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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 23

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. 23

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


Q. Our house sits in bush (mostly flax, taupata, karo, etc) and faces Cook Strait down a short green valley. We want to use Resene Flax as our main outside colour and are thinking of Resene Kelp as trim but would that look too heavy? It’s also surrounded by a deck with balustrades. Should the balustrades be same as the main colour or as the trim?

A. I don't think the Resene Kelp will look too heavy for the trim. Colours on an exterior often appear lighter due to the way colour gets muted by bright natural light. Another deep colour that works well with Resene Flax is Resene Evolution, which is an earthier deep olive but it has slightly soft edge to it. If you were wanting another perspective then using a much lighter colour for the trim will make your main colour appear deeper by creating contrast - have you thought about that? Look at Resene Ecru White, which is sharp greenish neutral with the Resene Flax to see how the colour relationship changes - very interesting!

Yes the balustrades should be the same colour as the trim.

Resene Flax
Resene Flax
Resene Kelp
Resene Kelp
Resene Evolution
Resene Evolution
Resene Ecru White
Resene Ecru White
November 2014

Q. I am looking at Resene Truffle for the exterior of my 1920s bungalow. I am looking at Resene Half Truffle but am wondering if this would be too light. Would I be better to go with full Resene Truffle? I am also looking at Resene Alabaster for windows.

A. If you used Resene Truffle the contrast with Resene Alabaster is more definite. Colours often look quite a bit lighter on an exterior and my worry would be that Resene Half Truffle might look more like the quarter version in the bright natural light. If you are in doubt testing the colours and checking out what changes occur with the light throughout the day will be helpful.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
November 2014

Q. We are going to paint the exterior of our house. It’s a 1980s Hardiplank with brown aluminium. What colours would suit these old windows?

A. With any existing coloured element on a house sometimes decisions for the 'new look' can be compromised but there are some really nice earthy neutrals that may look good with your windows – Resene Quarter Bison Hide, Resene Quarter Cougar, Resene Half Grey Olive and Resene Taupe Grey.

Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Half Grey Olive
Resene Half Grey Olive
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
November 2014

Q. I am looking at paint options for my bathroom and I am hoping you can help! I would like to go with a lightish grey. I think I am on the right track with Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe but this colour is ever so slightly purple looking in the room which is lacking natural light. Just wondering what you would suggest?

A. Most greys are loaded with all sorts of underlying tints and tones and when they are seen in smaller or dimmer areas it is suddenly obvious. You may need to check out several colours to see what changes occur and to compare them with each other - that can be enlightening! These light greys are worth a trial – Resene Quarter Cloudy, Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Whiteout or Resene Concrete.

Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Whiteout
Resene Whiteout
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
November 2014

Q. We have selected Resene Flower Power for one of our daughter’s room and Resene Jordy Blue for our other daughter. The rooms have high ceilings and are sunny. We want to use the selected paints on only one feature wall and are looking for another colour for the other three walls. We don’t want a white due to marking.

A. You might check out these colours – Resene Softly Softly, Resene Sherbert, Resene Ragamuffin, Resene Quarter Dutch White or Resene Rice Cake.

I know you said you weren't keen on 'whites' but the delicate colour of Resene Flower Power hates being with dirty neutrals - it is totally wiped out by them so I have sought out fresh sweet colours. Might I suggest you use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel in the bedrooms - it is washable and the application is easy.

Resene Flower Power
Resene Flower Power
Resene Jordy Blue
Resene Jordy Blue
     
Resene Softly Softly
Resene Softly Softly
Resene Sherbert
Resene Sherbert
Resene Ragamuffin
Resene Ragamuffin
Resene Quarter Dutch White
Resene Quarter Dutch White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
November 2014

Q. I am going for Balterio magnitude Refined Oak 542 flooring. Can you please suggest a colour for the walls? I currently have a cream colour and need to know if it would be better to change it.

A. With the new floor I think it is timely to look for a new wall colour - a bit of modern sophistication perhaps? You might look at the these colours to see if they suit you – Resene Half Flotsam, Resene Quarter Truffle or Resene Half Sandspit Brown.

Resene Half Flotsam
Resene Half Flotsam
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Half Sandspit Brown
November 2014

Q. I'm looking at Resene Pattens Blue for my bedroom. Is that of a similar tone/style to Resene Orinoco (yellowy green) which is warm and goes well with the aged wood skirting and doors in our rooms? I want a comfortable, relaxing and warm or sea feel.

A. Resene Pattens Blue is a really pretty blue and makes the Resene Orinoco look quite earthy/dirty by comparison – Resene Pattens Blue is much lighter and cooler/cleaner. If you have the Resene Orinoco already and love it and want a blue that relates well to it then please look at these slightly deeper blues because they are full of warmth and coastal ambiance – Resene Frozen, Resene Escape, Resene Comfort Zone or Resene Moby.

Resene Pattens Blue
Resene Pattens Blue
Resene Orinoco
Resene Orinoco
   
Resene Frozen
Resene Frozen
Resene Escape
Resene Escape
Resene Comfort Zone
Resene Comfort Zone
Resene Moby
Resene Moby
November 2014

Q. We have a brick ex state house and have painted the exterior brick in Resene Shark. The COLORSTEEL® roof was Pioneer Red but has faded to a terracotta colour. We have an addition on the back constructed from silver Zincalume with aluminium windows in Titania. We thought we would paint the front wooden windows in Resene Titania also but they look terrible as they are too dark. Please can you suggest an appropriate colour for the windows and trims which will complement and look fresh and modern?

A. Do you mean that the Titania looks too dark compared to white? If this is the case perhaps look at using Resene Helium as it seems to be similar but lighter but may still tie in the extension powdercoated windows. Or alternatively you might look at Resene Quarter Ecru White or Resene Half Merino as these will still give you a striking contrast to your main house colour.

Resene Shark
Resene Shark
COLORSTEEL® Pioneer Red
COLORSTEEL® Pioneer Red
Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Helium
Resene Helium
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
November 2014

Q. I have just added a fibreglass pool to our home with Imagestone Mountain Mist pavers. My back veranda is a blank canvas, which I would like to paint to make it a tropical but calming exterior. I will be adding either black or dark brown outdoor dining lounge with white cushions as a base. Could you please give me some idea on a colour scheme that will work with a COLORBOND® in Woodland Grey.

A. Everyone has a different view of what makes a 'tropical but calming' colour. I suggest you look at a warmed neutral and add some extra 'tropical' colours to the cushions on the outdoor dining furniture and perhaps some bolder coloured accents in pots or planting. Otherwise you may go off a 'tropical' coloured house - limes, blues, aqua, yellow, oranges etc. Does that make sense?

Check out these options to see if you would be happy with this sort of colour as they do go nicely with the roof colour – Resene Half Pearl Lusta, Resene Half Secrets, Resene Half White Rock, Resene Quarter Dutch White or Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown.

COLORSTEEL® Woodland Grey
COLORSTEEL® Woodland Grey
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Secrets
Resene Half Secrets
Resene Half White Rock
Resene Half White Rock
Resene Quarter Dutch White
Resene Quarter Dutch White
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
November 2014

Q. I want to do a splashback and I think I want a blue. I bought one sample home called Resene Frozen and was also looking at Resene Cut Glass. What do think would be better for the kitchen?

A. The right blue for a splashback at your house is the blue that looks best with your kitchen colours and makes you feel happy. Colour choices and how we feel about colour is such a personal thing. If you try several then you will be able to compare them and see how they look at your house, in your light and with your things.

A word to the wise - standard float glass over the colour will change it radically as it has a green cast but crystal clear low iron oxide glass will show the colour behind it absolutely 'true' - if having the right colour is important then having the clearer glass may be even more important.

Resene Frozen
Resene Frozen
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
November 2014

Q. We are considering painting the house Resene Drover yellow and the roof a blue-grey. Do you think this colour combination would go well and can you suggest a colour for the roof?

A. Yellows and blues are very popular, though I haven't seen this particular combination for about 15 years. People will come in busloads to check out your bright/happy 'sunshine' house! Because yellows of any kind double their 'yellowness' you might check out these slightly lighter/mellow yellows like these – Resene Buttermilk or Resene Double Dutch White. For the roof you might look at these blue/greys – Resene Coast or Resene New Denim Blue.

Resene Drover
Resene Drover
Resene Buttermilk
Resene Buttermilk
Resene Double Dutch White
Resene Double Dutch White
Resene Coast
Resene Coast
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
November 2014

Q. Am about to paint the exterior of my home and am struggling with colours to use. Want to move away from yellow/cream to more beige/cream and darker highlighting colour. Any ideas what sort of colours would work for my house? The roof/gutters are COLORBOND® Jasper and the garage door is COLORBOND® Classic Cream.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they might work for you – Resene Parchment with a deeper version for highlighting - Resene Triple Parchment, or Resene Quarter Stonewall with a deeper version for highlighting - Resene Stonewall, or Resene Double Spanish White with a deeper version for highlighting - Resene Double Bison Hide.

The colour of the bricks, the roof/joinery and garage door will have a strong bearing on what looks good. Take your time to find the perfect colours - it will be worthwhile.

COLORSTEEL® Jasper
COLORSTEEL® Jasper
COLORSTEEL® Classic Cream
COLORSTEEL® Classic Cream
Resene Parchment
Resene Parchment
Resene Triple Parchment
Resene Triple Parchment
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Double Bison Hide
November 2014

Q. I have a 1995 brown brick house which I would like to paint a charcoal or soft black as the wood fencing is. The roof I don’t have the money for now and will have to stay a light blue/grey. How would this look? Should I go for it?

A. If you want a more modern look and it is only the brown bricks that are stopping you from achieving this then 'Go for it'. You will need to make sure the bricks are very clean and sealed also as bricks are very porous/absorbent. If you don't seal them you may use far more paint than you could imagine as the surface of the bricks will just soak it up.

A soft charcoal could be nice - look at Resene Tuna or Resene Half Grey Friars. Use lots of real white for contrast to add interest - windows, doors, under soffits, barge boards and eaves etc and you should have a completely different looking house.

Resene Tuna
Resene Tuna
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
November 2014

Q. We want two colours to put on window frames. Our garage door will be New Denim Blue. We have tried Resene New Denim Blue and Resene Half Denim Blue on the window frames but found them to be too grey for our liking. Wondering about Resene Waikawa Grey and Resene True Blue. Our exterior walls are a porridge type colour.

A. New Denim Blue is a definite grey - with a little blue in it. So if you use the blues that you mention and they make the New Denim Blue look really grey by comparison will that be alright?

Resene Waikawa Grey is a lovely colour and so is Resene Astronaut and Resene Ship Cove - you could use the lightest – Resene Ship Cove - and the deeper blue Resene Astronaut around the windows. They look lovely together with just enough difference between them to create a lovely blue look.

Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene Half Denim Blue
Resene Half Denim Blue
Resene Waikawa Grey
Resene Waikawa Grey
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene Astronaut
Resene Astronaut
Resene Ship Cove
Resene Ship Cove
   
November 2014

Q. I really like the Resene Unwind, Resene Half Tea and Resene High Tea in the latest email newsletter. What would be a complementary orange? I would select two of those four colours for a relatively dark room. Should any one of those colours be used on the darkest wall or does it not really matter if they are all in the same sort of shade? The ceiling and trim is Resene Black White. All the furniture is white.

A. There is a lovely French inspired beige that is chock a block full of yellow/orange - Resene Moscato - that looks beautiful with Resene Unwind. It really glows and might be good on the darkest wall in a dim room. Alternatively there is a deeper orange based colour - Resene Pendragon, which is yummy with Resene Half Tea - this colour is as strong as I consider well balanced with the palette of colours you have mentioned which are soft gentle tones. Bolder oranges just don't do it as they are too energetic and vibrant.

Resene Unwind
Resene Unwind
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene High Tea
Resene High Tea
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Moscato
Resene Moscato
Resene Pendragon
Resene Pendragon
   
November 2014

Q. I want to change the colour in my lounge to a much lighter colour! What would you suggest? It's a sage green and it's Resene Sandtex paint! I would like a light earthy colour. The rest of the house is done in Resene Half Napa. But don't want Resene Napa for this room.

A. You might check out these light colours to see if they are what you have in mind – Resene Triple Merino, Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Half Biscotti or Resene Half Ash.

They may appear slightly deeper because of painting over a Resene Sandtex textured surface.

Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Napa

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Biscotti
Resene Half Biscotti
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
November 2014

Q. Any suggestions of an exterior weatherboard blue colour to suit my darling citrus growing in limewashed terracotta pots?

A. It rather depends on other elements on the house - roof, windows , doors etc - but you might look at a soft pretty hue like Resene Blue Moon or an aged greyed off blue like Resene Dusted Blue or even a cool, delicate blue like Resene Frozen.

Resene Blue Moon
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Frozen
Resene Frozen
November 2014

Q. We have Resene Half Truffle through our house and want to know what colours would match it in the bathroom? It’s a very small bathroom but does have plenty of light.

A. You might look at these lovely soft colours to see whether they would suit you – Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Eighth Truffle or Resene Quarter White Pointer.

Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
November 2014

Q. I am painting my kitchen/dining and hallway Resene Quarter Truffle. The solid single sliding door between the dining and hall I intend to paint a dark charcoal. Can you please suggest a tone that works nicely with Resene Quarter and Resene Half Truffle? The lounge will be Resene Half Truffle. The ceiling and skirting etc will be Resene Double Alabaster. Will Resene Double Alabaster go with Resene Quarter Truffle.

A. Yes, Resene Double Alabaster and Resene Half Truffle do go together. It is a soft contrast not a stark or crisp contrast but very nice. I suggest you check these dark charcoals out – Resene Half Bokara Grey, Resene Foundry or Resene Gumboot.

If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop to view the A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library it will make your choosing easier. If the dark charcoals appear too dark then please enquire from the staff about lighter charcoals and they can show you lighter options.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Gumboot
Resene Gumboot
November 2014

Q. Which colour will give me a dark charcoal grey effect on external timber paling fences? I've tried Resene Jaguar but it is very blue. I really want a very dark charcoal grey that is not blue or brown and also not completely black.

A. All charcoals carry colours within their makeup. Resene Jaguar has a purple/blue undertone. You might check these out – Resene Foundry, Resene Gumboot or Resene Baltic Sea.

If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop to view the A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library and compare them with each other and hold them vertically to your right and left hand side and - ask the staff first - take them to the doorway so you can see them in natural light you may be better able to judge what they are really like and it will be a great help to you.

Resene Jaguar
Resene Jaguar
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Gumboot
Resene Gumboot
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
November 2014

Q. We are getting a new kitchen with white cupboards and a benchtop, jug etc in black. The dining room is behind the island bench with two big windows so is very light. The floor is dark wood. I would like natural colours yet my husband likes different colours.

A. Your new kitchen and flooring will allow you to do almost anything for this room. You and your husband both have ideas about what you like. But if you think about what I am about to say you will both be pleased.

A neutral colour will look lovely and will allow you to co-ordinate other colours in the dining room. Consider adding colour in the curtains and splashback and let your husband choose a fabric or colour he would like for these.

Then look at neutral colours that will look good with the splashback or curtains. Both you and your husband get to choose and no one misses out. Satisfaction for everyone.

November 2014

Q. We have just installed a new kitchen. Our walls are Resene Quarter Napa and the cupboards are similar to Resene Eighth Napa. Wondering what colour to use for the glass splashback, in either neutral or colour. Our bench is a charcoal colour, so is the floor. Our splashback is going underneath the window and above the oven and out to the width of the cupboards.

A. I think a metallic colour could look really stunning - have you thought about that as an option? You might look at this metallic – Resene Meridian or a definite colour – Resene Madam M, or a simple option would be to have crystal clear/low iron oxide glass over the existing wall colour.

It is only the low iron oxide glass that doesn't alter the colour that is behind it as it is totally clear unlike standard float glass which has a green cast to it.

Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Meridian
Resene Meridian
Resene Madam M
Resene Madam M
November 2014

Q. I have an old unusual house and I would like to change the exterior colour from the existing cream. It has Resene Treehouse stain on the timber, a Karaka green roof and gutters and bronze joinery. What colour do you suggest for the cream areas? I am thinking some sort of dark natural.

A. Perhaps you might check these colours out to see if they are 'dark natural' colour that you envisage: Resene Quarter Stonewall, Resene Rockbottom, Resene Quarter Arrowtown or Resene Double Tea.

Resene Treehouse
Resene Treehouse
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Rockbottom
Resene Rockbottom
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
November 2014

Q. We are doing a substantial home renovation and want to be sure our existing colours will work with the alterations. We currently have Resene Sandspit Brown walls with volcanic red doors. Our roof will be changing to Ironsand long run and the grey corner panels in the drawing are going to be an light brown/grey slate. Do you think our existing Resene Sandspit Brown and volcanic red will work with this? Can you suggest alternatives that may work better?

A. I really like the colours that you have mentioned and I think the slate will work well on the corner panels as it has more subtle variations of colour in it and is earthy. The relationship of your colours is warm and appears well balanced. Congratulations!

Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sandspit Brown
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
November 2014

Q. We are thinking of using Resene Quarter Silver Chalice or Resene Concrete on the walls of our entrance, hallway, stairs and upstairs hallway. What would be a good trim to use on ceiling and edges that provides a nice contrast but not one that is too stark? And do you think we could go for a softer contrast on edges but still retain white ceilings? What would be a nice trim to use with Resene Robin Egg Blue in the master bedroom to continue the nice soft feel?

A. When all of these misty colours that you have mentioned are used it is important to enhance them but not compete with them. Soft 'whites' will always work and the lightest version of a colour will add a little 'extra' to them but if they are already the lightest version of a colour it can be difficult. If a more definite colour is used as a contrast it robs attention from the wall colour making it less appealing. You might look at these colours to see if they will achieve what you want – Resene Quarter Wan White or Resene Half Wan White, Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Quarter Black White.

These are cooler 'whites' and yet they are still more coloured than true white - they can be used for wood trims and ceilings.

Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Robin Egg Blue
Resene Robin Egg Blue
 
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
November 2014

Q. What are your go to neutrals for home projects?

A. Light colours:

  • Resene Eighth Lemon Grass - I love the way this colour expands space and creates a quiet peaceful ambiance. It is lovely in bright sunny rooms.
  • Resene Half Sandspit Brown - This is so flexible and obliging - not too pink, yellow or brown in tone. A nice old fashioned creamy beige.
  • Resene Quarter Truffle - When beige or grey are too definite this is a gentle shadowy mushroom - delicious.

Medium colours:

  • Resene Silver Chalice - There is a definite warmth hiding in this silvery grey. It works so well with very pale and very dark colours and a surprising amount of bold accent colours.
  • Resene Eighth Oilskin - This colour has enough dusty brown depth with a rather unusual rosy undertone. It works for men and women as it is interesting and mellow.
  • Resene Dutch White - When a sunny yellow is required I rely on this creamed/yellow as it is not sour, or too bright and it successfully lights up dim spaces.

Deep colours:

  • Resene Fuscous Grey - My favourite warm toned charcoal. It is deep but never dark and is stunning in so many situations. When I am working a white, silver and black palette this always works.
  • Resene Gravel - This is so easy to live with - it has a green edge hiding in its stone heart and is wonderful in contemporary or traditional schemes. It is very successful with reds.
  • Resene Double Oilskin - This is a slightly bitter deep chocolate. It is sophisticated and can be used with grey, cream or green/blues.

Let's not forget my favourite 'go to whites':

  • Resene Half Bianca - This always sweetens and warms other neutrals and definite colours. It creates a lovely mellow, soft look even when used with cooler blues, greens and greys.
  • Resene Half Alabaster - It has a clarity and sharpness that enhances and adds contrast to dirty and ambiguous colours and highlights bold colours really well.
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Half Sandspit Brown
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Eighth Oilskin
Resene Eighth Oilskin
Resene Dutch White
Resene Dutch White
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene Double Oilskin
Resene Double Oilskin
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
 
November 2014

Q. We had a colour consultation then had to change some of our colour choices for joinery and roof and are now confused again! Our house will have aluminum joinery - silver pearl satin - which is quite a muddy mid grey. We are having trouble finding an external paint colour that works with this, when we really want to avoid whites or light tones. We love mid to dark range brown/greys though are trying to avoid going too dark as its new cedar cladding.

Our favorite colour choice at present is Resene Triple Truffle, but we are concerned it’s a bit close to the joinery colour. We want to know if you think it would work or if not or if there’s another colour option you could recommend! Our roof is COLORSTEEL® Ironsand.

A. You are right. Resene Triple Truffle does seem quite close in colour to Silver Pearl. You may need to go a little bit deeper for the house if you want the windows to look lighter and that poses a bit of a problem with the weatherboards as the recommendation for timber (yes cedar as well) is that the LRV be between 45-100% so that means very very light colours. Resene Triple Truffle has a LRV of 39% - so is too dark. If you want to opt for this you will need to discuss it with the builder and painter to ensure it does not void the warranty.

You could check these colours out (though they are also darker and lower LRV) – Resene Quarter Masala, Resene Double Friar Greystone or Resene Stonehenge. If you do decide on one of these colours then I definitely recommend using CoolColour™ versions of the colour as it will help stop the gross absorption of heat that deeper colours create on the surface. You would also need to discuss with the builder and painter to ensure it does not void the warranty.

Another option, you might go much lighter on the house so that the Silver Pearl appears slightly deeper - perhaps Resene Truffle.

Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
   
Resene Quarter Masala
Resene Quarter Masala
Resene Double Friar Greystone
Resene Double Friar Greystone
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
November 2014

Q. I want to paint horrible wooden Lockwood walls. I am thinking something apricot/yellow like Resene Half or even Quarter Moonbeam. But I don't want a 'flat' colour. We did add a sky light to the lounge and it has made it brighter, but I don't know how to cover up the wood.

A. I suggest that - firstly - you pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the Woodcare product display. On it there is an example of a varnished wood like a Lockwood house has. The product that I am thinking of, Resene Colorwood Whitewash, can be directly applied over existing varnished surfaces with little or no preparation.

But if this isn't at all what you want and you would prefer to find a paint colour and clean down all surfaces, sand all surfaces thoroughly and use a varnish sealer Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer prior to painting 2-3 coats of topcoat you could look at these pale yellow colours – Resene Half Beeswax, Resene Half Dutch White, Resene Honeymoon, Resene Coconut Cream or Resene Brie.

Resene Moonbeam
Resene Moonbeam
       
Resene Half Beeswax
Resene Half Beeswax
Resene Half Dutch White
Resene Half Dutch White
Resene Honeymoon
Resene Honeymoon
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Brie
Resene Brie
November 2014

Q. We are thinking of painting the majority of our interior either Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Ragamuffin or Resene Eighth Bison Hide. The carpet is a mid brown and the joinery is Karaka (with a rimu trim). The plan is to do the master bedroom, bathrooms and study either triple strength of one of the above or a dark complementary colour. We have bush views from most windows.

A. I would imagine that Resene Half Thorndon Cream would work really well - and a deeper version Resene Double Thorndon Cream will really pick up the influence of the rimu and Karaka colours and would enhance the view of the bush.

The Resene Eighth Bison Hide is on the browner side (still good with the rimu and the Karaka and the brown carpet) and a deeper version Resene Bison Hide will be quite a deep muddy colour.

Resene Ragamuffin is quite sharp with a bit more yellow/green edge to it. It doesn't extend to a deeper variant although you could use Resene Hillary as a deep colour.

It is absolutely essential for you to test the colours - they will alter radically in the light of the rooms and with all other colours such as the carpet/curtains etc. I always suggest that people apply two coats, all of the testpot, onto A2 card (available from your Resene ColorShop) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges. This means that you see enough of the colour to make a good judgement about it and you can move it from wall to wall and room to room to see how it changes - and it will - sometimes in a scary way! So make friends with the testpots and take the pain out of decision making. Warning! If you paint the testpot directly to the already coloured walls you may be totally misled about what the colour really looks like.

Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Ragamuffin
Resene Ragamuffin
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Hillary
Resene Hillary
   
November 2014

Q. I have a plain villa in Dunedin. I have already painted the sills in Resene Half Wheatfield, which I like and want to match it with a grey/brown on the weatherboards. I have seen a house painted in Resene Schooner which I really like but on my home (via a testpot) it looks browner that I would like. However I like the depth of colour but would like a slightly more grey/brown look. Do you have any other suggestions? I also need to paint the roof.

A. You might look at using either of these two colours – Resene Friar Greystone or Resene Stonehenge. The roof might be either of these colours – Resene Ironsand or Resene Squall.

I definitely recommend you use the CoolColour™ version of the colours - that is what CC means in the colour codes - to modify the heat that will be attracted to the surface of the old weatherboards and the roof by these dark colours.

There are lighter variants of both the Resene Friar Greystone and the Resene Stonehenge if you wanted a colour slightly paler/cooler.

Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Schooner
Resene Schooner
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
November 2014

Q. If I am using Resene White Pointer as the wall colour, what shade of white paint should I use for the door frames, picture rails and skirtings? The house is a 1950s retro style with a pink and grey bathroom and white cupboards and greyish flower tiles in the kitchen. I love green fawns and have that in my furnishings and linen. The outside of the house will be Resene Tea with an accent of either Resene Triple Tea or Resene Tapa for the downpipes and gutters, doors etc and Resene White Pointer for the windows. I need to make the outside work with the inside blending my neutral and green tones with the greys etc. The bathroom and kitchen tiles must stay the same.

A. Just to touch on the exterior - Resene Tea and the accent of Resene Tapa is lovely but I feel you may need to use a lighter variant of Resene White Pointer - perhaps Resene Half White Pointer - to achieve the right graduation of colours. Also the half formula is less grey and therefore more harmonious with the beige tone of Resene Tea.

For the interior I suggest you investigate using either Resene Alabaster (cooler/crisper) or Resene Quarter Bianca (warmer/mellow) as your 'white' to go with Resene White Pointer.

The distinctive colours in the bathroom are very retro and as long as you only use a 'white' in there, there should be no clash. The grey bathroom bath etc may be slightly cooler/bluer than the Resene White Pointer, this is slightly warmer/grey beige, which is why I mention this.

Be careful with any green fawns that you use - they will work with the 'white' but may take on more brown or green tone when they are seen close to Resene White Pointer. Test the colours by painting A2 cards (available from your Resene ColorShop) and placing them around your rooms to see how natural light alters them and how they respond to other colours seen close to them.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
     
November 2014

Q. I have painted my bedroom Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue and have just added a small walk-in ensuite with a white tiled shower, white toilet and handbasin. The room has a very high stud but is only 900mm wide and about 3.2 metres long with one window bringing in natural light. There is a cavity slider door so for the most part it will be open so I would like the two rooms to flow. What colour options should I look at please?

A. I think with such a narrow room any colour will be really intensified so it may pay to 'sneak up' on colour and go paler rather than deeper. Perhaps you could look at these colours – Resene Half Carefree, Resene Wan White, Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Black White.

Accessories (towels) can replicate the bedroom wall colour which may make the rooms seem more related. Another option is to use the bedroom wall colour on the ceiling only - ceilings are the new 'feature' walls - with a 'whiter' wall colour.

Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Carefree
Resene Half Carefree
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
November 2014

Q. Have just painted our new kitchen Resene Coriander. We are having macrocarpa joinery. Wondering what type and colour of flooring?

A. I often recommend that people look at their flooring options first so they have all the choices in the world. With the wall colour and the wooden cabinetry completed it is a case of what will look good with those, what you want to pay and what is available - it may mean a compromise as you will have less to choose from. If you are looking at vinyl perhaps look at greyed/browns or sandstone colours.

Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
November 2014

Q. We are painting our house of Hebel construction Resene Bison Hide. What coloured aluminium joinery would you recommend? I like Canvas Cloth but is this the wrong tone?

A. It isn't too bad. If you can get a large powdercoat sample and look at it with an A4 real paint sample of Resene Bison Hide (you can view these at any Resene ColorShops) you will notice the Resene Bison Hide looks a little bit more yellow/green compared to the more muted grey undertone of Canvas Cloth. A more sympathetic colour (if you are very concerned by it not being a totally perfect relationship) is Resene Half Cougar.

Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Cougar

 


Q. We are looking to paint our living room walls with Resene Sea Fog and Resene Half Alabaster for the ceiling and trim. Could you suggest a nice warm grey paint as a feature wall in the living room?

A. My kind of nice warm grey may be slightly different to what you consider is a nice warm grey but you might look at these colours – Resene Rakaia, Resene Double Concrete, Resene Eighth Stack or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Eighth Stack
Resene Eighth Stack
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
November 2014

Q. I'm looking for a ‘dirty’ white to paint on kitchen cabinets. The bench is wooden, the contrast wall colour will be Resene Half Sisal or the likes, the splashback tiles will be white subway tiles and the floor will be black slate tiles. The overall look desired for the kitchen cabinets is white but not bright white. No pink or yellow hues please. Any suggestions?

A. Perhaps you could look at these 'whites' to see if they are what you are looking for – Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Black White, Resene Quarter Merino or Resene Half Wan White.

Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
November 2014

Q. I have a 1950s red brick and stucco house. The stucco (top half of the house) is currently white. It has white window surrounds, with brick sills. The roof is charcoal grey. Could you give me an indication of what colour would look best with the brick? I want to paint the white stucco. I'm leaning more towards dark charcoal or black. Do you think this is appropriate?

A. Colour preference is such a personal thing isn't it? I don't feel really comfortable with a black on the stucco but I could imagine colours like Resene Gravel or Resene Double Tapa working because they have an elemental green undertone in the charcoal which responds well to close association with brick. Perhaps check them out first and then pursue darker tones that are a little similar in undertone to see if there is anything else you favour.

Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
November 2014

Q. We are doing board and batten (pine), the house is long rectangle shape with large windows and stacker doors, in a rural setting. What is a nice Resene Woodsman stain colour? Originally was thinking of Resene Smokey Ash or Resene Iroko with Ironsand roof and joinery. What is a nice dark stain and what joinery colour would match?

A. If you have gone off the idea of the Smokey Ash, Iroko and Ironsand then you could try Resene Treehouse, Resene Bark or Resene Sheer Black. You might look at using Thunder Grey, Bone White or Sandstone Grey for joinery.

Resene Woodsman Smokey Ash
Resene Smokey Ash
Resene Iroko
Resene Iroko
Resene Treehouse
Resene Treehouse
Resene Bark
Resene Bark
Resene Woodsman Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
 
November 2014

Q. We have a 1960s red brick house with dark brown aluminium joinery. Can you please advise colours for a new iron roof, soffits, barge boards and concrete foundation? The mortar between the bricks is white.

A. Perhaps a brown based charcoal for the roof - Resene Lignite or darker Resene Ironsand and somewhat lighter for the other parts of the house - you could check out these ones – Resene Sandspit Brown or Resene Eighth Joss.

Resene Lignite
Resene Lignite
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Eighth Joss
Resene Eighth Joss
November 2014

Q. What colour dye can I mix with my white paint to get a biscuit colour ?

A. Are you in the habit of tinting your own paint with Universal Paint Stainers? For most it is far easier to visit a Resene ColorShop and choose a nice biscuit colour from the many that feature in the colour charts and get the staff to do it for you. Usually multiple tinters are used and the amounts that are used are measured in mls so it is really hard to do that without professional help.

November 2014

Q. Can you suggest a light colour to use as a feature wall with Resene Quarter Napa in a lounge? We have a large area of full length drapes on two walls in a kind of two tone abstract pattern in a colour that is very neutral and difficult to describe. Our lounge suite has three tones of ‘greige’ cushions on a dark brown frame. We have wood doors and bookshelves that are teak in colour, and a neutral greyish carpet. I was thinking a light blue would contrast and lift it. It is an extremely sunny room and can get extremely bright in the afternoons so we do not want anything very reflective.

A. I think you may need a mid toned blue with an underlying muted quality to it in order for the other colours not to totally swamp it. You might look at these colours – Resene Bellbottom Blue, Resene Wanaka, Resene Astronaut or Resene Kashmir Blue.

Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene  Bellbottom Blue
Resene Bellbottom Blue
Resene Wanaka
Resene Wanaka
Resene Astronaut
Resene Astronaut
Resene Kashmir Blue
Resene Kashmir Blue
November 2014

Q. I want to restain the house and would like to modernise it a bit. I have just stained my fence in Resene Crowshead which we love but we don’t want the house to be as dark. We are thinking about Resene Tiri or Resene Sheer Black.

A. I am inclined to think Resene Tiri may look really good. A word to the wise - a new stain colour may inherit some of the existing (older) colour as stain doesn't block out like paint as it is semi-transparent, and give you a 'new' version of the colour you are using. It would pay to test very carefully in an out of the way space so you can see how much of the old colour influences the new colour and how many coats you need to obliterate it.

Resene Woodsman Crowshead
Resene Crowshead
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Woodsman Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
November 2014

Q. We are putting a kitchen in an area with a lot of light. I have Resene Double Bison Hide on the walls, the cabinetry is a very light warm green grey and the benchtop Cafe Crema, a mixture of brown, grey, black, beige etc. We are wondering about a splashback which will be under a window sill as well as two side squares. Have accessorised with red but don't want a splashback to stick out. Thinking perhaps Resene Thorndon Cream?

A. I am inclined to think that with the gorgeous bench top (multi colours) and the wonderful warm colour of the walls you have a lot of colour happening already. Have you thought of just having a low iron oxide clear glass put straight over the wall colour? So it provides a protected splashback area but without introducing another colour? I think the Resene Thorndon Cream may break up the spaces too much and draw attention away from the other elements in the room plus it may not be compatible with the grey of the cabinets. Instead of more (or another) colour on the walls it may make it easier to have the same (less contrast) so that your accessories are more of a feature.

Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
November 2014

Q. I want to paint the attached brick house that was painted a strong purple. I'm thinking of something like Resene Sandstone or Resene Napa. Should the paint go right down over the foundation or am I better to paint the foundations a darker colour which would match the lower window ledges? The windows (apart from the aluminium slider) will be painted white.

A. I like your colour ideas very much and I think the colour should go right to the ground - otherwise the house will look shorter. Keep the look modern and simple. When painting the windows do the lower ledges the same colour - white - this will make them seem larger.

Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
November 2014

Q. I would like to repaint our galley kitchen cupboards. We have a crimson rayburn oven, black gloss brick as the alcove to the oven and a brushed stainless steel fridge with kwila doors, floors and edging to a black bench. The walls and ceiling are Resene Half Alabaster and Resene Alabaster.

A. It sounds as though you have a strong dynamic look already in the kitchen with a lot of contrast and I suspect the walls may need to be less contrasting so the whole look is slightly softer/warmer. You might look at these colours – Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene Merino or Resene House White.

Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene House White
Resene House White
November 2014

Q. I'm trying to find a lemon for our small baby room. So far I've tried Resene Moon Glow, Resene Corn Field and Resene Pale Prim. They've either been a bit too green or a bit too peach. Could you suggest some other options that give a nice soft lemon? The room is on the south side of the house. I'm planning to use a brighter yellow for blinds and lampshade and art.

A. Of all colours I personally find yellow causes the most problems - it is always 50% brighter than you could ever imagine. Of all aspects I find the south facing rooms are the hardest to work with. Too white a colour and it is grey. Too bright a colour and a nasty sneaky green edge peeps out causing a sour ambiance. You are starting to see that aren't you? Personally 'lemon' scares me even more in a south facing room - lemon equates to sharp, sour and green edged - just like the fruit.

My suggestion to you is to check these yellows out - they have inherent warmth (you may call it orange toned) but they don't go sour, sharp or green edged and they do add sunshine to a room. They may not be what you had in mind - compromise may be needed - but they will work. You will need to test them well - paint all the Resene testpot (two coats) onto A2 card (available from your Resene ColorShop) leaving a unpainted white border all around the edges so you focus on the colour, can move it around from wall to wall to see how it changes on different angles and at different times of the day.

Colours to try are Resene Dutch White, Resene Buttermilk, Resene Mellow Yellow or Resene Melting Moment.

Resene Moon Glow
Resene Moon Glow
Resene Corn Field
Resene Corn Field
Resene Pale Prim
Resene Pale Prim
 
Resene Dutch White
Resene Dutch White
Resene Buttermilk
Resene Buttermilk
Resene Mellow Yellow
Resene Mellow Yellow
Resene Melting Moment
Resene Melting Moment
November 2014

Q. What colour would be best for weatherboards to go with our COLORBOND® Woodland Grey roof and white coloured sliding doors and windows? We live in a leafy area and would like to keep to more neutral tones if possible.

A. You might check these colours out to see if they suit you – Resene Cloud, Resene Sisal, Resene Quarter Taupe Grey, Resene Quarter Craigieburn or Resene Quarter Grey Olive.

COLORSTEEL® Woodland Grey
COLORSTEEL® Woodland Grey
       
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
Resene Sisal
Resene Sisal
Resene Quarte Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
November 2014

Q. We are rebuilding our house and need some advice on exterior colour. The house has a brown tiled roof, brown aluminium joinery and an area similar to Oamaru stone. We have a plastered piece of the house under the bricks and would like a colour suggestion for this area.

A. These are a few colour ideas – Resene Triple Merino, Resene Half Thorndon Cream or Resene Half Parchment.


Resene Triple Merino
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
November 2014

Q. I have chosen my rendered house colour to be Resene Triple Bison Hide with all the guttering and fascias being Monument. Our garage is Evening Haze. We need help for the colour for our front door and gate. I was thinking we need to stick to dark to keep to the classic look we are going for.

A. You might use a lighter version of your main house colour - Resene Bison Hide or a darker version of colour similar to the main house colour - Resene Triple Napa or deeper again Resene Nest Egg. The default colour choice would be to match colour the colour of Monument, which would be by using Resene Nocturnal.

Resene Triple Bison Hide
Resene Triple Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Triple Napa
Resene Triple Napa
Resene Nest Egg
Resene Nest Egg
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
November 2014

Q. I want to paint one bedroom wall Resene Quarter Crisp Green. What colour do you suggest for the other walls?

A. Try Resene Half Ecru White, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta or Resene Rice Cake.

Resene Quarter Crisp Green
Resene Quarter Crisp Green
Resene Half Ecru White
Resene Half Ecru White
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
November 2014

Q. I'm looking for a colour to replace the terrible green we have. The problem is I need it to go with the red brick and the Gull Grey roof. I also will need to paint the fence surrounding the courtyard the same colour.

A. You do have lots of options that will work with bricks. Perhaps you could check these colours out – Resene Stonehenge, Resene Friar Greystone , Resene Quarter Gravel or Resene Cobblestone. These are all earthy neutralised colours that will be smart and pick up the colour of the grout between the bricks.

Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Cobblestone
Resene Cobblestone
November 2014

Q. We have a single level, 1940s plastered concrete clad home with a Decramastic roof in a red/brown scoria colour. The house sits below street level so the roof is quite prominent. We'd like an exterior paint that will go with the red/brown roof and also a contrasting colour for the timber joinery.

A. You might look at these combos of colours – Resene Linen and Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta, Resene Half Tea and Resene Double Alabaster, and Resene Spanish White and Resene Eighth Spanish White. This is a few of a great many colours that will work with the roof colour.

Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
November 2014

Q. Could you please offer some advice for a colour for our concrete tile roof which we would like to repaint? Our concrete block base is finished in Resene Tana, weatherboards in Resene Quarter Tana and the trims and under eaves Resene Rice Cake. The roof is currently light grey – looks ok but not quite right.

A. You might look at these roof colours – Resene Climate - mid depth colour relates well to the Resene Tana colours or Resene Squall - darker but a nice warm green based charcoal.

Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Quarter Tana
Resene Quarter Tana
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Climate
Resene Climate
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
 
November 2014

Q. We have aluminium joinery colour Magnolia and want to know what colour would match for our walls and trim?

A. Magnolia is quite a dense yellow/green neutral. It works well with these types of colours – Resene Half Pavlova, Resene Double Fossil, Resene Double Wheatfield or Resene Double Akaroa. If you choose lighter versions of any of these colours it will still work but the window joinery will stand out more as a feature.

Resene Half Pavlova
Resene Half Pavlova
Resene Double Fossil
Resene Double Fossil
Resene Double Wheatfield
Resene Double Wheatfield
Resene Double Akaroa
Resene Double Akaroa
November 2014

Q. We are building a new home, and so I would like Resene Double Alabaster on wall and ceilings, but one person has told me that it looks much darker on ceilings and I need to halve the tint. We have a lot of windows to let light in – does this help?

A. It is true that colours on the ceiling look more shaded than the same colour on the wall. If you have Resene Alabaster for the ceilings and Resene Double Alabaster for the walls they will look remarkably similar when the rooms are completed.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
November 2014

Q. We are building a new house. The floors in all living areas upstairs are kwila (kitchen, dining, living) as well as the stairs, and downstairs all polished concrete. We have used Resene Tea and all its variants before and it has worked well but will it still work with kwila as the flooring? Also downstairs, the hallway in one section is very dark. Will Resene Tea work with Resene Concrete?

I think Resene Tea may look slightly greyer in a dim light area - your hallway - and in association with the concrete. It may look slightly warmer (more beige toned) with the Kwila. The same colour in every room is a different colour according to natural light, angles and shadows and any other coloured element see close to it. Colour is a chameleon - it changes constantly and always surprises us with its quixotic moods.

I suggest you paint up a Resene testpot (2 coats) onto A2 card (available from your Resene ColorShop) leaving an unpainted white border all around the edges. Move it from wall to wall, room to room so that you can:

  • Focus on what it truly looks like.
  • See what colour changes occur when the light changes.
  • Place it close to all types of flooring to judge how it alters.
  • Make a decision as to whether it is appropriate based on how it looks - not on how it once looked in another environment.
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
November 2014

Q. I have a stucco house painted in Resene Napa, with pale cream colour aluminium joinery. Can you advise on a good colour for the front entrance door which faces south?

A. I usually recommend that you choose a colour that you adore for the front door. As this aspect is where the worst and coldest of our weather comes from you might look at using a really warm colour. The front entrance door is where we seek to introduce visitors to our house and a memorable (and gorgeous colour that you adore) will have the most impact.

The nice thing is a huge amount of fabulous colours will work with Resene Napa and pale cream aluminium joinery. So now is the time to unleash your inner Picasso and enjoy choosing a colour that makes you feel wonderful every time you arrive home.

Resene Napa
Resene Napa
November 2014

Q. We have an old villa that we are refurbishing. It was painted white with a classic red roof (corrugated iron). We are going to paint the weatherboards Resene Half House White and Resene Alabaster for window trims. What is a nice classic heritage red for the roof?

A. A word to the wise - in bright natural light you may see little or no colour difference between the two colours you have mentioned. If you do want to see a difference you might consider Resene House White with Resene Half Alabaster. If you don't mind it all looking the same colour then the colours you have chosen will work fine. A traditional heritage inspired red for the roof is Resene Red Oxide or alternatively (a bit deeper) Resene Red Planet.

Resene Half House White
Resene Half House White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene House White
Resene House White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Red Oxide
Resene Red Oxide
Resene Red Planet
Resene Red Planet
November 2014

Q. I have painted my kitchen in Resene Half Black White. The house is open plan. Will it look OK if I paint the rest of the house walls in Resene Double Black White with Resene Half Black White trim, doors and ceiling? The carpet will be grey. It’s a small house and we’re wanting it to be light and airy.

A. I think it will look charming. It will be light and spacious and serene. You say your house is open plan - does this mean the kitchen walls turn into the dining and lounge walls? If they are the same wall it might look strange to change colours half way along the wall but if there aee definite divisions to define the spaces then I can't see it being a problem.

Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
November 2014

Q. I have walls of Desert Sand (exterior) and want to find what colours go well with it? In particular what blues and reds?

A. You might check these colours out – Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Madam M, Resene True Blue or Resene Explorer.

Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Madam M
Resene Madam M
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
November 2014

Q. We have painted our weatherboards in Resene Stack and our roof is Ironsand and we have a small amount of block in the house and are not sure what colour to paint this.

A. Do you want this small amount of concrete block to be a 'stand out feature' because you think it is really gorgeous? If it isn't gorgeous and worthy of being highlighted then you could paint it the same as the weatherboards or a slightly deeper variant - Resene Double Stack. If it is gorgeous and you want people to really admire the small amount of blocks then you might paint it to match the roof - Resene Ironsand or a lighter variant of this colour - Resene Quarter Ironsand.

Or another alternative - if it is to be a feature - is to paint it an earthy bold red or orange like Resene Pioneer Red or Resene Twizel. If it isn't gorgeous then no amount of colour will make it so.

Resene Stack
Resene Stack
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
s
Resene Twizel
Resene Twizel
 
November 2014

Q. What is the best cool white to use on internal walls?

A. I am not sure there is a 'best cool white' as there is a lot to choose from. If you are asking which particular ones are popular then you might check these ones out – Resene Alabaster, Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Black White, Resene Wan White or Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

They are all different in their undertones. This might not be apparent until you look at larger samples (A4 or larger ) and compare them to a sheet of white printer paper which might help you judge what unique qualities they all had. They all alter considerably in changing light and adjacent to any other element that is coloured. It pays to test them to ensure you don't have surprises in this regard. Your Resene ColorShop has A4 swatches of these colours you can use in store.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
November 2014

Q. We are just about to paint our house in Resene Half Friar Greystone with white around the windows and balustrades and I was wondering what colour to paint the roof. I would like a dark colour for contrast. I also need to paint the verandah and stairs and was wondering if Resene Friar Greystone or Resene Double Friar Greystone would work well. The front door is painted black so is it best to paint the garage door black as well?

A. For the roof colour you might consider these types of colours which may also be considered as the garage door colour as well – Resene Gauntlet - this is the lightest, Resene Squall, Resene Ironsand or much deeper Resene Nocturnal.

For the verandah and stairs I suggest using Resene Double Friar Greystone if you feel you would like a little contrast to your main house colour. I like the fact you have used Black on the front door - it makes it a really special door. When a colour is used to make impact, like the front door, using more of it (on another surface) doesn't always make the other surface special but I do see why people might do it.

Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Double Friar Greystone
Resene Double Friar Greystone
 
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
November 2014

Q. Our house is a rustic farm house. It has COLORSTEEL® walls and roof with Karaka green windows, doors and porch posts and porch ceiling trim. We have a big wood feature point front and the back of the house is stained in a pine colour. The porch ceiling is covered in MDF. I am looking for a porch ceiling colour. I want something different, something rustic and earthy that will go well with our house... but I am not keen on a cream or a whitish colour. I really want something a bit different.

A. I am unsure about making the porch ceiling a rustic, earthy colour but it will be practical and not show stains or fly dirt. Have you thought of a soft green or a toasty beige? Looking at the colours of your house and roof etc I could imagine these colours looking lovely – Resene Lemon Grass, Resene Tana, Resene Nougat or Resene Eighth Nullarbor.

All colour seen above your head has more shadow on it so these colours may have more depth that you might imagine. If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library I suggest you hold the samples up above your head to get some idea of how it will look.

Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Nougat
Resene Nougat
Resene Eighth Nullarbor
Resene Eighth Nullarbor
November 2014

Q. We want to repaint the full block basement of our house. We have split block on top of the concrete block which matches Desert Sand in colour and we have brown aluminium windows. The house is about thirty years old.

A. Not too light, not too dark but hopefully one of these colours may do it for you – Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay, Resene Biscotti, Resene Spanish White or Resene Coffee Break.

It really depends how big an area the block basement is. If it is equivalent height to the bricks because of a sloping section etc then a lighter look may be better so it isn't too distinctive. But if it is a low basement area with a lot of garden around it then perhaps the deeper colour may suit as a back drop.

Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay
Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay
Resene Biscotti
Resene Biscotti
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene
Resene Coffee Break
November 2014

Q. We have a new COLORSTEEL® Ironsand Roof and spouting on our 60s weatherboard house and are wondering what would be best colours to go with this?

A. You are fortunate - hundreds of colours will work with the roof and spouting colour. You might look at these ones – Resene Fossil, Resene Cloudy, Resene Foggy Grey or something just a wee bit different – Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.

It would pay to check out the A4 real painted samples of these colours at your nearest Resene ColorShop in their Colour Library to compare and judge their appropriateness.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Fossil
Resene Fossil
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
November 2014

Q. Both of our 7 and 8 year old boys would like a 'bold blue' feature wall in their bedroom. Currently the walls are Resene Half Thorndon cream, flat white ceilings and white doors and trim. The carpet is a misty green fleck.

A. There are quite a few 'bold' blues that you might investigate – Resene Revolution, Resene Submerge, Resene Captain Cook, Resene Elvis or Resene Optimist.

Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Revolution
Resene Revolution
Resene Submerge
Resene Submerge
Resene Captain Cook
Resene Captain Cook
Resene Elvis
Resene Elvis
Resene Optimist
Resene Optimist
November 2014

Q. I have painted my bedroom Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue and have just added a small walk-in ensuite with a white tiled shower, white toilet and handbasin. The room has a very high stud but is only 900mm wide and about 3.2 metres long with one window bringing in natural light. There is a cavity slider door so for the most part it will be open so I would like the two rooms to flow. What colour options should I look at please?

A. I think with such a narrow room any colour will be really intensified so it may pay to 'sneak up' on colour and go paler rather than deeper. Perhaps you could look at these colours – Resene Half Carefree, Resene Wan White, Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Black White.

Accessories (towels) can replicate the bedroom wall colour which may make the rooms seem more related. Another option is to use the bedroom wall colour on the ceiling only - ceilings are the new 'feature' walls - with a 'whiter' wall colour.

Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Carefree
Resene Half Carefree
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
November 2014

Q. Have just painted our new kitchen Resene Coriander. We are having macrocarpa joinery. Wondering what type and colour of flooring?

A. I often recommend that people look at their flooring options first so they have all the choices in the world. With the wall colour and the wooden cabinetry completed it is a case of what will look good with those, what you want to pay and what is available - it may mean a compromise as you will have less to choose from. If you are looking at vinyl perhaps look at greyed/browns or sandstone colours.

Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
November 2014

Q. We are painting our house of Hebel construction Resene Bison Hide. What coloured aluminium joinery would you recommend? I like Canvas Cloth but is this the wrong tone?

A. It isn't too bad. If you can get a large powdercoat sample and look at it with an A4 real paint sample of Resene Bison Hide (you can view these at any Resene ColorShops) you will notice the Resene Bison Hide looks a little bit more yellow/green compared to the more muted grey undertone of Canvas Cloth. A more sympathetic colour (if you are very concerned by it not being a totally perfect relationship) is Resene Half Cougar.

Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Cougar

 


Q. We are looking to paint our living room walls with Resene Sea Fog and Resene Half Alabaster for the ceiling and trim. Could you suggest a nice warm grey paint as a feature wall in the living room?

A. My kind of nice warm grey may be slightly different to what you consider is a nice warm grey but you might look at these colours – Resene Rakaia, Resene Double Concrete, Resene Eighth Stack or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Eighth Stack
Resene Eighth Stack
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
November 2014

Q. I'm looking for a ‘dirty’ white to paint on kitchen cabinets. The bench is wooden, the contrast wall colour will be Resene Half Sisal or the likes, the splashback tiles will be white subway tiles and the floor will be black slate tiles. The overall look desired for the kitchen cabinets is white but not bright white. No pink or yellow hues please. Any suggestions?

A. Perhaps you could look at these 'whites' to see if they are what you are looking for – Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Black White, Resene Quarter Merino or Resene Half Wan White.

Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
November 2014

Q. I have a 1950s red brick and stucco house. The stucco (top half of the house) is currently white. It has white window surrounds, with brick sills. The roof is charcoal grey. Could you give me an indication of what colour would look best with the brick? I want to paint the white stucco. I'm leaning more towards dark charcoal or black. Do you think this is appropriate?

A. Colour preference is such a personal thing isn't it? I don't feel really comfortable with a black on the stucco but I could imagine colours like Resene Gravel or Resene Double Tapa working because they have an elemental green undertone in the charcoal which responds well to close association with brick. Perhaps check them out first and then pursue darker tones that are a little similar in undertone to see if there is anything else you favour.

Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
November 2014

Q. We are doing board and batten (pine), the house is long rectangle shape with large windows and stacker doors, in a rural setting. What is a nice Resene Woodsman stain colour? Originally was thinking of Resene Smokey Ash or Resene Iroko with Ironsand roof and joinery. What is a nice dark stain and what joinery colour would match?

A. If you have gone off the idea of the Smokey Ash, Iroko and Ironsand then you could try Resene Treehouse, Resene Bark or Resene Sheer Black. You might look at using Thunder Grey, Bone White or Sandstone Grey for joinery.

Resene Woodsman Smokey Ash
Resene Smokey Ash
Resene Iroko
Resene Iroko
Resene Treehouse
Resene Treehouse
Resene Bark
Resene Bark
Resene Woodsman Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
 
November 2014

Q. I have walls of Desert Sand (exterior) and want to find what colours go well with it? In particular what blues and reds?

A. You might check these colours out – Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Madam M, Resene True Blue or Resene Explorer.

Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Madam M
Resene Madam M
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
November 2014

Q. We have painted our weatherboards in Resene Stack and our roof is Ironsand and we have a small amount of block in the house and are not sure what colour to paint this.

A. Do you want this small amount of concrete block to be a 'stand out feature' because you think it is really gorgeous? If it isn't gorgeous and worthy of being highlighted then you could paint it the same as the weatherboards or a slightly deeper variant - Resene Double Stack. If it is gorgeous and you want people to really admire the small amount of blocks then you might paint it to match the roof - Resene Ironsand or a lighter variant of this colour - Resene Quarter Ironsand.

Or another alternative - if it is to be a feature - is to paint it an earthy bold red or orange like Resene Pioneer Red or Resene Twizel. If it isn't gorgeous then no amount of colour will make it so.

Resene Stack
Resene Stack
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
s
Resene Twizel
Resene Twizel
 
November 2014

Q. What is the best cool white to use on internal walls?

A. I am not sure there is a 'best cool white' as there is a lot to choose from. If you are asking which particular ones are popular then you might check these ones out – Resene Alabaster, Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Black White, Resene Wan White or Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

They are all different in their undertones. This might not be apparent until you look at larger samples (A4 or larger ) and compare them to a sheet of white printer paper which might help you judge what unique qualities they all had. They all alter considerably in changing light and adjacent to any other element that is coloured. It pays to test them to ensure you don't have surprises in this regard. Your Resene ColorShop has A4 swatches of these colours you can use in store.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
November 2014

Q. We are just about to paint our house in Resene Half Friar Greystone with white around the windows and balustrades and I was wondering what colour to paint the roof. I would like a dark colour for contrast. I also need to paint the verandah and stairs and was wondering if Resene Friar Greystone or Resene Double Friar Greystone would work well. The front door is painted black so is it best to paint the garage door black as well?

A. For the roof colour you might consider these types of colours which may also be considered as the garage door colour as well – Resene Gauntlet - this is the lightest, Resene Squall, Resene Ironsand or much deeper Resene Nocturnal.

For the verandah and stairs I suggest using Resene Double Friar Greystone if you feel you would like a little contrast to your main house colour. I like the fact you have used Black on the front door - it makes it a really special door. When a colour is used to make impact, like the front door, using more of it (on another surface) doesn't always make the other surface special but I do see why people might do it.

Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Double Friar Greystone
Resene Double Friar Greystone
 
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
November 2014

Q. Our house is a rustic farm house. It has COLORSTEEL® walls and roof with Karaka green windows, doors and porch posts and porch ceiling trim. We have a big wood feature point front and the back of the house is stained in a pine colour. The porch ceiling is covered in MDF. I am looking for a porch ceiling colour. I want something different, something rustic and earthy that will go well with our house... but I am not keen on a cream or a whitish colour. I really want something a bit different.

A. I am unsure about making the porch ceiling a rustic, earthy colour but it will be practical and not show stains or fly dirt. Have you thought of a soft green or a toasty beige? Looking at the colours of your house and roof etc I could imagine these colours looking lovely – Resene Lemon Grass, Resene Tana, Resene Nougat or Resene Eighth Nullarbor.

All colour seen above your head has more shadow on it so these colours may have more depth that you might imagine. If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library I suggest you hold the samples up above your head to get some idea of how it will look.

Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Nougat
Resene Nougat
Resene Eighth Nullarbor
Resene Eighth Nullarbor
November 2014

Q. We want to repaint the full block basement of our house. We have split block on top of the concrete block which matches Desert Sand in colour and we have brown aluminium windows. The house is about thirty years old.

A. Not too light, not too dark but hopefully one of these colours may do it for you – Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay, Resene Biscotti, Resene Spanish White or Resene Coffee Break.

It really depends how big an area the block basement is. If it is equivalent height to the bricks because of a sloping section etc then a lighter look may be better so it isn't too distinctive. But if it is a low basement area with a lot of garden around it then perhaps the deeper colour may suit as a back drop.

Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay
Resene Quarter
Canterbury Clay
Resene Biscotti
Resene Biscotti
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene
Resene Coffee Break
November 2014

Q. We have a new COLORSTEEL® Ironsand Roof and spouting on our 60s weatherboard house and are wondering what would be best colours to go with this?

A. You are fortunate - hundreds of colours will work with the roof and spouting colour. You might look at these ones – Resene Fossil, Resene Cloudy, Resene Foggy Grey or something just a wee bit different – Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.

It would pay to check out the A4 real painted samples of these colours at your nearest Resene ColorShop in their Colour Library to compare and judge their appropriateness.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Fossil
Resene Fossil
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
November 2014

Q. Both of our 7 and 8 year old boys would like a 'bold blue' feature wall in their bedroom. Currently the walls are Resene Half Thorndon cream, flat white ceilings and white doors and trim. The carpet is a misty green fleck.

A. There are quite a few 'bold' blues that you might investigate – Resene Revolution, Resene Submerge, Resene Captain Cook, Resene Elvis or Resene Optimist.

Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Revolution
Resene Revolution
Resene Submerge
Resene Submerge
Resene Captain Cook
Resene Captain Cook
Resene Elvis
Resene Elvis
Resene Optimist
Resene Optimist
November 2014

Q. We have a COLORSTEEL® Ironsand roof and want to paint our weatherboard home in Resene Truffle and I’m thinking maybe Resene Ironsand for the foundations. What white would you suggest for the windows and tims?

A. You might look at a lighter version of Ironsand for the foundations - Resene Quarter Ironsand as a softer detail rather than a very dark 'feature' to accentuate the beauty of the foundation. My main worry is that the very dark foundation may make the house seen shorter in height and a bit 'scrunched' between foundation and roof.

Soft whites like Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Black White or (warmer/sweeter) Resene Quarter Bianca look lovely with Resene Truffle.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
November 2014

Q. Please recommend a light purple/lavender for a 7 year old girl’s small bedroom.

A. All colours look a little deeper in an interior - especially a small room - so these are very light but may not look that light when all four walls are painted – Resene Confederate Grey, Resene Heartbreaker, Resene Fairylight, Resene Zappo or Resene Blue Chalk.

The colours slide across the blue/lavender to the pink/lavender range and you may need to test them very carefully as they will alter a lot in different qualities of light. Your little girl may think they are too pale but please believe me when I say all colours have the potential to double in strength. If you choose one of them but feel it may be too much overall just paint one wall, opposite the windows, instead of all the room.

Resene Confederate Grey
Resene Confederate Grey
Resene Heartbreaker
Resene Heartbreaker
Resene Fairylight
Resene Fairylight
Resene Zappo
Resene Zappo
Resene Blue Chalk
Resene Blue Chalk
November 2014

Q. What colour should I use on my garage doors? I've painted the walls and fence Resene Double Masala.

A. You might consider using a lighter version of the main colour - perhaps Resene Eighth Masala which will look very smart and will enhance the depth of the Resene Double Masala. Or alternatively Resene Gauntlet.

Resene Double Masala
Resene Double Masala
Resene Eighth Masala
Resene Eighth Masala
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
November 2014

Q. We are trying to find a beautiful deep grey-blue for the exterior of our villa. Resene True Blue is just too blue and Resene San Juan seems a bit too green. We'll go for white trims and have Grey Friars for the roof. I want something that will contrast well with all the greenery surrounding us... but am stuck.

A. Dash off to the nearest Resene ColorShop and check out the A4 real paint samples of these colours from their Colour Library – Resene Half New Denim Blue, Resene Avalanche, Resene Explorer, Resene Coast, Resene Biscay or Resene Astronaut.

Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene San Juan
Resene San Juan
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
     
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Avalanche
Resene Avalanche
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
Resene Coast
Resene Coast
Resene Biscay
Resene Biscay
Resene Astronaut
Resene Astronaut
November 2014

Q. I am building a very small 104 square metre two bed open plan smart house with gable roof. I am choosing matching roof and window joinery in Sandstone Grey and would like to paint the house white but am not permitted in the covenants to do this. I'm looking at Resene Titania. Would this be an appropriate colour or can you please recommend other more suitable tones to go with Sandstone Grey?

A. The following colours are really nice with Sandstone Grey - and definitely not white – Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Triple Black White, Resene Quarter Foggy Grey, Resene Triple Merino or Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples and compare them with each other and Resene Titania you will be better able to judge what will work. They also have a sample of Resene Gauntlet which is paint colour match to Sandstone Grey so you can work with that as well.

COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey
COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey
Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
   
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
November 2014

Q. I am in need of some suggestions. I have a 100 plus year old beach cottage and am keen on a French/country look but not too much white. Quite prepared to be a little adventurous.

A. Adventurous/French/country colours can take several forms so here are a few colours for you to check out..

A bit French…
Resene Duck Egg Blue - more colour for the main - used with Resene Quarter Alabaster windows/fence posts and Resene Snapshot for barge boards, doors, sills, main body of fence etc.

Or a bit country…
Resene Coriander as the main colour - used with Resene Quarter Cararra for windows/fence posts and Resene True Blue barge boards, doors, sills, main body of fence etc

or just classically nice/interesting…
Resene Triple Black White - main colour - used with real white - Resene White for windows etc and Resene Double Trojan barge boards, doors, sills, main body of fence etc. With this one the front door may need a bold colour to lift the look - choose a colour that makes your heart sing!

There are so many options available to you and colour preferences are so personal you may need to use these colours as a start point to get the look you want.

Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Snapshot
Resene Snapshot
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Quarter Cararra
Resene Quarter Cararra
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Double Trojan
Resene Double Trojan
November 2014

Q. I am renovating the kitchen and struggling to find suitable colours for the Resene splashback, walls and floor that will match the mushroom brown wood grain cabinetry with black pearl granite benchtop. The kitchen is modern with aluminium G handles. Should I decide the splashback/walls first and then the floor? Or the other way round? Tending more towards keeping the walls and splashback white. But then can't decide the floor whether to go for light grey or other dark colour.

A. There is a lot less choices available for you to choose from in regard the flooring - so choose that first - it has to look fabulous with the cabinets and benchtop. If you are inclined to favour a 'white' for the walls and the same for the splashback you must be careful to use a low iron oxide crystal clear splashback glass so that the wall behind the glass doesn't look mint green. Standard float glass has a green cast to it so it alters (a lot!) what is seen behind it.

If you want a warm undertone to your 'white' you might look at these colours – Resene Quarter Albescent White or Resene Half Merino. If you prefer cooler/starker 'whites' then you might look at Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Half Black White.

Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
November 2014

Q. I would love some advice on painting the exterior of my red brick and rough cast house, era 1960s. The guttering is Ironsand. I like the neutrals and grey tones, and would also love to paint the brick.

A. Might I suggest that the base, the bricks and the rough cast stucco all be painted the same colour to make it simple (less layered) and taller in height. If the under soffits, the eaves, the window surrounds, sashes and sloping sills were a pale crisp colour then the main colour of the house could be slightly deeper so the guttering doesn't look the only dark attention seeking horizontal line on the house - this has the effect of making the house look as though there is no roof to add height.

You might look at these colours – Resene Triple Black White (main) and Resene Quarter Black White, or Resene Truffle (main) and Resene Double Alabaster, or Resene Quarter Napa (main) and Resene Quarter Rice Cake.

Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
November 2014

Q. My partner and I are renovating a 1969 grey Summerhill stone three bedroom home. The previous owners used some sort of Resene Tea colour which has a green undertone and looks too cold. It took me ages to find Resene Bianca but when I did I loved it! Brightens the place up and I like it next to feature walls of Resene Rakaia. My question is: do these two colours work together well? We also plan to use Resene Half Bianca on the eaves, white on windows and doors and New Denim Blue or Grey Friars for the roof.

A. Interior - yes - 100% yes!! The colours are gorgeous. For the exterior I think you should look seriously at Grey Friars for the roof as it is less blue. Use Resene Summit Roof for the roof and choose the CoolColour™ formulated version of the colour to reflect more heat.

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
COLORSTEEL®New Denim Blue
COLORSTEEL® New Denim Blue
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
November 2014

Q. I chose Resene Half Tea as a wall colour because I used it in a beach house I own. The two colours look entirely different! Could that be caused by the second time it was applied in a different product? The second usage seems darker and has a darker and a significantly pinkish tint to it!

A. That could well be the case but it may also be because of the difference in the house itself, the aspects of light and shade, different angles of walls and different colours seen close to the paint colour. The same colour in different rooms is a different colour. The same colour used in a different setting is a different colour.

Colour is a chameleon. It changes constantly.

If you were to get a testpot and paint a little on to the newly painted walls and it is radically different then it may help to show whether it is the type of paint that is the problem or that the colour is right but it just seems different.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
November 2014

Q. I would like to paint my kitchen cupboards and change the handles to break up the intense amount of wood. I have a stainless steel table and white frames. I like white for its clean and spacious feeling. I also quite like the grey and white colour combination and have thought about painting the island a grey with white cupboards. Any ideas of what would look good and which colours I could pick from Resene?

A. In order to change your beautiful wooden cabinets you will need to do extensive preparation work to change from a varnish to a paint system. A grey and white look is very 'up trending' and white kitchen cabinets are a good way to go. The following whites aren't too stark but may look good with the remaining woodwork in the kitchen and the greys aren't too industrial which would conflict with the warmth and charm of the remaining wood – Resene Double Alabaster and a grey for the island - Resene Quarter Tapa, or Resene Half Rice Cake and a grey for the island - Resene Half Stack.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Stack
Resene Half Stack
November 2014

Q. We are looking to paint the exterior of our stucco home. I like grey, white and black. What colours would work well?

A. Try main colour - Resene Half Fuscous Grey, white trims – Resene Half Black White or door – Resene Chimney Sweep.

Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Chimney Sweep
Resene Chimney Sweep
November 2014

Q. We are about to begin a renovation and redecoration of our home. We are changing just about everything internally except the aluminium joinery which is Rivergum Beige. I love the white high gloss kitchens but not quite sure how to tie the high gloss white in with the beige windows. The stone benchtop I like is Roxx Cartel as this seems to pick up some flecks of beige. Have looked at lots of Resene samples and thought maybe Resene Eighth Drought for the walls and Resene Alabaster for ceiling/trim/window frames etc. Am I on the right track or do you have any other suggestions?

A. I do think you are on the right track but Rivergum Beige is a bit warmer than Resene Eighth Drought. Will you mind if the window joinery still looks a bit stronger than the wall colour? To me it looks a bit more like Resene Half Biscotti. Perhaps you could check this colour out as well as the Resene Eighth Drought.

Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Biscotti
Resene Half Biscotti
November 2014

Q. My aluminium windows are off white. At present, the interior sills are also off white but are looking drab and need a spruce up. If I paint them white, then the windows will look washed out. So I was wondering if I painted them a very pale grey, which would match the rest of the interior, do you think all the trim in the house would look OK pale grey as it's not something I have seen before?

A. You will never know if you like the look or not until you try it. What about doing it in one room only - laundry or toilet because they usually have less windows - to see if you fancy it and make your decision after you see what it looks like. I do suggest that the paint be a semi-gloss enamel (waterborne or solventborne) for durability and it is amazing how fresh a bit of sheen looks when we paint woodwork. Low sheen or matt paint does look a bit dull on woodwork.


Q. I am looking for a white/light grey tone for my house, garage and Hardiboard® fence. Can you please suggest some colour tones that would be suitable for me, taking into account that we will need to work with the red brick first floor of the house, the white eves and gutterings and the green tin roof? The colour will need to be used on my fence which is on an unsealed driveway and will ideally would be strong enough to cover the maroon of my garage.

A. It might pay to undercoat your garage so that subsequent new colours don't have to work so hard to cover the deep colour.

You might look at these colours to see if they are the white/light grey tone you are hoping to use – Resene Eighth Ash - this is a very light greyed off neutral with a little green in it and Resene Eighth Tapa - this is deeper but also has a little green in it (looks good with bricks), Resene Quarter Delta – a warmer grey, and this is the whitest grey tone – Resene Triple Black White.

Resene Eighth Ash
Resene Eighth Ash
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
November 2014

Q. I have several colours all hanging together, but not the main colour (for my living area and two of the bedrooms). Bathrooms are Resene Tasman. Skirting boards, door and window frames throughout are Resene Half Pearl Lusta, doors are Resene Antidote, one bedroom is Resene Anglaise. For the other two bedrooms, hall, living etc I had started out with Resene Sour Dough, but it's not quite the right shade. What should I try? I need warm fawnish/brownish neutral that tones in with all the above (carpet will be a taupe/brown colour). Or it may be that Resene Antidote is the wrong colour for the doors, as I've had all the other colours working nicely in a previous house, but it had off-white doors.

A. I can't help but feel it is the Resene Antidote on the doors that is the problem. If it was used as the 'warm fawnish/brown neutral' in the living area and possibly the two bedrooms and the doors were changed to match the other woodwork - Resene Half Pearl Lusta - it would allow you a lot more flexibility and all the woodwork would co-ordinate well and work with any other colour.

As it is, the doors are the dominant feature of the house which stops you finding the 'other warm fawnish/brown neutral' for the rooms. If you weren't keen on such a deep neutral for the bedrooms you could use what you have used in the other bedroom - Resene Anglaise or slightly deeper - Resene Biscotti.

Resene Tasman
Resene Tasman
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Antidote
Resene Antidote
Resene Anglaise
Resene Anglaise
Resene Sour Dough
Resene Sour Dough
Resene Biscotti
Resene Biscotti
November 2014

Q. We would like some advice on exterior house colours. We are building in Wanaka with LINEA® board and have a north facing dwelling. We like the grey tones but there's a lot of grey round here and wondered if you can recommend something in the grey, smoky blue tones, that might look just a little different. I'm most concerned about not being too light to get lost.

A. You don't indicate what you have chosen or are considering for the roof, window and door joinery and garage door. It makes a huge difference to me when I suggest colours.

You might start looking at these colours - they traverse many types of smoky tones but will give you a little food for thought – Resene Inside Back, Resene Transmission, Resene Revolution or Resene Grey Chateau. Not so blue but interesting.

Resene Inside Back
Resene Inside Back
Resene Transmission
Resene Transmission
Resene Revolution
Resene Revolution
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
November 2014

Q. I need some advice on a deck stain or colour. My house is dark brick 70s clinker with a dark grey grout. The fencing is a medium chocolate brown. I am considering Resene Woodman Bark as a stain colour but am concerned about the overall dark look, although I think it will blend well. Alternatively I have considered painting the deck Resene Half Gargoyle to lighten up the overall look against the dark brick but am worried that the contrast may look odd. Can you suggest what you think would work best? A ranchslider in our kitchen/dining area opens to the deck and bench seating. The laminate floor is a taupe/grey leading to the ranchslider and deck.

A. Have you considered using a lighter stain colour like Resene Nutmeg on the deck? It will still go with the clinker brick and look natural and warm. Or alternatively a warm grey/brown stain like Resene Smokey Ash which may flow on to the laminate floor colour through the ranchslider door. Another change you might make - when the time is appropriate to repaint - is the fence could be a deep brown/grey (instead of medium chocolate brown) like Resene Quarter Ironsand which may pick up the grey grout influence and offer you a less 'brown on brown' look. I think by introducing a little grey/brown it will help blend the outside and inside together and provide a fresh new look.

Resene Bark
Resene Bark
Resene Half Gargoyle
Resene Half Gargoyle
Resene Nutmeg
Resene Nutmeg
Resene Woodsman Smokey Ash
Resene Smokey Ash
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
November 2014

Q. We have a 1940s kitchen which is south facing. I wanted to make it lighter and warmer by painting it white. We painted the walls, cupboards and shelves in Resene Bianca but the effect is too stark and harsh - not welcoming. I realise we should have opted for a much softer, creamier shade that better suited the era of the house. I would like to avoid anything too creamy yellow though. We are planning to paint over the ceramic tiles splashback (they are currently bright blue and yellow) in the same shade as the rest once we have it sorted.

A. South facing rooms have a sour quality of light - and lighter/whiter or warmer often doesn't work well. Lighter can look stark or greyish and warmer, which is mostly cream or yellow based, can look often sharp and unpleasant.

Warmer colours need to embrace brown, orange and red tones so perhaps you might look at these types of colours – Resene Albescent White (light/warm linen beige), Resene Eighth Drought (light/warm beige), Resene Solitaire (light/warm orange based cream) or Resene Half Rickshaw (mid/warm red/orange based brown).

Just for the record in the 1940s colours were mid toned and brighter colours and lots of pure white was used on ceilings, cabinet carcasses and windows.

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Solitaire
Resene Solitaire
Resene Half Rickshaw
Resene Half Rickshaw
November 2014

Q. We need help in choosing our bathroom and ensuite paint colours that will match, and will also match with the rest of the interior house painting when we get there. Has to match Rivergum green joinery too.

A. There are a lot of colours that you might consider using - check these gorgeous ones out – Resene Bianca, Resene Quarter Albescent White, Resene Barely There, Resene Quarter Biscotti or Resene Half Linen,

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Linen
November 2014

Q. We have a Lockwood style home that we have painted Resene Triple Tea on the exterior. We want to paint the wooden interior a white. We want it to be fresh but not cold. Our joinery is New Denim Blue; our doors and kitchen are in a dark denim blue. We have tried a number of samples and confused ourselves. Had narrowed it down to Resene Alabaster but afraid it’s a bit yellowy?

A. Resene Alabaster isn't yellowy at all but if you were testing it on a Lockwood pine wall it may appear that way as the greater expanse of wall is yellowish - old pine and varnish tends to look that way. Sometimes this isn't noticeable until you move a painting on the wall (the wall behind will look very pale) and then you notice how the walls that are exposed to light have yellowed.

If you compare Resene Alabaster to a few other whites - Resene Bianca and Resene Half Rice Cake for instance - it would look like a stark white.

You could try the Resene Colorwood Whitewash look that is in favour for older Lockwood homes. This can be applied directly over the old varnish system on the pine walls without a huge amount of preparation being required - unlike applying a varnish sealer after diligent sanding and two topcoats for a paint system. The Resene Colorwood Whitewash seems to be a trend at this point in time to make the pine cladding look pale, washy and coastal inspired and is often seen with blues.

Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
November 2014

Q. I am commencing a new build and am considering a COLORSTEEL® Ironsand roof with a lighter (Bronco or Desert Sand) weatherboard colour, but am unsure about the colour of the aluminium joinery. I am considering matching this with the roof – i.e. Ironsand. I am situated down in the bush and felt this may frame up the surroundings well.

A. It seems to be a favoured way of dealing with the powdercoat colours - roof and guttering, garage roller doors and joinery all the same. If the window and door joinery isn't the same as the roof then, in this particular case, it could match the main house colour - if it is either Bronco or Desert Sand - as they are also powdercoat colours.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
November 2014

Q. Our living room is painted Resene Rock Blue and our dining area Resene Quarter Gargoyle. We are looking for some wallpaper for the feature wall in the dining room. Can you please suggest what will look good with blue and brown?

A. The very best thing that you can do is to pop into the nearest Resene ColorShop to check out the amazing selection of wallpaper books. At the same time ask to see the A4 real paint samples of your colours - they are in the Colour Library at your local Resene ColorShop. Seeing them at the same time as looking through the wallpaper books it will soon become obvious what looks good.

Wallpaper is special and gorgeous and everyone’s taste is different about what they favour and what will suit their home and lifestyle.

You may see several that you like and it is usually a good thing to order samples so that you can pin them up on the wall and see them at different times of the day and night.

Take your time and enjoy the process of choosing. It is really well worthwhile and shouldn't be rushed.

Resene Rock Blue
Resene Rock Blue
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
November 2014

Q. I have a lounge that looks like Resene Half Tea. I have just put up wallpaper that you can paint over and was going to paint the same as the lounge but just seeing the white makes the kitchen dining so much lighter so thinking we should paint kitchen dining a different colour. The bench top is black (glossy) and tiles are black, white and blue. The trims on the windows are white. What colour would be best in kitchen dining and what colour for the arch way that separates the lounge dining area so it looks good?

A. The inner portion of the arch (as seen from the lounge) should be the same as the lounge colour. The kitchen/dining room needs a whiter type of colour (yes, you are absolutely right!) and perhaps you could look at one of these colours to see if they work for you – Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Black White or Resene Half Sea Fog.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
November 2014

Q. What is the colour difference between light and dark rimu?

A. In the world of real wood - light rimu is paler yellowish/green and it hasn't the character or definite grain of dark rimu (also referred to as heart rimu) which is a rich golden tan with lovely grain variations. Light rimu is often from trees that are very young. Dark rimu is from older trees which are more developed in colour and grain.

In the world of wood stain one is yellow/pale and one is tan/darker.


Q. I'm having a challenge deciding on a colour to paint the outside of our two storey house. It is wood textured weatherboard with plain sheets on the bottom half. The roof colour and garage doors match Resene Florentine Pink and the window frames are Resene Quarter Spanish White. I was looking at Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe but it doesn't look quite right. It currently has Resene Solitaire but we have a lot of sunlight and it has ended up glary so we want a colour that does not look so bright under full sunlight but not too dark either. We also will be painting our wooden steps and pergola in a darker shade at some stage - it is currently bare wood.

A. Have you thought of using a deeper version of Resene Spanish White - perhaps Resene Double Spanish White or a deeper version of Resene Solitaire - perhaps like Resene Half Haystack. Alternatively you might look at Resene Biscotti, Resene Half Drought or Resene Quarter Malta. These types of colours will work well with the windows.

Resene Florentine Pink
Resene Florentine Pink
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Solitaire
Resene Solitaire
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Half Haystack
Resene Half Haystack
Resene Biscotti
Resene Biscotti
Resene Half Drought
Resene Half Drought
Resene Quarter Malta
Resene Quarter Malta
 
November 2014

Q. We have a COLORBOND® roof in Deep Ocean, black aluminium window trim and Monument colour garage door. What colours do you recommend to go with these?

A. When a house is beautiful it doesn't need 'glamourising' with lots of colours - have you thought of using a soft warm grey based colour and using a soft grey/white for all the decorative detailing - balustrades and posts, porch entry and under the wide ceiling/soffit above the deck? It would be a timeless classical look.

You might look at these combos to see if they appeal – Resene Triple Black White with Resene Black White, or Resene Double Concrete with Resene Quarter Concrete, or Resene Double White Pointer with Resene Quarter White Pointer. The doors could be Resene Nocturnal - similar to the garage door - or Resene Coast - similar to the roof colour.

COLORSTEEL® Deep OceanCOLORSTEEL® Deep Ocean Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Quarter Concrete
Resene Quarter Concrete
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Coast
Resene Coast
 
November 2014

Q. We have chosen to paint the exterior weatherboards of our house Resene Half Friar Greystone and were wondering if you had any suggestions for the trim colours? We were thinking a very light grey/white and a darker grey.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they might work for you – Resene Black White, Resene Half Merino or darker Resene Triple Friar Greystone or Resene Quarter Ironsand.

Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Triple Friar Greystone
Resene Triple Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
November 2014

Q. I am trying to match some current exterior paint. I have an old tin but I can’t read the name on it.

A. If you have an existing can and you bring it into a Resene ColorShop our staff can either match it up to a chart for you or arrange a custom colour match to be made for you – either in store or through our colour lab.

November 2014

Q. We have a base colour palette with lots of wood, cream/white, charcoal, metallics/Zincalume, and there is lots of grass visible from inside the house as we are on a farm. Now we are looking for colour advice on what to add to this and how to colour different rooms but tie it all together in subtle ways.

A. As a rule for a new build - interior - I always suggest that people choose flooring, kitchen cabinets (style and colour), kitchen work tops, any tiles that may be used (bathrooms etc) and drapes or blinds first as these are the most expensive and limited of the options that you will need to 'fix' on.

If you choose wall colours prior to that you reduce by 50% the possible options for these things. It is relatively easy to pick 'favourites' in the aforementioned elements and after that paint colours.

Another very important thing to consider is how natural and artificial light alter how the colours look from hour to hour, day to day and season to season. This can't be sorted until a certain stage in the build - when you have walls up.

You may need to collect lots samples and photos of how you want the house to look and work toward that goal. You will find that several ideas and samples don't cut the mustard after you have looked at them for a while - this is normal - it is your eye and heart judging and adjusting the ideas you have and dispensing with those that aren't working for you. If you do collect paint colour samples always purchase the largest size sample you can - A4 is a good size to base judgements on.

Your local Resene ColorShop and the staff there are going to be your new 'best friends' and testpots are going to be the best/cheapest colour insurance you will ever have.

November 2014

Q. I have purchased 60 litres of Resene White Linen. We have done one large room, kitchen dining lounge open room. Sad to say this colour has a pink undertone and it lacks depth on the wall. We want to know how to add more depth to the colour and not show a pink undertone. The ceilings are white. The floor isn't down yet as we are renovating, but it will be a vinyl plank, with colours of white and copper.

A. Oh dear - what a shame! Resene White Linen has always thrown a slight pink/beige tone. Did you test the colour or see the large A4 real paint sample at the Resene ColorShop in their Colour Library prior to purchasing it? This is so important as it can stop at least 50% of 'wrong colours' before purchasing the large pots.

With such a large amount of paint it may pay to take back any 10 litres containers that have not been opened/used and ask at the Resene ColorShop what they can make from it. This is highly experimental but it may save what would essentially be a wasted house lot of paint.

Usually it can be modified with a small amount of Cyan (green/blue) - I myself have done this when mixing colours for art classes - the opposite colour across the colour wheel is used to minimise the dominant hue. Other tinters that may alter this type of colour are Umber (brown - this will deepen the colour a little) or Ochre (yellow- this will warm the colour up) and it can be extremely small amounts of tinters that are needed.

There is a risk that you may not like the adjusted colour.

Resene White Linen
Resene White Linen
November 2014

Q. We are getting our rental properties painted and our painter is using Resene products. The houses are typical state houses. What colours do you suggest we use? I was wondering about Karaka green for the roof?

A. Resene Karaka is a good colour and so is Resene Squall which is greyer but still a bit olive in tone. For simple schemes that always look fresh you might look at these colours for the weatherboards - Resene Triple Merino with Resene Half Rice Cake for all trims or Resene Quarter Truffle with Resene Alabaster for all trims.

For convenience and economy you might use exactly the same colours on all the properties and just have 'special' door colour for each individual house. You might use a red on one and a orange on another, such as Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Ayers Rock or other similar colours This is something my brother in law did with his rentals - that way he always knew he had a bit of paint for touching up/repair work and didn't have to worry about what house had what colour scheme and a litre of each door colour with the address on the lid and voila! All problems solved.

Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
Resene Squall
Resene Squall

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Ayers Rock
Resene Ayers Rock
November 2014

Q. I am painting a smallish three bedroom house that has a few rooms which don't get a lot of light. The ceilings, doors, window frames etc are Resene Alabaster. I can't decide on a colour for the walls as the testers look very different in different rooms. I'm trying to decide between Resene Eighth Malta and Resene Eighth Drought. Do you think Resene Eighth Malta would be light enough for the darker rooms? Which has a warmer feel? Do both go with Resene Alabaster?

A. Both colours will work well with Resene Alabaster. Both of the colours you mention are warm colours. The lighter of the two colours is Resene Eight Drought. The other colour - Resene Eighth Malta - is a muddier/slightly deeper colour. Even if you chose Resene Quarter Drought (deeper than Resene Eighth Drought) it is still lighter than Resene Eighth Malta.

Colour is a chameleon and every change of light, or angle or space alters it. So the same colour in different spaces is a different colour. But - a word to the wise - all colours can double in strength when all four walls are painted.

If you are testing colours it pays to paint all of the Resene testpot - 2 coats - onto A2 card (available from your Resene ColorShop) leaving an unpainted white border all around the edges.

  • The unpainted border helps you focus on the true reality and depth of the colour and it has a barrier (unpainted border) between the paint sample and any existing wall colours so your perception of the colour won't be corrupted.
  • The sample is very large - large is the best way to view colours.
  • It can be moved from wall to wall/room to room so you can see what changes occur with angles and light.
  • The card can be rolled into a cone - colour innermost - and by looking into it you can see what it will look like when all four walls are painted as the colour deepens.
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Eighth Malta
Resene Eighth Malta
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
November 2014

Q. We painted our bach in Resene Black Magic in 2007. We are repainting, we bought the same colour Resene Black Magic. The painter has applied it and it is brown, quite different to the black we had before! When we bought the paint last week we thought it looked brown in the testpot but the salesperson did a colour card and assured us it would be the same.

A. Resene Black Magic on the Multi-finish Palette #47 is depicted on a page of brown colours in the middle of the top row. The BR in the colour code means brown. It is described as A warm dark brown, formal and restrained. When it was originally made I described it so I very much doubt that it wasn't a brown if I described it that way.

All colours called Black something or something Black are colours - some green, purple, blue, charcoal etc.

But - if it is a CoolColour™ (that is what the CC in the colour code means) it can be made as a CoolColour, which reflects more heat. Most people prefer this type of technology to gain as much protective factor as they can when using very dark colours.

I have noticed a lot of CC colours that are really 'blackish' take on a slightly warmer look. Black Magic has always been a very dark brown.

The gloss level of the paint can also change the way you see a colour – a higher gloss woll make it seem cleaner and brighter than a flatter finish which will make it seem muddier.

Resene Black Magic
Resene Black Magic
November 2014

Q. We have a house built in 1970 that we would to love to paint. Please give advice for a nice neutral colour that we could do the whole house in. We live in the South Island so really want the house to feel a bit warmer in winter. I was looking at Resene Eighth Spanish White or Resene Quarter Spanish White but didn't think it went with the curtains. Was also looking at Resene White Pointer or Resene Half White Pointer.

A. Resene White Pointer and Resene Half White Pointer are both cooler/greyer colours and if you are wanting a warmer look they may not be right for you. I see from the photos that you have attached that you have pinned up tiny little chips on the wall. This isn't the best way to judge colour and if you made a decision based on this you may totally misjudge the colour. Colours in an interior often look twice as deep as you expect them to look so testing the right way so your colour choices are totally right is really important.

A testpot applied to A2 card (available from your Resene ColorShop) using all of it (two coats) and leaving an unpainted white border all around the edges will do this for you:

  • You will see a big enough sample of colour to make a judgement on.
  • The unpainted border on the card will help you focus on the reality of the colour without the existing wall colour (even lining paper is a colour) altering your perception of it.
  • You can move the card from wall to wall/room to room to see how it changes - and it will often to a surprising degree.
  • If you roll the card into a cone shape with the colour innermost and look into it you will see it deeper - this is a really good indication of what four walls of colour will look like.

I think you might like to check these colours out to see if by testing carefully they might work for you: Resene Albescent White, Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown, Resene Soapstone or Resene Eighth Fossil.

Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Soapstone
Resene Soapstone
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
November 2014

Q. We have a 1970s veneer on a brick base home. The outside walls are painted Resene Double Mondo. We have a rectangular area next to the house which we are paving and turning into a courtyard. We have found a cheap concrete paver in a light grey similar to the colour Resene Double Concrete. We have two besser brick walls to paint which will have planting in front of them. Is there a colour that you could suggest for these walls which will tie the whole scheme together? We want the area to look like a Spanish courtyard or very cool.

A. I wouldn't have thought that the tiles, if they are like Resene Double Concrete, would work with your main colour Resene Double Mondo. The deep brown may well bring out the silvery blue tone of the pavers. But you may like that and we are all different in what we like.

A wall colour to tie these two opposing colours together might be lighter like Resene Eighth Mondo (relates well to the house colour but isolates the pavers) or Resene Triple Concrete (relates well to the pavers and intensifies the silvery grey/blue undertones) but doesn't really work with the house colour.

Resene Double Mondo
Resene Double Mondo
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Eighth Mondo
Resene Eighth Mondo
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
November 2014

Q. Our home is approx 8 years old, in Wellington, with native bush in the background. Parts of our house are two storeys high set into native bush. The garage door is stained black plywood, approx 60% will remain as zincalume. The remaining weather boards will be painted so we are looking for a suitable colour.

A. You might look at these colours. Don't be misled as they may seem like greys but they have underlying colour tones in them – Resene Stack, Resene Triple Rakaia, Resene Half Tapa or Resene Kookaburra.

If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop to check out the A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library and compare the colours you will see what I mean about them having 'colour' in the grey.

Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Triple Rakaia
Resene Triple Rakaia
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Kookaburra
Resene Kookaburra
November 2014

Q. I recently purchased Resene Fantail to paint my house but after painting a small amount I don't really like it (too pinky). Can I tint this to another colour and if so what are the range of colours I could tint it to?

A. The short answer is No - because it is too difficult and you have little or no control as to what you will end up with. If you asked at the Resene ColorShop they may be a bit wary also - whatever they do to it may not suit you, it is time consuming, highly experimental and mostly disappointing. I suspect the only recourse you may have is to use it as a first coat and a new (different) colour as a topcoat - or persuade someone to buy it off you.

It pays to test colour very carefully - if you paint all of the testpot (two coats) onto A2 card (available from your Resene ColorShop) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges you get to see enough of the colour to judge it, it can be moved from wall to wall so you can see how different the colour will be and it can be judged when the light changes. Resene testpots are cheap colour insurance.

Resene Fantail
Resene Fantail
November 2014

Q. I have a cream Melteca kitchen very close to Resene Half Spanish White, with a soft gold bronze Formica benchtop. Unfortunately they gave me the blue tinted rather than clear glass for my Resene Half Spanish White splashbacks, which look bluish, especially at night. I would like to repaint the kitchen walls and possibly also the cabinets now to tone in with that more bluish hue, but keeping to a white and fairly warm if possible as the kitchen is on the south side of the house. Putting paint chips up, Resene Thorndon Cream seems to work to neutralise the blue glass without looking cold... so I was thinking perhaps quarter or half on the cabinets and ceiling and full on the walls or vice versa. Would you have any suggestions?

A. It sounds as though you have standard float glass rather than the (only one that keeps the colours looking true) star bright low iron oxide glass. South facing rooms are often a problem in that they make whitish colours look grey and stark and warm yellowish colours often look sharp or sour.

If you have tested the Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and Resene Half Thorndon Cream by painting them onto large A2 white card (available from your Resene ColorShop) leaving a narrow unpainted border all around the edges you will be able to truly judge what the colour looks like.

I would be inclined to use the half strength for the walls, as it will look a lot deeper/greyer/greener when all four walls are painted, and the quarter strength for the cabinets. But - word to the wise - without doing this testing of colours you may find it still isn't going to work. If the trial shows the colours too cool/grey toned you might look at Resene Half Fossil and Resene Quarter Fossil as they may look warmer. I would use a real White on the ceilings to make the pale colours look more interesting and coloured on walls and cupboards.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Quarter Fossil
November 2014

Q. Here’s what I’m thinking… I’m moving into a 1930s small home with a baby on the way and only a few weeks to have it ready. The house has wooden floors, and some wood trim that I think I’d like to keep for a couple of the windows (living room, master bedroom). There’s also a lot of wooden doors that I will possibly paint white.

The living and dining spaces are north facing and quite sunny, with the master and other main bedroom facing east, and the small bedroom facing south. The two bedrooms will be for my two children. I like fairly neutral spaces, with colour in the furnishings, but want to avoid white on white.

Dining and living - I’d like a grey that is not too purple or beige – maybe Resene Quarter Iron, Resene Half Concrete or perhaps Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue.

For the master bedroom I was thinking a soft light pink such as Resene Wisp Pink, Resene Provincial Pink or Resene Island Spice.

For the east kids bedroom, I’m thinking a soft light blue, but this is a south east room, so I don’t want it to seem too cold. Perhaps something like Resene Cloud Nine, Resene Tara, Resene Panache or Resene Half Breathless. For the south kid’s bedroom I was thinking of soft yellow/something warmer, light and cheerful (not much light here) that fits with the rest of the house colours – perhaps Resene Corn Field.

For the laundry I was thinking something slightly lighter/cheerier than Resene Soft Apple. Perhaps half Resene Madang? I’d also like to have some in the same colour as the south kid’s bedroom, so something that goes with that.

Finally – thoughts on white trim and ceiling to go with wooden floors and the colours?

A. For the living room perhaps look at Resene Half Duck Egg Blue or Resene Half Emerge.

In the master bedroom, all of the ones you have mentioned are either too pink or peachy cream – perhaps you could look at Resene Cest La Vie which is a pink/beige warmed by a little orange or a grey/beige pink Resene Spring Wood or if you really want pink try Resene Abercrombie (has a touch of violet hiding in it) or Resene Ditto which is very subtle.

For your East facing kid’s bedroom - Resene Half Breathless may look bluer first thing in the morning and slightly greyer when the room is shadowy.

For the South facing kid’s bedroom - Do not use Resene Corn Field unless you like the way the southerly light turns this colour (and most yellows) to acid. Look at sweeter yellows like Resene Half Dutch White which has a mellowness in it but not an acidic or fluoro edge.

Laundry - look at Resene Kandinsky - this is lovely with the Resene Half Dutch White mentioned above.

Use Resene Alabaster as your ‘white’ as it will enhance all the lovely soft colours.

If you have the time to head off to the nearest Resene ColorShop to look at A4 real paint samples of these colours you won't be disappointed. It’s a great way of seeing larger swatches of the colours so you can make sure you are really comfortable with your colour choices.

Resene Quarter Iron
Resene Quarter Iron
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
   
Resene Wisp Pink
Resene Wisp Pink
Resene Provincial Pink
Resene Provincial Pink
Resene Island Spice
Resene Island Spice
   
Resene Cloud Nine
Resene Cloud Nine
Resene Tara
Resene Tara
Resene Panache
Resene Panache
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Corn Field
Resene Corn Field
Resene Soft Apple
Resene Soft Apple
Resene Madang
Resene Madang
     
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Cest La Vie
Resene Cest La Vie
Resene Spring Wood
Resene Spring Wood
Resene Abercrombie
Resene Abercrombie
Resene Ditto
Resene Ditto
Resene Half Dutch White
Resene Half Dutch White
Resene Kandinsky
Resene Kandinsky
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
 
November 2014

Q. We are building a Box Living house and now need to choose colours! We'd like the exterior of the house to be a dark warm grey, perhaps as dark as black. We are leaning towards white joinery. Would you recommend white joinery with a dark grey exterior? We also are leaning towards a dark grey roof, perhaps Ironsand.

The inside walls we'd like white, just a wee bit darker than the joinery, white trims and skirting. For the whole south interior wall (opposite side from the decks) of the house and the master bedroom I'd like a charcoal grey/almost black.

Floors downstairs are polished concrete with light oak engineered hardwood in the dining/kitchen. Upstairs (bedrooms) are also light oak engineered hardwood. Would be great to hear your feedback and suggestions of colours that would work together.

A. If you do the roof in Ironsand perhaps you could use the same colour for the exterior walls - Resene Ironsand. Or slightly lighter - Resene Half Ironsand. This will tie in the roof colour and main and not have them competing to be the more different. If you chose another dark grey – Grey Friars - you could do the same thing. Resene have Resene Grey Friars and Resene Half Grey Friars. The box aspect of the house design allows for walls and roof to be the same without it looking unusual.

I am really unsure about having white joinery - certainly if you want maximum contrast/shock appeal it could be quite unusual.

I would suggest using a related but much lighter neutral such as Sandstone Grey or a coloured white such as Titania or a metallic neutral but we are all different in this regard and the choice - ultimately - is yours.

For the interior you might consider Resene Sea Fog for the walls (and ceilings) and Resene Quarter Sea Fog for all joinery, trims etc. Using a stunning warm black for a whole south interior wall could be rather delicious - Resene Bokara Grey or Resene Blackjack might be checked out for this. I say 'warm' black as the southerly aspect is chilly and often dim so 'warm' stops it from being too cold to be friendly.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Sea Fog (Double Alabaster)
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Blackjack
Resene Blackjack
 
November 2014

Q. We have a 1950s weatherboard home in the country and we have had to replace the old joinery windows. Installed are modern aluminium Grey Friars tinted windows. They have a trim of 50mm around them. The iron shed nearby is clad in Titania with Grey Friars rollers and roof. I like the idea of a black box or something earthy, but am unsure as to if it would look out of place? What colours would you recommend for trim and weatherboards?

A. You could use Resene Quarter Grey Friars for the weatherboards and window surrounds which will tie in the (darker) window joinery but I do strongly recommend using the CoolColour™ re-formulated colour to try and minimise the extreme heat that will be attracted to the weatherboards. Dark colours create all sorts of problems on real timber – U.V. damage, blistering from heat and stress causing cracks and buckled planks and oxidisation (chalky film) on the paint and the very real possibility of repainting much sooner so you do need to really think this through carefully. CoolColours will minimise this but it won't make it all problems disappear.

Another option for you - quite different to what you are considering - is to use a deeper version of the Titania that you have on the shed - perhaps Resene Bone White - and use the lighter variant of Grey Friars around the window surrounds to make them seem larger. Resene Titania could be used under the soffits and on the barge boards that follow the roof line - this will tie in the main garage colour. You might also use it on the doors of the house or (darker) Resene Grey Friars.

Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Bone White
Resene Bone white
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Titania
Resene Titania
November 2014

Q. Can you recommend a nice deep but warm grey for a TV room?

A. You might check out these lovely deep cocooning greys – Resene Montoya, Resene Half Chicago, Resene Quarter Foundry, Resene Half Baltic Sea or Resene Scarpa Flow.

They all have different underlying tones that need to be seen as large A4 samples in your Resene ColorShop's Colour Library and compared one with the other to see what their unique qualities are.

All colours in interiors are deeper than might be imagined (sometimes doubling in depth) so it is really important to test colour within the space you hope to use it in.

Resene Montoya
Resene Montoya
Resene Half Chicago
Resene Half Chicago
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
November 2014

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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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