look book
latest
habitat tv
Say goodbye to the morning scramble for keys, coats and sunglasses and hello to this… see this and more videos
blog
Thoughtful seascapes with Greta Cole
It’s easy to get lost in Greta Cole’s paintings. The wistful seascape scenes and contrast… more
The earthy olive green, Resene Scrub, adorns the kitchen with an added touch of timber which grounds the space and adds to the natural palette. Surrounding walls are painted in Resene Quarter White Pointer.
Upstairs, light pours in through the large skylight, highlighting the walls and ceiling in Resene Quarter White Pointer which contrasts against the gallery in Resene Hot N Spicy.
A nod to heritage-inspired reds, Resene Hot N Spicy highlights the owner’s traditional artwork and furniture.
The kitchen cabinetry is painted in Resene Scrub, pairing seamlessly with the black porcelain benchtops. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter White Pointer.
The earthy olive green, Resene Scrub, adorns the kitchen with an added touch of timber which grounds the space and adds to the natural palette. Surrounding walls are painted in Resene Quarter White Pointer.
The hallway is painted in Resene Quarter White Pointer, creating a minimal, modern gallery-feel with touches of contemporary artwork.
In the living space, Resene Quarter White Pointer adds a fresh touch to the walls and ceiling.
A home that balances boldness and light
Blending the charm of the old with the functionality and elegance of the new is exactly what this home needed. Heritage and modernity don’t just coexist in this Melbourne home but sing together in harmony thanks to a carefully curated Resene palette.
This Victorian renovation, taken on by architect and interior designer Anna Vaughan, involved restoring the original front of the home while creating a more contemporary, light-filled extension at the rear. With the client downsizing, but still wishing to showcase furniture and art from a range of eras, Anna leaned into colour to bring cohesion and vibrancy to each space.
Upstairs, light pours in through the large skylight, highlighting the walls and ceiling in Resene Quarter White Pointer which contrasts against the gallery in Resene Hot N Spicy.
A nod to heritage-inspired reds, Resene Hot N Spicy highlights the owner’s traditional artwork and furniture.
One of the most striking colour moments is the upstairs gallery space. A moody, artful nook painted in Resene Hot N Spicy in a Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen finish. “The client’s traditional and contemporary art collection was the inspiration for the paint colour selections,” Anna says. “We wanted a unique colour to offset the traditional art and heirloom furniture. Inspired by exhibitions at the National Gallery Victoria, where the art is hung on walls of colours other than white, the client was open to exploring bold and unconventional use of colour.”
“Resene Hot N Spicy appealed as it is a contemporary take on a heritage red… This contrast worked with the gallery being a pocket within the contemporary addition that houses the early twentieth century art and furniture.”
Set against a deep charcoal carpet, the red gallery walls act like a rich backdrop for vintage portraits, antique lighting and collected artworks. It’s a space that feels part salon, part museum and entirely personal.
The kitchen cabinetry is painted in Resene Scrub, pairing seamlessly with the black porcelain benchtops. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter White Pointer.
The earthy olive green, Resene Scrub, adorns the kitchen with an added touch of timber which grounds the space and adds to the natural palette. Surrounding walls are painted in Resene Quarter White Pointer.
Downstairs, the kitchen is daring yet calming and earthy, adorned in Resene Scrub across all of the cabinetry. “We love the green colour palette,” says Anna. “Of all the paint ranges on the market, Resene offers the greatest variety in the green palette.
“The colour was carefully selected to not be a European evergreen and not too Army camouflage. Resene Scrub has great earthy olive depth which was used for the whole kitchen cabinetry with porcelain black benchtops, a bold element set in the rear living space.”
The combination feels grounded and sculptural, especially when paired with polished grey porcelain flooring and steel accents. This strong yet understated palette allows the surrounding artworks, décor and textures , like woven Aboriginal sculptures and layered Middle Eastern rugs, to take centre stage.
The hallway is painted in Resene Quarter White Pointer, creating a minimal, modern gallery-feel with touches of contemporary artwork.
In the living space, Resene Quarter White Pointer adds a fresh touch to the walls and ceiling.
To balance the bolder moments, Anna used Resene Quarter White Pointer, also finished in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, throughout the rest of the home. This soft white was chosen with purpose. “It’s a clean white that isn’t too cold, but its grey undertone works well with colour accents,” Anna says.
Light was a major consideration, especially since this terrace relies on skylights and its northern rear aspect for illumination. “The white selected needed to work well in areas of full sun, not too glary, and also in deep set corridors without much natural light.”
The exterior fence and timber work is painted in Resene Blackjack.
This home is a masterclass in contrast. Calm white spaces meet bold moments, and colour brings the owner’s story to life. It also proves that small spaces can still be big on personality!
Design by Anna Vaughan, Anna Vaughan Architects
Build by Nik Spartels
Paint by Brush Paint Wall
Images by Hilary Bradford Photography
Top tip: For a refined finish that stands up to daily life, use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. It’s a tough yet elegant option for interior walls, with a subtle velvety texture that’s perfect for highlighting rich colour without the shine. If you are after a more subdued yet contemporary finish, use SpaceCote Flat. And for a glossy finish that reflects more light and gives a cleaner, harder-wearing surface, especially great in kitchens, bathrooms or on feature trim, opt for a Resene high‑gloss enamel like Resene Enamacryl.
Published: 29 Aug 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Quarter White Pointer
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 Quarter White Pointer
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
