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The roof of this grand home is painted in Resene Grey Friars, a subtle contrast to the red brick exterior.
A classic warm white, Resene Pearl Lusta, was used within the home creating an inviting atmosphere. The ceiling is painted inResene Sea Fog.
The sunroom adds a modern touch to the historic home, a bright and comfy place to sit, painted inResene Sea Fog.
In the kitchen, Resene Red Hot was used to add drama to the space, pairing well with the timber surfaces, walls in Resene Pearl Lusta and ceiling in Resene Sea Fog. The doors are finished in ReseneQristal Clearpolyurethane.
The grand dining room, fit for many guests, has a striking feature wall painted in Resene Red Hot and Resene Pearl Lusta.
In the hallway, Resene Pearl Lusta brightens the space and pairs well with the timber elements and doors finished in ReseneQristal Clear. The ceiling is painted in Resene Sea Fog.
The large ballroom, fit for a wedding, is painted ceiling to floor in Resene Pearl Lusta, trims are painted in Resene Sea Fog.
Red tones echo through the home in drapes and décor. This bedroom is painted in Resene Pearl Lusta.
The main bedroom is painted in Resene Pearl Lusta, harmonising with the rest of the home. The ceiling is in Resene Sea Fog.
With many rooms within this home, why not add a games room for entertaining? This space is joyful and bright, painted in Resene Pearl Lusta.
This pool offers a lovely place to relax, with a shady pergola painted in ReseneLumbersider Low SheeninResene White.
The self-contained apartment within the home carries the same colour scheme of Resene Pearl Lusta, allowing guests to add their own touches over the neutral backdrop. The ceiling is painted in Resene Sea Fog.
The self-contained apartment has everything guests need, including a sunroom where sunlight pours in. The walls are painted in Resene Pearl Lusta.
A grand revival: Bringing a historic gem back to life
When Ryan and Nadine first laid eyes on their future home, it was more of a time capsule than a house – except the time capsule had been left open to the elements for years. But with a love for architecture, a passion for restoration and a whole lot of determination, they took on the grand task of bringing this 1885 beauty back to life. And, as fate would have it, their first encounter with Resene paints marked the beginning of a transformative journey.
The sheer scale of the property was jaw-dropping, and so was the to-do list. With 57 broken windows, missing floors and absent fireplace surrounds, it was less of a fixer-upper and more of a full-blown resurrection. The first order of business was the roof – because what’s a house without one? After a heroic water blasting effort, they applied a healthy coat of Resene Galvo One and finished it off with two coats of Resene Summit Roof in the shade Resene Grey Friars, which perfectly contrasted with the sleek black continuous guttering.
The roof of this grand home is painted in Resene Grey Friars, a subtle contrast to the red brick exterior.
A classic warm white, Resene Pearl Lusta, was used within the home creating an inviting atmosphere. The ceiling is painted in Resene Sea Fog.
The sunroom adds a modern touch to the historic home, a bright and comfy place to sit, painted in Resene Sea Fog.
Inside, simplicity and cohesion were key. To create a seamless backdrop, they primed the walls with Resene Sureseal before coating them in Resene Pearl Lusta. With towering five-metre-high ceilings, Ryan quickly learned the art of the extension roller pole – a tool that surely deserves a place in his personal renovation hall of fame. But it wasn’t all neutral – drama was invited into the dining room with a bold feature wall in Resene Red Hot, a rich and moody burgundy that makes the space sing.
In the kitchen, Resene Red Hot was used to add drama to the space, pairing well with the timber surfaces, walls in Resene Pearl Lusta and ceiling in Resene Sea Fog. The doors are finished inResene Qristal Clear polyurethane.
The grand dining room, fit for many guests, has a striking feature wall painted in Resene Red Hot and Resene Pearl Lusta.
In the hallway, Resene Pearl Lusta brightens the space and pairs well with the timber elements and doors finished in Resene Qristal Clear. The ceiling is painted in Resene Sea Fog.
Restoring the home’s wooden doors turned out to be an adventure of its own. After discovering that each of the 46 doors had been held together with organic glue, dipping them for stripping was off the table. Instead, a local craftsman painstakingly hand-stripped and sanded them before sealing them with Resene Qristal Clear polyurethane, bringing out the rich warmth of the native totara and rimu.
The large ballroom, fit for a wedding, is painted ceiling to floor in Resene Pearl Lusta, trims are painted in Resene Sea Fog.
Red tones echo through the home in drapes and décor. This bedroom is painted in Resene Pearl Lusta.
The main bedroom is painted in Resene Pearl Lusta, harmonising with the rest of the home. The ceiling is in Resene Sea Fog.
Every inch of this home holds a story, from the skirting boards that were milled from old rimu floorboards to the ballroom, which is now a stunning, multi-purpose space equipped with an inbuilt audio system, a three-metre dropdown screen and even an entertainment laser light system. And, of course, the kitchens – yes, plural – where Resene Pearl Lusta around the ovens and sinks blends perfectly with the rest of the space.
With many rooms within this home, why not add a games room for entertaining? This space is joyful and bright, painted in Resene Pearl Lusta.
This pool offers a lovely place to relax, with a shady pergola painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene White.
The self-contained apartment within the home carries the same colour scheme of Resene Pearl Lusta, allowing guests to add their own touches over the neutral backdrop. The ceiling is painted in Resene Sea Fog.
The self-contained apartment has everything guests need, including a sunroom where sunlight pours in. The walls are painted in Resene Pearl Lusta.
But perhaps the biggest lesson Ryan and Nadine learned wasn’t about paint colours, it was that paint isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about protection. Protection from the sun, the rain and the wear and tear of daily life. Ryan also praises his local Resene ColorShop saying “Resene Masterton were as invested in the project outcome as we were, their guidance was truly invaluable.”
Now, after twelve years of lovingly restoring their grand home, it’s time for a new chapter. Ryan and Nadine are off to the Sunshine Coast, and their home is ready for its next custodians. “It's a magical place to live with an abundance of space, the house really comes to life when it’s full of family,” Ryan says. “We can have easily 20 family members here for Christmas and trying to be rid of them can take until mid-January as they use the house as a base to enjoy all the Wairarapa activities. BBQs and parties with live bands can also exceed 120 guests, with so many separate zones it never feels full.”
Whether it’s a multigenerational family, a creative powerhouse or work-from-home professionals, this home is just waiting for its next adventure. One thing is for sure – whoever moves in will be inheriting not just a house, but a masterpiece of dedication and craftsmanship.
Top tip:If you have an older character house and want to bring in a classic style in your approach to the colour scheme, check out the Resene Heritage colour palette online atwww.resene.com/heritage or view the large colour swatches in the colour library at your local ReseneColorShop or reseller.
Published: 27 Feb 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
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