David and Robin’s eye-catching style – what a reaction!

Such is the beauty of this Christchurch home’s exterior, that strangers leave notes in the letterbox exclaiming how much they love the colour. With a front door in lively orange Resene Sebedee and cedar cladding finished in Resene Woodsman Crowshead stain, it’s no surprise – the colours combine to create a rather striking look.

It’s home to David and Robin, and their kids Sarah and Duncan. Painted in beautiful Resene paint colours throughout, the house design and colours were inspired by the surrounding area and family holidays to the coast. David tells us more.

What inspired the colour choices?

While growing up in Christchurch, my wife spent a lot of time with her family at Taylors Mistake beach. As a family, we still spend a lot of time close to the coast. Inspiration came from these surroundings and the local environment. Knowing both my wife and I, Resene colour consultant Henrietta Hiatt helped us select the appropriate Resene colours.

How did you decide on the overall look of the interiors?

We were guided to a large extent by Henrietta and our architects, Daniel and Kate Sullivan of Architects Creative [link: architectscreative.co.nz]. Both Robin and myself like the look and personality of natural materials, hence the plywood ceilings and cedar weatherboards.

What part of the house are you happiest with?

The north-facing living space can be completely opened, effectively removing the north wall. Even in mid-winter, the house warms up to a comfortable temperature.

It took a while to get used to living in a space with full length doors and windows. However, this aspect means you appreciate the geography of where we live and feel part of the greater environment.

I also love the look of the cedar with the dark Resene Woodsman stain.

Did you know… Resene has a range of stains that will enhance the beauty of the wood grain in your floors, walls or furniture. See the Resene Woodsman range for exterior use and the Resene Colorwood range. 

What is your advice for someone trying to achieve a similar look?

When it comes to getting the right finish, do your homework and ask plenty of questions from Resene. The painting aspect is such a critical part of the finishing trade. For example, I’m thrilled with the finish of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen and its ability be cleaned from light scuff marks and dirt.

What was the biggest challenge for this project?

The retaining walls and the intricacies of getting the ceiling panels correct. The stone wall was also interesting. I met an Irish stonemason working around the road, Quintin, QC Stonemasons. He and his team had arrived from Ireland to assist with recovery stonework from the earthquakes. I asked him if he was keen to price our job, which turned into a great meeting.

Do you have a favourite colour?

Resene Sebedee – the colour contrast between that and the stain finish looks great. We also have had people putting notes in our letterbox asking the name of the colour.

Published: 26 Jul 2018

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

kitchen, white kitchen, wood ceiling, coloured bar stools, timber floors, white living room

The home has a beachy feel to it, inspired by colours in the surrounding area. The kitchen and living room are painted in Resene Double Merino with trims in Resene Quarter Merino. The ceiling is finished in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt and Resene Aquaclear.

living room, lounge, white lounge, stone feature wall, fireplace, grey door

An adjoining lounge is separated by a stone feature wall, made by an Irish stonemason and his team. The walls are painted in Resene Double Merino with trims in Resene Quarter Merino. The ceiling is finished in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt and Resene Aquaclear, while the sliding door in the foreground is Resene Oslo Grey.

master bedroom, blue feature wall, blue bedroom, blue and white, bedroom, coastal inspired

David and Robin’s master bedroom brings the coast indoors with a feature wall painted in Resene Half Smalt Blue and walls painted in Resene Double Merino. The trims are painted in Resene Quarter Merino.

bedroom, girls bedroom, childrens bedroom, kids bedroom, pink bedroom, pink feature wall

Daughter Sarah’s bedroom is all about pink, painted in Resene Flower Power and Resene Double Merino.

boys bedroom, blue bedroom, kids bedroom, childrens bedroom, blue feature wall

It’s bright blue for son Duncan’s room, painted in Resene Sports Star and Resene Double Merino. A shark painting continues the coastal theme.

laundry, orange laundry, white cabinetry, white and orange, orange paint, orange interior

The laundry room is painted in Resene Sebedee, softened by a natural woven basket and white cabinetry. The ceiling is painted in Resene Quarter Merino.

house exterior, black house, orange front door, black exterior, orange and black, black cladding

The front door is also painted in Resene Sebedee. The colour of the door is stunning against the exterior cladding finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Crowshead exterior stain, and has passersby leaving notes in the letterbox asking for the colour.

house exterior, black house, brown house, stain, cedar cladding, stone feature wall

The stone feature wall peeks out from inside, framed by the exterior cedar cladding finished in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Crowshead exterior stain.

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Resene Flower Power

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Resene Double Merino

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Resene Sports Star

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Resene Half Smalt Blue

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