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Feature wall in dining and living space in Resene Triple Friar Greystone, walls and ceiling in Half Alabaster.
Exterior subfloor in Resene Wombat, patio structure in Resene Woodsman Shadow Match and Bark.
A Queensland home refreshed in modern neutrals
Originally built in the 1980s, this split-level, three-storey family home already had a personality of its own. The structure is thoughtful for its time, complete with intercom, security systems and even ducted vacuuming.
Inside, the home offers moments of drama. A cathedral ceiling soars above the secondary living and dining area, while a large bank of windows frames lush bamboo views. There was plenty to love, but also plenty to do to make it into a fresh new space the family would love.
Interior designer Amy Donehue from Done and Hue Interior Design was brought in to reimagine the spaces. The goal was to improve light flow, increase storage and create a sense of cohesion across the many levels.
Walls and ceiling in Resene Half Alabaster.
“The colour scheme selected for this project was about creating a cohesive space that resonated with the clients' preferences, existing elements of the home and the prepurchase of two pallets of concrete-look tiles for the flooring,” Amy says.
The solution began with a carefully considered palette built around Resene Half Alabaster. Used across several finishes, the colour became the thread tying the entire interior together.
Walls and ceiling in Resene Half Alabaster.
By applying Half Alabaster to the walls and ceiling, the home gained a soft, light backdrop that works across the changing heights and flooring types. “Half Alabaster seems to be like ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ – a colour that fits everywhere,” Amy says.
With a young family living in the home, surfaces needed to stand up to busy everyday life. Walls were finished in Resene Zylone Sheen, which Amy selected for its easy maintenance and durability. “It really is easy to clean and given the client has a child with loads of friends with dirty hands, having a paint that was hard-wearing was important.”
Feature wall in dining and living space in Resene Triple Friar Greystone, walls and ceiling in Half Alabaster.
For joinery, doors and trims, Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom in Half Alabaster was chosen to maintain continuity while providing a tough enamel finish that resists yellowing and is suitable for wet areas.
Ceilings throughout the house were finished in a flat Resene Ceiling Paint. The subtle difference in finish helps softens the transition between walls and ceilings.
Feature moments were also introduced. A deeper grey-brown tone appears on select feature walls in the living area and laundry. “Resene Triple Friar Greystone was selected to enhance the large windows to the rear of the home, essentially creating pictures where the gardens and entertainment area are the subject matter,” Amy says.
Bedroom in Resene Half Alabaster with Naruto mural in Black.
One of the most personal spaces in the house belongs to the client’s son. His bedroom features a hand-painted Naruto mural created by Amy herself. “The mural took a day to complete, with the client’s son completely surprised at the reveal after school,” she says.
The artwork, painted using a Resene Black testpot, helped divide the long bedroom into playful zones while adding personality to the otherwise calm, neutral palette.
Outside, the design continues the balance between existing character and new finishes.
The home’s distinctive 1980s brick remained an important feature, so Amy searched for a complementary colour for the cladding. The answer came in the form of Resene Wombat, which was applied to the upper weatherboards.
Upper weatherboards in Resene Wombat, fence in Triple Friar Greystone.
“It was a little tougher to find a caramel brown colour that complemented the 80’s brick. Thank goodness for the 2010 fan deck because this gem was hiding in there,” says Amy.
The front of the home faces west, which meant strong afternoon sun had to be considered. Resene Lumbersider was recommended for its durability and UV resistance on the textured weatherboards.
Exterior subfloor in Resene Wombat, patio structure in Resene Woodsman Shadow Match and Bark.
At the rear, the outdoor entertaining area, a simple pine patio structure, was transformed with Resene Waterborne Woodsman stains. Posts were finished in Woodsman Bark to give them weight and connect visually with the merbau (kwila) decking. The roof framing and ledger beams were stained in Woodsman Shadow Match, tying beautifully into the surrounding materials and the dark flashing and gutters. The exterior subfloor was painted in Wombat to tie the colour scheme together.
What was once a collection of interesting but disconnected spaces is now a cohesive, light-filled family home that celebrates both its 1980s character and contemporary living.
design Amy Donehue, Done and Hue Interior Design
images Felt Imagery
Top tip: Use Resene Kitchen & Bathroom paints, which are specifically designed to protect high moisture, ‘wet areas’ in homes by combining durable waterborne enamel with anti-bacterial silver and MouldDefender to minimise mould and bacteria growth. They provide a long-lasting, washable finish for walls, kitchens, bathrooms and laundries while being safe and low odour.
Published: 19 Mar 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Triple Friar Grey
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 Half Alabaster
Resene Triple Friar Grey
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
