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The kitchen is Lesley's pride and joy, now featuring Resene Peppermint on the walls and half-strength ReseneSwans Down on the ceiling.
The lounge and dining roomare painted in Resene Edgewater complemented by Resene Gum Leaf on the skirting and door frames and half-strength Resene Swans Downon the ceiling.
Resene Edgewatercreates a tranquil space in the bathroom, withResene Apple Greenaccents adding to the calming theme. A deep hipbath also adds a touch of luxury.
The master bedroom is painted in Resene Edgewater, with the ceiling and scotia in Resene SwansDown.
From gloomy dark to vintage delight: A 1973 unit transformed
Nestled in a peaceful Lower Hutt neighbourhood, Lesley’s home has had a bright and cheery transformation thanks to the nostalgic Resene paint colours she chose. The 1973 two-bedroom unit, built with Vibrapac blocks, fibre-cement sheets and topped with Decramastic roofing, was originally in good repair. However, its dark, low light-reflective interiors did little to highlight its potential.
The home, situated on a cross-lease section with another unit, presented several challenges. The lounge, dining room and kitchen, all facing south-south-west, struggled to capture natural light during the morning and early afternoon. One bedroom faced a neighbour’s fence and a two-storey building, while the other, facing east, was partially shaded by a large kōwhai tree. With such limited light, Lesley knew she needed a colour palette that would bring warmth and brightness into her space.
The kitchen is Lesley's pride and joy, now featuring Resene Peppermint on the walls and half-strength ReseneSwans Down on the ceiling.
Lesley, being retired, spends most of her time in the living and dining room because of the view and the warmth of her fireplace. But despite of this, the whole house needed a bit of brightening. "All of the rooms needed lightening up," Lesley says.
The renovation began with essential insulation work, adding warmth to the home and setting the stage for the painting process. "Having insulation pumped into the walls from inside meant having lots of plastered holes leading to preparation and painting." Lesley says, emphasising the importance of preparation in any renovation project.
Lesley’s colour palette was carefully chosen. She wanted colours with light reflective values over 70% to maximise the available light. After browsing through Resene colour cards and seeking advice at her local Resene ColorShop, she discovered a harmonious blend of colours that shared the same blue and green tints as in some of her existing and favourite décor. This consistency in tone created a cohesive, soothing atmosphere throughout her home.
The lounge and dining roomare painted in Resene Edgewater complemented by Resene Gum Leaf on the skirting and door frames and half-strength Resene Swans Downon the ceiling.
The results speak for themselves. The first bedroom, facing east-north-east, now boasts Resene Edgewater, a pale summer green, while the second bedroom, facing east-south-east, mirrors this soothing aesthetic with Resene Apple Green. The hallway and bathroom continue the theme, with Resene Apple Green walls and Resene Edgewater accents, all painted with durable and easy-to-cleanReseneSpaceCote Low Sheen.
Resene Edgewatercreates a tranquil space in the bathroom, withResene Apple Greenaccents adding to the calming theme. A deep hipbath also adds a touch of luxury.
The lounge and dining roomare perhaps the most striking transformation. The walls are painted in Resene Edgewatercomplemented by Resene Gum Leaf on the skirting and door frames, and half-strength Resene Swans Downon the ceiling. This combination not only brightens the room where Lesley spends most of her time but also creates a warm and welcoming environment, enhanced by a wall of bookshelves, a red couch and a Pyro Classic fire that ties the room together.
The master bedroom is painted in Resene Edgewater, with the ceiling and scotia in Resene SwansDown.
"I already had a red couch and wanted a Pyro Classic fire – which I could also choose in a red," Lesley says. "Pale blue and the occasional dark cobalt are also in some of the throws and china so these colours became the accents to complement the pale green shades."
The kitchen and bathroom are Lesley's pride and joy. The kitchen, now featuring Resene Peppermint on the walls, reflects her meticulous planning and attention to detail. Lowered benches, well-organised drawers and a newly separated laundry area have made the space both functional and beautiful. "No more upper back pain!" Lesley says. She is delighted with the changes that have improved her daily life.
Reflecting on the renovation, Lesley emphasises the importance of preparation. "Sanding back the plastered holes from the insulation installation required some skimmed plaster to hide the ‘hole’ from the paint finish," she says, a reminder that even the smallest details matter.
As Lesley looks forward to tackling the exterior of her home next summer, the inside stands as a warm, inviting retreat – a perfect reflection of her personality and a tribute to the versatility and beauty of colour choice. "This coming summer will be the turn of the outside of my home. I haven’t decided on the colours yet, but watch this space," she says.
Tip: Stuck for colour choice? You can find a huge range of colour tools online with Resene.With services from colour chart and testpot ordering to a Resene colour swatch library, decorating inspiration gallery, palette generator, project guides and lots of great hints and tips on selecting colour, you’ll find everything you need to design your next colour scheme. Or visit the team at your local Resene ColorShop and they can help with everything from colour and wallpaper inspiration to prep and painting tips.
Published: 27 Aug 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
