Traci and Nick’s sensational colour collision
“I don’t do neutral. I love colour.” Traci Stanbury’s new house certainly supports that declaration, resplendent as it is in bold Resene colour. She and husband Nick bought their dream character home 10 years ago, then went through the grief of having it irreparably damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. They made it their mission to rebuild a new house in the same bungalow style, but better – oriented for the sun, with good storage, and extra space.
Says Traci: “We moved into the new house six months ago and it’s been fabulous. The kids, Ben (10) and Maia (8), would have friends over every day if they could. The playroom and the river boundary with tame eels and ducks are the biggest drawcards.”
Traci tells us more:
How did you decide on the overall look of the interiors? What was your overall philosophy?
I love colour but it was important to have all of the permanent elements of the house in white and to have a classic wooden floor. If I get the urge to change any of the colours, it’s a simple paint job. I’ve used a variety of colours, so the key is that they are the same intensity.
My colour scheme was started by a Marimekko orange cow-patterned fabric, which ended up in the laundry. Next was the custom-made couch with contrasting buttons. Matching the orange fridge was a no brainer – I love Resene Trinidad! Did you know your local panelbeater can spray-paint your fridge? It’s way cheaper than buying a coloured fridge and you can choose your favourite Resene colour.
What part of the house are you most happy with?
Without fail, every time I walk in the front door, I smile. Most people comment on the blue hallway and the orange fridge as their favourites. I find it hard to choose because I love every room.
What is your advice for someone trying to achieve a similar look?
You need enough of a neutral contrast colour to balance your brighter colours. If you use lots of different bright colours, stick to the same intensity and try using complementary colours from the opposite side of the colour wheel.
What was the biggest challenge for this project?
The biggest challenge was trying to do something a bit different. People questioned me the whole way. Everything from the exposed external roof rafters or inward opening tilt and turn windows to blue ceilings and lots of different wallpaper (didn’t I know it wasn’t the 70s anymore; surely I would regret it). It helped to have a vision and to stick to it. After a while the builder and the painter stopped questioning me and now the house is finished they understand what I was trying to do all along.
Do you have a favourite colour?
Resene Trinidad and Resene Endorphin – they are so vibrant. You can see the blue hall from the street and it gives you a glimpse of the treasures that lie within.
How did you find working with Resene paint and colours?
I knew what colours I wanted and Resene had so many shades to choose from. I love that the Resene testpots are so cheap – I must be the testpot queen! I painted two coats of each colour onto A3 pages and carried them with me for months. It made choosing tiles, carpet and furniture so much easier.
Thanks to: Brooke from Tower Junction Resene ColorShop; Tessa from Lighthouse Lighting; NK Windows; Grant Kearney Joiners.
Published: 20 Jul 2016
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
The playroom is Ben and Maia’s favourite space – when they’re not playing with the tame ducks. The ceiling is painted in Resene Endorphin, the walls are Resene Double White Pointer and the trims are Resene Black White. “It's fun, lively and functional. It's easy for the kids to put stuff away and if something doesn't fit on a shelf or in a cupboard then the kids know they've got too much stuff.”
The hall makes Traci smile every time she walks in the door with its Resene Endorphin walls and Resene Black White panelling and stairs. “It's simple, bright and makes the space feel huge… I love the white panelling, which is repeated throughout the house.”
Traci had the fridge painted in Resene Trinidad, one of her favourite colours. It certainly pops against the Resene Double White Pointer walls, and Resene Black White trims and cabinets. “I love orange and had to have it somewhere in the house. The fridge is probably the biggest talking point of everyone who visits.”
The orange cow Marimekko fabric is a classic, matching the Resene Trinidad feature wall in the laundry. The other walls are Resene Double White Pointer with Resene Black White trims.
Ten-year-old Ben wanted to feel like his was in a forest, so this Komar 'Sunday' wallpaper from Resene ColorShops does the trick. The walls are in Resene Caper with the ceiling and trims in Resene Black White. “What I love about this wallpaper is that I could pair it with all white accessories for a really funky teenager’s room when Ben is older,” says Traci.
Walls in Resene Half Escape have just enough blue to echo the stronger Resene Endorphin in the hall, while not overpowering the small space.
Traci chose Resene Scooter as a restful colour for the main bedroom, using it over Resene Painton wallpaper (27105) on two walls. Resene Double White Pointer is used on the other walls. “The textured wallpaper looks a lot like grasscloth wallpaper but having a paint-on paper means there’s a much wider colour choice than classic grasscloth.”
Traci framed the architectural features of the living room – the fireplace, French doors and windows, all painted in Resene Black White – in deep Resene Confidante, painted over Resene Painton wallpaper (27105). “And then there is the custom made orange couch – what more can you say?”
Resene Scooter
Resene Scooter
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Trinidad
Resene Trinidad
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Confidante
Resene Confidante
Resene Endorphin
Resene Endorphin
Resene Half Escape
Resene Half Escape
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Scooter
Resene Scooter
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Trinidad
Resene Trinidad
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Confidante
Resene Confidante
Resene Endorphin
Resene Endorphin
Resene Half Escape
Resene Half Escape
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.