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The charming dining room features Resene Alabaster painted on the walls and Resene Half Washed Green on the ceiling.
The darker ceilingpainted in Resene Half Washed Green creates a cosy atmosphere in the open-plan dining and kitchen space. The walls are painted in Resene Alabaster.
In one living room, Resene Half Washed Green is carried through to the walls, creating a cohesive design to the rest of the house. The ceiling is painted in Resene Alabaster, reversing the colour scheme in the kitchen and dining space.
On the other side of the home, the second living room is painted in gentle Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue, with the ceiling in Resene Alabaster. Susanne’s décor choices give this space a cosy English aesthetic.
Susanne’s love of mixing greens and pinks led her to paint her daughter’s room in Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue and Resene Blanched Pink. The ceiling is painted in Resene Alabaster.
The pastel shade of Resene Blanched Pink creates a soothing yet whimsical feel in Susanne’s daughter’s room.
Making the most of space, a comfy and stylish sitting corner was added at the end of the dining room. The walls are painted in Resene Alabaster allowing for pops of colour through artwork and other décor.
The kitchen is bright and airy with white cabinetry and a beautiful dark countertop. The ceiling is painted in Resene Half Washed Green.
The southern charm of Silky Oak Ranch
When Susanne and her family moved into their mid-1990s colonial-style home in Palmerston North, it was clear they’d found something special. Resting on a picturesque 5-acre lifestyle block, the house, affectionately branded Silky Oak Ranch, exudes southern charm, complete with its grand front patio pillars and a silky oak tree blooming in the garden. However, the timeless character that first stole their hearts needed a modern refresh, which is when Susanne turned to Resene.
Susanne and her husband, Julian, approached their renovation with both care and creativity. This wasn’t about gutting the home and starting from scratch. Instead, they set out to enhance its existing charm while weaving in their personal style. The couple leaned on Resene’s extensive palette to create spaces that felt fresh yet in harmony with the home’s colonial roots.
The charming dining room features Resene Alabaster painted on the walls and Resene Half Washed Green on the ceiling.
The darker ceilingpainted in Resene Half Washed Green creates a cosy atmosphere in the open-plan dining and kitchen space. The walls are painted in Resene Alabaster.
The kitchen and dining area took centre stage in their renovation. As the heart of the home and a key entertaining space during the Hearts & Homes charity tour (which saw a staggering 1,600 visitors in just two days), it needed to shine. Resene Alabaster became the wall colour of choice, offering a soft white that paired beautifully with the cream skirtings and doorframes. "It shows you can mix white and cream well," Susanne says. To add a bold twist, the ceiling and architraves were painted in Resene Half Washed Green, a calming sage tone that has become a family favourite.
In one living room, Resene Half Washed Green is carried through to the walls, creating a cohesive design to the rest of the house. The ceiling is painted in Resene Alabaster, reversing the colour scheme in the kitchen and dining space.
On the other side of the home, the second living room is painted in gentle Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue, with the ceiling in Resene Alabaster. Susanne’s décor choices give this space a cosy English aesthetic.
The living rooms showcase Susanne’s flair for blending tradition with a touch of whimsy. The main living room, painted in Resene Half Washed Green, feels serene and cosy, especially when the afternoon sun streams through the windows. Across the hall, the second living room features Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue, a dreamy hue that shifts between soft green and dusty blue depending on the light. This room, with its tartan Roman blinds and burgundy-toned fixtures, leans into an English country aesthetic – a nod to Susanne’s love of British interior style.
Upstairs, the bedrooms have their own personalities. One of her daughters’ rooms is a playful mix of Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue and a feature wall in Resene Blanched Pink from the Karen Walker Paintsrange. It’s a cheerful, tranquil hideaway.
Susanne’s love of mixing greens and pinks led her to paint her daughter’s room in Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue and Resene Blanched Pink. The ceiling is painted in Resene Alabaster.
The pastel shade of Resene Blanched Pink creates a soothing yet whimsical feel in Susanne’s daughter’s room.
Susanne’s love for green runs deep. "I’ve loved green and pink together since I was a little girl," she admits. It’s a colour that connects her interiors to the garden views outside. Whether it’s the sage tones of Resene Half Washed Green in the lounge or the way the greens pull together the home’s vintage-meets-modern vibe, this verdant thread reflects her passion for gardening and nature.
Making the most of space, a comfy and stylish sitting corner was added at the end of the dining room. The walls are painted in Resene Alabaster allowing for pops of colour through artwork and other décor.
The kitchen is bright and airy with white cabinetry and a beautiful dark countertop. The ceiling is painted in Resene Half Washed Green.
Renovating economically while maintaining quality has been one of the biggest challenges for the family. But with good planning, some creative decision-making, and trusty Resene products, they’ve transformed their “forever home” without breaking the bank. Susanne’s biggest lesson? “Invest in good materials and paint – it’s worth it every time.”
Despite dreaming of lacquered shaker cabinetry in the kitchen or a full overhaul of the bathrooms, Susanne has embraced the joy of gradual transformation. For her, the process is just as rewarding as the result. Silky Oak Ranch is more than just a house – it’s a canvas of creativity and love, and a sanctuary for the whole family.
Top tip:Want to add warmth and depth to your home? Pair gentle shades like Resene Half Washed Green, Resene Blanched Pink or Resene Havenwith wooden flooring stained in ReseneColorwood shades like Resene Natural, Resene Rock Salt, Resene Breathe Easy or Resene Bask. The result is a sophisticated, grounded look that stands the test of time. View the ReseneColorwood range at your local Resene ColorShop or online, www.resene.com/colorwood.
Published: 30 Jan 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Washed Green
Resene Half Washed Green
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Blanched Pink
Resene Blanched Pink
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Half Washed Green
Resene Half Washed Green
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Blanched Pink
Resene Blanched Pink
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
