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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 29

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. 29

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


Q. We are getting our house replastered with Rockcote and need to decide on colours for the plaster and trim - help! We want something modern, but reasonably neutral. Colours inside so far are looking white, black and grey, more taupe shades of that makes sense. We don't want white as it’s too stark.

A. You might look at these neutral colours – Resene Half Cougar, Resene Truffle, Resene Eighth Stonehenge, Resene Half Foggy Grey or Resene Triple Black White. These colours are not too pale and will look a little lighter over all in bright natural light.

Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Cougar
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
April 2015

Q. We are using Resene Santas Grey and a white trim. Could you recommend a roof colour? It’s currently a green tile.

A. Resene Santas Grey is a distinctly blue/purple grey and rather than emphasise that colour too much I suggest a black based charcoal to maintain the urban/smart scheme – Resene Nocturnal, Resene Element or slightly lighter – Resene Windswept.

Resene Santas Grey
Resene Santas Grey
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
April 2015

Q. I am looking for a colour choice for my two children's bedrooms. We have recently done our family room and kitchen in Resene Cougar walls with Resene Half Sea Fog ceiling and window trims. We have been advised to do the same on the rest of the house however using Resene Quarter Cougar on the other walls. What are complementary subtle colours we could use in the children's bedrooms, the female aged 11 likes pinks and blues, the boy aged 9 has a red, white and blue themed room. I am after a colour that they will not outgrow too quickly and is not too dominant.

A. Resene Quarter Cougar is still quite a definite colour for the children's rooms which limits what will co-ordinate well with it. But if you used a deeper version of the ceiling and window trim colour - perhaps Resene Double Sea Fog - it will work with almost any softer colour and still co-ordinate with your main colour of Resene Quarter Cougar that you use in the other rooms. Check out these colours for the children’s rooms - Resene Sweet Spot or Resene Half Kumutoto for your daughter and Resene Bellbottom Blue or Resene Red Berry for your son. These colours can be painted feature walls, painted furniture or colour suggestions for duvets, curtains etc.

Resene Cougar
Resene Cougar
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Sweet Spot
Resene Sweet Spot
Resene Half Kumutoto
Resene Half Kumutoto
Resene  Bellbottom Blue
Resene Bellbottom Blue
Resene Red Berry
Resene Red Berry
April 2015

Q. We have just purchased a 1950s weatherboard home with kauri floors, and I have a large wooden cabinet (rimu) and a walnut piano. Are there any neutral colours that complement wood really well which we should paint the lounge in? The lounge has lots of windows and natural light.

A. Complex creams and some green toned beiges often look good with wood. You might check these colours out – Resene Spanish White, Resene Wheatfield, Resene Quarter Parchment or Resene Quarter Bison Hide.

The use of a white for ceilings and woodwork will enhance the depth in these neutrals creating more character and ambiance.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Wheatfield
Resene Wheatfield
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
April 2015

Q. I'm fixing some damage up in the hallway which then requires a repaint and I'm trying to find a colour that is similar to the existing colour. Using the Resene Whites & Neutrals colour chart we thought the best match was one colour. However, after using the testpot it was far too white. We need something creamier. Any colour advice will be great.

A. Colour matching is always hard. But rather than try to match the wall colour have you considered painting the whole wall a deeper colour as a feature. That removes the pressure of trying for a perfect match and adds a little something achievable to the task at hand.

If you want to persevere with the 'match' option you might look to a warmer colour like Resene Quarter Bison Hide.

Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
April 2015

Q. What is a warm neutral shade for bedrooms and utility rooms? One bedroom gets good natural light, but the other doesn't.

A. Ideally a neutral should link with other predominant colours in the house - flooring being the main other key colour. But if you want a universally appealing colour as an aid for sale then these colours may have appeal - Resene Quarter Spanish White - such a warm obliging colour for bathrooms etc or Resene Eighth Drought - a light warm beige/taupe which may be good in bedrooms.

Alternatively a slightly greyer palette might be these colours – Resene Quarter Truffle - a nice grey/taupe and Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe - a grey/taupe with a mushroom warmth

Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
April 2015

Q. I have a query about painting vinyl lino in a laundry. In the area, the walls are Resene Thorndon Cream and the cupboard doors are Resene Powder Blue. Do you have any suggestions on colours for the vinyl. Would Blue Bark work? We have used this colour outdoors. Or is it best for the floor to remain light?

A. From personal experience I have never had a lot of success with really dark coloured floors - vinyl or painted vinyl. Every little bit of fluff and dust shows up and I should imagine any spilt laundry powder would cause a lot of angst. Lighter floor colours often disguise dust and fluff. If you have a deeper version of the wall colour (Resene Double Thorndon Cream) the space will look larger and lighter. If you favour a really dark colour have you considered a dark cotton rug on the lighter painted floor?

Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Powder Blue
Resene Powder Blue
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
April 2015

Q. We are painting the exterior of our house and I am after a colour recommendation to match COLORBOND® Dune sheeting and black railings? The back of the house has cement sheeting panels alternating with the COLORBOND® and the front is weatherboard.

A. If you want a colour that matches exactly to the COLORBOND® Dune then it is Resene Settlement. If however you want a colour that is similar (but not exactly the same) and will work with the COLORBOND® Dune then you might look at these ones – Resene Sandstone, Resene Stonehenge, Resene Double Stonehenge or Resene Double Mondo.

COLORSTEEL® Dune
COLORSTEEL® Dune
Resene Settlement
Resene Settlement
   
Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Double Stonehenge
Resene Double Stonehenge
Resene Double Mondo
Resene Double Mondo
April 2015

Q. We are probably going to opt for an exterior paint scheme of Resene Periglacial Blue with Resene Wan White joinery. I need help with our front door colour and it will be the same colour as our new garage roller door. I am wondering about a red or navy. Could you please give me any ideas?

A. You have a huge amount of possible options. Here are a few for you to mull over – Resene Celestial Blue, Resene Breakfree, Resene Pioneer Red or Resene Regatta.

Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
   
Resene Celestial Blue
Resene Celestial Blue
Resene Breakfree
Resene Breakfree
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Regatta
Resene Regatta
April 2015

Q. I need help with a colour scheme as I would like to paint the interior of my house. What colours are in for 2015?

A. Duck egg blues, soft aquas, greens, oranges and rich wine red/brown colours are in for 2015. They can be used by themselves or with whites, greys, charcoals and blacks. Try these colours as a start point – Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Unwind, Resene Coriander, Resene Secrets, Resene Touche or Resene Pioneer Red.

Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Unwind
Resene Unwind
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
Resene Touche
Resene Touche
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
April 2015

Q. After removing an old fireplace we are wanting to repaint our living room. We would like to brighten the room up but are unsure what colours to use. The thought was to retain the original colour (or some other) as the feature wall behind the TV and the rest of the walls a white.

A. If you do maintain the original colour behind the TV it is a very good idea as it is warm and relates well to the deep coloured curtains and the lounge suite. A lighter main colour will lift the mood of the room and make you see the spaces as much larger. I am fearful however that too white/light a colour will make the room a bit stark. I am hopeful that these options may work well with the carpet.

You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Quarter Akaroa, Resene Half Fossil, Resene Spanish White or Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown.

Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Quarter Sandspit
Brown
April 2015

Q. I'm trying to choose a colour to paint plastered boundary walls. Resene Double Tea and Resene Sisal are close to what I'm looking for but I would like a colour that has more depth while still looking warm.

A. These colours that have more warmth and depth - you might check them out – Resene Triple Tea, Resene Double Bison Hide, Resene Double Drought, Resene Triple Akaroa or Resene Half Gargoyle.

Most people will choose a colour to work with the existing colours on their house so it creates a harmonious look.

Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Sisal
Resene Sisal
     
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Double Drought
Resene Double Drought
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Half Gargoyle
Resene Half Gargoyle
April 2015

Q. We have just reclad the top level of our house with vertical cedar and used Resene Waterborne Woodsman Weathered Grey CoolColour™ stain. We have also replaced the top level windows in Silver Pearl Aluminium. We have a concrete block base that we will need to repaint. Could you suggest some possible colours to tone in with the stain?

A. Stain colours on cedar often reflect a warmer tone and Resene Weathered Grey is a warm dusky grey. You might look at paler colours - to make the stain look deeper - like Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe or Resene Rakaia or much darker colours - to make the stain look softer/lighter - like Resene Rough N Tumble.

Resene Weathered Grey
Resene Weathered Grey
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rough N Tumble
Resene Rough N Tumble
April 2015

Q. I'd like to paint our bathroom in a very light green, basically white with a hint of a limey green (not yellow-green or mint-green). I can't seem to find a shade of green that is light enough without being cold.

A. Lime greens often carry both yellow and green so I am unsure what I can suggest to you but you might check these colours out to see if any of them appeal to you - they may need to be made at half strength in order to meet the criteria of 'basically white with a hint of limey green' – Resene Miso, Resene Ying Yang, Resene Willow Brook, Resene Saltpan, Resene Lime White, Resene Half Secrets or Resene Half White Rock.

Resene Miso
Resene Miso
Resene Ying Yang
Resene Ying Yang
Resene Willow Brook
Resene Willow Brook
Resene Saltpan
Resene Saltpan
Resene Lime White
Resene Lime White
Resene Half Secrets
Resene Half Secrets
Resene Half White Rock
Resene Half White Rock
   
April 2015

Q. I am planning to paint the exterior of my weatherboard home using Resene Half New Denim Blue for the main colour and I need some complementary colour advice. I thought maybe Resene Pearl Lusta for the trims. I also want to use a pop colour for the doors and to paint a large pergola at the front of the house. I would prefer an orange such as Resene California or Resene Adrenalin. What is your advice? I am flexible with the trims and pop colour.

A. I suggest using a lighter variant of Resene Pearl Lusta if you want the Resene New Denim Blue to look deeper - perhaps Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta - it creates a dynamic contrast. Oranges for the 'pop' might be either of the two you have mentioned or alternatively Resene Flashback, Resene Juicy or Resene Clementine Orange. Personally I would be inclined to keep the orange on the doors only as it appears far more exciting and special if less is seen.

Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene California
Resene California
Resene Adrenalin
Resene Adrenilin
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Flashback
Resene Flashback
Resene Juicy
Resene Juicy
Resene Clementine Orange
Resene Clementine Orange
April 2015

Q. I’m looking for a colour to paint exterior doors and window sills. I've painted the roof Resene Grey Friars, the weatherboards are painted Resene Silver Chalice and window surrounds and front porch in Resene Black White.

A. These colours might be worth checking out – Resene Quarter Grey Friars, Resene Double Trojan or a strong contrast colour as opposed to a deep tonal colour – Resene Breakfree, or more of the whitest colour – Resene Black White.

Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Double Trojan
Resene Double Trojan
Resene Breakfree
Resene Breakfree
April 2015

Q. I am looking for a paint colour to go with my Resene Bison Hide walls. I’m looking for a feature wall in a colour like warm concrete, not too grey/cold. I have a timber floor and brown/grey carpet.

A. Because of the carpet colour and the existing wall colour you may need to compromise a little to find the best 'feature' colour. These colours are worth checking out – Resene Taupe Grey, Resene Friar Greystone , Resene Triple Truffle or Resene Half Cobblestone.

Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Half Cobblestone
Resene Half Cobblestone
April 2015

Q. I want to paint my house a modern grey style colour but I'm not sure which and whether to do the bottom part the same or a different colour. The roof is now Ironsand.

A. Painting a lower level or high basement a different colour to the main house is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong way to go. But perhaps instead of a strong contrast - you could use a lighter variant of the main house colour to soften the change of level and tie the colours together. If you check out these grey colours - lighter and deeper - and think about how it makes the house look – Resene Eighth Friar Greystone and Resene Friar Greystone , or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey and Resene Foggy Grey, or Resene Eighth Stonehenge and Resene Stonehenge.

Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
April 2015

Q. Our 1960s house is painted Resene Half Lemon Grass with Resene Bianca window frames and Resene Pohutukawa doors. I want to paint the wooden balustrade on our deck. The balustrade is currently a redwood colour and the deck itself is natural which I plan to leave. I am looking for a darker more complementary colour to go over the aged redwood stain. We have quite a lot of greenery around the deck and garden. I am also wondering whether to paint the new deck screening with the same colour or leave it to age. It will have some planting around to soften it eventually.

A. If the redwood colour is a stain (not a paint) then a deeper earthy colour oil stain would look really nice. Perhaps look at these to see if one of the colours appeals to you – Resene Tiri or Resene Iroko.

I think it would make sense to stain the deck screening the same colour - it will look smart, simple and well co-ordinated.

Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Iroko
Resene Iroko
April 2015

Q. I have Resene Rice Cake on walls. Would Resene Alabaster (white) go with this colour on skirtings, architraves, windows, ceilings etc or is there another slightly off-white which would tone in with Resene Rice Cake better but obviously provide a contrast? This is an old home with sash windows, wide skirtings etc.

A. You could use Resene Eighth Rice Cake - this colour will provide a contrast to your main colour - Resene Rice Cake. If the woodwork is a semi-gloss or full gloss enamel the higher sheen will create a nice look for the older style architectural features.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
April 2015

Q. For a Queensland ‘tin and timber’ home I am thinking of Resene Half Truffle for walls, Resene Gravel for guttering, lower timber battens and top rail on the balustrades, and Resene Half Black White for the windows and verandah balustrading. Do you think this is a good match of colours?

A. I like the colours that you are considering but I do feel that you could go to the full strength Resene Truffle. Colours on an exterior often look a lot lighter than you might expect and the contrast between the windows etc (Resene Half Black White) and the main house (Resene Half Truffle) needs to be more distinctly different.

Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
April 2015

Q. We are looking to get a new COLORSTEEL® roof and are thinking of going dark, e.g. Resene Element (FlaxPod), then updating cladding from Resene Tea to a grey but are not sure on how light or dark to go. Can you make a suggestion? One thing we are keen to do is not make the house look so short (as the roof is low and low pitch), so wondering if big contrast between roof and cladding is good or bad? We will hopefully have new COLORSTEEL® guttering and paint fascia boards in Resene Element too.

A. A dark mass (roof etc) on a low built roof can only make the house seem short. If you want a grey on the cladding I suggest a mid toned colour so that the contrast between roof and house isn't as optic. You might look at using colours like Resene Quarter Gravel or Resene Stack on the cladding. Are you sure you want the really dark roof etc? COLORSTEEL® TernStyle (Resene Windswept) would look lighter but still smart.

Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
April 2015

Q. I am having the exterior of my house painted. The house looks like a dolls house, pitched roof, dormers etc. I have chosen most of the scheme but don't know what colour to go with for the surface of the deck and the steps. The roof is Resene Grey Friars, weatherboards are Resene Stack, trims and window frames are Resene Quarter Black White, garage doors are Resene Grey Friars and base boards Resene Double Stack. I was thinking Resene Quarter Grey Friars but wonder if it might be too dark and too blue or also wondered about Resene Half Baltic Sea.

A. Resene Quarter Grey Friars is lighter than Resene Half Baltic Sea but tonally related to the roof colour. I suggest if you are unsure about using Resene Quarter Grey Friars you might use Resene Double Stack as it will work with the base of the house and be a simple related palette.

Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
April 2015

Q. I am considering two feature walls in my living and lounge spaces. Not sure about having both walls visible from the living area if they are both dark colours. Am thinking of using Resene Kombi in the living room and Resene Imprint in the lounge. Thinking of neutral in Resene Eighth Sisal or Resene Miso.

A. I think the Resene Miso is a fresher/mood enhancing neutral. It makes the alternative option - Resene Eighth Sisal - look a bit dull by comparison. The walls where you propose to use the feature colours are very appropriate placements of colour as they allow natural light to play upon the colour and create colour variations in light and shade.

Resene Kombi
Resene Kombi
Resene Imprint
Resene Imprint
Resene Eighth Sisal
Resene Eighth Sisal
Resene Miso
Resene Miso
April 2015

Q. We are building a new house at Rolleston and we have a cream brick with a black roof. Looking around personally I think a black fence is too much and would appreciate suggestions of what other colour you could suggest.

A. I think fences are sometimes tricky. They aren't usually small and decisions have to well thought through.

Have you considered staining it instead of painting? It can be a softer approach (not as densely coloured as paint) and though browns and blacks may not appeal to you I do think if you checked out the amazing selection of colours you may well see something you favour.

Perhaps look at these as a start point – Resene Woodsman stain Resene Sheer Black, Resene Nutmeg or Resene Smokey Ash.

Resene Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Nutmeg
Resene Nutmeg
Resene Woodsman Smokey Ash
Resene Smokey Ash
April 2015

Q. I am painting my interior walls with Resene Quarter Malta. What white would you suggest for the ceilings, scotia and skirtings.

A. You might look at these 'whites' – Resene Villa White, Resene Quarter Bianca or Resene Double Alabaster.

The first two are slightly warmer than the third one - it is a matter of choice which one you choose.

Resene Quarter Malta
Resene Quarter Malta
Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
April 2015

Q. Do you recommend painting the bathrooms/bedrooms the same colour as the living area when trying to sell your house? If not, any advice or direction that will help best sell the house?

A. I think that using a lighter version of the colour used in the lounge/dining/kitchen colour may be a better thing to do. It just makes some main living rooms a bit more coloured and the bedrooms, hallways and service rooms a bit less but still nicely related. Selling houses is always challenging and if all the rooms are exactly the same sometimes it makes the look a bit bland - and the house that appears to have a bit more ambiance is often the one that people remember and hopefully go on to purchase.

April 2015

Q. We are looking at painting our villa both inside and out and would like some help with choosing a colour. I'm thinking either a light beige/cream or a light grey. On the outside I thought I would paint the detailed parts white so would like something with a bit of a contrast. I would also like to paint the floor of the porch. I've previously painted another house in Resene Tea but I think I would like something a bit lighter this time. For the inside I'm thinking something similar to Resene Eighth Fossil but without the pink undertones.

A. For the exterior - lighter than Resene Tea but not as warm toned as Resene Eighth Fossil - you might check out Resene Half Truffle, Resene Eighth Napa or Resene Milk White. A word to the wise - all colour on an exterior looks half again as light so if you like a colour I suggest you test it and a deeper version of it to ensure you see definite contrast with the White - natural light steals colour and it may look as much paler/whiter similar to White when they are both seen in bright sunlight. A porch colour could be a deeper version of the main house colour but not so dark that muddy footprints show up too much.

For the interior you might look at Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Half White Pointer or Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Milk White
Resene Milk White
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
   
April 2015

Q. I am looking for a warm white with just a hint of grey for a house that receives little light in the living area. I need a wall colour and a ceiling colour. The fabrics and carpet are all what I would call 'greige', beige with a hint of grey or grey with a hint of beige whichever way you want to look at it. Furniture is dark browns, sofa neutral beige linen.

A. You might look at these colours - please do test them in the environment because any changes of light (natural or artificial) and any colour seen close to them will alter how they look considerably – Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Quarter White Pointer.

If you want to create clean light contrast to add more character to the wall colour then I would suggest you use Resene White on the ceilings and possibly the woodwork as well. Both main wall colours come as slightly deeper variants as well should you need to test them.

Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene White
Resene White
April 2015

Q. I wish to repaint a timber front door and surrounds within a recessed front porch (about 2m wide x 1.5m deep) in a different colour. The house weatherboards that line the porch are painted in Resene Rice Cake as is the rest of the house. Elsewhere the window trim and joinery is Resene Half Taupe Grey. The front porch tiles and steps a flecked grey, chosen to match the trim.

What dark colours would be complementary? I want to use a semi-gloss enamel on the door and was actually thinking black would be interesting.

A. You could check out these dark colours - they are warm/blackish but have undertones of stone/gravel and bitumen which look good with your other colours – Resene Zeus, Resene Blackout or Resene Bokara Grey.

I suggest that you use Resene CoolColour™ versions of these colours to try and minimise the intense heat that dark colours attract. Timber doors are easily jeopardised and heat damaged so if the doors receive any direct sun on them you may find bubbling, cracking or warping occurs.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Zeus
Resene Zeus
Resene Blackout
Resene Blackout
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
April 2015

Q. Can you suggest some colour combinations please. I am finding it difficult to settle on colours for our hillside home which sits in a lot of sunlight. We built our house in 2005. It is due to be repaired and renovated. The exterior is Celcrete and LINEA® with a COLORSTEEL® Ironsand roof. The joinery is light silver aluminium. The front door and garage door are also Ironsand. The current colours are Resene Stonehenge on the plaster and Resene Quadruple Stonehenge on the LINEA® and fences. We would like to lighten and update the look. Thinking a lighter colour on plaster, with stronger contrasting colour on the LINEA®. Many lighter colours I have tried look too light. The darker contrasting colour needs to tie in with the Ironsand roof as on some parts of the house the LINEA® sits close to the roof.

A. On an exterior all colour appears much lighter. That may be the reason why the light colours that you are contemplating are looking too light. Please check out the possibility of using a lighter variant of Ironsand on the LINEA® and possibly the fence - perhaps Resene Quarter Ironsand or (slightly lighter greyer/brown) Resene Triple Friar Greystone .

For the plaster you could investigate these colours – Resene Half Friar Greystone , Resene Mountain Mist, Resene Half Gauntlet, Resene Cloudy or Resene Half Pravda.

If you test colours it pays to paint them onto A2 white card available from your Resene ColorShop (two coats/all of the testpot/leave an unpainted border all around the edges) and move it around to see how it changes in all natural light. If you apply testpots to existing coloured surfaces it is inclined to make you see the colour in a wrong way as the greater expanse of colour alters your perception of the tested colour.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Triple Friar Greystone
Resene Triple Friar Greystone
 
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Half Pravda
Resene Half Pravda
April 2015

Q. We are painting our home’s exterior. I prefer traditional whites grey but my husband likes more interesting colours. Love some suggestions.

A. Try these colours – Roof Resene Nocturnal, main Resene Triple Sea Fog, window sashes/under soffits/verandah details/door and window frames - Resene Half Black White. 'Other trim' base of house/window sills etc - Resene Easy Rider. An interesting colour for doors or any much smaller element - Resene Intrepid, Resene Half Nocturnal or Resene Red Earth.

Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Easy Rider
Resene Easy Rider
Resene Intrepid
Resene Intrepid
Resene Half Nocturnal
Resene Half Nocturnal
Resene Red Earth
Resene Red Earth
 
April 2015

Q. I am trying to pin down a roof colour to replace the existing red roof and a colour to replace the existing sage green contrast colour on my 1970 Huntly brick unit. I would like something dark like COLORSTEEL® Ironsand or COLORSTEEL® Flaxpod on the roof, and am looking at shades of Resene Masala or Resene Tapa in the porch area and under the gables to contrast with plain white on the windows and other woodwork. Darker under the gables, lighter in the porches. Would that work? I'm keen on a sharp, modern look. The porch is north-facing and so bakes during the day.

A. Both of the colours you are considering for the roof are really good. If you use Resene Eighth Tapa for the porches and Resene Tapa for the gables it will achieve the look that you want to achieve. Another option would be to use Resene Half Gauntlet for the gables and quite pale - Resene Silver Chalice - for the porches. I definitely recommend that you use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour to try to minimise heat being absorbed into the surfaces.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
April 2015

Q. We are completely renovating our small house with the aid of an architect/builder. Our inspiration is a Scandinavian summer cottage which is black on the outside and white on the inside. We want to paint the exterior a dark grey or black. Our architect has suggested using Resene Lumbersider CoolColour. Can you please suggest the colours we should be considering?

We want to paint the interior a crisp white. Our architect has suggested using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. The house is very small - under 90 square metres in total with low ceilings but it gets great natural light throughout the day. Can you suggest the colours we should be considering? It's a modern house with no real architectural features. I've read that we should be painting the ceiling and walls the same white to make it look larger - is this true?

A. The traditional Scandinavian summer cottage look is really popular in Scandinavia as it attracts warmth to the summer houses that makes up for the extreme Arctic cold temperatures of their climate.

Definitely I would strongly recommend using Resene CoolColour™ technology for the black on the exterior to try - as much as is possible - to minimise the intense heat and jeopardizing that dark colours cause to timber. Bubbling paint, twisting, splitting is the heat associated damage likely to occur. Resene Lumbersider is a nice natural sheen/product for timber so the architect is right in their recommendation.

I would be inclined to use standard black - Resene Black - on the exterior or if you prefer a lighter/greyer/charcoal colour then Resene Foundry. For the interior - again I have to agree wholeheartedly with the architect about the use of Resene SpaceCote - either low sheen or matt - for the walls, ceilings and (possibly) woodwork. A word to the wise - doors do show fingermarking in very low sheen or matt paints and if you don't want to constantly address this by wiping marks off then you might compromise and use Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel for doors and any other woodwork for ease of cleaning and resistance to sticky fingermarks. Our sunlight creates a lot of harsh glare so an interior 'white' that might not be too reflective could be Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Half Black White.

Resene Black
Resene Black
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
April 2015

Q. We're considering neutral/white tones for our interior, a more classic look - not too grey, and something that blends with the exterior colour (Resene Cloudy - though looks more like Resene Half Cloudy). The living areas are north facing and very sunny/warm, so we've been considering cooler tones. The bedrooms are more west facing, so we’re looking at 'warmer' shades. Currently we're looking at Resene Half Thorndon Cream and the Resene Bianca family, and have considered Resene Black White - but feel this last idea may be a little too minimalist. What can you suggest please?

A. I like both the Resene Bianca and the Resene Half Thorndon Cream but if you want other options that may relate well to the Resene Cloudy you might look at these ones – Resene Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Half White Pointer or Resene Half Merino.

I feel the Resene Black White may look a little too grey/white and possibly chilly. In regards to Resene Cloudy looking lighter (like Resene Half Cloudy) on the exterior - this isn't unusual - all colours look lighter or brighter on an exterior. It is what natural light does - steals the depth out of colour - and the opposite is true in an interior. Colours look deeper because of the axis of light - North South East and West. Also the angles, shadows and close proximity of walls intensifies colour.

Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
 
April 2015

Q. The dining/family room in my 1010 villa has a high stud, is long and has windows at one end. The ceilings and trim are Resene Half Pearl Lusta and the walls Resene Astra. The carpet is oatmeal colours. We now have chocolate leather sofas and the effect is 1970s. What light yet warm but not yellow can we put on the walls please?

A. The ceiling and trim colour - Resene Half Pearl Lusta - is quite a yellow/white and once the existing colour is painted over (with another) then this will become more noticeable. You might look at these colours – Resene Quarter Bison Hide, Resene Quarter Akaroa, Resene Half Drought or Resene Sandspit Brown.

These colours are warm yellow/beige tones that work well with the ceiling and trim colour and should look good with the chocolate leather sofas.

Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Astra
Resene Astra
   
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Half Drought
Resene Half Drought
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sandspit Brown
April 2015

Q. We are looking to paint the interior of our 90s home. We have aluminium window joinery in Resene Spanish White and are looking for a modern wall colour to match. We were thinking Resene Half Tea; however we have painted our exterior bricks Resene Half Friar Greystone and exterior weatherboard Resene Quarter Friar Greystone .

A. I wouldn’t use Resene Half Tea as it doesn't look well balanced and harmonious with the creamier window joinery colour.

Perhaps you might check these colours out – Resene Quarter Arrowtown, Resene Eighth Stonewall, Resene Eighth Friar Greystone , Resene Quarter Craigieburn or Resene Truffle.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
 
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Eighth Stonewall
Resene Eighth Stonewall
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
April 2015

Q. We have an old Lockwood (1968). I’m looking at painting the children’s bedrooms as they are both south facing and are so dim and feel oppressive with the dark varnished wood. The carpet is a denim type blue and the window frames and bookshelves I’ve painted Resene Half Bianca. I’m thinking of painting the ceiling Resene Half Bianca and the walls something not white but very light with just a hint of colour, that won’t feel too cool or grey with the low light. I’ve been looking through some colours and Resene Saltpan caught my eye.

A. Resene Saltpan is the palest fresh tint of green and works well with wood (Lockwood or other) and almost all whites. Resene Half Bianca won't look paler though – it is around the same level of colour. If you want the Resene Half Bianca to look paler/whiter then you may need to use a slightly deeper green - Resene Lime White or Resene Eighth Tana. Alternatively you could use a much lighter version of Resene Bianca - Resene Quarter Bianca - so that the Resene Saltpan looks more coloured.

Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Saltpan
Resene Saltpan
Resene Lime White
Resene Lime White
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
April 2015

Q. I need to select a COLORBOND® colour to match a Resene painted surface. Could you please advise what COLORBOND® colour is closest in colour to Resene Triple Tea?

A. There isn't an exact match but these COLORBOND® colours are sympathetic and like Resene Triple Tea -
COLORBOND® Evening Haze - this is slightly lighter, COLORBOND® Cove - this is slightly deeper or COLORBOND® Wallaby - this is much deeper but looks good as a contrast.

Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
April 2015

Q. We are hoping to change the interior colour scheme of our small but open plan lounge/dining/kitchen area. Our kitchen is Formica Melteca Sail White with a Sandstone bench top. Our curtains are warm neutral beige brown colours and the joinery is Titania. Can you suggest any modern colours that will tie these all in?

A. The window joinery colour, curtains and the kitchen cabinet and worktop colours are all quite different neutral tones. You don't mention what the flooring is and that is possibly a coloured carpet and coloured vinyl or tiles - so you may have six different coloured neutrals to try and accommodate plus the existing furniture. You might check out these colours to see if any of them appeal to you – Resene Emerge, Resene Double Ash or Resene Half Lemon Grass.

I hope that this is helpful but because of all the other colours that you have it may take a lot of perseverance to find the perfect colour.

Resene Emerge
Resene Emerge
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
April 2015

Q. We are building a house. The main cladding is Rockcote. Two feature walls on one room facing the street are LINEA® board. We have committed to Ironsand roof doors and windows. Any suggestions for a colour, no yellows, greens or blues.

A. You might check these colours out and possibly consider a lighter variant of the roof and joinery colour for the LINEA® board to create a contrast – Resene Truffle, Resene Thorndon Cream or Resene Eighth Pravda. Or a lighter version of the powdercoat colour – Resene Quarter Ironsand.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
April 2015

Q. I have a cottage which I'm renovating the whole of the exterior needs repainting, I'm looking for colour ideas. I really like natural colours the won't age too quickly. Colour wise I have always like the more natural earthy colours and some of the greys. I was thinking of painting the French doors white and the windows.

A. I definitely agree in regard the Resene White for all windows, doors (including French) and the verandah posts and under soffits, guttering fascias and barge boards. Deliciously crisp, clean and classical.

You could try: Resene Quarter Friar Greystone (main colour, warm earthy grey), with Resene Gauntlet for the roof, or Resene Double Truffle (main colour, warm beige/grey) with Resene Touchstone for the roof, or Resene Bison Hide (main, earthy yellow beige) with Resene Windswept for the roof.

Resene White
Resene White
Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Touchstone
Resene Touchstone
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
     
April 2015

Q. I am currently trying to choose a paint colour for a small north facing bedroom. I like Resene Dusted Blue (grey with blue undertones) but have found it a bit too dark when I tested it. Is it possible to get half or quarter tints of a colour or are there any existing colours you have that I could try?

A. All colours in an interior look a lot deeper than you might imagine they will be. Even though Resene Dusted Blue a colour similar in a lighter tint is Resene Quarter Powder Blue. Alternatively you can request a half or quarter formula of Resene Dusted Blue - it won't be available as a testpot however. You can request an A4 swatch of it so you can see how it looks in your home.

Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Quarter Powder Blue
Resene Quarter
Powder Blue
April 2015

Q. We have just built a fence out the front of our 1940s weatherboard house and painted the palings Resene Rakaia and the capping/end posts Resene Half Black White, with the intention of painting our home the same colours (weatherboards Resene Rakaia, windows Resene Half Black White and yet to choose roof/foundation colour). Now that we've painted the fence I'm nervous it's too purple or a bit gutless. Perhaps we need a browner grey? Or maybe the roof and foundations colour we choose will make it seem less purple?

A. Resene Rakaia is quite a lilac toned grey. If this isn't what you want then you might check out these browner greys to see if they appeal to you – Resene Cloudy, Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe, Resene Truffle or Resene Eighth Stonehenge.

There is a much deeper version of Rakaia - Resene Triple Rakaia - which is worth considering as it is warm but a lot greyer and the lilac undertone of the lighter Resene Rakaia variants doesn't show up. I do hope this is helpful. It must be noted that on an exterior colours often look a lot lighter (natural sun light robs the colour of its depth) so going a bit deeper stops the 'gutless' look.

Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Triple Rakaia
Resene Triple Rakaia
 
April 2015

Q. I am repainting the exterior of my house at the beach. I am going with an Ironsand roof and for the weatherboards either Resene Bluegrass or Resene Robin Egg Blue. The house has brown joinery. What colours do you recommend for the fascia, soffits, deck rails and the base of the house?

A. The colours that you are considering as the main colour are quite different from each other. I would be inclined to use the main house colour - whichever one you choose - on the base of the house so that it looks as though it is part of the house - not a disassociated block of another colour.

You could use a lighter version of the roof colour - Resene Quarter Ironsand - for the deck posts and handrails and the guttering fascias to tie in the roof colour. Under the soffits is a different story - usually a much lighter/whiter colour than the house colour is used - unless you want to highlight the under soffits. You might consider Resene Wan White or Resene Sea Fog or if this doesn't appeal then you might use the same colour as the house.

Resene Bluegrass
Resene Bluegrass
Resene Robin Egg Blue
Resene Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
April 2015

Q. We are painting the exterior of our house (including roof) and are considering using Resene Iron or Resene Half Iron for the walls. We’re conscious that we don't want to select a colour that is too dull or cool so keen to consider other options... as long as they don't have a beige hint. Also, we have used Resene Bokara Grey for the fence (not visible from roadside) and would like options for the roof which has a steep pitch - from the roadside the roof is pretty much all you see over the hedge so it's important that we get it right! Of course, there's also the trim (windows, eaves).

A. I think that Resene Iron would be better than Resene Half Iron as all colours appear much lighter on an exterior and the lighter the colour the cooler/whiter it appears. There is definitely no beige in this colour - it is a cool silvery blue grey. Another grey that you might consider (warmer) is Resene Surrender.

Resene Bokara Grey is a darker/richer and warmer colour and ideally for the roof another warmer charcoal (not as dark) would look good - perhaps Resene Ironsand - or alternatively to reflect the cool tones of the Resene Iron you might consider Resene Half Tuna.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
       
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
Resene Half Iron
Resene Half Iron
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
April 2015

Q. We have brown/bronze aluminium joinery and we are adding some bay stackers. We need to repaint so what colour(s) would you suggest for the roof and the walls? They are currently Karaka and White. Don't want to go too dark on the walls as the front of the house is an old style and we have built on out the back.

A. If you are having bay window/stackers then they must match the existing windows for continuity and tidiness. I suggest keeping the walls of the house a light colour - you might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Rice Cake, Resene Quarter Fossil or Resene Quarter Parchment.

They all work really well with the bronze/bronze joinery and if you use Resene Squall for the roof (earthy/brown/green) and any other trim detail on the house you will have a nice new look.

Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
April 2015

Q. We have terracotta roof tiles and joinery which is close to Resene Half Sisal, our house exterior is plaster and we are wanting a paint colour to match with the above and a dark brown stained deck and front door/garage doors. What LRV should we be looking for?

A. I suspect the joinery may be a powdercoat colour called Off White which is very similar to Resene Half Sisal. Some colours for you to check out that work well with the joinery – Resene Akaroa, Resene Tea, Resene Sisal, Resene Double Spanish White or Resene Double Fossil.

Plaster work often requires colours that are within certain criteria - LRV 45-100% - so the colours I have suggested fall into the mid range which is considered appropriate.

Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Akaroa
Resene Akaroa
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Sisal
Resene Sisal
April 2015

Q. I have a small open plan kitchen dining room opening to the lounge and am wanting to make it lighter and appear more spacious. It’s currently painted in creamy tones with a dark purple bench top with rimu floors. I am thinking of Resene Sea Fog cabinetry and walls with either Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Alabaster ceiling and trims. I'm not sure which Resene Alabaster.

A. Your idea of the Resene Sea Fog cabinetry etc will make the space lighter and a bit cooler. Resene Sea Fog for cabinetry and walls with Resene Alabaster (not double formula if you want to add more contrast/light) looks really good together.

If you want another suggestion - not as cool but still very light/white - you could look at Resene Half Thorndon Cream for the cabinetry (looks so good with the dark purple bench tops) and the walls and Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream for the ceiling and trims.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
April 2015

Q. I am looking to paint my kitchen cabinets black to match an absolute black granite. Can you recommend a colour? Also looking to paint some of the kitchen cabinets white.

A. If you take a sample of the Absolute Black granite into your nearest Resene ColorShop to look at the A4 real paint samples of blacks and whites from their Colour Library it will help you a lot.

Place the black and white colour samples vertically with the granite horizontally (as it would be when in the kitchen) and move it to the right and left of you to see how the colours alter on angles. Place a sheet of white printer paper partially over the white samples so that you can see any underlying tints that are in the whites. Cabinets are usually either a full gloss (very slick), semi-gloss (nearly full gloss) or a satin finish (lower in sheen) and the finish does make a tremendous difference to how the cabinet colours look.

April 2015

Q. We need to repaint the cladding at the front of our home. I would like the colours to work with the warm grey beige brick colour, the COLORBOND® Dune roof and the Surfmist garage door than the current colours do. We don't mind if it's one colour or two, we would just like it to look complementary with those fixed elements.

A. The Surfmist is the 'odd man out' so rather than use that colour or a variant of it I think you might look at these colours to see how they work with the bricks and roof colour – Resene Stonehenge, Resene Half Stonehenge, Resene Settlement, Resene Half Sandstone or Resene Half Perfect Taupe.

COLORSTEEL® Dune
COLORSTEEL® Dune
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Settlement
Resene Settlement
Resene Half Sandstone
Resene Half Sandstone
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
April 2015

Q. I am looking for a gender neutral colour for a nursery. I quite like Resene Lime, but will it be too bright? We have rimu window frames and doors to complement the colour we choose.

A. All colours in an interior are brighter or stronger than you might imagine. Resene Lime is a very, very bright yellow/green and will treble in brightness - certainly it is hyper stimulating. I would be inclined to be cautious and sneak up on a bright colour so it doesn't totally over power the room.

Light clear colours like these will double in strength but may be worth considering - perhaps for one wall only with a neutral colour on the other walls? Try Resene Deco, Resene Rice Paper, Resene Geneva, Resene Hypnotic or Resene Sublime.

If you can pop into your closest Resene ColorShop to view the A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library prior to testing the colour in the room it would be really helpful.

Resene Lime
Resene Lime
Resene Deco
Resene Deco
Resene Rice Paper
Resene Rice Paper
Resene Geneva
Resene Geneva
Resene Hypnotic
Resene Hypnotic
Resene Sublime
Resene Sublime
April 2015

Q. We are looking for a pale/light coffee colour to use for our splashbacks in our kitchen. We have a bronze colour and off white cabinets. I don't want anything with too much pink tones, but I don't want the grey tones either. Our house is mainly warm colours with cream walls.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they are the pale/light coffee colour you are thinking of -
Resene Quarter Gargoyle, Resene Half Drought, Resene Double Biscotti or a bit deeper Resene Coffee Break.

For your information there are two kinds of glass used as a splash backs but only one that shows the colours absolutely true to reality - that one is called low iron oxide crystal clear glass and the other which has a green cast is called standard float glass.

Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Half Drought
Resene Half Drought
Resene Double Biscotti
Resene Double Biscotti
Resene
Resene Coffee Break
April 2015

Q. I am painting my holiday home - the roof has been done in Karaka. I would like help in selecting colour for the roughcast, trim and the base. I do not like the current dark green, brown combo.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Double Merino (main), Resene Taupe Grey (base) and Resene Quarter Merino (trims). Or Resene Cararra (main), Resene Double Linen (base) and Resene Eighth Rice Cake (trims).

Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Double Linen
Resene Double Linen
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
April 2015

Q. We sprayed our ensuite cabinets in two pot Resene Kitsch gloss. Our walk in wardrobe shelving is Ocean Green. We wallpapered the top part in a textured white with dark specks. We have panelled the lower half, it has been undercoated and iswaiting to be painted and I want to have a calming zen feeling to our bedroom. I love the blue green effect but thought a light colour would be best

A. You might look at these light colours to see if they suit you – Resene Edgewater, Resene Jet Stream, Resene Scandal, Resene Mint Tulip or Resene Foam.

Or you might choose a white that looks good with the wallpaper and use the colours listed above for inspiration for duvets, curtains and accessories.

Resene Kitsch
Resene Kitsch
Resene Edgewater
Resene Edgewater
Resene Jet Stream
Resene Jet Stream
Resene Scandal
Resene Scandal
Resene Mint Tulip
Resene Mint Tulip
Resene Foam
Resene Foam
April 2015

Q. Our living area and kitchen is painted in Resene Opal and the shaped ceiling is painted in different shades of Resene Opal. I'd like to modernise the space by repainting the ceiling area - any advice on colours that might work well with Resene Opal? We have wooden trims.

A. Because of the warmth of the wood trims I suggest using a sweet white - this will lift the look, brighten the space and modernise it as well as making the wall colour seem deeper. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Bianca, Resene Half Rice Cake or if you would prefer a cooler colour - to enhance the rich amber of the wood - you could look at using Resene Alabaster.

Resene Opal
Resene Opal
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
April 2015

Q. I am using Resene Half Athens Grey on my walls. What skirting colour would you recommend? We have white ceilings and would like a modern looking but not bright white. I’m thinking of a light grey. We are putting in new carpet.

A. In this particular case I think if you used the same colour as the walls but in a semi-gloss enamel it would be modern, simple and not create a discord between the wall colour and the new carpet. Alternatively you might look at Resene Quarter Sea Fog as it is a soft transitional 'white' that sits well with Resene Half Athens Grey.

Resene Half Athens Grey
Resene Half Athens Grey
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Sea Fog
(Double Alabaster)
April 2015

Q. I have a two storey house - red brick (white mortar) on the top and concrete basement on the bottom. It has an Ironsand roof and two garage doors in the bottom storey are also Ironsand. I am going to keep the brick so am looking for colours for the bottom storey, windows, soffits and gutters.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Triple Merino (bottom storey), Resene Quarter Merino (windows and under the soffits) and Resene Quarter Ironsand (gutters and window sill edge only), or Resene White Pointer (bottom storey), Resene Half Black White (windows and under the soffits) and Resene Triple White Pointer (gutters and window sill edge).


Resene Triple Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
April 2015

Q. The roof is terracotta tiles, the window frames and sills plus the fascia boards are Resene Mission Brown; what colour would you suggest for the outside walls? It’s a two storey Spanish style white house.

A. Try these colours – Resene Clotted Cream, Resene Nougat, Resene Spanish White or Resene Half Drought.

Resene Mission Brown
Resene Mission Brown
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Nougat
Resene Nougat
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Half Drought
Resene Half Drought
April 2015

Q. I am looking for colour suggestions for our home. I hate the yellowish colour we currently have and I'm looking to modernise.

We are looking at a light grey. I think it was Resene Napa we have seen and loved, maybe half or quarter strength, but I just don't know what would look good in our home. We have a lot of brown furniture and floor tiles are a light peach colour.

I would also love suggestions for door/window trims. Would you do these the same colour as walls?

A. If you want the light peach tiles to look good with the new interior colour I think it may be a case of compromising until you find grey that looks absolutely right - the peach tiles will control what you can or can't use.

Perhaps you could check out these greys – Resene Eighth Pravda, Resene Half Mountain Mist, Resene Whiteout or Resene Cloud. If you compare these colours with Resene Eighth Napa it may help you find the right colour. A soft warm white for trims may help to tie together the peach and the warm grey walls - you could look at Resene Eighth Spanish White.

Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Eighth Pravda
Resene Eighth Pravda
Resene Half Mountain Mist
Resene Half Mountain Mist
Resene Whiteout
Resene Whiteout
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
 
April 2015

Q. Can you please suggest a colour for our walls that would go with our grey carpet and the Resene Rakaia that is on the doors and edging. I was thinking of a white with a hint of grey in it that looks warm rather than cold. The colour at the moment that we have had for years is a peach colour.

A. Whites that carry a hint of grey are generally cool colours - not warm - but you might look at these colours – Resene Sea Fog, Resene Quarter White Pointer or Resene Half Concrete.

Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
April 2015

Q. What do I need to consider when choosing exterior colours?

A. Some good questions to ask yourself…

  • What style of house are you building?
  • What substrates are you using? LINEA®, plaster, timber etc. Do these have any specific colour requirements.
  • What type of roof are you having? Tile or powder coated metal.
  • What type of window and door joinery are you having? Wood or powder coated metal.
  • Will it be built on a flat site or an elevated one?
  • Is the house being built by a company that limits free choice by the homeowner? Some contracts offer definite colour and style guidelines.
  • What do you favour in regards to colours?
  • What other colours are being used in the neighbourhood?
April 2015

Q. I have recently painted the entire inside of my house Resene Wan White. I am trying to match a carpet from Harrisons and I noticed on their website that they use a Resene video of someone explaining how to choose carpet colours togo with wall colours. The bathrooms are white and have dark grey slate. I’m trying to find something warm in the grey tones if that makes sense.

A. Ideally people choose a carpet before they choose a paint colour. That way they have lots of carpet choices - and there isn't a lot to choose from compared to paint colours. Resene Wan White is a cool grey/white and you need the carpet people to visit you with the samples so that you can see what they look like at your house, in your light, with your colours. You may have less options to choose from because you have already painted and the wall colour controls what will work best. You may find that the carpet you really like doesn't look good with the wall colour so a compromise on your part may be needed.

The carpet that looks nicest during the day light and at night - take your time checking this out as all carpet colours change at different times and you need to know that - will be the one you go with.

Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
April 2015

Q. I am painting my lounge. Do you think Resene Half Tea for walls and Resene Quarter Tea for skirtings etc. What would you suggest for doors and window frames.

A. Any colour used on an interior can look deeper than you would expect it to look because of angles, shadow lines, close proximity of walls and natural light. If you are worried about the depth of colour if you use Resene Quarter Tea it may look deep enough but not too deep. Doors and windows frames (or any other woodwork) could be exactly the same colour as the walls - but in a semi-gloss enamel finish - which just alters how you see it by sheen level not colour difference. If however you want to highlight the doors and windows frames you can go to Resene Half Tea.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
April 2015

Q. I need a wall paint colour for a very large master bedroom. Ceiling, doors and window frames are natural rimu. The floor has a thick long pile dark cream carpet. There are light cream roman blinds with a pale gold swirl. We are going to use a black and gold theme.

A. Light cream colours and dark cream colours are all quite different to each other and I can only hope that one of these suggestions looks good with your carpet and blinds – Resene Spanish White, Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay, Resene Double Pearl Lusta or Resene Clotted Cream.

If you wanted something a bit different you could use a matt acrylic in a velvety black colour - Resene Blackjack - with embellishments of cream and metallic gold.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay
Resene Quarter
Canterbury Clay
Resene Double Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Pearl Lusta
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Blackjack
Resene Blackjack
April 2015

Q. I have a bach with no redeeming features and with chocolate brown joinery. I would like to repaint, preferably in a dark shade. Weird question but would a darker colour make the house interior hotter?

A. Darker colours can increase the heat factor on both the exterior and the interior. It rather depends what the construction of the bach is and what sort of insulation you have in the walls etc.

If your bach is built in weatherboards and has always been a pale colour the shock factor to the timber may cause a few problems. I definitely recommend that if you go darker that you invest in the Resene CoolColour™ reformulated version of the colour to try and minimise heat absorption and UV stress or damage to the surfaces. It won't solve all problems associated with dark colours but it will help.

You might like to try these colours – Resene Double Tapa, Resene Double Stack, Resene Fuscous Grey, Resene Half New Denim Blue or Resene Port Phillip.These colours are not really black but they are deep.

Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New
Denim Blue
Resene Port Phillip
Resene Port Phillip
April 2015

Q. We have this massive house - predominately brick but with weatherboard/Hardiplank® as well. I am currently painting over the boards with Resene Bokara Grey. I am about to do the boards out the front but am wondering what colour I should do the soffit and columns - trying to keep it as light as possible as to let as much light in through the downstairs windows etc. The columns are currently the same colour as the boards - a beige colour with a greenish tint and under the balcony is an ugly beige/pinky colour. So I am after a light colour that will work with the Resene Bokara Grey and the brick to freshen it all up. As you can see we have the brown aluminium window frames.

A. With the multiple colours in the bricks, the more orange tiled edge on the upper storey, the powder coated metal window joinery and the Resene Bokara Grey I think it could be wise to do the columns and the lintel beam they are attached to and the soffits as the same colour to simplify the house scheme. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Double Black White, Resene White Pointer, Resene Half Cloud.

Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Half Cloud
Resene Half Cloud
April 2015

Q. We want a nice warm colour that will match our wooden doors/doorway and windows. We will be putting wooden blinds in. The carpet is almost a grey/green colour but we may pull it up and just have wooden floors. We want a colour that will be bright and will not make the room look cold or small - nothing yellowy cream.

A. For a colour that will co-ordinate nicely with all the wood in the house then you could try these colours – Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Resene Eighth Spanish White, Resene Bianca, Resene Eighth Ash, Resene Eighth Tana or Resene Quarter Ecru White.

All of these are very light, clear, warm colours that will lift the interior and keep the wood from looking too heavy and none of the colours are faded/yellowy cream. The colours will allow you to accessorise with any other colours also.

Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Eighth Ash
Resene Eighth Ash
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
April 2015

Q. I am building a large house. The decorator has specified Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta for the trims and ceilings with a colour for the walls I don’t like, and propose to change to Resene Half Concrete. I know that this will then mix a cool tone (Resene Concrete) with warm (Resene Pearl Lusta). Is that definitely a no-no? Also I am having Black White joinery in the kitchen - will that look very odd with Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta trims and ceilings?

A. You are right - the colours should like each other - and no I wouldn't use Resene Half Pearl Lusta with Resene Half Concrete and Resene Black White.

If you are having Resene Half Concrete - and the kitchen cabinetry is Resene Black White - I suggest using Resene Quarter Black White for all wooden trims and the ceiling.

Smile nicely at the decorator and tell them you would like your house to only have colours in it that you like. Your house = your choice.

Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
April 2015

Q. What wall and trim colours would work with a pinky/oatmeal carpet? I currently have the whole house painted what looks like Resene Quarter or Half Sisal. I also have a dark brown security door in my living room that I am stuck with. My living room is north facing and gets loads of light, my back bedrooms are east and west facing and the hall runs east to west.

A. You might look at using one of these colours for the walls – Resene Half Sandspit Brown, Resene Eighth Tea or Resene Eighth Bison Hide.

Trim colours that you might find work well for you are Resene Quarter Albescent White or Resene Double Alabaster.

Test your colours carefully - if you apply all of the testpot (two coats) onto A2 card, available from your Resene ColorShop, with the testpot and leave an unpainted border all around the edges it will help you focus on the reality of the colour and the unpainted portion of the card keeps the testpot colour away from existing colours. Don't apply a testpot to a painted wall as you are liable to see it wrong as it will be unduly influenced by the existing colour. The card can be moved from wall to wall/room to room and you can see how it alters in all spaces and at different times of the day and night. It will look quite different in different rooms because of the axis of light from the north, south, east and west.

Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Half Sandspit Brown
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
 Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
 
April 2015

Q. I am getting some new curtains in my dining room which are a sandy gold colour. I was hoping you could suggest some Resene colours that would possibly suit? Our carpet is brown and the kitchen cabinetry is a light brown/tan. I would like to stay away from brown. I don't want anything to bright or 'out there' as our house is not modern. Maybe a nice grey or green or something.

A. Sandy gold and light brown/tan does tend to favour being paired up with a soft green - not a grey - and with that in mind you might look at these suggestions – Resene Quarter Tana, Resene Eighth Lemon Grass, Resene Half Linen, Resene Secrets or Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

Resene Quarter Tana
Resene Quarter Tana
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Linen
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
April 2015

Q. We have a 140 year old villa with a Karaka roof. I am wanting to paint the outside in a lightish cream/clay colour and would like an idea on what colour would be best suited to go with Karaka and also what colour for window trims and doors.

A. Check out these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Quarter Sisal with Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, Resene Spanish White with Resene Eighth Spanish White or Resene Parchment with Resene Alabaster.

You might do a small amount of trim in Resene Karaka or slightly earthier - Resene Triple Ash - to pull the roof colour and main house colours together. Alternatively earthy reds like Resene Pioneer Red suit as they complete the traditional palette of colours.

Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
 
Resene Parchment
Resene Parchment
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
April 2015

Q. I have Resene Fossil on all the walls and ceilings in our house. Which blues and reds in your paint charts go best as a feature?

A. You might like to check these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Into The Blue, Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Bellbottom Blue, Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Madam M or Resene Red Berry.

Resene Fossil
Resene Fossil
Resene Into The Blue
Resene Into The Blue
Resene  Bellbottom Blue
Resene Bellbottom Blue
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Madam M
Resene Madam M
Resene Red Berry
Resene Red Berry
April 2015

Q. We have a 1970s red brick house, with a hint of orange colour in the brick. It has a split level basement underneath in a plastered concrete block. It is currently white and looks too stark. I have painted the surrounding fences in midnight black paint. Some of these are attached to the house and look good with the brick. I was wondering if you have any idea of a colour to use on the basement. I was thinking of Resene Fuscous Grey or Resene Bokara Grey.

A. Resene Fuscous Grey (or a lighter variant of this colour – half or quarter) is a warm charcoal like the mortar between the bricks. I think it would look really nice. Resene Bokara Grey may be a bit too black and it could look 'off' next to the other black on the fences.

Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
April 2015

Q. I would appreciate help with the best colour to paint the soffits of my house. The house is all plaster and is being painted in Resene Half Spanish White. I was thinking would Resene Half Rice Cake tone in or what would you suggest?

A. Resene Half Rice Cake may look quite sharp and slightly green edged compared to Resene Half Spanish White which is warmer/softer with orange, yellow, brown and green undertones. But if you like them together then all is well - it is only the soffits. But if you want a slightly more mellow 'white' to work with the main house colour you might look at using either of these – Resene Half Bianca or Resene Eighth Spanish White.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
April 2015

Q. We are doing our main bedroom renovation. I would like a moody dark modern colour. We quite like Resene Blue Bayoux. Also our room is pretty big and has plenty of sun so I was thinking of painting the entire room that moody colour (instead of a feature wall).

A. Personally I love your idea for a moody dark colour. If you like Resene Blue Bayoux (which is deep but not overly dark) you may also like the following colours – Resene Casal, Resene Espirit, Resene Streetwise, Resene Seachange or Resene Bluff.

If you can pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the A4 real paint samples - to compare them in a larger format - in their Colour Library it will help you come to a decision. Do test the colour in the room as light alters it and you need to know this to be sure of the colour. If you paint A2 card, available from your Resene ColorShop, with the testpot (two coats/all of the testpot/leaving an unpainted border all around the edges) and move it from wall to wall you will see the reality of the colour and appreciate its unique qualities.

Resene Blue Bayoux
Resene Blue Bayoux
Resene Casal
Resene Casal
Resene Espirit
Resene Espirit
Resene Streetwise
Resene Streetwise
Resene Seachange
Resene Seachange
Resene Bluff
Resene Bluff
April 2015

Q. We are trying to decide on the colour to paint our newly erected wooden fence. Our roof and windows are Karaka and we had considered using a grey/green like Resene Foggy Grey (the drive is grey) but after a testpot wondered if this was too pale. Also the front door will be replaced and will need painting as well, we wondered about a red, maybe Resene Lusty or Resene Red Red Red.

A. I think that Resene Foggy Grey may be too pale (dusty/stone grey) compared to the roof and window colour. Have you considered one of these colours - they have a bit more depth and relate well to the Karaka – Resene Touchstone, Resene Half Gravel or Resene Double Tapa.

Reds for front doors are very popular - perhaps check out Resene Salsa and Resene Shiraz and compare them to the ones you have mentioned. Your local Resene ColorShop has A4 real paint samples of all of the colours in their Colour Library and after viewing them it may be a lot easier to judge their unique qualities and make sound choices.

Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Lusty
Resene Lusty
Resene Red Red Red
Resene Red Red Red
   
Resene Touchstone
Resene Touchstone
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Salsa
Resene Salsa
Resene Shiraz
Resene Shiraz
April 2015

Q. We have just bought a house and we have to decide our paint colours this week. It is a single storey concrete block house.

The living room and lounge face north and have a lot of sun. One bedroom, the hallway and the study and rumpus don’t get much sun.

A. Anything that is already in the house in the way of colour will also influence what you might have and what will look good - or not. If you don't test colours to see how natural and artificial light alters them and other existing colours change your perception of them you may make an error of judgement and end up with something that doesn't look as good as you would wish it to be. Choosing colours is all about taking time and allowing your eye and heart to choose well.

Some colours to get you started are: Resene Sea Fog, Resene Half White Pointer, Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Eighth Sisal, Resene Half Albescent White or Resene Eighth Truffle.

These colours are all radically different from each other. All colour in an interior looks a bit deeper than you might imagine which is why I have chosen very light colours so they don't deepen too much with angles, light and shade and spatial dimensions in a room.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Sisal
Resene Eighth Sisal
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
April 2015

Q. I intend painting the interior walls of my house. The present colour scheme is mainly dark red and blue. My intention is to use a very light grey for the walls. Do I need to use an undercoat to cover the darker colours or can I paint the new topcoat straight on perhaps giving the walls two coats ?

A. With such deep colours (that you have on the walls now) my recommendation is that you undercoat in White first then apply two coats of the colour of your choice.

Two or three coats is the standard recommendation over any existing colour. But it is especially important when trying to cover very deep or very bright colours. Doing only two coats won't cover the reds and blues as well as one white under coat and two topcoats.

April 2015

Q. I am repainting my 6 year old daughter's bedroom. The room is small, east facing but light and has a big window with a great view. She really wants some sort of blue, but I fear blue will appear too cold (and I'm a bit scared of colour). We've tried Resene Oxygen and Resene Link Water but both seem too 'blue' for me. I've also tried Resene Half Iron and Resene Mercury, both of which I like, but I’m not sure grey is right for a child's room. The rest of the house is Resene Half Alabaster but I would like to branch out a little in her room. I am using Resene Ebb in her sister's room. Should we keep looking at blues, greys or go more neutral?

A. East facing rooms pick up the early morning light and blues are enhanced by the cool clear natural light. I don’t recommend grey in a little person’s room - it too cool, austere and de-motivating. Colour is really beneficial for young children - it is an aid to learning and emotional growth and happiness. Please don't let your fear of colour (which is part of light and life) influence you away from choosing a lovely gentle colour for your 6 year old. Perhaps you might look at blues with a bit of green or grey in them as they are warmer. Check out these colours to see if they appeal to you and your daughter – Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Breeze, Resene Nebula or Resene Cut Glass.

Resene Oxygen
Resene Oxygen
Resene Link Water
Resene Link Water
Resene Half Iron
Resene Half Iron
Resene Mercury
Resene Mercury
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Ebb
Resene Ebb
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Breeze
Resene Breeze
Resene Nebula
Resene Nebula
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
April 2015

Q. I have just finished painting the exterior of my house (a 1920s bungalow) with Resene Triple Truffle. My windows trim are painted in Resene Black White and it looks fabulous. I want to paint the door red. The door has two glass panels either side also painted in white.

A. I suggest you look at these four reds - they are all quite different from each other - and compare them then choose the one that appeals to your heart and eyes – Resene Madam M, Resene Pioneer Red, Resene Pohutukawa or Resene Salsa.

Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
   
Resene Madam M
Resene Madam M
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Salsa
Resene Salsa
April 2015

Q. I have a 1990s holiday house with corrugated iron and weatherboard. I am planning to paint the weatherboard black but worry that the colour I have chosen, Resene Cinder, is too black. I didn't want a brown-black as I thought a blue-black would go better with the silver joinery and the iron. But should I go for a lighter grey-black? Or a different colour entirely?

A. You might look at these dark colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Foundry, Resene Grey Friars or Resene Baltic Sea. They are slightly lighter than Resene Cinder but are deep and delicious.

Resene Cinder
Resene Cinder
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
April 2015

Q. Just looking at a kitchen makeover and wanting to get the cabinetry right as only this and the floor are to change. The floor will be light wood with a grain effect. The granite work surface has a base of dark green with browns/lighter greens all through it and the splashback is similar to Mist Green.

A. With a colourful granite and a green splashback I think you may need to use a neutral colour. There are masses to choose from so the following are a few for you to check out – Resene Rice Cake (cabinets) and Resene Triple Rice Cake (walls), Resene Villa White (cabinets) and Resene Half Lemon Grass (walls) or Resene Quarter Tea (cabinets) and Resene Tea (walls).

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
   
April 2015

Q. What colour is warm and soft and would go well with Resene House White trims and door for a little girl’s room? Anything with pink or peach undertones to go well with Resene House White? Purple is the obvious one to go with Resene House White’s lilac undertones but we are looking for a warm colour. It is for all of the walls but the trims and door will stay Resene House White.

A. You limit your colour options a lot by maintaining the trims and door on the interior of the room in Resene House White. Deeper pinks that force your eye to see Resene House White as a whiter colour would work - i.e Resene Sweet Spot or Resene Sakura.

But if you used a crisper (less grey) white in your daughter’s room you could have lots and lots of choices of pink or peach - Resene Half Black White works really well. The exterior of the door and door frames could stay Resene House White so it would only mean a change in one room is this is a possibility.

Resene House White
Resene House White
Resene Sakura
Resene Sakura
Resene Sweet Spot
Resene Sweet Spot
April 2015

Q. We have an 1920s bungalow with original polished Matai flooring that is quite reddish in tone. The bedrooms are south facing with high stud ceiling and I am struggling finding a warm colour. I have tried Resene Quarter Tea but it has come through quite greenish in tone. I was wanting a warm neutral with Resene Alabaster for the trim. Can you recommend something to modernise it but retain some warmth?

A. Slightly deeper colours with more red/yellow/brown tones may be warmer for a south facing room. South facing rooms often look grey/cool or sour (could this be the green you are seeing in the Resene Quarter Tea colour) and they don't always respond well to lighter/whiter colours. You might look at these colours to see if they stay warm looking for you – Resene Quarter Drought, Resene Alpaca, Resene Tide, Resene Swirl or Resene Swiss Coffee.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
     
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Alpaca
Resene Alpaca
Resene Tide
Resene Tide
Resene Swirl
Resene Swirl
Resene Swiss Coffee
Resene Swiss Coffee
April 2015

Q. We are looking at painting the exterior of our 1910 house Resene Half Stack for the weatherboards and Resene Alabaster window frames. What would be a complementary colour for the window trims and roof. We like a dark front door and will be doing a pergola at the front entrance. Would you use the same colour for doors, trims and the roof? I was looking for a mid grey colour scheme.

A. I think you could use a dark colour like Resene Windswept or Resene Nocturnal for the front door - and a mid-toned grey like Resene Double Stack or Resene Half Tuna for the roof and small trims. The pergola might be the same as the windows to make the front door seem a lot darker and provide more contrast.

Resene Half Stack
Resene Half Stack
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
April 2015

Q. Our fence is painted Resene Geyser. We would like advice on what colour would suit our 1915 house. We would like a grey darker than Resene Geyser to tone with white trims around the windows.

A. Resene Geyser has a blue undertone in the silver grey. You might look at using Resene Grey Chateau or Resene Gull Grey - both of these colours will look lovely with white.

Resene Geyser
Resene Geyser
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Gull Grey
April 2015

Q. What is the closest COLORBOND® colour to the roof paint Resene Nocturnal. I am replacing the old part of my roof and want to use COLORSTEEL®, however the new part of the roof is painted Resene Nocturnal.

A. Resene Nocturnal is a colour match to COLORBOND® Monument. There is no exact match in the COLORSTEEL® range but you might consider checking out COLORSTEEL® FlaxPod, which is one of the new COLORSTEEL® colours that is similar.

Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
April 2015

Q. Our master bedroom window trim, doors, ceiling and drapes are all white. The quilt cover is blue and white French toile. Could you suggest a deep and rich blue for the walls for a dramatic effect?

A. Here are some dramatic rich blues for you to consider – Resene Into The Blue, Resene Port Gore, Resene Aviator or Resene Space Cadet.

Resene Into The Blue
Resene Into The Blue
Resene Port Gore
Resene Port Gore
Resene Aviator
Resene Aviator
Resene Space Cadet
Resene Space Cadet
April 2015

Q. What is the closest stain to Resene Ironsand paint?

A. You might look at either of these colours but it really does depend on the type of wood you are using, how many coats of stain are used and what the quality of natural light is like – Resene Woodsman Sheer Black or Resene Banjul.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Banjul
Resene Banjul
April 2015

Q. I have a large open plan kitchen/living area. I have Resene Milk Punch on the kitchen cabinetry. I’m after a wall colour. In the past we have used Resene Juniper and loved it. I currently have Resene Half Milk Punch walls. I’m after a green and blue duck egg options.

A. Check out these colours – Resene Nebula, Resene Ashanti, Resene Jet Stream, Resene Duck Egg Blue or Resene Half Periglacial Blue.

Resene Milk Punch
Resene Milk Punch
       
Resene Nebula
Resene Nebula
Resene Ashanti
Resene Ashanti
Resene Jet Stream
Resene Jet Stream
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Periglacial Blue
April 2015

Q. I love Resene Slate Brown. I have it in my lounge and want do it also in my master bedroom, but fear it’s too dark. Is it possible to half it or recommend a paler shade?

A. Resene Slate Brown doesn’t lighten easily because of the base tone it is made from but you might look at Resene Almond Frost as a light but similar type of brown.

Resene Slate Brown
Resene Slate Brown
Resene Almond Frost
Resene Almond Frost
April 2015

Q. We are currently replacing our roof with COLORSTEEL® and plan on painting the exterior of our property. Our windows are aluminium anodised dark brown. Could you suggest some neutral colours for the roof and exterior walls that would complement the windows? Currently the roof is light grey and the walls are a sandstone cream colour.

A. You might look at using colours like these for the roof - they are earthy but not too brown – COLORSTEEL® Ironsand, COLORSTEEL® Sorrell or COLORSTEEL® BasaltBase. Walls could be one of the taupe/brown/greyish colours – Resene Napa, Resene Quarter Pravda or Resene Cloudy.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL Sorrel
COLORSTEEL® Sorrell
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Quarter Pravda
Resene Quarter Pravda
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
April 2015

Q. We have built a new weatherboard house. The roof is Grey Friars and we have silver anodised joinery. We are looking for colours for the main weatherboard exterior and for window surrounds and corner boxes. We are currently thinking Resene Silver Chalice for the main weatherboards and Resene Surrender for around the windows and boxed corners.

A. I don't recommend putting two greys that are unrelated and slightly discordant together as neither does justice to each other. If you are keen on using Resene Silver Chalice as the main colour on the house have you considered using a lighter version of your main colour - perhaps Resene Quarter Silver Chalice?

Or alternatively if you are keen on the Resene Surrender as the trim and would like another option for the main colour that is better related then you could look at Resene Transmission.

Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Transmission
Resene Transmission
April 2015

Q. I would like to know what colour to paint my kitchen cupboards (two pot lacquer). I am having a black granite benchtop. My kitchen walls will be Resene Thorndon Cream and wondered what colour would be suitable to paint the cupboards?

A. If you want the cupboards to look 'whiter' and the walls to look a little deeper then you might consider either of these colours – Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream or (crisper/whiter) Resene Half Rice Cake. Alternatively you might consider a deeper variant of the wall colour – Resene Double Thorndon Cream or Resene Triple Thorndon Cream. A word of warning - two pot lacquer is made by several manufacturers but only one will give you an exact match to Resene colours – Resene ArmourCat – so you need to make sure you request the cabinetry maker uses this to get the right colour.

Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
April 2015

Q. We are going to be painting our interior - I would like your advice on a warm greige. Our doors are painted Resene Half Spanish White and we would rather not have to do them again. Our kitchen bench is a dark green and we are currently going to be changing our carpet and flooring. We have a lot of Rimu trim and our kitchen joinery is cream. We would like a neutral colour that goes with everything. Would really appreciate your advice on what is current.

A. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Truffle, Resene Quarter Cougar or Resene Quarter Napa. The Resene Half Spanish White is quite a strong cream and it does compromise what greige colours will work for you.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
April 2015

Q. My 12 year old daughter loves snorkelling, fish, coral and underwater themes and is wanting to move to a blue themed room. She is really into a turquoise colour. She has a large 4 metre wall which is always her feature wall. Can you suggest two blues that would work? I have suggested some but they are all too ‘adult’ in their murkiness - not clear and bright enough for a child. But I don't want screaming colours - something that she can grow into through her teenage years. We already have a fabulous shell chandelier purchased amazingly cheaply in Bali to start off the beach themed room.

A. I suggest - if you can - pop into a Resene ColorShop to view their A4 real paint samples of colours in the Colour Library. Seeing larger examples of colour is very helpful and gives you a better judgement of the reality of the colours.

Perhaps you might start by checking out these colours - a word to the wise - all colours in an interior look a lot deeper or bolder than you might expect them to, so testing with in the space is the only way to see what the colours might do – Resene Such Fun, Resene Skydiver or paler Resene Aqua or Resene Seagull.

Alternatively you might match colours to a duvet, curtains or other coloured accessories so that it relates harmoniously.

Resene Such Fun
Resene Such Fun
Resene Skydiver
Resene Skydiver
Resene Aqua
Resene Aqua
Resene Seagull
Resene Seagull
April 2015

Q. We have painted our house exterior Resene Double Sea Fog, the roof is Ironsand and all our fences are Ironsand as well. Currently our deck is also Ironsand but this gets very dirty quickly and hot in the summer, have you any ideas please what other colour may go on the deck to match in?

A. If you chose a mid toned colour it may be more versatile and not so hot underfoot. Perhaps you could look at these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Quarter Ironsand, Resene Gauntlet or Resene Half Gauntlet. Consider using the CoolColour version of the colour where available to reduce the heat buildup.

Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
April 2015

Q. If all your house is painted in Resene Quarter Tea and you build a small extension what would you recommend as a colour that is more modern but still fits in with Resene Quarter Tea?

A. It rather depends on the style of the small extension and any other elements that are coloured as to what may suit or fit with the general effect you want to create. Any deeper variants of your main colour will work - conservatively but in a nice tonal way - i.e Resene Double Tea. Alternatively a deeper neutral that creates strong contrast is smart - you could investigate that as a possibility – Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey or Resene Stonehenge. Another idea is a definite colour - perhaps one of these ones might excite you – Resene Scaramanga or Resene Explorer.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Scaramanga
Resene Scaramanga
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
April 2015

Q. In our new build we have chosen an Ironsand roof and warm white pearl aluminium joinery. The cladding is made up of both Axon and LINEA®. I would like to have a dark colour for the LINEA®, something like Resene Shark, with a nice white for the majority. I even wonder if the same white as the joinery would work?

A. The Resene Shark may make the Ironsand roof look quite brown - will this worry you? Alternative dark colours that you might consider are Resene Half Bokara Grey or Resene Tundora.

A nice white - with a tiny bit of warmth in it like the Warm White Pearl - might be Resene Quarter Bianca or Resene Half Rice Cake but please note it is an impossibility to match the Warm White Pearl as it has pearlescent particles in it that alter in the light - a plain paint finish can't totally replicate that.

Resene Shark
Resene Shark
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Tundora
Resene Tundora
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
April 2015

Q. We are having a new COLORSTEEL® roof put on our transitional villa and we are also painting the exterior. We want to paint the outside Resene Half Smalt Blue with white trimmings and fretwork (probably Resene Half Alabaster or similar). Quite a lot of roof will be showing. Can you give me a dark option and a light option that would go? We were thinking a lighter colour would be more environmentally friendly and the upper storey would stay cooler in summer. Some of the creamy colours look a bit too green toned and we were after an off-white or lighter grey that will tone in.

A. You might look at these COLORSTEEL® roof colours – Grey Friars (dark charcoal) or Coast (dark blue). Most of the light colours are green based. Perhaps look at Smokey as a lighter grey (although it can look a bit green in the early morning light), Gull Grey or a new 'whiter' colour - TuiTuft.

Resene Half Smalt Blue
Resene Half Smalt Blue
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
April 2015

Q. We are building our new home with a COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey roof and garage door. I am wanting shades of grey - a darker colour of charcoal grey for the vertical timber cladding on our home and a slightly lighter grey colour lighter than the Sandstone Grey for plaster finish which is on the remainder of the house. I am having trouble finding greys that don't make the roof/garage look greenish once put against the COLORSTEEL®.

A. Sandstone Grey is a yellow grey/stone colour. Many other greys that are brown or blue based make the Sandstone Grey look to have a greenish cast. If you are building in timber there are constraints on how deep a paint colour can be used on it without voiding the guarantee on the substrate.

I believe the recommendation is for very pale colours - with a LRV between 45% to 100%.

Any charcoal falls outside this range - i.e a paler version of Resene Gauntlet (which matches powdercoat Sandstone Grey) is Resene Half Gauntlet which is considered too deep a colour because the LRV is 34%. Smaller LRV numbers equate to darker colours i.e LRV 46 down to LRV 0 which is Black. All solid colours have a LRV rating. This is to comply with the build specifications and the need to protect the substrate from strong heat/U.V. damage.

Using Resene CoolColour™ reformulated colours (cc in the colour codes) does go some way toward using deeper colours that don't absorb as much heat but there is still the recommendation for paler colours to be applied.

Finding a paler colour for the plaster work (yes it too has set colour level criteria) is easier as there are so many that are appropriate – Resene Triple Black White, Resene Eighth Friar Greystone , Resene Quarter Foggy Grey or Resene Eighth Stonehenge.

Your builder can advise you further and - independently - BRANZ has information on appropriate colour levels/LRV% ratings for every substrate.

COLORSTEEL Sandstone Grey
COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
 
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
April 2015

Q. We have a mid brown, two-storey brick house with typical treated pine wooden fencing, which is a bit of an eyesore. Being a corner lot the fence is pretty extensive. Could you recommend a fence colour that would complement the brickwork? We would also consider painting the feature weatherboard on the front of the house as it looks a little washed out. Our fascia, guttering, etc are all colour matched to COLORBOND® Dune, the roof tiles are Monier Wild Rice and the garage door is COLORBOND® Surf Mist.

A. You might look at these colours - they are related to the COLORBOND® Dune – Resene Settlement or Resene Sandstone. Alternatively a dirty green that likes close association with browns – Resene Karaka or Resene Seaweed.

COLORSTEEL® Dune
COLORSTEEL® Dune
Resene Settlement
Resene Settlement
Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
Resene Seaweed
Resene Seaweed
April 2015

Q. I am helping a community group to renovate a 1960s bowling club, a mid century modern building. The main dining/bar/events area to be renovated is a large rectangular room 30 metres x 14 metres with high ceilings - about 4 metres. Existing carpet will be removed to reveal existing dark timber floors, which will be polished. Mid century furniture and eclectic in a range of 1960s colours - blues/greens/orange - will be used where possible. The main room also has an original maple coloured timber bar and a stage area.

A. You might look at these 1960s colours to see if they appeal and give you the look you are trying to get – Resene Limerick, Resene Dauntless or Resene Shirley Temple.

These neutrals are clean and crisp and would work really well with the wood you have and the bright colours – Resene Rice Cake or Resene Quarter Rice Cake.

Browns are a little harder to find as wood has many tints, tones and shades and always makes a brown colour look less attractive compared to the reality of wood but you might look at this one - darker is better – Resene Dark Rum.

Resene Limerick
Resene Limerick
Resene Dauntless
Resene Dauntless
Resene Shirley Temple
Resene Shirley Temple
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Dark Rum
Resene Dark Rum
April 2015

Q. We are at the decorating stage of a new build and I'm having trouble tying it together. One part of the house is painted Resene Concrete with Resene Black White joinery. Should the trim be Resene Black White or Resene Quarter Black White? It will need to flow through to the rest of the house. In the main part of the house I have blue/grey granite bench tops and bathrooms, but some green/grey and cream features too such as a wood-stove and feature tiles behind the Aga. The wall colour will need to tie both types of grey together. I am thinking of perhaps Resene Half Truffle or Resene Thorndon Cream. The kitchen joinery is Resene Black White. Will the Resene Black White look ok with colours like Resene Truffle and Resene Thorndon Cream?

A. I think the trim should be Resene Quarter Black White. Resene Thorndon Cream is a green toned colour and Resene Truffle is a stone brown colour - if you use either of these colours the lighter Resene Quarter Black White will help tie it together but these two colours don't look well balanced if they are seen very close to the Resene Concrete which is a cooler more silvery colour. Have you considered using Resene Double Black White or Resene Double Concrete? They may provide you with alternative options.

Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
 
April 2015

Q. We are building a new brick home with Monier Bianca bricks (cream) with a black tiled roof, black fascia, black joinery and black garage doors. At the front we have a couple of pillars that are half brick and half LINEA® board. We are unsure which colours we should choose for the LINEA® on the pillars, LINEA® gable ends, a board above each of the windows, soffits and front door. What is best to tie this all together?

A. The question must be asked - do you want the LINEA® to be a feature? If that is the case then by using a black (like the roof and windows) it will pop out and be noticeable and very hard edged. If you aren't sure the LINEA® is a unique and beautiful element that should be highlighted then a colour most similar to the brick would be the way to go. The best idea would be to match an actual brick sample to a Resene colour. It could be slightly lighter to make the colour of the brick look deeper. The best way to do that is to take a brick into a Resene ColorShop to look at the large A4 samples of all colours in their Colour Library and see what works with the brick colour.

April 2015

Q. I am planning on painting my two year old daughter's room and would like to do one feature wall in a not too dark aquamarine colour and then pair this with a bright pink in a decal. I have looked at a few of your aqua colours and bought testpots in Resene Foam and Resene Morning Glory (which might be too dark). Could you tell me the best white/off white to pair the Resene Foam with which would not make the room feel too cold?

A. Try Resene Quarter Rice Cake or Resene Half Bianca to pair with Resene Foam.

Resene Foam
Resene Foam
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
April 2015

Q. We want to paint the interior of our new house with a warm grey colour. It's hard to decide which one to go with. Also we want different shades of the same colour in different rooms. For example our hallway is very long and narrow so want a very light shade of the colour we pick and would like a darker shade for our bedroom. I am also struggling to decide on a warm pink and warm purple for two of the bedrooms. I would like some suggestions for a warm colour for an 8 year old boy’s room.

A. Colours for an interior need to relate to flooring - it is the greater amount of predominant colour so it really does control what will work for you. If wall colours are chosen before carpet it limits an already limited range of choices that are open to you. It would be really sad if - after painting - you find the carpet of your dreams (right price/right style/colour you love) and it makes all the wall colours look ugly. It’s best to choose your paint colours are chosen after all other 'coloured' elements in the house - not the other way around.

Feature colours that are used in bedrooms - or other spaces - need to relate to the main colours that are used throughout the house so there is a harmony of co-ordination not a savage discord. Main colours - from the lightest to the deepest - when used thoughout a house need to be chosen after the flooring, kitchen cabinets and work tops, tiles or other hard flooring and must relate really well to the existing furniture you have (unless you are getting new everything in which case the new stuff must be chosen before wall colours).

Here are some colours as a startpoint for you - Resene Half Thorndon Cream (deepest colour for largest brightest rooms), Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream (lighter colour for dimmer areas), Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream (palest colour that might be used for woodwork or a main colour with feature wall colours) and Resene Eighth Rice Cake (whitest colour that might be used for ceilings (or woodwork if you want to highlight other wall colours)).

Other 'warm' colour ideas for bedrooms – Resene Pink Terrace, Resene Abbey Road or Resene Reservoir.

Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Pink Terrace
Resene Pink Terrace
Resene Abbey Road
Resene Abbey Road
Resene Reservoir
Resene Reservoir
 
April 2015

Q. We have a 1930s Ashgrovian that we are renovating. Adding a double carport and entry which will have a COLORBOND® roof. We are thinking of COLORBOND® Wallaby for the carport and entry as it will be seen from inside the house so we don't want glare. We would like stone or a warm grey exterior with fresh white trims. The entry door and battening near the entry will be in natural cedar/merbau timbers. We would love some suggestions for wall colours and fascia, window trims etc.

A. You might like to check out these warm greys – Resene Mountain Mist, Resene Quarter Friar Greystone or with a little more stone greyness – Resene Quarter Taupe Grey.

Trims might be in either of these fresh whites – Resene Alabaster or Resene Eighth Rice Cake.

Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Quarte Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
April 2015

Q. We are about to paint the exterior of our house. The interior is painted in Resene Rice Cake, I am happy to use Resene Quarter Rice Cake for the exterior windows and trims, but looking for a greenish grey colour to complement Resene Rice Cake. I have tried Resene Quarter Beryl Green but am wondering if I should go darker (Resene Half Beryl Green) for more contrast. We have a lovely native garden, so are wanting a colour to look beautiful alongside our plants.

A. Resene Beryl Green is a lovely fresh yellow based green as are the lighter versions of this colour (half and quarter) and I am unsure that they would ever be described as greenish grey. The full strength version will look nice with the Resene Quarter Rice Cake but if you are looking for a greenish grey then you might check out Resene Half Lemon Grass or Resene Double Linen and compare them to the yellower Resene Beryl Green.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Beryl Green
Resene Quarter Beryl Green
Resene Half Beryl Green
Resene Half Beryl Green
Resene Beryl Green
Resene Beryl Green
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Double Linen
Resene Double Linen
 
April 2015

Page 29

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