Our house is concrete block and wood. Can you recommend colours that look good on block? We don’t like white painted concrete block and were thinking of Resene Hermitage. If this is something we choose to go for, can you recommend an alternate colour to the Resene Bavarian Cream that is recommended to go with it? We are thinking of using Resene Montoya for the roof of our house but we don't want it to look gloomy.

Concrete block, if painted grey or grey type of colours like Resene Hermitage, often looks gloomy because it appears unpainted. I think you may need a deeper colour to give it strength, character and ambiance.

Have a look at Resene Edward or Resene Bounty (which are more green/blue and not so grey) with a light warm colour for the wood in perhaps Resene Double Pearl Lusta or Resene Villa White. These light warm-toned neutrals will lift the main colour on the blocks, making it seem less grey, and will bring out the green or the blue tones. It is all about contrast and having colours that create interest. Grey is smart but has an industrial 'no nonsense' look.