Sheryl surprises with her colourful manor

Alongside the curved driveway of Sheryl and Kevin’s Cambridge house grow lush, neatly coiffed hedges and neatly manicured lawns. At the end of the driveway is a Georgian manor-style home, seemingly restrained from the outside – but inside it’s alive with light, bright and pretty Resene colour.

Sheryl and Kevin knew they wanted the Georgian facade, a red-brick double-storey, when they planned the build of their family home, but wanted the inside to be more relaxed and casual.

Sheryl chose Resene Rice Paper, a fizzy sherbert green, as the feature colour for the interiors, which gives the home a 1950s homely feel. With generous window space in all the rooms, looking out to the 1.6 hectares of their property, the colour is also a great match to the green outdoors.

She’s filled each room with tasteful vintage treasures and handmade projects, some of them that have found their way from her boutique vintage store My Style NZ (that she runs with neighbour Helen Yarranton) into her own home.

Here's more from the happy homeowner herself.

What Resene colours and products have you used?

The main areas of the house are painted in Resene Rice Paper (green) and all the ceilings, windows, stairs and doors are in Resene Rice Cake (white). Our son Kade’s room is in Resene Spanish White.

A lot of the furniture is also painted in Resene paints. We painted the dining chairs in Resene Onahau (blue), Resene Paris Daisy (yellow) and Resene Sweet As (pink). The dresser is also in Resene Onahau.

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

I like to blend the old with the new. We all have things from the past that we treasure and have meaning and so it is nice to incorporate them into your decor. It’s important to have them out on display to enjoy and I think it makes your interior a lot more interesting with the mix.

What part of the house are you most happy with?

I love the layout, and I love the lightness and brightness. Light bright colours do have an impact on your mood. They put a smile on your face and make you feel happy!

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

Don’t be afraid of colour and putting lots of different colours together. It gives your home depth and interests and stops it looking one-dimensional.

What was the biggest challenge for this project?

We knew we wanted the Georgian style for the exterior, but then we had to make the inside work. Kevin and I designed the inside layout over many cups of coffee.

Do you have a favourite colour, and if so why is it your favourite?

I think Resene Rice Paper is great. It goes with a lot of different colours without it turning yellow-ish. And even though it’s not a really pale colour it’s quite restful and it's different again at night. I just love it!

How did you find working with Resene paint and colours?

I’ve always used Resene paint. I love the huge colour range and it’s a great product. It’s so easy to get testpots for checking your choices. I also use it for painting furniture.

Published: 03 Mar 2016

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

Sheryl and Kevin's bedroom is painted in Resene Rice Paper as the feature colour and Resene Rice Cake for the rest. Generous window space allows for the couple to enjoy views of their glorious outdoor space.

Another bedroom is painted in Resene Spanish White on the walls, and the rest in Resene Rice Cake. The styling is constant throughout, with Sheryl intertwining new and old treasures giving the new-build a lived-in, homely feel. 

How versatile is this green? Resene Rice Paper looks just as pretty when paired with black and white tiling in the bathroom. 

Resene Rice Paper and black and white tiling continues in the laundry, with gorgeous, retro-style additions.

Sheryl loves second-hand shops and fills the home with her finds. But she loves the new also, especially her oversized butler's sink. The walls are painted in Resene Rice Paper. The rest is painted in Resene Rice Cake.

The chairs were upcycled by Sheryl and painted in Resene paints – Resene Onahau (blue), Resene Paris Daisy (yellow) and Resene Sweet As (pink). The dresser is also in Resene Onahau. The walls are painted in Resene Rice Paper. The rest is painted in Resene Rice Cake.

The living room continues the theme... note the bright, fresh flowers and country green view looking like a painting through the windows. 

The games room where Kevin and co relax while Sheryl is working on her sewing and upcycling projects. The walls are painted in Resene Spanish White and the rest is painted in Resene Rice Cake.

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Resene Spanish White

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Resene Paris Daisy

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