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Resene Eighth Thorndon Creampaintedon the walls is a perfect complement to Olivia’s charming décor and furniture.
In the cosy living room, the fireplace is painted in Resene Black, echoing the black exposed beams and contrasting against the dreamy walls in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
The kitchen is bright and inviting, painted in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream, with ceiling and trims in Resene Alabaster.
In the powder room, Resene Vantage Pointis painted on the tongue-and-groove panelling, contrasting beautifully with the walls and door in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.
The laundry also features tongue-and-groove panelling, painted in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
Entering the home, you’re greeted with a stunning barn style door with a dark frame that contrasts against the Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream walls. Trims and ceiling painted in Resene Alabaster.
A shadowy charcoal hue, Resene Foundry, was used on the front door, complementing the weatherboards in Resene Silver Chalice and trims in Resene Alabaster.
The dark heritage style hue of Resene Gordons Green was used on the feature wall in the master bedroom. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
The charming transformation of a French country home
Tucked among a grove of large trees on a generous 2200m² site, this French country home, originally built in the late 1930s as a farm cottage, boasts unique character and history. It has since been lovingly transformed by homeowner and interior designer Olivia Ellis who chose an array of Resene’s dreamy neutrals and charming hues to create a warm, homely and inviting atmosphere.
“When we purchased the home a few years back, I instantly fell in love with the character and quirks of it,” Olivia says. Although it had undergone several extensions over the years, the house had been rented for a long period and was in dire need of tender loving care. “The old wall and floor finishes made it feel very dark,” she says, adding that the existing open fireplace had been “billowing smoke throughout the living room,” creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an old English pub.
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream paintedon the walls is a perfect complement to Olivia’s charming décor and furniture.
In the cosy living room, the fireplace is painted in Resene Black, echoing the black exposed beams and contrasting against the dreamy walls in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
The renovation included reconfiguring the floor plan of several areas, including the powder room, which lacked natural light. This presented an opportunity to introduce a moody aesthetic using one of Olivia’s favourite greens, Resene Vantage Point. “This was painted over tongue-and-groove panelling to add some texture to the space,” she says, emphasising how well the paint complements the brass tapware used throughout the home.
Warmth and light were the key objectives for the home’s design. The main wall colour used throughout is Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. “This paired nicely with the timber floors and wool carpet,” Olivia says, while the ceilings, architraves and trims were painted in Resene Alabaster to subtly frame the spaces.
The kitchen is bright and inviting, painted in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream, with ceiling and trims in Resene Alabaster.
In the powder room, Resene Vantage Point is painted on the tongue-and-groove panelling, contrasting beautifully with the walls and door in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.
In the living room, a gas fire was retrofitted into the old fireplace cavity, and the red brick and ledge were painted in Resene Black to echo the black exposed beams and leadlight window detail. The master bedroom showcases a feature wall painted in Resene Gordons Green, which beautifully frames the garden views.
Choosing the colour palette was a deliberate process for Olivia, who sought to bring warmth to the older home. “I went for a warm neutral tone throughout then selected pops of green to accent certain spaces,” she says. “For me, it was important to work with the character of the home.” This approach allowed her to accessorise and change the decor according to the seasons while maintaining a timeless and cohesive feel.
“I love layering and texture and, although adaptable to all aspects of design, I believe in creating timeless spaces.”
The laundry also features tongue-and-groove panelling, painted in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
Entering the home, you’re greeted with a stunning barn style door with a dark frame that contrasts against the Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream walls. Trims and ceiling painted in Resene Alabaster.
The exterior of the home features classic timber weatherboards painted in Resene Silver Chalice, harmonising beautifully with the white timber joinery in Resene Alabaster and a Sandstone Grey COLORSTEEL® roof. The stable door serving as the main entrance to the mudroom was rejuvenated with Resene Foundry, adorned with a brass post mail slip sourced from an antique shop in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A shadowy charcoal hue, Resene Foundry, was used on the front door, complementing the weatherboards in Resene Silver Chalice and trims in Resene Alabaster.
The dark heritage style hue of Resene Gordons Green was used on the feature wall in the master bedroom. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster.
Among her favourite spots in the house is the living room, which she describes as having “a cosy warmth about it and gorgeous views to the garden.” She is particularly pleased with the decision to install engineered oak timber flooring, which has added warmth and cohesiveness to the various spaces.
Despite the challenges that come with renovating an older home – such as uneven floors and walls – Olivia emphasises the importance of preparation. “Spending time with preparation on the walls and timber joinery to get a great finish or relining areas and starting again” proved to be invaluable lessons learned throughout the project.
Of the many beautiful hues in the Resene range, one of Olivia's personal favourites is Resene Ravine. “It’s lovely and soft and has a calming effect in any space.”
The renovation journey of Olivia’s French country home shows the true power of colour and design, blending classic charm with modern warmth for a beautifully timeless result.
design Olivia Ellis, Ellis Design Studio
images Someday Photography
Top tip:If you’re thinking of using white for your home, be sure to order Resenetestpots or Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches so you can see what each shade looks like in your room throughout the day. Another great tip is when you are comparing your whites and are finding it difficult to see the undertones, place a piece of white printer paper underneath each swatch. This will help your eyes to see the undertone in each Resene paint colour.
Published: 23 Oct 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Gordons Green
Resene Gordons Green
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
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 Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Gordons Green
Resene Gordons Green
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
