Balancing beauty and functionality with neutrals
Sitting within a new subdivision in West Auckland is a house brought to life by its rich, warm Resene colour palette. A mixture of warm whites, carefully chosen feature walls and timber themes creates an inviting space with a gorgeous fresh backdrop and a link to the outdoors.
Huapai is a small rural locality, 27 minutes north-west of Auckland, offering stunning views and lots of nature. The architecture of this new build and the house itself was built by Dean Pritchard, of Pritchard Builders Limited and Signature Homes with colour selections made by Kelly Wright Interiors.
Together, this collaboration has resulted in a house that shows off skillful design and expertise, with a home that is not only beautiful but functional.
Dean says a key goal of choosing warm, light colours was to create a palette to rival the darker schemes that seem to be dominating the design market at present. He wanted to create a space that was cleverly designed, and would universally appeal.
The kitchen features a breakfast bar with timber bar stools and timber panelling across the island as well as on the cabinets. It's the perfect complement to the Resene Half Milk White that features on the walls, ceiling and trims. Finish timber in ReseneAquaclear for a flat natural look finish.
The open plan kitchen, dining and living room features large windows and a sliding door letting plenty of light in and making the space feel open and inviting. The backyard, which can be glimpsed through the patio door gives a sense of tranquility and easy living. The colour palette of Resene Half Milk White continues, and off-white and grey furniture in the living space complements the walls. Timber shelves and indoor plants again provide those little pops of colour.
“The warm whites create a gorgeous fresh backdrop and sit alongside stunning timber accents allowing our clients to imagine themselves tucked up on the window seat, eyes drawn to the greenery beyond,” Dean says.
Every room in this house feels spacious and open, due to large windows, glass doors and the white hues from the colour palette. Resene Half Milk White, a pearl shadowed tinted white from the Karen Walker Paints collection, is the theme of this build. Modest and composed, it contributes to that sense of spaciousness by bringing warmth and light.
Gorgeous decor beckons you to the comfy living space. Neutral tones of white and timber create a relaxing feel. Walls in Resene Half Milk White.
The kitchen is fresh and welcoming, painted in Resene Half Milk White creating a contemporary and pleasant space.
While the colour scheme might seem neutral, the timber accents, whether it be the kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanity, floorboards or shelving and the indoor plants provide pops of colour that draw the eye. The neutrality also means the homeowners can personalise the space and make it their own.
Additional pops of colour come from feature walls. The first, in the media room, uses Resene Spanish Green on a textured wall to bring character and personality to the space which can be used as a cosy theatre or games room.
Resene Spanish Green, a marinade of mellow green hues, takes on the role of feature wall in the media room. It’s painted with Resene Zylone Low Sheen for a luxurious low sheen finish.
Resene Quarter Milk White brings a touch of soft colour to the master bedroom. Green pillowcases and throw and the timber end tables contrast beautifully with the warm neutral colour scheme and connect with the trees that can be seen just outside the window.
The master bedroom also has a feature wall. Sticking within the whites and neutrals theme it uses Resene Quarter Milk White, a delicate calcium white, to stand out from the Resene Half Milk White used throughout the house.
“Strong, fresh greens used briefly in the bathrooms, the media room and reflected in the furnishings and plants give the house a natural feel,” says Dean. “The cohesiveness created through nature’s palette and the use of large amounts of glazing has truly created a fabulous link with the outdoor spaces. The continuation of timber throughout, from kitchen accents, flooring, window seat to vanities have built a cohesive design statement, drawing the project to one beautiful whole.”
The most delicious earthy tones in the guest room feature in the linen, bedhead and accessories, complementing the walls in Resene Quarter Milk White.
The greens and timber theme continue in the bathroom, providing contrast to the Resene Half Milk Whitepainted on the walls. Choose a waterborne enamel, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom, for extra protection on wet area walls.
One of the key challenges for Dean was creating a home that would suit anyone, so using strong colours was imperative – to show how bold colour can be without alienating people.
This West Auckland home exemplifies the perfect balance of beauty and functionality, brought to life by the friendly neutral colour palette. The warm, light colour scheme has been beautifully realised, providing a tranquil, inviting space that seamlessly connects with the outdoors.
Top tip: If you’re thinking of using white for your home, be sure to order Resene testpots or Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches so you can see what each shade looks like in your room throughout the day. Another great tip is when you are comparing your whites and are finding it difficult to see the undertones, place a piece of white printer paper underneath each swatch. This will help your eyes to see the undertone in each Resene paint colour.
Published: 16 Jul 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
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Resene Quarter Milk White
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Resene Quarter Milk White
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square-black.png)
Resene Half Milk White
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square-black.png)
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
Resene Half Milk White
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
Resene Spanish Green
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
Resene Spanish Green
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square-black.png)
Resene Quarter Milk White
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square-black.png)
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
Resene Quarter Milk White
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square-black.png)
Resene Half Milk White
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square-black.png)
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
Resene Half Milk White
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
Resene Spanish Green
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
![Square square colour information icon Square square colour information icon](/_resources/themes/newhabitat/images/square-square.png)
Resene Spanish Green
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.