Simple scheme, broad appeal: A brick and weatherboard home transformed

When this 1960s brick and weatherboard home was bought by owner Tom, it lacked the character and charm it deserved. Seeking help from interior designer Kate Alexander, fresh Resene neutrals have transformed it into a home that is timeless and inviting.

A previous owner had given the house a black, white and grey makeover, and while a neutral colour palette can lend a classic look to any home, some of the colours made the rooms feel cold and smaller than they really were.

Though he originally had plans to extend and create a larger family home, Tom decided to keep the structure as is and give the home the revamp it needed to be market-ready for on-selling. The Resene colours used made sure the home would appeal to any potential owner.

“We knew that Tom’s family would outgrow the home at some stage, so we needed a style that would maintain broad appeal for future owners, without being boring,” Kate says. “We focused on keeping a simple scheme throughout, adding fun to specific small areas.”

Switching out the ‘too-white’ walls, Kate chose Resene Double Barely There throughout the main areas of the house. This timeless bone white with hints of foggy grey softened the home and created a modern base to build off for the other spaces. 

A contemporary dark charcoal, Resene Baltic Sea, was used on the wall behind the kitchen, as well as extending to wall in the dining room to join the two spaces together. This dark shade has created depth and made the space feel cosy within the open-plan environment.

“There are two rooms in the house painted entirely in Resene Baltic Sea - the scullery and bathroom,” Kate says. “Although a bold, dark choice, this created a cosy, intriguing space. The sideboard is also painted in the same colour to enable it to fall back and not take up visual space in the compact area.”

The black kitchen bench was switched out for white, and Resene Gunsmoke was added to the tongue-and-groove below the island. This warm grey has the perfect amount of texture without being too green or blue, and is also one of Kate’s favourite Resene colours. 

Resene Gunsmoke looked great next to other neutrals, so it was also chosen for the scullery door and front door, which were both previously white. Sticking to a simple palette throughout the house allowed for cohesion and gave this home the perfect modern appeal it needed.

The flooring had previously been whitewashed but was looking quite dated. A decent sand back and an application of  Resene Qristal ClearFloor now shows off the unusual narrow profile and gorgeous grain of the timber.

In the rumpus room, the flooring was painted in Resene Eighth Friar Greystone, allowing the living area and laundry to become open and bright. If you’ve ever wished you had a bigger laundry space, this one will get you dreaming.

“Tom loves timeless spaces, plants of all kinds, leather, and things that wear well and are kind to the environment,” Kate says. “I would describe his style as masculine and bold, he has great taste and knows what he likes. 

“We worked well together because he trusted me to understand his style and bring it all together in a space that works for him.”

Tom’s favourite space in the home ended up being the scullery. Not only because he is a foodie and that’s where the coffee is, but the dark shade is cosy and inviting. Kate’s favourite space is the bathroom, where the inky-grey walls make the room so much more interesting and pleasant to be in. 

“The makeover was so well received they considered bringing the auction forward, which is unheard of in these tougher property times,” Kate says. “I think this house is a testament to clever colour choices and how small changes, along with considered styling, can make a compact home feel big and inviting.”

“The overall result is cohesive without being humdrum,” Kate says. “The open-plan space feels light and inviting, while still maintaining different zones. It’s bold and masculine, but softer than industrial. I think it has broad appeal, I could live there myself.”

The overall lesson and impact from this project, is that small tweaks can make a big difference. With Kate’s timeframe being just over one month, she did a fantastic job of transforming this home with new and timeless paints.

Top tip: We tend to think of neutral as whites or pale colours but very dark colours can also be neutral. They add a modern edge in a home and transform a space. Look to hues that have blue edged undertones blended with charcoals, which are steely and stormy, adding mystery and moodiness. Check out Resene New Denim Blue, Resene Coast and Resene Raven. For a greener look, try Resene Swamp, Resene Tapa or Resene Masala.

Classic neutrals were used in this bedroom to create an effortless look and a blank slate for any new owner. Paired with charming fabrics and décor, the walls are painted in Resene Double Barely There, with the trims and ceiling in Resene Eighth Black White.

New carpet and well-chosen neutrals have made this room fresh and bright.
The walls are painted in
Resene Double Barely There with the trims and ceiling in Resene Eighth Black White. 

Whites and neutrals are always a good choice when you want to brighten and open up a room. The Resene Double Barely There walls and Resene Eighth Black White on the trims and ceiling are given extra freshness by the sunlight flowing in.

Tom’s favourite room, the scullery, is a modern and functional space painted in Resene Baltic Sea with Resene Eighth Black White used on the trims and ceiling.

 

The darker shade behind the kitchen and dining area allows for depth and cosiness, separating spaces in an open-plan room. Resene Baltic Sea was used on the walls, while Resene Gunsmoke was used underneath the kitchen island and on the doors. The trims and ceiling are painted in Resene Eighth Black White. Resene Qristal ClearFloor was used on the flooring.

The replacement white benchtop is now a stunning contrast to the darker shade of Resene Baltic Sea used in the kitchen, and complements the Resene Gunsmoke doors to the scullery. Resene Double Barely There was used on the surrounding walls in the living area, and Resene Eighth Black White was used on the ceiling and trims. The timber flooring is coated in Resene Qristal ClearFloor.

 

The contrasting shades in this open-plan room allow for clear distinction of each space, as well as adding depth and interest. Resene Baltic Sea was used for the dining and kitchen walls, Resene Gunsmoke under the kitchen island and Resene Double Barely There on surrounding walls. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Eighth Black White. Resene Qristal ClearFloor was used on the timber flooring.

  

The rumpus room living area is now bright and modern. The once old flooring is now light painted in soothing Resene Eighth Friar Greystone, with Resene Double Barely There on the walls and Resene Eighth Black White on the ceiling and trims.

The modern laundry room is beautifully spacious. Resene Double Barely There was used on the walls, Resene Eighth Black White was used on the ceiling and trims, while Resene Eighth Friar Greystone was used to brighten up the flooring.

The darker shade of Resene Baltic Sea used in this bathroom looks sleek and sophisticated. Resene Eighth Black White is used on the ceiling and trims.

Published: 29 Mar 2023

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 New Denim Blue

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