Revitalising a 1960s home exterior: A journey of transformation and personal achievement

11 Jul 2023

Gudny and Chris, homeowners in vibrant Point Chevalier, Auckland, decided to give the exterior of their home a much-needed refresh. Their two-story brick and concrete house, built in 1968, has undergone a remarkable transformation using timeless Resene neutrals and now reflects the love they have for their forever home. If you’re thinking of redecorating your own exterior, Gudny’s story is sure to inspire you!

Chris is an expert in IT & the air conditioning industry and Gudny works as an Office Manager. Gudny cherished the low-maintenance aspect of their home's original brickwork, which had remained untouched since its construction. Initially she was hesitant about altering the exterior. However, after years of maintaining and redecorating the interior, Chris eventually convinced Gudny to embrace the idea of transforming the exterior to breathe new life into their home.

Carefully coating every area of the brickwork with Resene Sureseal before painting, Gudny leans out the second storey window with her brush in hand.

"I liked the fact that there was very little maintenance needed as it was, and I knew painting the exterior would involve lots of hard work,” Gudny says. “Then one week before the first  lockdown, I was in Mt Roskill Resene ColorShop buying the paint for the project and I quipped to the sales assistant that I’d be set if there was a lockdown - and then there was!  So, the transformation from a 70’s earthy orange brick to a completely painted house began.”

It was the perfect time to embark on this ambitious project. With Chris having little interest in DIY, the renovation was entirely Gudny’s endeavour, whilst working 25 hours/week as an essential worker in the health sector.

Although the ladder work was challenging at times, Gudny persevered to prime all the tricky spots of brick in Resene Sureseal before painting in Resene Foundry.  

Keeping up with the trend of dark colours, Gudny opted for deep charcoals, using Resene Foundry on the walls and Resene Bokara Grey for the windowsills. The combination has created a striking visual effect, with Resene Foundry shifting from grey to blue when juxtaposed with Resene Bokara Grey. For existing painted areas the smoky neutral of Resene Double Ash was used.

Undertaking such a comprehensive renovation project is never without its challenges. Gudny faced the hurdles head-on, acknowledging that ladder work and addressing the concerns of uneasy neighbours were among the most difficult aspects. Despite these hurdles, her unwavering determination prevailed.

The finished exterior is stunning, giving the home maximum street appeal and a glowing new look. The brickwork is now painted in the dark charcoal shade of Resene Foundry, with a fence to match, windowsills in Resene Bokara Grey and lower wall area in Resene Double Ash.

Gudny's enthusiasm for Resene colours shines through in her choice of Resene Arrowtown, a captivating shade that she used around the pool area. Delighted with her selection, Gudny explains, "I love it because it changes from a grey to an olive green in different light and complements the green tiles of the pool." The fine pebble pool ground concrete looked old and tired, and waterblasting was ineffective, so she used Resene Non Slip Deck & Path in the colour Resene Beaten Track to create a stylish finish to the area.  

Trying to decide on the right shade, Gudny found the benefits of using Resene testpots to choose the final colour for the walls of the pool area. Gudny says. “I trialled nine different colours, from greys, greens and blue testpots until I settled on Resene Arrowtown.”

The exterior around the pool is painted in Resene Arrowtown, a southern rich, mellow shade. This colour complements the dark shades of Resene Foundry and Resene Bokara Grey, creating a timeless, earthy and neutral outdoor space.

When it came to choosing the right products, Resene Sureseal was the best option for priming the old brickwork before painting. Gudny then used Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen CoolColour tinted to Resene Foundry and Resene Bokara Grey, protecting the dark exterior against harsh weather conditions like extreme heat and UV rays.

Ten weeks and a few hundred hours later, and the job was done! Gudny has been doing DIY since she first owned a house in 1985 when she was 28. Her passion for DIY and love for her home has resulted in an amazing transformation. Although she is happy with the outcome, she may decide to change again in the future, or refresh new areas of the interior. “I think I have finished - but I never am!”

If you’re looking for advice on which exterior products to use on your home, visit your local Resene ColorShop or ask a Resene Paint Expert free online. Or, if you have already transformed your exterior or home in Resene paints, wood stains or wallpaper, we would love to see what you have done – send some photos and info to [email protected].

Published: 11 Jul 2023