Reader roundup: A mountain mural, Dragonstone sculptures and outdoor colour

27 Mar 2025

We’ve got a great roundup of projects from our readers this month. From a revamped bedroom to handmade coasters and a blue-tiful bathroom, you’re sure to find some inspiration here! Remember we love to see your finished projects, so please email us some photos and the Resene colours and/or Resene wallpapers you’ve used to [email protected].  

Over the summer, style director at BeautyEQ, Louise Hilsz, was inspired to give her boring grey concrete outdoor table a new lease on life. “The first step I wanted to get rid of was the grey chairs that the table came with,” says Louise. “After searching online for something colourful and comparing quality and price, I went into Hurdleys Office Furniture. They have an extensive range of outdoor chairs in fun colours, it was hard to pick. I decided on two different models with multiple colours.

“Secondly, I wanted to paint the table. I took one of the chairs into a Resene ColorShop to colour match. The staff were so helpful in finding the perfect match, we chose Resene Anakiwa, a challenging sporty pale blue. They advised me to use a concrete primer which I applied before the two coats of Anakiwa.”

It’s amazing to see what a pop of colour can do to an outdoor space! If you’re looking to colour match something in your home, take the item into your local Resene ColorShop for some help, or you can use the Resene ColourMatch tool online to upload an image and find a match!

Country Village, based in Himatangi and owned by Steve and Michele Welsh, has been importing and sourcing unique home and garden products for over 35 years. Among their most sought-after items is the Dragonstone range from England – classic ornamental stoneware featuring statues, pots, urns, birdbaths and water features.

To enhance the intricate details of some of these pieces, they have used Resene FX Faux Rust Effect, which brings out the texture and adds an authentic aged appearance. The rust effect highlights the craftsmanship of the Dragonstone range, making these timeless garden accents even more striking.

Lynda from Christchurch won a Resene ColorShop voucher which made her bathroom transformation a reality. Turning the dated browns and beiges into something fresh and charming, she chose Resene Dusted Blue for the bath base and vanity, and paired this beautiful blue with walls in Resene Eighth Silver Chalice. These cool tones work wonders together and this space is now a tranquil and inviting retreat.

habitat reader Priscilla loved the mountain scene from her habitat calendar so much that she recreated it in her own bedroom! A unique way to bring nature indoors with an artistic touch. Priscilla painted her mountain mural in the earthy Resene shades of Resene Quarter Lemon Grass, Resene Eighth Lemon Grass, Resene Lemon Grass, Resene Lemon Twist, Resene Eternity, Resene Merino and Resene Double Merino.

If you’re thinking of painting a mural at home and are not sure where to start, have a read of our article: Create your dream wall mural at home with this expert advice.

Sakshi sought the help from a Resene Colour Expert for her stunning wooden coasters. After painting them in delightful Resene testpot shades, she needed a topcoat that would protect them from the heat of hot cups of tea and coffee. Resene Colour Expert Ash recommended Resene Aquaclear, a water-based varnish available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss and also available to purchase in small quantities including 500ml. This product also won't yellow with age like oil-based varnishes.

Resene Paint Experts are here to help you with all sorts of queries, so if you’re stuck or need some advice, get in touch today! 

Share your projects using Resene paints, wood stains and wallpaper with us – we love to see them! Email us at [email protected].

Published: 27 Mar 2025