step outside

Turn your thoughts to the outdoors and the way paint can transform your garden.

It's well-documented that we love our outdoor spaces: they are places to relax in, entertain, play or enjoy a spot of gardening. These days our decorating imaginations don't stop at the door to the garden. We've become adept at considering how accessories, furniture, ornaments and colour can be used to enhance gardens and courtyards.

Door: The hero of John and Caroline's Locke's property was always the garden. Their house, designed by their son Tom Locke, was always meant to be a recessive backdrop... except for the door. Inspired by the work of 1950s architect Le Corbusier, Tom used Resene Pearl Lusta (an off-white colour which has taken on a pale blue tone in this dusk shot), Resene De Janeiro (mauve), Resene Paris Daisy (yellow, which looks green here with the night lighting) and Resene Jordy Blue. Seat/table: A corner of Robyn's veranda is furnished with an old wicker side table painted in Resene Hazard (the same colour as her front door). The weatherboards are in Resene Bounty.

Often, we will choose muddied, greyed-off paint colours for our outdoor spaces. These non-glaring tones are a good choice for our strong sunlight, are a great backdrop to plants, and they blend beautifully with other natural elements that are often used in the garden.

Who said a fence had to be straight? This quirky design is made from reclaimed building timber for the Christchurch garden of Robyn Kilty. It perfectly frames an old rusty iron gate and is stained in Resene Pickled Bluewood.

Boundary fences painted in an almost-black paint or stain will recede and therefore visually expand the size of your garden, no matter how small it is.

The exterior walls of your home also become an important colour element in your garden schemes particularly around any outdoor living area so treat them as you would the interior walls of your house, and choose furniture and accessories that work in with the colour of the cladding.

Keep it looking good

Exposed to the elements, the surfaces of our garden and outdoor living areas are subject to wear and tear… even when we're not actively using them.

Black building: If you don't have space for a full-on fireplace, a firepit or brazier could be the answer. This striking area is backdropped by the house in Resene Double Cod Grey, with white lime chip brightening the ground. Bull head: A European aesthetic is enhanced with symmetrically placed candle lanterns and clipped buxus in galvanised buckets in this scheme designed by Bridget Foley. The house was designed by Bevin Slessor Architects, who specified Resene Woodsman Pitch Black for the weatherboards. The concrete rendered face of the fireplace was left raw.

Resene has a range of products to help keep decks, paths and our house exteriors looking good for longer.

If your deck and outdoor furniture is looking a bit drab, use Resene Furniture and Decking Oil to revive it. This oil enhances and restores the timber colour and protects against water, fungi, and UV light.

Double doors: This handsome double door is finished in pale grey Resene Titania and joined by hurricane lamps, upcycled posts and chunky chains to act as downpipes. The board and batten cladding is painted in Resene Bokara Grey and the house is by Customkit. Fireplace: Resene Double Foundry is a striking focal point for this compact courtyard, designed by Sandra Batley of Flourish Garden Concepts.

Or use one of the many colours from the Resene Woodsman stains range to rejuvenate your timber surfaces. Or a colour from the Resene Concrete Stain range to give your concrete surfaces a new look.

If you're worried about slippery paths or decks, use Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path paint. It can be tinted to a range of colours and the finish has a comfortable grit texture, reducing the risk of accident no matter what the weather.

A concrete hearth and chunky timber mantelpiece anchor this large custom-built fireplace in a house designed by Clarkson Architects. The weatherboards and chimney are in Resene Double White Pointer and the rest of the area was created by interior designer Kate Shanahan.

If you've chosen a dark colour to use outside, use Resene CoolColour paint. It reflects more of the sun's heat than normal paint, protecting both the coating and the surface beneath.

Did you know... that a wash can do wonders for your outdoor areas to help them keep looking good? For a quick wash, use Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Or for a slower-acting longer-term clean, spray on Resene Deep Clean and leave it to clean your driveways and paths.

*Outdoor fireplaces have gone from luxury to necessity as they provide a visual focus to an outdoor living area... as well as warmth that extends the use of these outdoor 'rooms' far beyond the summer months.

Resene Pickled Bluewood

Resene Double Cod Grey

Resene Pitch Black

Resene Titania

Resene Bokara Grey

Resene Double Foundry

Resene Double White Pointer

pictures: Sally Tagg, Juliet Nicolas, Tim Whittaker, Larnie Nicolson

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spring/summer 2015/16

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