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Living room walls in Resene Eighth Lemon Grass. For a similar shade as the kitchen, use Resene Mako.
A colourfully confident Australian home
From the street, Jane’s home nestles calmly behind a garden, its exterior of Resene Jurassic softened by the greenery. The deep grey green feels at home among the foliage, grounding the architecture while also hinting at slightly bolder design decisions inside.
This residential alteration and addition was a collaboration between Sandbox Studio and homeowner Jane, herself a building designer. Jane led the interior design and material selections with support from interior designer Pia Soleil, who selected the white shades and detailing of the striking fireplace.
Exterior painted in Resene Jurassic.
That story began with two key elements: a slab of pink Tiberio marble from Artedomus and a Fenix kitchen from Boffi Studios, in a similar shade to Resene Mako. Together, they established the palette that would shape every room.
“The colour selection grew organically after the marble and kitchen had been selected. From that base of green and pink, a palette inspired by nature, only deeper and more jewel toned, emerged. This provided a grounding backdrop for bright soft furnishings to pop.”
Living room walls in Resene Eighth Lemon Grass. For a similar shade as the kitchen, use Resene Mako.
The living spaces are painted in Resene Eighth Lemon Grass, a subtle near-white neutral that allows the architectural details and materials to shine. Under the skylight and alongside the dramatic arched doors, the colour shifts gently throughout the day as a calm backdrop for everyday life.
The home's most dramatic colour moment is reserved for the master bedroom, where Biscay wraps the walls and ceiling in a cocoon of saturated stormy blue. Paired with accents of Pearl Bush and richly toned Merlot in the bathroom and dressing room, the room feels both intimate and expansive.
Bedroom walls in Resene Biscay, dressing and bathroom in Merlot.
“The colour drenching in the master bedroom was chosen because of the asymmetric nature of the walls and ceiling. The deep blue of the Biscay blends away all the angles and joins,” says Jane.
Rather than drawing attention to the room's unusual geometry, the colour softens it, allowing the mood to settle. A matte finish in Resene SpaceCote Flat enhances the atmosphere further. Jane says due the intensity of the colour, the matte finish plays into the desired sense of moodiness.
Walls in Resene Eighth Lemon Grass.
Every choice seems to find that balance between beauty and practicality. The living areas, kitchen and hallways were finished in a Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen finish for its look and durability, a consideration made even more important by the arrival of a new puppy.
Selecting such bold colours requires faith in your choices, but Jane also found support along the way. “I spent hours at the Resene Woollahra store and John Bransby was an enormous help giving me confidence in my selections.”
This is a house that feels deeply personal, where every shade has a purpose and every room tells part of the story. A story compelling enough to be featured in Australian House & Garden magazine's July 2025 issue, and one that proves bold colour can feel timeless.
colour selection Jane
design Sandbox Studio
painting RS David Coatings
images Louise Wellington
Resene Pro Tips:
- If you’re thinking of painting your exterior in a dark hue, like Jane’s choice of Resene Jurassic, use the Resene CoolColour version to help prevent heat-related damage in the warmer months.
- If your exterior weatherboards are in good condition with minimal imperfections, consider using a semi-gloss or even high gloss finish like Resene Sonyx Semi Gloss or Resene Hi-Glo. Strong colours become more vibrant and dominant the higher the gloss level used – the downside is imperfections are highlighted more so be sure to do the prep work on your walls first. Resene’s most popular and specified choice for exterior weatherboards is Resene Sonyx Semi Gloss as a result.
Published: 10 Jun 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
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 Eighth Lemon Grass
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
