Serenity and sophistication: Transforming a Bellevue Hill home with thoughtful design

This stunning apartment, located in Bellevue Hill, was recently transformed by the talented team at Marylou Sobel Interior Design, showcasing a seamless blend of elegance and tranquillity. With just one charming neutral used extensively throughout the home, Resene Double Rice Cake takes centre stage creating a canvas for the homeowners’ adored belongings and chic furniture.

The renovation focussed on opening up spaces to enhance the apartment’s natural flow. While connecting the living, dining and kitchen areas to create a spacious yet distinct feel, the walls were also painted in the creamy Resene Double Rice Cake for warmth and brightness. Soft furnishings subtly define each zone, while the calming mid-tone timber flooring provides added warmth underfoot.


The kitchen cabinetry and ceiling in Resene Double Rice Cake create an inviting space in the heart of this home.


The creamy tones in Resene Double Rice Cake are complemented by the vein-cut Classico travertine, timber elements and elegant décor in the kitchen.


A hidden bar with green quartzite stone reveals itself through cabinetry painted in Resene Double Rice Cake.

The neutral palette of the walls and cabinetry allows the blend of natural materials, such as stunning green quartzite stone, vein-cut Classico travertine, timber floors and furniture and brass hanging shelves to catch the eye. This artistic craftsmanship highlights the balance of beauty and functionality that runs throughout the home.

The living room takes on a unique twist with Rockcote Otsumigaki, painted in Resene Double Rice Cake, adding texture and depth while maintaining the elegant, serene atmosphere. The special finish of Rockcote Otsumigaki plays with light across the walls, adding an intriguing touch to the open-plan space.


On the left, Rockcote Otsumigaki painted in Resene Double Rice Cake creates texture and light on the walls and ceiling. The surrounding ceiling is also painted in Resene Double Rice Cake for a harmonious feel.


Rockcote Otsumigaki painted in Resene Double Rice Cake continues into the dining room, where unique artwork and classic furniture create a stunning space to dine and entertain.


The entryway welcomes guests, painted in Resene Double Rice Cake to harmonise with the rest of the home.

What once was a study, has now been turned into a ‘snug,’ a space for relaxation and movie evenings. Inviting furniture in warm neutrals complement the custom joinery in Resene Double Rice Cake, creating a comfortable retreat from busy everyday life.


Through darker framed doors, the snug invites its homeowners in for an evening of reading or movie watching. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Double Rice Cake.


Inside the snug, custom cabinetry is painted in Resene Double Rice Cake to blend with the walls.

The bedrooms are adorned in the same buttery neutral, creating a cohesive space throughout the home, with added touches of earthy toned décor. The design also extends to the laundry where the monochromatic palette is punctuated by a mosaic stone splashback, adding visual interest to a practical yet beautiful room.


Rockcote Otsumigaki painted in Resene Double Rice Cake resumes in the bedroom, blending with the ceiling and surrounding walls in the same creamy neutral.


The walls, ceiling and joinery in the second bedroom are painted in Resene Double Rice Cake, complementing the earthy toned bedding.


The laundry features a mosaic stone splashback with soft warm tones to complement the cabinetry and walls in Resene Double Rice Cake.

Through thoughtful design this home balances elegance with comfort and proves that sometimes one classic neutral is all you need to create a space you will love for years to come. 

design Marylou Sobel Interior Design

images Anson Smart

Top tip: Thinking white but not sure which finish to use? Your paint finish can impact how well your chosen white works in your room as the level of shine - whether it is gloss, semi-gloss, low sheen or flat - will change how it reflects light.  A higher gloss finish, like Resene Enamacryl, will look lighter and brighter.  A lower sheen finish, like Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, will make the colour look softer and more diffused. A popular option is to use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen on walls, Resene SpaceCote Flat on ceilings and Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss on trims, with Resene Enamacryl gloss on the front door.

Published: 30 Oct 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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Resene Double Rice Cake

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