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Resene Waiouru for the chimney breast pairs perfectly with the earthy tones in the brick, wooden trims and wall painted in Resene Half Merino and Resene Blanched Pink.
A second fireplace adds character and charm to the home. The red toned brick pairs beautifully with the deep blue of Resene Blue Nightpainted behind it.
The feature wall in Hudson’s bedroom, painted in Resene Atomic, is the ideal choice for a teenage bedroom, a shade that will stand true over time. The ceiling is painted in Resene Quarter Alabaster.
The soft, gentle shade of Resene Tuft Bush adorns the walls in Vienna’s room, creating a welcoming space.
The ’grown up pastel’, as Erin calls it, Resene Hermitage, creates a fresh atmosphere for the master bedroom, complementing the focal feature behind the bed in Resene Matchmaker. Ceilingpainted in Resene Quarter Alabaster.
Dusty pink Resene Blanched Pink features in the living room on the lower half of the wall, creating a cosy space for the family. The upper wall ispainted in Resene Half Merino.
Peek inside a 1930s character home that's anything but ordinary
When Erin and Greg first laid eyes on their Timaru home, it was love at first sight. "We knew instantly upon entering that this was our new home," Erin recalls. After a few stressful months waiting for their Central Otago home to sell, they finally made the move to Timaru and settled into their new property. With plans to make the home their own, they turned to Resene to breathe new life and colour into their 1930s character-filled space.
The double brick, two-story home designed by Architects Walter Panton & Son, is a perfect blend of traditional English charm with hints of art deco flair. With curved walls, geometric leadlight windows and unique fireplace tiles, the house oozes history and character. The previous owners had cared for the home for over 20 years, leaving it in fantastic condition. While Erin and Greg have big renovation plans for the future, including adding a workshop and studio, the current focus was on smaller updates – new fixtures and, of course, a fresh coat of paint.
Resene Waiouru for the chimney breast pairs perfectly with the earthy tones in the brick, wooden trims and wall painted in Resene Half Merino and Resene Blanched Pink.
A second fireplace adds character and charm to the home. The red toned brick pairs beautifully with the deep blue of Resene Blue Night painted behind it.
Erin, an interior design consultant by trade, has a deep appreciation for the power of colour in transforming spaces. While the previous owners had painted the interior walls in Resene Half Merino – a shade Erin describes as one of her favourite whites – she couldn’t resist the urge to infuse the home with a bit more personality.
Hudson, Erin and Greg's 14-year-old son, wanted his bedroom to feel like a true teenage retreat. Initially, he requested black walls, but Erin knew that might be a bit too bold for the character of the home. Instead, she opted for a feature wall in Resene Atomic, a stunning charcoal with a blue base. "I settled on Resene Atomic as I loved its depth and masculinity," Erin says. This choice gave Hudson the edgy vibe he wanted without overwhelming the room.
The feature wall in Hudson’s bedroom, painted in Resene Atomic, is the ideal choice for a teenage bedroom, a shade that will stand true over time. The ceiling is painted in Resene Quarter Alabaster.
The soft, gentle shade of Resene Tuft Bush adorns the walls in Vienna’s room, creating a welcoming space.
For 10-year-old Vienna, the goal was to create a sophisticated yet feminine space. The journey began with replacing her roman blinds in a soft duck egg blue, leading to the selection of Resene Tuft Bush for the walls. "I love the warmth the colour gives her room," Erin says. The pale coral tones provide a beautiful backdrop for Vienna to showcase her artwork and accessories, creating a room that feels both elegant and personal.
In the master bedroom, Erin found a clever, cost-effective way to create a dramatic focal point without breaking the bank. By painting the chimney breast in Resene Matchmaker, a rich burgundy, she effectively crafted a statement headboard. The rest of the room took some time to finalise, with Erin carefully considering different shades before landing on Resene Hermitage. "I finally decided on Resene Hermitage and love its blue/green tones with a greyed edge. I refer to it as a grown-up pastel!" she says.
The ’grown up pastel’, as Erin calls it, Resene Hermitage, creates a fresh atmosphere for the master bedroom, complementing the focal feature behind the bed in Resene Matchmaker. Ceilingpainted in Resene Quarter Alabaster.
Dusty pink Resene Blanched Pink features in the living room on the lower half of the wall, creating a cosy space for the family. The upper wall ispainted in Resene Half Merino.
One of the most unexpected choices in the family’s household is the lounge, where Erin opted for Resene Blanched Pink. "I am aware it is unusual to paint your lounge pink, but I have never shied away from doing something a little different," Erin admits. Paired with a chimney breast in Resene Waiouru, an olive green, the pink walls bring warmth and cosiness to the room. "Resene Blanched Pink is a gorgeous dusty pink – another ‘grown up pastel’ – and it has made the lounge feel much cosier."
The open-plan kitchen and dining room feature a striking navy chimney breast, painted in Resene Blue Night. Inspired by the navy tiles Erin had chosen for the kitchen splashback, she sought a rich, deep navy that wouldn’t lean too grey. This choice balances the room and complements the overall design.
Erin’s approach to decorating is deeply personal and intuitive. "Making a house a home takes time, and I believe in very authentic interiors that are truly personal regardless of trends," Erin says. The result is an eclectic mix of styles, with vintage treasures collected over the years adding layers of history and character to each room.
Despite the quirks and challenges of working with an older home, Erin and Greg have embraced every twist and turn. "We cannot be perfectionists as an old house like this will simply not allow it," Erin says. Through this process, they have turned their grand old lady into a home that is truly theirs, where every room tells a story, and every colour choice reflects their unique style and personality.
design Erin Meek, Erin Meek Interiors
Top tip: If you're stuck for colour ideas for your home, use your furniture, artwork, window fabrics or a rug as a starting point. Study the types of colour that appear in these items and use one or more to inspire your Resene paint colours for your walls. Try the handy Colour Palette Generator on the Resene website – simply load a favourite photograph or image of an artwork, fabric or wallpaper and the generator will suggest a Resene paint colour palette for you. Or bring your item into your local Resene ColorShop and the staff can help find you complementary colours.
Published: 22 Aug 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Blanched Pink
Resene Blanched Pink
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
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 Blanched Pink
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Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
