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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 16

Here's a taste of some of the Colour Expert questions and answers to help you with your own colour scheme.

If you would like more colour advice for your project, please ask our Colour Expert for help or come in and see our staff at your local Resene ColorShop or Reseller. Colours are a representation only.

 
 
 
 

Q&A   p. 16

Please refer to the actual paint or product sample. Resene colour charts, testpots and samples are available for ordering online.


Q. I am using Resene Quarter Foggy Grey as the main colour. I wanted to make a feature of our interior block walls, and tried Resene Bokara Grey, but it is too brown, which black would you recommend?

A. You might like to check out these two – Resene Nero and Resene All Black – and of course there is always – Resene Black.

Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Nero
Resene Nero
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Black
Resene Black
April 2014

Q. I want to change my colour scheme in my kitchen and would like some ideas. I plan on taking down the wallpaper and curtains and am looking for some different colour schemes that would work with my kitchen. I am looking for advice on the colours and which colour would suit each wall/walls/soffit.

A. Your kitchen cabinetry is beautiful - wood is so rich and gorgeous isn't it? But you do have new curtains to choose and existing flooring, as well as the wooden cabinets, to blend in with any new colours that you might favour so my suggestion is that you start by stripping off the green wallpaper and start looking at fabrics for new curtains.

The light within the room will alter a lot when the very definite coloured walls are stripped and space will seem quite different - this is great as it allows you to envisage change in colour from a new perspective.

Curtain fabrics are part of this equation and you may need this opportunity to bring fabric samples into your home to see how they might work for you. I have always found that it is easier to work from the inspiration of fabric and then look at what wall colours will co-ordinate rather that choosing a wall colour and compromising on fabric for curtains. Have you had the opportunity of checking out the Resene Curtain fabrics? This may be a really good start point for you. Then trialling by Resene testpot - yes this is the only way to really see how the colour will work for you - unless walls are plastered white - then I suggest painting A2 card (from Resene ColorShops) and moving it around the walls to see how it alters with the light.

So at this point, apart from stripping wallpaper and making good the walls for the paint finish and looking at lovely fabrics for inspiration, all I want you to do is paint the ceiling and scotia - this should always be the first part of painting. A white will always lift, freshen and start the job. Perhaps not a pure white but one of these two might be worth checking out – Resene Alabaster or Resene Quarter Bianca.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
April 2014

Q. I have Resene Pearl Lusta on my walls and ceiling. The carpet is smart strand Lobster Fork. I want to paint my feature wall (which has a wall hung TV and floor standing speakers/stereo). Which colour should I paint it? I have a brown leather lounge suite and have lots of sun in the room.

A. If the room is very sunny you might look at restful deep colours that associate well with the brown leather suite and your main wall colour Resene Pearl Lusta. Please check these options out - yes they are a little bit random but there are literally hundreds of options open to you so these may start you thinking about what you like, what works within your space with your furnishings and in your light – Resene Smoky Green, Resene Half Smalt Blue, Resene Avalanche or Resene Night Owl.

Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Smoky Green
Resene Smoky Green
Resene Half Smalt Blue
Resene Half Smalt Blue
Resene Avalanche
Resene Avalanche
Resene Night Owl
Resene Night Owl
April 2014

Q. Our indoor walls are Resene Half Spanish White. What white would be best for the doors?

A. You could go very much 'whiter' or a similar variant from the Resene Spanish White palette - please look at these to see which feels better to you, in your light, with your other coloured elements (carpets being a main one) and see which appeals – Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, Resene Eighth Spanish White or not so 'coloured' Resene Alabaster.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
April 2014

Q. We have white walls in our old villa. The flooring is polished brown. What are the suitable colours for our doors? There is less light in some areas hence prefer closer to white.

A. If the walls are real white (not tinted to a near white) then you might look at doing a shadow of white either grey, beige or cream – Resene Sea Fog (tint of grey), Resene Quarter Albescent White (tint of beige) or Resene Bianca (slightly cream white).

All of these colour suggestions come also as lighter and deeper variants so if you want to alter the depth of the 'white' you can. I suggest using a semi-gloss enamel (solvent (Resene Lusta-Glo) or waterborne (Resene Lustacryl) on doors as it is harder and more easily cleaned and the sheen level brightens the areas that have less natural light.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
April 2014

Q. We have lined and insulated our downstairs living space and want to paint it in light warm colours as it is south facing (although it does get amazing afternoon sun in the summer). There will be soft white honeycomb blinds on the windows and we were considering Resene Quarter Truffle on the walls with Resene Eighth Truffle in the darker areas like the entrance. Decor will have a mid century feel with green chairs and a wooden sideboard. My husband is keen for some pops of colour so we thought maybe Resene Clockwork Orange in the built-in cabinet and Resene Mobster on the back of the front door? We'd like a green to go with these colours for the outside of the door but are not sure what as it will have to complement the walls when the door is open. The house exterior colour is a dark grey. Trim/architraves are being painted in Resene Alabaster. Carpet is a grey/mushroom colour.

A. I like your colour ideas. What about Resene Kereru for the exterior of the front door? If you look at all of the colours together (that includes the Resene Alabaster) you will see how nice they all look together. If - by chance - when you trial Resene Quarter Truffle it looks a little greyish and perhaps not as warm as you would like it to be just add a little more orange as similar to Resene Clockwork Orange as possible into the scheme - this could be just an accessory or two (cushions or a throw rug on one of the chairs or something small – perhaps orange glassware) to offset the colour in the built in cabinet.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Mobster
Resene Mobster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Kereru
Resene Kereru
April 2014

Q. We are doing up a mud brick house and putting in aluminium windows. What colours would you suggest?

A. Do you mean powdercoated (coloured) windows? If that is the case you may need to check out what colours are available to you so that you have a better idea of what is possible.

For the mud brick house you might like to consider a soft chalky silicate paint like Resene AquaShield or a slightly glossier semi-gloss waterborne paint - Resene Sonyx 101 - or a weathertight membrane like Resene X-200. In regard colours there are thousands of options. You could try Resene Sea Fog (white/grey), Resene White Pointer (slightly blackened neutral), Resene Spanish White (earthy cream), Resene Tea (warm beige) or Resene Dutch White (buttery cream).

If the colour you choose for the window joinery is white or silver it will work with anything but if it is a stronger colour you may find it modifies what house colours will work with it.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Dutch White
Resene Dutch White
April 2014

Q. I would like to paint my bach black/charcoal with white trim. But obviously there are so many different blacks and whites, what do you recommend? For the interior I would like to go with that bleached floorboards, white walls, white ceilings, neutral coverings/Cape Cod type look. I've used Resene Black White and Resene Alabaster as my whites in the past. The bach is currently Resene Half Tea with white trim but am wondering what whites you would recommend. Don't want anything too stark and harsh, but then nothing creamy. Want fresh and white and bachy still.

A. There are a lot of black and white colours - you don't say whether the roof is a colour or is to be changed. The roof needs to be considered within the context of the overall look.

For the interior you might consider using the Resene Sea Fog palette as it reduces to Resene Quarter Sea Fog and extends to Resene Triple Sea Fog so you have a huge range to play with. No it isn't creamy - look at it with Resene Half Pearl Lusta (which is creamy) if your eye tries to trick you.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
April 2014

Q. I have been given some white tiles and grey grout to use in our bathroom. We also have wooden towel rails/toilet roll holders. Can you please suggest a colour that will tie them all together? Was going to use Resene Half Rice Cake on the walls and maybe a grey or blue feature wall with the tiles.

A. The idea you have of using Resene Half Rice Cake may make the white tiles look a little grey tinged. You don't say how much wall will be covered with the tiles - if it was enough to completely do around the edge of the bath and basin and any wall above them untiled then they would be the optimum walls to paint a soft grey tone - the other walls could be the Resene Half Rice Cake with the wooden towel rails etc on them. You might like to try these greys – Resene Quarter Silver Chalice or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey.

Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
April 2014

Q. My house is a grey brick and tile. I am repainting the inside walls of the house so I need some assistance with a colour to use as an interior paint to make the home bright and elegant looking.

A. The following colours fit the criteria and are always elegant and versatile in that they allow any other colours to be used within the rooms and have a timeless look which is always lovely – Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Pearl Lusta or if a 'whiter' colour is favoured you might look at – Resene Double Alabaster.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
April 2014

Q. We are in the process of renovating our house and want to paint the exterior as well as interior. For the interior we are thinking of painting the walls Resene Alabaster. We will be polishing the Kauri tongue & groove floorboards and carpeting some areas. The outside, though, is a little trickier when choosing colours. This is because the main part of the house is weatherboards, the base is a red brick and the roof is a concrete tile. I quite like a grey palette and was thinking of painting the weatherboards Resene Half Stack. With the windows being painted Resene Alabaster white (flowing into the interior). And the doors being painted Resene All Black.

But I am just not too sure how this is going to work with a concrete tile roof and red bricks. To top this off, the red bricks have a mustard coloured mortar! I would like to modernise the exterior using paint. What would you recommend? A suggestion has been made for us to paint the brick as a scenario of removing this as an issue. I have also toyed with the idea of instead of just grey weatherboards using a grey blue or a subtle aqua?

A. I am not at all sure about painting over the bricks as it is such an irreversible step and I think they are an attractive feature especially the herringbone detail strip around the porch. I do think you might get a quote to re-colour the mortar however to get rid of the mustard yellow. Yes it is possible and it may make you see the brickwork in quite a different way. As an alternative grey you might check these ones also – Resene Foggy Grey and Resene Half Delta.They are slightly warmer greys with subtle undertones of green in them which may suit close association with the brickwork. I like the idea of a black front door - very elegant! I’m not sure about subtle aqua but you might like to look at this 'coloured' grey to see if you like it - not really grey or blue but nice – Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue.

You have a nice bargeboard fascia on the gable and a louvre vent that could be picked out in Resene Alabaster to add more crisp detailing to the house. Also you have inner porch/step walls and porch floor and steps that may be painted - perhaps a lighter version of the house colour? Or a darker version of the house colour for the porch floor and steps but keeping the porch/step walls Resene Alabaster. I wouldn't fret too much about the concrete tile roof - it may work well with your grey themes and if not you could have it cleaned, sealed and sprayed a deep charcoal or black if you wanted.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Stack
Resene Half Stack
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey

Resene Half Delta
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
April 2014

Q. We have a new build with Desert Sand roof, Resene Double Wheatfield plaster walls and Magnolia windows. Not sure if Resene Double Wheatfield was the right choice. The old house was brick and it looked better.

A. What I think you are noticing is that the Magnolia powder coat looks a lot stronger with Resene Double Wheatfield than when it was on the old brick house when it probably looked lighter and creamier. It isn't wrong but perhaps the whole scenario lacks contrast and definition. If you are asking whether you should change the house colour, which would be easier than changing the roof colour or windows, then perhaps if the house was lighter it might create the contrast that might be lacking. Check out Resene Half Parchment which is a little less sharp yellow/green toned and a tiny bit more muted/browner which might allow the roof and the windows to be a bit stronger and more definite.

Resene Double Wheatfield
Resene Double Wheatfield
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
April 2014

Q. We have an 1880s two storey villa. The lounge is a small room with high ceilings. It gets the sun from midday onwards. We would like to use greens, blues or greys on the walls. The carpet is light white/beige with darker flecks. We love colours with grey undertones but want something restful but reasonably warm here. Also something not too dark but that will give the room depth to hide its size. We've had lots of Testpots – Resene Half Kumutoto, Resene Norway, Resene Pale Leaf, Resene Kandinsky, Resene Bud, Resene Caper and Resene Edward!

We’ve just used Resene Paris White in our daughter’s bedroom and it suits the house perfectly (actually it’s now the nicest room in the house).

A. It is interesting to me that most of the testpots you have trialled are cooler (with the exception of Resene Caper) and if they haven't worked for you I wonder whether it may be because for nearly half of the day the room doesn't have a lot of direct sun in it. It may be worth trialling Resene Paris White in the lounge – that’s not to say it will work as well as in your daughter’s room which may have a different size, different quality of light and different coloured elements working in harmony with it and of course the same colour in a different room is a different colour but it is a possible option nevertheless. Some other colour options to try are Resene Secrets, Resene Half Robin Egg Blue, Resene Half Periglacial Blue or Resene Bluegrass (yes it is deeper but it has so much ambiance it may be worth trialing it).

It does pay to test colours in certain way – paint two full coats (all of the Resene testpot) onto A2 card (from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges so your eye focuses on the reality of the colour you can move it around from wall to wall and judge better how it alters at different times of the day and according to wall angles. This may help you not to use masses of testpots as you get a better perspective of the colour and it is large. Little patches of colour applied to already coloured walls can be really deceptive and make choosing difficult. Another plus factor with the A2 card is that you can roll it into a cone with the colour innermost and look into it - this gives a representation of how deep a colour will look when four walls are painted - interior walls tend to make colour seem deeper.

Resene Half Kumutoto
Resene Half Kumutoto
Resene Norway
Resene Norway
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Kandinsky
Resene Kandinsky
Resene Bud
Resene Bud
Resene Caper
Resene Caper
Resene Edward
Resene Edward
Resene Paris White
Resene Paris White
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
Resene Half Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Periglacial Blue
Resene Bluegrass
Resene Bluegrass
April 2014

Q. I am looking for a colour to paint the outside of a house. The roof is terracotta tiles (which I don’t really like). At the moment the outside colour is cream which makes the roof stand out. I was looking for a colour to tone the orange down and was looking at Resene Driftwood maybe half strength. Do you have any other suggestions? Someone suggested Resene Napa or Resene Akaroa.

A. I think Resene Napa and Resene Akaroa may be too yellow/green based to achieve the effect you want. You might look at warmer tones like these - a bit of depth in the colour will draw the eye away from the roof – Resene Sandcastle, Resene Sour Dough, Resene Bronco or Resene Double Spanish White.

Resene Driftwood
Resene Driftwood
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Akaroa
Resene Akaroa
 
Resene Sandcastle
Resene Sandcastle
Resene Sour Dough
Resene Sour Dough
Resene Bronco
Resene Bronco
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double Spanish White
April 2014

Q. Is there a wallpaper that matches Resene Barely There? I have used that in my kitchen but in my living area which is adjacent I want some texture rather than paint.

A. There is nothing that is an exact match to Resene Barely There. You might look at using a textured Anaglypta paper - Resene 47159 - and then paint it Resene Barely There. Alternatively a 'whiter' wallpaper may look nice also - and there are a huge amount of those - too many to list here - but if you were to pop into a Resene ColorShop, our staff could direct you to some options.

Resene Double Barely There
Resene Double Barely There
April 2014

Q. We have a north facing lounge with a roofed deck blocking most of the light, a Resene Tuscany coloured couch and a large red brick coal range. We have used Resene White Pointer in the kitchen/dining room and would like to use a light /warm/pastel blue in the lounge with the Resene White Pointer either on the walls or the tongue and groove paneling. Any suggestions?

A. Warm blues tend to be quite clear and bright and pastels are more chalky/greyish and paler - you are asking for something that straddles the line between these two types of colour and still works with the coloured elements you have in the room already and the natural light. It may make choosing a bit difficult. If you use the Resene White Pointer (or a lighter version of it if it looks too grey and shadowy for you) on the upper walls to keep maximum light within the room and the bluer colour on the tongue and groove panelling it may work better for you. Perhaps look at these blue colours to see if they suit – Resene Meltwater, Resene Awash, Resene Bounce and Resene Retreat.

Resene Tuscany
Resene Tuscany
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
   
Resene Meltwater
Resene Meltwater
Resene Awash
Resene Awash
Resene Bounce
Resene Bounce
Resene Retreat
Resene Retreat
April 2014

Q. Doing several interior rooms white . Do you have any suggestions as to which white seems to suit most types of rooms? Not a cream colour though.

A. Some rooms - because of the natural light or size will always look 'not as good' as larger or lighter rooms so one colour in all rooms will take on its own look and not be identical. You might like to try – Resene Half Bianca (lighter and deeper versions of this colour are available), Resene Quarter White Pointer (deeper versions of this colour are available) and Resene Eighth Tea (deeper versions of this colour are available).

Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
April 2014

Q. I want to paint a feature hall in my lounge. My tiles are cream and my lounge suite is chocolate brown. What colour can I use for my feature wall? And what colour for the other three walls?

A. There are a huge range of possible colours that you might have both for a feature wall colour and a main colour. Some you might like and some you might not like - here are a few to think about – Resene Spanish White (main) with Resene Lemon Grass (feature) or Resene Quarter Drought (main) with Resene Coco (feature).

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Coco
Resene Coco
April 2014

Q. I would like to paint my walls in Resene Kidnapper; however it is just a little too light in a particular room. How can I make this a shade darker - is this possible without changing the colour altogether?

A. A word to the wise - in an interior colours appear slightly deeper when all four walls are painted - you presume it will be too light but it may be perfect. If you have only used a testpot on a wall opposite a window you have only seen it at its lightest not as it is within the whole room - it may be twice the depth around and below the window and in the corners of the room.

Have you looked at Resene Quarter Lemon Grass or Resene Half Lemon Grass, which may suit as similar but deeper version of Resene Kidnapper? Or you could ask your Resene ColorShop to request a double formula of Resene Kidnapper – some doubles can be made in store and some can be requested from our Colour Lab.

Resene Kidnapper
Resene Kidnapper
Resene Quarter Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
April 2014

Q. Is it possible to lighten a dark colour? Resene Milk Chocolate is what I have but I'm now worried it's too dark! What are my options?

A. It’s not that easy to do this well. People often think it is as easy as 'bunging in' some more tinters but if a colour is really dark more tinters just makes it a different type of really dark and may cause problems with the product curing. The other idea people have is mixing in some white paint - this is very experimental and there is no way of knowing exactly what you will end up with or indeed whether you will like it. You may end up with enough paint to paint several houses - always supposing you had a gigantic container (much larger than a 10 litre container) to mix it all in in the first place.

Another option is to consider using it on a smaller area and complementing it with a lighter colour to balance the overall look.

Resene Milk Chocolate
Resene Milk Chocolate
April 2014

Q. What colour should I paint my house? The current colour is Resene Sand, with a COLORSTEEL® roof in dark green and aluminium windows and doors in dark green.

A. You might like to try these colours - still naturally earthy and warm but embracing browner or greyer undertones – Resene Nomad, Resene Navarone and Resene Schooner. They will still work with the dark green roof and windows but they are slightly deeper than the Resene Sand that is on the house at present and may inspire you to make colour changes.

Resene Sand
Resene Sand
Resene Nomad
Resene Nomad
Resene Navarone
Resene Navarone
Resene Schooner
Resene Schooner
April 2014

Q. We have just purchased some silver grey curtains - can you give us advice on which colour wallpaper would complement this curtain colour?

A. Any white or grey wallpaper will work but would need to work with your carpet and upholstery also. As a start you might look at Resene Paste the Wall Vinyl Wallpaper - Pattern 47514 or Pattern 47532.

April 2014

Q. Can you please suggest a colour scheme for a south east family lounge - it doesn't get a lot of sun so is quite cool? Also we have a picture rail and the stud is 10ft.

A. South facing rooms often get either dim or sour light as well. You might like to try these colours – Resene Half Haystack, Resene Westwood, Resene Double Biscotti, Resene Alamo, Resene Erica and Resene Jetsetter.

The colours are rich, dense, warm and intimately encompassing - often these qualities are missing from south or south/east facing rooms.

Resene Half Haystack
Resene Half Haystack
Resene Westwood
Resene Westwood
Resene Double Biscotti
Resene Double Biscotti
Resene Alamo
Resene Alamo
Resene Erica
Resene Erica
Resene Jetsetter
Resene Jetsetter
April 2014

Q. Am after a stain colour for pine timber decking and steps. The stained timber will sit next to timber weatherboards painted Resene Quarter Stonehenge and timber trim painted Resene Half Black White.

A. You might look at using Resene Smokey Ash as it has the same type of light grey/cloudy brown look to it but if you feel that is too similar and not definite enough you could look at Resene Iroko. It is a bit deeper and to my eye is similar to Resene Triple Stonehenge but slightly warmer. For a darker more defined stain that would work and serve as a smart contrast, try Resene Tiri.

When you trial the stain colours, apply two coats on off cuts of the deck timber and place them horizontally up against the weatherboards - your eye will soon tell you which is the best.

Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Smokey Ash
Resene Smokey Ash
Resene Iroko
Resene Iroko
Resene Triple Stonehenge
Resene Triple Stonehenge
Resene Tiri
Resene Tiri
April 2014

Q. We’re looking at purchasing a house; however we’re not partial to the yellowy creamy walls and kitchen scheme. The carpet is green blue, lighter than Resene Green Meets Blue and walls look like a Resene Dutch White or similar. You can see there is a lot of dark wood trim and doors. How would Resene Quarter Tea or Resene Half Tea look?

A. The whole house is co-ordinated together - kitchen cabinets, worktops, dark wood, walls, chimney breast bricks and flooring. If you changed the wall colour to any of the lighter grey/beige Resene Tea group of colours it may make the other elements seem 'not so good' and require changing also. Is this what you plan to do if for instance the kitchen cabinets and worktop or carpet doesn't sit well with the new wall colour? You might need to use a much stronger colour - Resene Tea or Resene Double Thorndon Cream - to make it more co-ordinated.

Resene Green Meets Blue
Resene Green Meets Blue
Resene Dutch White
Resene Dutch White
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
April 2014

Q. We have just had all our inside walls painted Resene Soapstone and would like to paint all doors white. What colour white and type of paint would you recommend?

A. I suggest you use a semi-gloss enamel – Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel or Resene Lusta-Glo solventborne enamel - for all woodwork so that it is not too shiny but is easily cleaned. You might consider using Resene Alabaster as it isn't too stark but looks fresh and lovely.

Resene Soapstone
Resene Soapstone
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
April 2014

Q. We are repainting the exterior of our house - it is a plaster house and has an Ironsand roof and dark brown stained wood trims. I would like the exterior to be white - could you please advise which whites match well with an Ironsand roof and dark brown wood. We live in Arrowtown, so I don't want a cold white!

A. You may need to carefully test these colours as the sharp quality of light will create glare if the 'white' is too stark. Every angle/side of the house will show up the colour in quite a different way also. Try Resene Merino, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream or Resene Quarter Wheatfield.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
April 2014

Q. Do you have a Resene colour that would look like cedar from a distance - the top barge boards of our house to be precise. Trying to find a less expensive option than using actual cedar and can’t stain it as the wood is already painted.

A. Here are several colours - one of which might look suitable as your cedar like colour – Resene Toffee, Resene Cinnamon, Resene Paarl or Resene Hairy Heath. Cedar is many colours as it ages and a paint colour will always seem a lot denser and more coloured than a stain on cedar would look.

Resene Toffee
Resene Toffee
Resene Cinnamon
Resene Cinnamon
Resene Paarl
Resene Paarl
Resene Hairy Heath
Resene Hairy Heath
April 2014

Q. I am building a house and have selected a charcoal carpet and black aluminium joinery. I was thinking Resene Merino for the walls and Resene Alabaster for ceilings but am stuck on the trims. Would Resene Alabaster on the trims tie in and give a nice contrast? If not what would without looking out of place?

A. I see nothing wrong with using Resene Alabaster for the trims but if you are worried that it may look too stark close to the charcoal carpet then you could do one of two things -

  • Use the same colour as walls but in a semi-gloss enamel finish - walls would be low sheen - this merges the trims instead of highlighting them.
  • Use Resene Quarter Merino for a soft light variant of the wall colour to define in a soft muted way.

If you are really unsure a white undercoat on the trim work will give you a 'dress rehearsal' of what the whitest trim would look like against the wall colour Resene Merino.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
April 2014

Q. What colour white for ceilings should I use with Resene Half Tea?

A. You are very fortunate as there are lots that will look good with Resene Half Tea. You could check these 'whites' out - they range from very sharp to soft and muted – Resene Half Alabaster, Resene Eighth Rice Cake or Resene Quarter Albescent White.

The reason I haven't included Resene Eighth Tea as a 'white' is because it can sometimes throw a warm slightly pink undertone and probably won’t be as ‘white’ as you are wanting.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
April 2014

Q. I have purchased a 1960s brick ranch style house. We want to paint the bricks a grey colour to highlight the white joinery. The iron roof is either Karaka or Ironsand so think the grey will need to be from the 'green palette' rather than blue grey. Any colour suggestions for the dark grey on bricks?

A. These ones might suit – Resene Half Gravel, Resene Double Tapa, Resene Half Masala or Resene Triple Friar Grey.

Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
Resene Triple Friar Grey
Resene Triple Friar Grey
April 2014

Q. My beach house I want to paint white inside – normally I use Resene Black White paint. I searched your site but the black white online on my PC looked more grey?

A. I think the world awaits with bated breath for technology to advance to the point where all colour seen electronically looks absolutely true to reality. There are lighter versions of Resene Black White also – Resene Half Black White and Resene Quarter Black White. If you know Resene Black White and it is your preferred 'white' then you can rest assured that when you buy it, it will be right. A word to the wise - even though you do know it and have used it before it may take on a different nuance in a different space with different light and furnishings. Colour - no matter how well you know it - can still surprise you with its' chameleon characteristics.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
April 2014

Q. We recently purchased an arts and crafts style 1920s house which has large and lovely north/west facing windows across the front of the dining and living room. There is an existing fireplace with original mid/darkish green tiles (not my favourite colour but the fireplace is lovely). We have a dark inky blue lounge suite and walnut coloured floorboards - I am thinking of painting the room a white shade until we decide how to pull the whole space together but I don’t particularly like hard/cold/clean whites. Can you recommend a warm white or neutral that might work in this space and a contrasting warm white for all the woodwork? We favour an eclectic/vintage style of furnishings so have quite a bit of colour to add to the space. My favourite colour is blue/blue greens - so that will no doubt also work its way into the space at some point and I have also considered a soft stony grey as an alternative to white.

A. Perhaps you might like to investigate these warm whites – Resene Bianca, Resene Half Bianca or Resene Quarter Bianca. Rooms often require different levels of colour in order to look the same dependent upon their shape, angles and natural light. If the lightest of these suggestions was the ceiling and woodwork the other two might be walls.

For a soft stony grey as an alternative to warm white as a wall colour you might look at – Resene House White or Resene Half House White or Resene Half White Pointer or Resene Quarter White Pointer.

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
 
Resene House White
Resene House White
Resene Half House White
Resene Half House White
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
April 2014

Q. I am building a new house and I need to decide on my internal paint colour. I like neutrals with undertones of grey, but I want it to be warm not cold. I don't really like yellow undertones. I tried some testpots and I liked Resene Half White Pointer and I thought that Resene Double Sea Fog and Resene Quarter Truffle were too dark. Someone recommended Resene Quarter Akaroa as well. Also what would you recommend for ceiling, doors and skirtings?

A. Resene Quarter Akaroa is yellow/brown and may not be as grey/brown as you would like. If you like Resene Half White Pointer you might also like to check out Resene Quarter Cloud as it has a little more warmth in its greyness than Resene Half White Pointer. If you favour greyness then for a 'white' for ceilings, doors, skirting boards etc you might check out Resene Half Black White or Resene Quarter Black White as they are greyer in their whiteness than Resene Alabaster.

Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Cloud
Resene Quarter Cloud
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
April 2014

Q. Six months ago we purchased our first home – it’s multi-level and has loads of varnished mouldings. I want to repaint the walls as everything is in a cream colour and its boring; however I’m having a hard time trying to figure out which colour I shall do. I’ve recently purchased a dark brown leather couch and want to try and stick with one colour throughout, but can't decide on either a brown (light or dark) or a grey. I’m hoping to sand back my varnish on the mouldings, but leave my ceiling beams as they are.

A. Because you have multi-level/angles/light changes etc and a bit of work to do in regard the mouldings might I suggest you concentrate on the woodwork first as it will require the most prep.

You might check out some brown/greys - not too brown not too grey – Resene Quarter Truffle, lighter Resene Eighth Truffle or Resene Quarter Cloud.

Test colour by applying all of the testpot two coats onto A2 card available from Resene ColorShops. Leave an unpainted border all around the edges so you focus on the real colour/depth and move it from wall to wall room to room to see how it changes so you get the best idea of whether it works or not.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Quarter Cloud
Resene Quarter Cloud
April 2014

Q. I have built a new home. It's weatherboard timber double storey with a charcoal asphalt roof. I have Titania joinery which has boxing around it. My architect wanted me to do a dark colour to bring our the joinery. The roof is stunning and I really like light houses. Would it look too wishy washy if I did Resene Triple White Pointer next to Titania - would it be enough of a contrast or do I need to go darker?

A. Have you checked out these colours as they look great with Titania as well - and are a bit deeper – Resene Foggy Grey, Resene Half Taupe Grey, Resene Double Truffle and Resene Bone White.

Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Bone White
Resene Bone white
April 2014

Q. We are building on a beachfront section. The home is very contemporary with green float glass. We’ll be using honed block (the lighter concrete tone). We haven't chosen roof or aluminum joinery colours yet but not a lot of the roof will be seen. I like darker colours but don't want anything that will fade the LINEA® board.

A. It may pay you to check out just what options you do have in regard COLORSTEEL® roof colours and powdercoat colours for joinery. You could short list those that you favour.

If don't want too dark a colour on the LINEA® you might like to try a colour that is deeper than the honed concrete so there is some contrast? Perhaps you might look at these colours as a start point – Resene Tapa on the LINEA®, Thunder Grey on the COLORSTEEL® roof and Silver Pearl on the joinery, Resene Half Friar Grey on the LINEA®, Sandstone Grey on the COLORSTEEL® roof and window joinery, or Resene Quarter Tapa on the LINEA® with Grey Friars on the COLORSTEEL® roof and window joinery.

Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
COLORSTEEL® Thunder Grey
COLORSTEEL® Thunder Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
COLORSTEEL Sandstone Grey
COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
April 2014

Q. I have a new house ready for painting. I have ordered a dark brown carpet, and light brown/grey planking for living areas. My paint colours on my shortlist are walls Resene Half Napa, doors and surrounds full Resene Napa and Resene Eighth Tea for ceiling as I don’t want white. Feature walls in both lounges in Resene Stonehenge. The master bedroom will have a wallpaper feature wall in a dark pattern. The bathrooms have light grey beige tiles with charred oak vanities and towers. I was thinking about Resene White Pointer on both ceilings and walls. I am also not sure what colour to have the venetians in the bedroom. Should they be a Napa like colour, like the window surrounds?

A. If you don't want the venetians to stand out but to merge in that would work well.

Just a word to the wise - you may find Resene Eighth Tea takes on a warm pinkish tone in relation to your other colours - you might look at Resene Quarter White Pointer for your ceilings as an alternative option.

Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
April 2014

Q. My walls are currently painted Resene Sea Fog and the trim is painted Resene Half Alabaster. I am looking for a lilac to use as an accent colour which will go with these tones.

A. There are several that will work quite well that you might like to investigate – Resene Seashell, Resene Confederate Grey, Resene Designer White, Resene Link Water and Resene Alaska.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
     
Resene Seashell
Resene Seashell
Resene Confederate Grey
Resene Confederate Grey
Resene Designer White
Resene Designer White
Resene Link Water
Resene Link Water
Resene Alaska
Resene Alaska
April 2014

Q. We’re looking at Resene Black White - what do you recommend – half or full or quarter? We want a white house inside with dark grey carpets, tiles are light brown limestone looking, vanities are dark wood and the kitchen is almond with grey/white granite.

A. Probably full for walls - Resene Black White - and possibly use Resene Quarter Black White for any painted woodwork, doors etc. It should look really smart.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
April 2014

Q. Our ceilings and doors are painted Resene Quarter Spanish White and Resene Half Spanish White. Key wall colours we want to retain are Resene Bud in the master bedroom with Resene Lemon Grass in the kitchen. Am looking for a green for the hallway stairwell (neither of which are particularly sunny). Also the living room which faces south west. It is a coldish room in winter. Our couch is faded burgundy. I had looked at Resene Linen for these rooms. Will this work against Resene Spanish White?

A. Resene Linen is such a gentle pale green it isn't happy being paired with very definite 'coloured' whites like Resene Half Spanish White or Resene Quarter Spanish White - it is much better with Resene Eighth Spanish White, which is far less 'coloured'. Resene Sisal is quite a muted greyed neutral - if you fancy the idea but not the actual colour you might like the warmth of Resene Spanish White which is lighter and sweeter than Resene Sisal. A soft green that you might look at as an alternative to Resene Linen is Resene Secrets.

Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Bud
Resene Bud
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Sisal
Resene Sisal
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
     
April 2014

Q. We are looking to paint a rental property in a neutral beige colour. It currently has dark wood trim which we will probably retain. Can you suggest any colours which would fit? We'd be looking for a light beige.

A. Here are several suggestions - you may need to see how they work with any existing coloured elements - carpet, vinyl or tiles, drapes and blinds etc -
Resene Eighth Drought, Resene Eighth Akaroa or Resene Quarter Tea.

Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
April 2014

Q. I want to change the colour of the house which is a dark gray/blue. I would like a dark colour that will match the brown joinery. I have tested Resene Napa, Resene Triple Napa and Resene Stonewall. They are too light. Resene Triple Napa and Resene Stonewall are too green. The roof is currently Titania COLORSTEEL® and I would like to darken it. Basically I want to update the colour to a more modern colour scheme.

A. Firstly I need to ask in regard the colours that you think are too light - did you use a testpot on top of the existing colour of the house? If so you may be 'seeing wrong' as the existing colour may well be minimising the depth of the colours and altering your perception of what they are really like. Are you able to re-apply testpot samples over a white undercoat or alternatively onto a large white card leaving an unpainted (white) border all around the edges - this helps your eye to focus the reality and depth of the tested colour. Nothing will truly match the window joinery colour but you might consider these other options – Resene Double Stonehenge, Resene Triple Stonehenge or Resene Quarter Lignite. If you would like a deeper roof you might look at these - in order of depth of colour – Resene Gauntlet, Resene Climate, Resene Squall or Resene Ironsand.

A word to the wise - all roof colour looks lighter upon application because of the roof angle to the sun which minimises it.

Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Triple Napa
Resene Triple Napa
Resene Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
COLORSTEEL® Titania
COLORSTEEL® Titania
Resene Double Stonehenge
Resene Double Stonehenge
Resene Triple Stonehenge
Resene Triple Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Lignite
Resene Quarter Lignite
 
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Climate
Resene Climate
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
April 2014

Q. We've just started painting our house - weatherboards are Resene Lemon Grass. For windows I picked Resene Cararra and we've already painted a few of them, but I really find the Resene Cararra looks very beige. I want to repaint because I just don't like the look. What 'white' for windows can you suggest? This morning I was looking at Resene Half Rice Cake or Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream as options. I want to achieve a fresh look but not stark looking white against the Resene Lemon Grass.

A. I think your idea of Resene Half Rice Cake may be a little better than Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream as it is slightly warmer/brighter. Another good option is Resene Quarter Villa White which is crisp but not stark.

Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Rice CakeResene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
April 2014

Q. We are looking to paint or paper our house with a view to eventually selling. We have tried Resene Double Spanish White on the walls and it looked like backing paper. It is an older small house and can be a bit dark in some rooms. Our kitchen is in a deep turquoise on the cabinets and dark grey tiles. Can you suggest a light warm colour we could use as a base throughout the house?

A. You might look at either of these two colours - they are warmer and a bit brighter than Resene Spanish White – Resene Double Bianca and possible wallpaper Resene 47513 and Resene Rice Cake and possible wallpaper Resene 47067.

Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
April 2014

Q. We would like to repaint the exterior of our Initial home set in the country. The window joinery is dark brown, fencing and rough sawn base timbers are dark brown. I was thinking of Resene Lignite for the roof but am struggling with spouting, house and under eaves. I had thought of Resene Scoria for weatherboards?

A. With the windows being so dark are you wanting to blend them in so they aren't very distinct as they are now with the very light coloured house? The colours that you indicate that you favour will give a very deep rustic scheme - is that to balance all the green of the countryside? These following colours - grouped together - are some you might consider. Under the eaves is usually a light colour - not often dark - so you could use the main house colour from #1 & #2 schemes and the fascia colour from #3 suggested scheme.

#1 - Resene Arrowtown house with Resene Scoria roof and Resene Lignite fascia boards and any other elements on the house that you want to highlight.

#2 - Resene Quarter Craigieburn on the house with Resene Lignite on the roof and Resene Rustic Red on fascia boards and any other elements on the house.

#3 - this one is the difficult one - Resene Scoria on the house with Resene Squall on the roof and Resene Triple Ash on fascia boards and any other elements on the house - it is only difficult as the main colour is so strong it doesn't want to work with some colours unless they favour a green undertone.

It would definitely pay to use the EzyPaint program on the Resene website to replicate these colours with your house photo inserted via the EzyPath part of the programme so you can see just what effect these colours will have overall.

Resene Arrowtown
Resene Arrowtown
Resene Scoria
Resene Scoria
Resene Lignite
Resene Lignite
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Lignite
Resene Lignite
Resene Rustic Red
Resene Rustic Red
Resene Scoria
Resene Scoria
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Triple Ash
April 2014

Q. We are looking at painting the exterior of our house including the roof and would be keen for some advice please. The house is currently white with a brown trim near the spouting and painted black at the bottom. The roof is currently not painted. The joinery is aluminium in a black/bronze colour. It would probably be best to go fairly light in case our neighbours do not paint their side.

A. Conjoined properties are often difficult as a new scheme has to be embraced by both parties. Here are a few ideas to discuss with the neighbours -

#1 Main colour - Resene Double Sea Fog (not as stark as pure White and unlikely to show as much windblown dust and dirt) and trim on base of house in Resene Quarter Lignite (a lighter friend to the existing windows). I suggest keeping the main fences Resene Black and possibly doing the fences around the deck to match.

#2 Main colour - Resene Quarter Albescent White (slightly warmer 'off white') with trim on the base of the house - Resene Masala (warm grey/brown - still working well with existing windows) - this could be used for fences around the deck. I suggest leaving the main fences Resene Black.

If you decide to paint the roof I suggest either of these options - Resene Ironsand which co-ordinates with the windows or a lighter option Resene Lignite.

Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Lignite
Resene Quarter Lignite
Resene Black
Resene Black
Resene Quarter Alabscent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Masala
Resene Masala
 
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Lignite
Resene Lignite
 
April 2014

Q. We are incorporating the colour Resene Half Tea on our orange/red brick house. Our tile roof is similar to the colour Cod Grey. Wondering whether you could suggest any colours other than Resene Alabaster to use for our wooden windows and eaves please?

A. Perhaps you could check out these ones to see if they work for you – Resene Quarter Albescent White, Resene Eighth Tea or Resene Half Black White.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabscent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
April 2014

Q. We are building a new house. I’m leaning towards Resene Quarter Truffle for the walls and am looking for a colour that could also be a feature wall in a relatively small study/lounge that will get only a little morning sun. Also, looking for kitchen cabinet colour ideas - neutral - maybe Resene Half Truffle? I am planning on light American Oak floors, white sandstone countertops and thinking of a few feature chocolate brown overhead cupboards in the kitchen as well.

A. You might like to try these colours for the study/lounge - early morning light favours these types of colours – Resene Emerge, Resene Boulevard and Resene Lemon Grass. Look at these collective of colours to see how lovely Resene Quarter Truffle and Resene Half Truffle would look with these accents - Resene Alabaster, Resene Truffle and Resene Quarter Lignite.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Emerge
Resene Emerge
Resene Boulevard
Resene Boulevard
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Quarter Lignite
Resene Quarter Lignite
   
April 2014

Q. We are redecorating our recently bought 13 year old house. We have new medium/dark grey carpet, the colour is called Truffle. We have painted all the ceilings white, and the entry, hallway, office, kitchen/dining/family room in Resene Double White Pointer with Resene Quarter White Pointer skirting, doors and trim. I am thinking of having our bedroom a different colour, perhaps with a feature wall behind the bed. I quite like the colourway of Resene Half Perfect Taupe for a feature wall, but am not sure of the other walls, perhaps we’ll stick with Resene White Pointer. Also I was thinking of using other subtle colours in the two spare bedrooms which are on the south facing walls and are quite cold in winter. Of course they would have to go with the Resene White Pointer in the hallway. Our new kitchen doors are very white, the benchtop is a manufactured stone and the colour is Riverstone. The glass backsplash is a grapey colour and I have a few purplish cushions on our greyish linen looking chaise in the family room. I'm thinking to perhaps carry a little grape into our bedroom which is off the family room.

A. If you use Resene Half Perfect Taupe as a feature in the main bedroom you might use Resene White Pointer as the other walls - this keeps all the colours tightly co-ordinated and will still co-ordinate with the main colour and trim. Alternatively you might consider more grape influenced - Resene Mamba or Resene Siesta as a feature - it looks very Belle Epoque. Or a deeply mysterious velvet Resene Matakana.

As a suggestion for the other bedrooms - a slightly dense and intimate colour might be Resene Quarter Cloudy and a sweet warm colour could be Resene Eighth Joss. Sometimes south facing rooms need a little definite depth and warmth to make them appealing in the quality of light they have.

Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Mamba
Resene Mamba
Resene Siesta
Resene Siesta
Resene Matakana
Resene Matakana
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Eighth Joss
Resene Eighth Joss
 
April 2014

Q. We're partially cladding our house with COLORSTEEL® industrial long run in Ironsand. What are some good colour matches for the weatherboard parts of the cladding?

A. If you want a match or similar, you can choose Resene Ironsand, Resene Half Ironsand or Resene Quarter Ironsand. If you did favour these darker colours for the weatherboard I definitely recommend the CoolColour™ variant to try and lessen the heat absorption on the weatherboards as they are very deep colours.

If you would prefer a neutral to offset the dark coloured COLORSTEEL® cladding there are hunderds of options available to you - you might look at these few to see if they work for you - Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Truffle and Resene Quarter Friar Grey.

COLORSTEEL Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
April 2014

Q. I am repainting and recarpeting my house including painting kitchen cupboards. I have selected Resene Half Sisal for the walls, Resene Spanish White for doors and Resene Eighth Spanish White for ceilings. Resene Half Sisal was suggested for the kitchen cabinets but I have received a colour sample from the kitchen people and it is dull and dated. I have black pearl granite bench tops and a light terracotta cream/yellow floor tile. I am wondering how white cabinets would look, maybe Resene Rice Cake, Resene Alabaster or Resene Thorndon Cream? If need be I could change the kitchen wall colour to match or leave as Resene Quarter Sisal.

A. I think your idea of using Resene Rice Cake, which is a lovely warm crisp colour, may look really smart. You may find that Resene Thorndon Cream looks a little grey/green in undertone and Resene Alabaster is a bit stark.

Several things spring to mind in regard your re-painting of the house - you could simplify the multiple neutrals (which have quite different undertones) that you plan to use by selecting another Resene Rice Cake variant for the doors and ceilings so there is harmony and balance in your palette. You might consider using Resene Rice Cake for the doors and Resene Quarter Rice Cake for the ceilings. I often find that lighter variants of Resene Spanish White take on a pinkish look especially in relationship to the Resene Sisal and Resene Rice Cake palettes.

Another small concern I have is that the company doing the kitchen cabinetry may not be using Resene two pot lacquer products and this may cause Resene colours to be incorrect - a match is often 'off' - so it might pay to check on this for your own satisfaction. Many years of dealing with various companies that lacquer cabinets with other products is my basis of concern.

Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
April 2014

Q. We have Resene Sea Fog painted on the ceiling and Resene Quarter Ash on our foyer walls, what would you suggest as a complementary colour on the rest of our walls inside our house?

A. If you want the foyer to be 'special' it indicates to me that using Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene Half Sea Fog and perhaps a little Resene White Pointer and a feature (could be a wall or alternatively accessories or drapes) in Resene Double Ash or Resene Double White Pointer might give you a lovely gentle palette of pleasing neutrals. The versatility of these neutrals allows for 'coloured' items to lift the whole look of the rooms. The foyer will 'feature' as a lovely green tinged space and the other rooms will be neutral with possible deeper beige/grey or green inspired spots of tonal colour.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
 
April 2014

Q. I have a question regarding the colour for a white picket fence. We have just painted our house Resene Quarter Foggy Grey and the trims in Resene Quarter Wan White. We used this same colour for the fence. It looks beautiful on the house, but is a bit too white for the fence. Any suggestions? Perhaps full strength Resene Wan White on the fence may lessen this effect?

A. You are right - Resene Wan White will give you a far softer (less stark) white. The fence now in Resene Quarter Wan White is too far away from any of the other of the house colour co-ordinates so it does appear to be a very hard/cool white where it doesn't on the house.

Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
April 2014

Q. I am painting interior door surrounds and skirtings Resene Black White. What colour would you suggest for the interior doors please? The wallpaper is a very soft textured mushroom colour.

A. If you want it to be simple, elegant and versatile you might use the same colour as the door surrounds and skirtings - Resene Black White - or very slightly deeper - Resene Double Sea Fog.

Do you want to highlight the doors so they are a more dominant feature? If this is the case you might look to see if there is a Resene colour deeper than the mushroom colour in the wallpaper. Perhaps you need to think this option through very carefully as in the future if you change the wallpaper the doors would need to be completely changed also but they might not if they were the same or similar to the existing painted woodwork.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
April 2014

Q. I have two small bedrooms I would like to paint. The rugs are smoky haze. What would be a nice colour to wake up the room without making it look smaller? We do have lots of light in the rooms.

A. Colour is very personal and it needs to work for the other coloured elements in the rooms as well as the light changes and make you feel good about the spaces.

You might look at these colours to see if they may work for you – Resene Half Linen, Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Breeze and Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe. They are gentle light pastels that are easy on the eye and allow many other colour co-ordinates.

Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Breeze
Resene Breeze
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
April 2014

Q. I'm looking at Resene Half Milk White as a possible trim (or even wall) colour as it has a softness to it. It looks quite rosy to me though? Is there some peach or pinky tones in there that might surprise me?

A. It is a little pink that you see in the colour - but because it is a mushroom/grey pink it is referred to as a cool, clean white - in comparison to Resene Half Spanish White which is creamier/earthier or Resene Half Blanc which is warmer/ pink/beige or Resene Ecru White which is sharp beige/yellow green. Colours are always judged in comparison - the best comparison to see what underlying tints and tones are in 'whites' is to place a sheet of white printer paper slightly over a sample and the colour leaps out at you. Only Resene White isn't a tinted white. You might prefer to use Resene Quarter Milk White for less pink or even Resene Half Wan White for a cool softened 'white'.

Resene Half Milk White
Resene Half Milk White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Blanc
Resene Half Blanc
Resene Ecru White
Resene Ecru White
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Quarter Milk White
Resene Quarter Milk White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
 
April 2014

Q. We are painting our living and lounge area. There is a lot of wood trimmings, doors, furniture and Rimu. What do you think about Resene Half Tea for the colour? Our kitchen is Resene Quarter Napa.

A. I think you have exactly the right idea for the living and lounge rooms. The only other possible idea is that you check out Resene Eighth Akaroa and see if the little bit of extra warmth it has might sit better with the Rimu that you have - it is always good to compare colours to make sure your original thoughts are OK.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
April 2014

Q. We have a 40s bungalow. We have a modern interior and wanted to modernise the outside with a dark colour with a grey tone. I was thinking Resene Tapa but don’t know what would work on the roof and gutters. We also want a white for the chunky window frames. Can you help? We originally painted the exterior with Resene Half Pravda on the weatherboards but it’s just too light.

A. Resene Tapa has a lovely earthy green undertone but it may look a little lighter because of the sun reflection - more like Resene Half Tapa. Another colour that is a bit similar but darker is Resene Half Gravel and you could check out the possibility of using Resene Ironsand or Resene Squall for the roof and guttering or (more charcoal) Resene Grey Friars.

Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Half Pravda
Resene Half Pravda
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
 
April 2014

Q. The exterior of my weatherboard home is painted Resene Silver Chalice, with Resene Alabaster white for the trimmings. The spouting and roof is Ironsand. I recently have added a new kwila deck and wanted to oil it but am not sure what colour to paint the balustrades. Can you please help me? I was thinking Resene Ironsand but I don't want it to throw off a green colour.

A. You might just use Resene Black if you want a really dark without other colours influencing it. Alternatively you might look at Resene Bokara Grey - this is dark and warm - or you could use Resene Alabaster which will add a crisp clean look to the balustrades and match the other Resene Alabaster trimmings.

Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Black
Resene Black
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
April 2014

Q. We are relocating a house so have to work with the brown Resene Spice roof and cream Resene Double Barely There aluminium windows. Can you please recommend a colour to paint the new plaster?

A. You don't mention what sort of depth you think you would like on the new plaster so I have included some light neutrals and a deeper one – Resene Bone White, Resene Quarter Craigieburn, Resene Double Truffle or Resene Eighth Oilskin.

Resene Spice
Resene Spice
Resene Double Barely There
Resene Double Barely There
Resene Bone White
Resene Bone White
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Eighth Oilskin
Resene Eighth Oilskin
April 2014

Q. We have a sunny lounge painted in Resene Rice Cake. The kitchen is on the south side of the house and can be quite dark but is connected in part to the lounge. What would be a good colour to paint it to brighten it up?

A/ You could use the same colour as in the lounge - if the natural light is a bit shadowy the Resene Rice Cake may look a bit deeper (more like Resene Double Rice Cake) but it would be a nice flow on from the lounge. Otherwise slightly greener - Resene Daydream - or slightly yellower - Resene Pearl Lusta. Generally colours used to brighten dim spaces are light and carry some yellow in them.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Daydream
Resene Daydream
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
April 2014

Q. We need to repaint our home but don't want to change the Resene Merino trim colour of our garage doors and guttering. What colours look modern and good?

A. You might check these colours out as they look contemporary and smart with Resene Merino – Resene Half Foggy Grey, Resene Ash or Resene Half Napa. All of the colours listed also have deeper and lighter variants in case they are nearly right but you are worried about the depth of colour.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
April 2014

Q. I am thinking of putting Resene Taupe Grey outside. Can I go browns and whites inside with grey outside or will it look funny and not match?

A. Resene Taupe Grey is an earthy warm stone grey so if you were inclined to use browns and whites inside the house it won't look funny. A warmer white and slightly greyed beige and brown tones will look rather nice – something along the lines of the Resene Tea palette which are a greyed beige. The exterior and interior colour schemes don't have to have a relationship - as long as you are happy with them - you can have whatever you like.

Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
April 2014

Q. We are building a new house and looking at painting the rooms either Resene Half truffle or Resene Truffle - not sure which would be best. Also we thought about painting our bathroom Resene Guru on one wall and the other three walls Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream. Would these colours work together or what do you suggest?

A. The bathroom will have a lot of 'white' in it - vanity, bath, shower etc and a coloured floor, lino or tiles, and you need to take these elements into account before deciding other colours. Resene Guru is a glorious turquoise blue - really bold and dynamic - it should work OK with the Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream but you might also check out the possibility of using it with Resene Eighth Truffle. Your idea of using Resene Truffle, perhaps in the largest lightest rooms, and Resene Half Truffle, perhaps for the smallest or most shadiest rooms, is good. It is such a lovely neutral but of course it pays to check it out with the carpet, tiles, lino and kitchen cabinets and worktops before deciding on it as all of these elements will strongly influence how the colour is seen.

Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Guru
Resene Guru
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
April 2014

Q. I was just wanting to get some advice on a paint colour. The paint colour I want to paint my walls is Resene Alabaster but am wanting to know if I paint the walls this colour what colour would I paint the ceiling? Also if I went Resene Double Alabaster for the walls, could I go Resene Alabaster for the ceiling?

A. You could do Resene Alabaster for the walls with Resene Half Alabaster for the ceiling or Resene Double Alabaster for the walls and Resene Alabaster for the ceiling.

Or another alternative - Resene Half Sea Fog (Triple Alabaster) for the walls and Resene Alabaster for the ceiling.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half SEa Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
April 2014

Q. We have just put on a new roof (Grey Friars) and are painting the exterior of our house in Resene Eighth Fossil. I am trying to decide on a colour for our front door (currently a grey blue) and the corresponding front entrance porch (currently a lighter grey). I like the current colour scheme for the entryway so would like to go with something similar - my ideas are Resene Rhino for the door and perhaps a half strength Resene Rhino or Resene Half Grey Friars for the entry porch floor. Would this work?

A. You might look at Resene Half Tuna or Resene Quarter Tuna as alternative options for the front door - these colours are slightly bluer in their undertones and sit really well with Resene Eighth Fossil and your new roof Grey Friars.

Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Rhino
Resene Rhino
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Quarter Tuna
Resene Quarter Tuna
April 2014

Q. I am trying to find a colour for our home office. I don't want too bright but also don't want insipid. The ceiling is Resene Bianca. The carpet is a straw brown colour. I was originally thinking some type of duck egg blue. The house is mostly a cream with yellow tint and we intend to keep the windows/skirting in this colour. The rooms next to this are in this cream with yellow tint. As you walk into the office you pass the bedroom ensuite which is Resene Half Tea with a blue tile floor. We are wanting the colour to flow. We are thinking possibly Resene Aspiring now but are looking for your advice.

A. Resene Aspiring is a lovely fresh green - it may seem more yellow especially with the Resene Bianca. It may make you see the ensuite - Resene Half Tea - as a 'paper bag brown' but that may not be a problem. If you like Resene Aspiring you may also like these two colours - check them out and compare to see what you think – Resene Half Lemon Grass or Resene Harp.

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Aspiring
Resene Aspiring
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Harp
Resene Harp
April 2014

Q. I want to paint my concrete floor with Resene Tea. Can it be made slightly darker and does it come in two pot?

A. Yes you can have a deeper version of Tea - Resene Double Tea - in a two pot product called Resene Uracryl for a high performing finish on your concrete floor.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
April 2014

Q. We are currently renovating our weatherboard house (ex state from 1940s). Front of the house is facing south and back of the house is north facing. There are Matai floorboards across the entire house. What whites would you suggest for skirting, coving and ceiling so there is a nice contrast with the walls? We quite like grey whites for the walls but are not sure if they would go with the Matai floor. Also the boys’ room is facing south. We are considering a grey carpet - what white would you suggest so it goes with the carpet, white furniture and won't make the room too dark? If it helps our kitchen cabinetry is going to be in Resene Black White and benchtop is Silestone Blanco Norte.

A. You need to check out what is the best type of white and grey white that does look good in a cool south facing aspect with Matai floorboards. Testing colours within the spaces and looking at them at different times of the day and night is really important. Some can look decidedly chilly. You might look at these colours as a start point - walls - Resene House White and ceilings - Resene Alabaster, walls - Resene White Pointer and ceilings - Resene Half Sea Fog - or walls - Resene Quarter Rakaia and ceilings - Resene Quarter Bianca. They are all completely different and will work differently in different rooms - there is no such thing as one colour looking the same in all spaces. The wall colours suggested come as deeper variants also.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
 
Resene House White
Resene House White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Half SEa Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene QuarterRakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
May 2014

Q. Thinking of using Resene Barely There as a wall colour. Is Resene Double Alabaster a good choice for the trim? Would plain Resene White also work?

A. I would recommend that you use Resene Alabaster - not Resene Double Alabaster - as it will give a cleaner, crisper contrast between walls and ceilings. Resene White is very similar to Resene Alabaster (look at the colour codes of both colours to see their similarity) - so it may be a case of 6 to one and half a dozen to the other.

Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
May 2014

Q. I was thinking of a grey colour for the outside of the house, keeping the existing off white windows – I want a colour to modernise it a bit. The other thought I had was Resene Thorndon Cream. The interior of the house is all neutral tones. My son thought he might like green as apparently it brings out creative thinking. It is a sunny room, north facing. I was thinking a more tealy blue colour.

A. For your son’s room you might look at one of these tealy blues - Resene Maestro, Resene Seeker or Resene Scooter. For the exterior you could try Resene Archive Grey, Resene Quarter Friar Grey or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey or a slightly deeper variant of Resene Thorndon Cream (so the windows don't take on a yellow look) - perhaps Resene Double Thorndon Cream would suit.

Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Maestro
Resene Maestro
Resene Seeker
Resene Seeker
Resene Scooter
Resene Scooter
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
May 2014

Q. I'm not sure what grey colours complement a silver or dark charcoal roof? Was thinking dark roof, light grey paint and white trim or silver roof, darker grey paint (warm) and white trim. Can you please send me some popular colour combinations?

A. Very dark roof - Resene Nocturnal, mid/light warm grey - Resene Double Rakaia, ‘white’ trim – Resene Half Sea Fog, or dark roof Resene Grey Friars, light grey main Resene Double Concrete, ‘white’ trim Resene Alabaster, or light roof Resene Atmosphere, darker main Resene Double Stack, ‘white’ trim Resene Half Wan White. There are hundreds of possible combinations and this is just to get you started looking and thinking about your options.

Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Rakaia
Resene Double Rakaia
Resene Half SEa Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
May 2014

Q. I have a 1919 old villa/cottage that needs to be repainted. I live on Waiheke and there is a lot of bright sun on the house. I like neutral colours - either beige, grey etc. I want to have a white colour as a contrast colour around the windows. I have a very old front door which doesn't look as if it's been painted and like the old look, but it's looking very tired. I've recently bought the house, so am painting it after years of neglect. I don't think that I want it to be painted too dark. The roof isn't going to be painted.

A. You might look at these options - #1 - Resene Double Thorndon Cream with Resene Quarter Rice Cake for trim, #2 - Resene Quarter Bison Hide with Resene Alabaster for trim, or #3 Resene Quarter Foggy Grey with Resene Quarter Wan White for trim

The front door could be painted the trim colour to keep it really light - this is often a nice idea if the door is panelled.. Alternatively it can be enhanced with a colour that you really fancy.

Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
May 2014

Q. I have just rendered a 1970s house in Brisbane and am stuck with the dated bronze window frames. I have been driving myself mad with colour selection and have friends who said you may be able to help me. I need a colour palette for roof, gutters, fascia, walls. The house has very dark slate grey outdoor floor tiles and will soon have a kwila/merbau outdoor slatted living area.

A. You might consider a deep brown based charcoal for the roof - Resene Ironsand (this is also a COLORSTEEL® colour in case you are considering other powdercoated elements - metal garage door, roof, guttering) and it will help to tie in the existing window joinery and not leave it isolated. You have a tremendous amount of options open to you in regard the main house colour so the following are a few to check out – Resene Tea, Resene Half Taupe Grey, Resene Double Thorndon Cream or Resene Half Bison Hide.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
May 2014

Q. I have a very small bathroom and want to make it brighter and warmer but modern - can you suggest a colour that might suit?

A. Brighter and warmer and small are the key words - no cool whites, greys or blues for you then as they won't be warm. You might look at these; however you may have other elements that are coloured that may alter the viability of these colours - Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown, Resene Bianca, Resene Eighth Fossil or Resene Half Ecru White.

Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Half Ecru White
Resene Half Ecru White
May 2014

Q. We are trying to decide on a colour for the weatherboards of our house. We aren't planning on painting the roof and the window trims have just been done. We are unsure of what colour will suit the roof colour.

A. Colours are quite personal but I have listed a few that you might like to try – Resene Half Linen, Resene Half Emerge, Resene Quarter Silver Chalice, Resene Triple Sea Fog or Resene Orchid White.

Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
May 2014

Q. I am painting my exterior boundary walls Resene Baltic Sea but in some lights it looks quite blue. Is there another colour you would recommend that will be a truer grey in different lights?

A. Colour is part of the light spectrum so every time light changes so does the colour. Resene Baltic Sea has the least amount of colour undertone in it but sometimes if it is seen in the late afternoon (westerly light) which is really red toned this might warm up a colour and will alter your perception of it and early morning light (easterly) always seems to bring out a touch of blue or green in a colour. Is it in the morning that you notice the blue undertone?

Sometimes it pays to trial several colours to see which changes the least in the quality of light that is most important to you - for instance if the colour is mainly viewed in the morning, or in the afternoon. If you test these two colours (paint the testpots on A2 card, from your Resene ColorShop, leaving an unpainted border all around the edges so your eye focuses on the reality of the colour) and move it around onto different walls/angles and then compare with the Resene Baltic Sea you may compare and find that the one you have now isn't as blue compared to another. Perhaps try Resene Foundry and Resene Fuscous Grey. Colour is a chameleon and always changes, with light changes and because of other colour influencing it, and forces you to accept and compromise as it educates you.

Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
May 2014

Q. We are repainting the wooden cladding of our house. It is currently 70s brown and it would be great to get your advice on an alternative. We plan to keep the concrete block white. We also have some 'character' lead light windows in blue and red.

A. You have a very nice looking house and very contemporary looking. You don't say what types of colours you favour and I guess another dark brown is out of the question. This leaves charcoal, black or dark green - these always go well with white concrete blocks - or perhaps a soft mid toned neutral warm stone colour. You might check these colours out to see if they interest you - Resene Half Fuscous Grey, Resene Foundry, Resene Double Tapa or Resene Quarter Sandstone. There are several 'features' on the house - the roof tiles, the coloured glass, the circular staircase and the dark timbers of the pergola etc so neutralised colours suit the style of the house well without competing with these elements.

Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Quarter Sandstone
Resene Quarter Sandstone
May 2014

Q. We want an alternate scheme for our exterior which is currently Resene Spanish White and Resene Coral for windows. The roof is Karaka. I have thought about Resene Thorndon Cream or Reseme Ash. Need to avoid the neighbour's colour scheme of Resene Lemon Grass.

A. I think your idea of Resene Thorndon Cream is worthy of consideration. I like the Resene Ash but it may look a little too green and it would pay to have a less green look if the neighbour’s house is Resene Lemon Grass. If you want to use a deeper colour around the windows you could stay within the Resene Thorndon Cream palette - perhaps Resene Triple Thorndon Cream but at some times of the day it may not seem like a different colour at all. An alternative deeper colour might be Resene Quarter Evolution or for lighter windows Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Coral
Resene Coral
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Evolution
Resene Quarter Evolution
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
May 2014

Q. We have just purchased a 1920s house and he exterior paintwork needs immediate attention when we move in. The roof is grey and the exterior is presently all white. Please can you suggest some fresh, crisp colours for an exterior colour scheme. I would prefer not to have an earthy or ‘muddy’ undertone, but to keep it looking clean and neat. The roof has recently been painted and we are happy with that colour.

A. Fresh and crisp is often cool as well so the colours that follow may be within that criteria – Resene Eighth Tana, Resene House White, Resene Rice Cake, Resene Half Thorndon Cream or Resene Wan White. I think all windows, doors, under soffits, fascias etc should be Resene White which will enhance the pale, cool, crisp colours suggested.

Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene House White
Resene House White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
May 2014

Q. We are currently renovating our house. We are painting our lounge, dining room, kitchen and hallway walls Resene Double White Pointer and have a brick fireplace that goes right to the ceiling which I would like to make a feature wall. Do you have any recommendations on what colours would work? We are putting in a dark grey carpet if that makes any difference.

A. There are several ways of approaching a large element like the brick fire breast that goes right to the ceiling - if it is attractive and you love it then a deeper colour will reinforce the bricks and draw the eye to it. If you don't altogether love it, but it is there looking at you, you might go a little lighter so it tries to modestly blend in. I don't think I would recommend a distinctive colour - like red or anything like that as it may be a 'bossy feature' and try and take over the room.

Try these colours – Resene Half Taupe Grey or Resene Half Friar Grey (deeper) and Resene White Pointer (lighter). Alternatively you might use the same colour as the walls are being painted because the size of the chimney breast and the bricks themselves are already a feature.

Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
May 2014

Q. I am looking for a green similar to Resene Pelorous. I have the Resene Pelorous colour as a feature wall and am looking for a green in a similar tone for another room.

A. You could check out these greens – Resene Niagara, Resene Keppel, Resene Gulf Stream, Resene Zomp or Resene Landmark.

Resene Pelorous
Resene Pelorous
       
Resene Niagara
Resene Niagara
Resene Keppel
Resene Keppel
Resene Gulf Stream
Resene Gulf Stream
Resene Zomp
Resene Zomp
Resene Landmark
Resene Landmark
May 2014

Q. I am thinking about painting my house Resene Albescent White with Resene Double Rice Cake trim. There a some large villa windows that I would like to paint a warm colour as they are south facing towards the sea. What about Resene White Rock for these and a suggestion for the doors?

A. I am really hesitant in regard the colours you have mentioned because all three are really discordant together and they are almost the same weight of colour which means there is no contrast or so little that I feel you could be really unhappy with the results if you went ahead. On an exterior bright natural light 'bleeds' colour away and often colours that look as though they are lighter, brighter or different enough to all look exactly the same.

It would be worth your while to visit your nearest Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 samples in the in store colour library. I personally feel there is nothing so enlightening as seeing real paint samples in a large enough size to help sort out your options.

You might look at these ones - #1 - Resene Albescent White with Resene Alabaster for the main trim work and Resene Perfect Taupe for the other details, #2 - Resene Ecru White with Resene Eighth Rice Cake for the trim work and Resene Half Hillary for the other details, or #3 - Resene Rice Cake with Resene White for the trim work and Resene Caraway for the other details.

Once you choose a colour palette you can then address the doors which might be a 'special feature' colour - a colour that makes your heart sing - or, alternatively you could use the colour that you propose to use on the south facing windows and thereby tie it in to the overall scheme. If you don't use the south facing window colour somewhere else on the house you may be in danger of having people say 'Why are these windows different?' as they may not understand your concept.

Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene White Rock
Resene White Rock
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Perfect Taupe
Resene Perfect Taupe
Resene Ecru White
Resene Ecru White
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Half Hillary
Resene Half Hillary
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Caraway
Resene Caraway
May 2014

Q. We were looking for a pleasant and warm neutral to paint our new fairly modern house by the sea. We have painted the ceiling Resene Black White and the frames Resene Alabaster. We chose Resene Eighth Joss for the walls, as I like earthy tones and my husband didn't want to go too dark. (I preferred Resene Quarter Joss). Also, we are considering laying deep fawn/grey brown carpets and thought it would match. However, after one coat I hate the colour - it looks like a warm beige and I was looking for something much more contemporary without using a white. Our last house was Resene Quarter Tea and we were very happy with it, but we wanted to go a little warmer this time. Appreciate your urgent advice, as I'd like to change colour before I put on a second coat.

A. I think it is important to know that colour always seems much deeper (double the strength in some cases) in an interior so you need to sneak up on warm/contemporary as it can suddenly go wrong - both in depth and type of colour. The Resene Joss palette are very pink/beige - all of them. You might like to try these colours – Resene Eighth Fossil, Resene Albescent White and Resene Eighth Tea. This isn't a default choice - different weight of colour, different house, different light = completely different colour.

Don't put the testpot onto the already coloured wall - it makes you see the colour wrong - paint two coats, all of the testpot onto A2 card available from your Resene ColorShop - leaving an unpainted white border all around the edges and then move the sample around the walls. That is when you see the colour change with light and different angles and the unpainted border helps you focus on the reality of the colour without the existing wall colour unduly influencing it.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Eighth Joss
Resene Eighth Joss
Resene Quarter Joss
Resene Quarter Joss
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
   
May 2014

Q. We need to choose a new colour for our external doors. This includes: double garage door, main front door, French doors, sliding doors and large tri-fold door. Currently they are all a brown/red which made some sense as the roof was a similar colour. However we have just put on a new roof - it is COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars. The cladding of the house is Resene Half Napa. We're thinking of a lighter grey than the roof, but still a distinct colour change from the cladding. Something around Resene Regent Grey or Resene Grey Chateau maybe.

A. Your new COLORSTEEL® roof - Grey Friars - is the same colour as Resene Grey Friars in the Roof Colour Systems Range - though the roof probably looks slightly lighter due to the 45 degree angle to the sun. We do have lighter versions of Resene Grey Friars - Resene Half Grey Friars and Resene Quarter Grey Friars and there is also Resene Quarter Tuna - would they be too deep for what you are wanting to do? Resene Grey Chateau is nice but too close to the depth of Resene Half Napa - there would be no contrast. Resene Regent Grey is lovely but it does tend toward the blue/green in its undertone not charcoal with a undertone of blue like the roof.

Another grey worth considering is Resene Trojan. It has a lovely warmth which looks good with Resene Half Napa.

COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Tuna
Resene Quarter Tuna
Resene Trojan
Resene Trojan
May 2014

Page 16

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Resene Paints Ltd   – www.resene.com

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Colours shown on this website are a representation only. Please refer to the actual paint or product sample. Resene colour charts, testpots and samples are available for ordering online.   See measurements/conversions for more details on how electronic colour values are achieved.

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