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
NZ Walking Sticks: A personalised touch for comfort, independence and style
Carey Hablous, retiree and founder of NZ Walking Sticks, is changing the game when it… more
look book 
A large deck connects to many of the rooms. The weatherboards are in Resene Powder Blue, while the trims are in Resene Buttery White.
Plentiful windows welcome in the views. Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream was used throughout the living areas.
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream provides a perfect neutral backdrop in the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area.
The other son’s bedroom walls are painted in Resene Dusted Blue. The muted blues throughout the house reflect the family’s love of the sea, and connects the interior to the exterior colour scheme.
David and Cheryl’s Stanley Point property has grown from a three-bedroom L-shaped house to a sweeping two-storey four bedroom family home. The exterior weatherboards and garage door were painted in Resene Powder Blue, while the trims are in Resene Buttery White and darker accents in Resene New Denim Blue.
David and Cheryl go from ordinary to extraordinary
When David and Cheryl Aitken bought their Stanley Pt home on Auckland’s North Shore in 1988 it was a modest home but in a stunning location. Over the next 30 years the house has been transformed into an incredible two-storey, four-bedroom family home, with a rich palette of Resene colours.
The biggest change took place in the 1990s when the couple undertook a major renovation adding the extra floor, and extra bedroom as well as creating two beautiful living spaces with the assistance of Devonport architect Bruce Macfarlane.
Since then David and Cheryl have continued to adapt and expand the property, adding decks and landscaping to make the most of their outdoor spaces whatever the weather.
“We’ve always loved living here and it has been the perfect place to bring up our two sons, who have attended local schools, sports clubs and enjoyed the many beaches and local parks in the area.”
They talk us through some of their design decisions as their home has evolved:
Which Resene colours did you use on the exterior?
For the exterior, we worked with Jeanette Anderson, formerly a colour consultant and owner of the local Resene ColorShop. We wanted cool, peaceful colours that drew inspiration from the house’s connection to the extensive water views. The weatherboards and garage door are painted in Resene Powder Blue. The front door and timber soffit are in Resene Majestic Blue, while the window and door surrounds and the villa board soffits are in Resene Buttery White. The front plaster fence was repainted in 2017 in Resene New Denim Blue.
How did you decided on the overall interior look?
We worked with designer Jenny Harris, owner of Designfront, in 2015 on a complete renovation of the upstairs bathroom. As part of this, Jenny picked out the colour scheme for the entire interior of the house, as well as drapes, blinds and wallpaper accents.
During 2015 and 2016 we completely stripped out and renovated the upstairs bathroom, the family room, dining and kitchen area, and one of the bedrooms. We also painted the whole interior of the house to Jenny’s colour scheme.
We liked the idea of white and neutrals as a crisp, light backdrop and using furniture, soft furnishings and artwork to bring in colour. Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream provides that backdrop perfectly.
We kept the colour on the walls in each of our son’s bedrooms. One is in Resene Tsunami, the other in the paler Resene Dusted Blue. We both love the beach and the water and these two rooms, along with the use of wallpaper accents on the main wall leading upstairs, provide a link to these elements as well as the exterior colour scheme.
The downstairs garage was repainted in 2017, with the walls in Resene Black White, and Resene Gunsmoke on the floor.
Did you know… that the latest colour collection from Resene, The Range fashion fandeck 20, has a range of fresh beachy blues to try? See the fandeck at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.
Do you have a favourite part of the house?
The room we spend the most time in is the family room, dining and kitchen area. It was completely renovated with a kitchen designed by Anita Maes from Bella Cassita, and lighting designed by Firefly in Devonport. It’s truly the heart of the house. It’s a brilliant room that takes advantage of the harbour view and flows on to the deck. That renovation changed how we live in the house.
Also having four large bedrooms that each flow out onto decks is pretty hard to beat!
Do you have any advice for others trying to achieve a similar look?
If you want a great house design that just works, work with a great architect. If you want a great interior that will look contemporary for years, choose great interior designers.
What was the biggest challenge?
Completely stripping the entire family room, dining and kitchen area for a few months was a disruptive undertaking. We made the best of it by using the outdoor barbecue (in the middle of winter), putting the fridge and kitchen gear in the hallway and laundry area, and rigging up temporary lighting then setting up our table-tennis table in the vast cavernous empty room.
Do you have a favourite colour in the house?
The house reflects our love of crisp, clean, cool, modern colours, and our affinity to the beach and water.
This house is currently for sale. Call Linda Simmons, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 0274 590 957. It was styled for sale by Places & Graces
Published: 11 Oct 2018
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
A large deck connects to many of the rooms. The weatherboards are in Resene Powder Blue, while the trims are in Resene Buttery White.
Plentiful windows welcome in the views. Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream was used throughout the living areas.
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream provides a perfect neutral backdrop in the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area.
One of the boy’s bedrooms is decorated in Resene Tsunami, connecting the house to its wide sea views.
The other son’s bedroom walls are painted in Resene Dusted Blue. The muted blues throughout the house reflect the family’s love of the sea, and connects the interior to the exterior colour scheme.
David and Cheryl’s Stanley Point property has grown from a three-bedroom L-shaped house to a sweeping two-storey four bedroom family home. The exterior weatherboards and garage door were painted in Resene Powder Blue, while the trims are in Resene Buttery White and darker accents in Resene New Denim Blue.
Resene Majestic Blue
Resene Majestic Blue
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Buttery White
Resene Buttery White
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
more inspiration
Jo and Mike’s family home is a haven of earthy tones
After 14 years in their family home, Jo and Mike… more
Charlotte Coote’s expertly coloured Mt Macedon home has style to spare
When interior designer Charlotte Coote of Coote & Co and… more
Gone are the days of women putting up with being… more
Petra and Milan’s nautical-themed haven in Brightwater
Petra and Milan’s 1960s home in Brightwater, not far from… more
Charlotte and Greg create colourful character in a newly constructed home
Since Charlotte and Greg Quinn bought their first house in… more
Resene Majestic Blue
Resene Majestic Blue
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Buttery White
Resene Buttery White
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
