Habitat plus - layering up

Contrary to some popular belief, modern architecture can open the creative floodgates in terms of colour.

With the various strong planes created by the plaster exterior of this house, for example, there’s opportunity to treat each surface quite differently for either a subtle shift in tone or to opt for a more striking contrasting scheme.

Top tip: If you’re stuck for inspiration for your next colour scheme, try out the free Resene EzyPaint virtual painting software. You can test-run an infinite range of colour options quickly and easily. Free from www.resene.com/ezypaint.

1.Soft as the dawn mist, Resene Quarter Delta sets the scene for a calming threeway tonal scheme that’s easy on the eye. That colour is also used on the eaves, and is joined by the deep charcoal of Resene Baltic Sea on the side wall, with the earnest dark grey of Resene Stack on the lower garden wall. This is a scheme that would well suit the seriousness of city environments.

Varying degress of green, front of house

2.With its subtle undertones of green, this scheme anchors the home into its high country style garden of tussocks and grasses. At the base and for the left-hand fin walls, Resene Chicago is a masculine, almost bitter, grey while the smoky grey green Resene Lemon Grass is used for the main part of the house. Resene Quarter Lemon Grass lightens the finish on the fascia and eaves.

3.The original scheme for this home strongly signals the entrance with the warm terracotta orange of Resene Tia Maria. It does the same job as a boldly coloured front door, which in this case isn’t visible from the street. In contrast, the more recessive earthy colours of Resene Napa (lighter) and Resene Masala (darker) are used for the main body of the house, the higher side fin wall and the lower garden wall.

More playfull using purple and gold, front of house.

4.This scheme gives us a more playful, slightly regal scheme of purple and gold, interpreted in the summery harvest Resene Double Wheatfield for the main walls and fascia. The scheme is anchored by using a stronger version of Resene Pavlova on the lower garden wall. The sophisticated greyed lilac of Resene Fedora becomes a bold statement on the entrance and side walls – there’s no mistaking where to find the front door! The eaves are kept warmly quiet with the classic Resene Pearl Lusta.

Resene Quarter Lemon Grass

Resene Tia Maria

Resene Napa

Resene Masala

Resene Double Wheatfield

Resene Pavlova

Resene Fedora

Resene Pearl Lusta

› Return to Habitat plus 02 - exterior colour schemes

Updated 2/17

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