmth while offering a perfect canvas for her eclectic furnishings.
Amy's daughter Ayla's space was a testament to simplicity and creativity, with Resene Black White serving as the backdrop, while a scalloped half-wall in Resene Half Sisal adds a playful touch. Meanwhile, Ari's room embraces sophistication with Resene Black White dominating the scene, accented by a striking feature wall in Resene Bokara Grey.
The open-plan space inside seamlessly blends mid-century charm with Scandinavian minimalism. Amy's selective eye and love for retro pottery are evident in the harmonious chaos of mismatched furniture against a neutral backdrop.
When asked about her favourite Resene colour, Amy says "this will sound very boring but I do love Resene Black White. It’s the perfect blend of a fresh yet warm white. I also love Resene Karaka and have used it for a painting I have in our lounge. I would love to use it somewhere in the house but haven’t decided where yet.”
The living area turned out to be Amy's favourite space in her beautiful home. "I love the big windows, sloping ceiling and exposed beams," she says. These beams, a distinctive architectural feature, almost met an untimely fate under a coat of paint. However, Amy's intuition prevailed, and they now stand as a testimony to the value of preservation. "I absolutely love them as they are," she affirms, acknowledging the allure of embracing history.
The fresh hues and natural light flooding the living area gives this space the much-needed openness it needed. The outdoor deck, a summer oasis, flows seamlessly from the living and dining space, making it a great area for entertaining in any season.
For the exterior, the family sought to recapture the essence of the 1960s in their choice of colours. The timeless charm of Resene Coast was used on the exterior walls, with window frames adorned in Resene White Pointer. The exterior fence stain, a custom version of Resene Shadow Match, seamlessly blends with the surroundings, completing the vintage aesthetic.
As with any renovation or big task, there are always challenges and lessons to overcome. "Whatever you think it will cost to renovate- double it, or double your timeline," Amy says. The discovery of additional work post-purchase was a hurdle, compounded by the urgency of repairs due to water damage. Patience, she admits, is a virtue tested during renovation. "Be patient and live in the house for a bit before deciding what to do," she advises.
Five years in the making, Amy's renovation is one of determination and resilience. Balancing the demands of work, parenthood and DIY projects is no small feat! Yet, amidst the hurdles and the triumphs, their home now stands as a testament to their efforts, a tangible representation of their love and dedication.
Top tip: When choosing whites and neutrals for your home, test them out by painting two coats of the Resene testpot onto large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops), leaving a white border approx. 2cm wide around the edge. Move it around your space at different times of the day and night to see how it changes with the lighting. Your paint finish can also impact how well your chosen white works in your room as the level of shine - whether it is gloss, semi-gloss, low sheen or flat - will change how it reflects light. A higher gloss finish, like Resene Enamacryl, will look lighter and brighter. A lower sheen finish, like Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, will make the colour look softer and more diffused.
A fresh new space compared to the vibrant but dated colours that covered the walls before. Resene Black White has opened this space up and is the perfect contrast to the dark exposed beams on the ceiling. Wooden features and modest furniture bring the whole look together. Trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
A mid-century marvel, this open living and dining space with modern touches is charming and elegant. The walls are painted in Resene Black White with trims in Resene Alabaster.
A minimal and timeless kitchen where artwork and superb décor shine. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Black White with trims in Resene Alabaster.
The office space is bright and fresh, painted in Resene Black White, and has an almost modern-industrial feel with its brickwork, steel and wood décor.
A scalloped half-wall painted in Resene Half Sisal adds a playful touch to Amy’s daughter’s bedroom. It’s complemented by the surrounding walls painted in Resene Black White.
Amy’s son’s room follows the theme with the rest of the house in Resene Black White but has a subtle and fun feature wall with dots painted in Resene Bokara Grey.
The contrasting dark and light neutrals flow into the outdoor decking area, creating a visually appealing space for entertaining or relaxing outdoors. The exterior is painted in Resene Coast with trims in Resene White Pointer.
The timeless appeal of Resene Coast was used on exterior walls with trims in Resene White Pointer. This choice of colours looks striking amidst the lush greenery surrounding the outdoor space and property.
Before:
The dated colours that lay upon the walls before Amy's interior transformation.
The exterior before.
Published: 30 Aug 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
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the look
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colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
