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“For the hallway we wanted a bright, reflective gallery-like space that worked with the blues, and neutrals in the other rooms. We used Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the walls, ceiling, trims and skirting board to create a warm yet bright space that let their art stand out,” says interior designer Clare.
They chose to paint the panelling in Resene Rakaia for its cool shale grey shade that bounced light around the room. Resene Quarter Rice Cake is painted on the ceiling and the walls above the panelling to link the room back through to the hallway.
“In the formal living room we chose Resene Raven for its dark and inviting shade with Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the ceiling and the walls above the panelling to link the room back through to the hallway and to the formal dining room.”
Resene Tuna in the kitchen on cabinetry. “Undertones of blue worked really well with the marble veining.” Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the ceiling and the walls above.
Resene Raven is painted on the living room’s walls with Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the ceiling and the upper walls.
“For the powder room we wanted to create a dark, moody and elegant vibe. We chose Resene Fast Forward as it’s a deep slate blue with undertones of green. This colour worked perfectly with the glossy peacock coloured finger tiles that we used up to the dado line and set the perfect backdrop for the brushed brass tapware and shelf.”
“For the kids’ bathroom we wanted to create a space they wouldn’t grow out of. We chose Resene Raven for its timeless grey-blue which coordinated well with the marble finger tiles.”
“For the laundry room we wanted to create a light, calm space. We chose Resene Duck Egg Blue for its pale, reflective and delicate nature. It was a great pairing for the marble finger tiles and walnut cabinetry. Resene Quarter Rice Cake was used on the above bench cabinets and ceiling to bounce light around the room and onto the ceiling.”
“The home’s colour scheme was created to set the mood for how the clients wanted to live, interact and entertain within their home. It was inspired by their design preferences and their professions.” The master bedroom walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter Rice Cake.
This 1930s bungalow in Remuera is inspired by shades of the sea and sky
Mel and Joe’s home in Auckland is proof you can dive into a deep blue colour palette yet still keep things light and airy. Stunning hues like Resene Raven,Resene Fast Forward and Resene Duck Egg Blue shine in their 1930s Remuera bungalow.
The couple had recently moved back to New Zealand from San Francisco where their character home had plenty of colour in it. Inspired, the pair wanted to create a similar feel in their new home. Interior designer Clare Kitching of PEACHhaus Design jumped on board to help Mel and Joe create their dreamy, blue-drenched colour palette.
“When I met with them to discuss the interior they said that they were passionate about mid-century furniture and also liked a Hollywood glam vibe,” Clare says. “Joe is a sailor who is used to being out in nature with the sea and a varying backdrop of blue and grey skies. We drew on the colour palette of the ocean by using blues and neutrals to create a near neutral palette, while still infusing colour and life into the home.”
The home has stayed in the family, purchased by the couple from Joe’s dad. “The house was well maintained, but Mel and Joe wanted to modernise the house for their family needs.”
Architect Warwick Lee extended the home to maximise sunlight, especially in the hallway. Clare says she then worked to create different feelings and moods in each room, but still making sure there was cohesiveness.
“Their home has a long central hallway with various rooms coming off the central link. We chose to use a light, reflective Resene Quarter Rice Cake to make the hall space feel bigger, more welcoming and gallery-like. Each room that comes off this hall is painted a different colour, drawing you down the hallway with interest.”
Room colours range from light to darker shades, which contrast with the use of bolder colours. “By using a range of neutrals and colours that sit well with each other, we’ve created a calm yet modern interior that sets the scene where the clients’ art, textiles and accessories shine,” says Clare.
Resene Raven and Resene Quarter Rice Cake are a perfect pairing in the formal living room. “We wanted to create an evening room that was cosy and interesting. We chose Resene Raven for its dark and inviting shade.”
In the dining room, Clare says she wanted to create a space that reflected the western light for afternoon and evening drinks and shared meals. “We chose to paint the panelling in Resene Rakaia for its cool shale grey shade that bounced light around the room.”
The sophisticated sea and sky colour palette continues in the kitchen, with Resene Tuna on the cabinetry. “For the kitchen the clients had chosen a statement marble and walnut finish. We wanted to bring colour into the kitchen cabinetry so chose Resene Tuna for its deep distinguished grey with undertones of blue which worked really well with the marble veining.”
In their master bedroom, the brief was light and airy. Clare chose Resene Quarter Rice Cake for the walls and raked ceiling as it reflected the light well, and let the feature wall behind the bed stand out as the statement piece in the room. “The feature wall is walnut with matching battens and has been French polished.”
For the colour scheme to work well, Clare says they looked at each room as a separate entity and created a particular mood for that room. “By using various tones from the blue and neutrals palette across all rooms, we created a colour story that emanates calmness and tranquillity within their home.”
Styling-wise, being that the house is a 1930s bungalow, there were interesting details that Mel and Joe wanted to retain and have included in their new home. Heritage details included lead light windows, coffered ceilings and brass handles.
“These heritage items had to be considered in the overall modernisation of the home. Where we could, these items were retained and highlighted through the use of colour. For example, the panelling in the formal living and dining room was painted in different colours even though the two rooms are linked by sliding glass doors.”
Clare says overall, the couple’s Resene colour scheme has set a perfect mood for how they want to live, interact and entertain in their home.
Top tip: Choosing a blue for your home? Grey blues are understated and soothing. Studies have shown that blue helps your ability to focus, so putting a grey blue shade like Resene Raven in a study is a good idea. Mid-blue tones like Resene Azure are perfect if you’re after something elegant, and pair well with whites like Resene Black White for a crisp look.
images Jackie Meiring
Find Clare: @peachhausdesign
“For the hallway we wanted a bright, reflective gallery-like space that worked with the blues, and neutrals in the other rooms. We used Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the walls, ceiling, trims and skirting board to create a warm yet bright space that let their art stand out,” says interior designer Clare.
They chose to paint the panelling in Resene Rakaia for its cool shale grey shade that bounced light around the room. Resene Quarter Rice Cake is painted on the ceiling and the walls above the panelling to link the room back through to the hallway.
“In the formal living room we chose Resene Raven for its dark and inviting shade with Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the ceiling and the walls above the panelling to link the room back through to the hallway and to the formal dining room.”
Resene Tuna in the kitchen on cabinetry. “Undertones of blue worked really well with the marble veining.” Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the ceiling and the walls above.
Resene Raven is painted on the living room’s walls with Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the ceiling and the upper walls.
“For the powder room we wanted to create a dark, moody and elegant vibe. We chose Resene Fast Forward as it’s a deep slate blue with undertones of green. This colour worked perfectly with the glossy peacock coloured finger tiles that we used up to the dado line and set the perfect backdrop for the brushed brass tapware and shelf.”
“For the kids’ bathroom we wanted to create a space they wouldn’t grow out of. We chose Resene Raven for its timeless grey-blue which coordinated well with the marble finger tiles.”
“For the laundry room we wanted to create a light, calm space. We chose Resene Duck Egg Blue for its pale, reflective and delicate nature. It was a great pairing for the marble finger tiles and walnut cabinetry. Resene Quarter Rice Cake was used on the above bench cabinets and ceiling to bounce light around the room and onto the ceiling.”
“The home’s colour scheme was created to set the mood for how the clients wanted to live, interact and entertain within their home. It was inspired by their design preferences and their professions.” The master bedroom walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter Rice Cake.
Published: 17 Aug 2022
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
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 Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
