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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 45

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. 45

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


Q. Our house interior is extensively painted in various strengths of Resene Spanish White. The woodwork is in Resene Eighth Spanish White. Can you recommend a grey wall colour that will go with the woodwork? Also, what would be a good pop of colour to go with these two colours?

A. Because Resene Eighth Spanish White has warm peachy undertones these types of grey might work well with it - Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Quarter Silver Chalice or Resene Triple Black White.

Pops of colour that might be considered are soft fruity coral reds, slate blue greys, soft toned greens and charcoals – try Resene Memphis Belle, Resene Snapshot, Resene Stromboli or Resene Tuna.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth
Spanish White
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Memphis Belle
Resene Memphis Belle
Resene Snapshot
Resene Snapshot
Resene Stromboli
Resene Stromboli
Resene Tuna
Resene Tuna
 
April 2016

Q. What colour can I use with Resene Duck Egg Blue on the walls?

A. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Alabaster, Resene Quarter Cararra, Resene Dusted Blue, Resene Snapshot or Resene Clotted Cream.

Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
       
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Quarter Cararra
Resene Quarter Cararra
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Snapshot
Resene Snapshot
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
April 2016

Q. We're having trouble choosing exterior colours for our two storey 1960s home. There are two colours of bricks in the bottom level (a dark grey and a taupe/beige, both with pinky coloured aggregate). The upper level is currently a boring white. We are thinking about doing more than just a safe taupe for the upper level - perhaps a dark grey or dark navy. The roof tiles are very dark blue, but this could be ignored because they read charcoal except in the full sun. Our main concern about the dark colour in the upper level is the hot sun.

A. You may be wise to be concerned about using a dark colour - on a previously white painted area - with the amount of heat the surface receives. You might look at using mid toned colours - rather than really dark- that have been modified with Resene CoolColour™ technology. Resene CoolColours have been chemically modified to reflect heat away from the painted surface instead of absorbing it into the surface.

You could try Resene Quarter Foundry, Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey or Resene Half Tuna.

Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
April 2016

Q. I have painted a feature wall Resene Hillary. Should I paint the skirting board the same colour?

A. I usually recommend that this should happen. There should only be one colour on a feature wall - not two. Seeing a narrow band of 'other colour' at the bottom of the coloured feature wall often draws far too much attention away from the feature wall colour

Resene Hillary
Resene Hillary
April 2016

Q. My husband and I bought a previously renovated home, and we would like to paint it a different colour to improve its street appeal. The challenge is to find a colour that goes well with our windows, which are primrose cream. Our roof is black COLORBOND®.

We would also like to do something to improve the void in the section above the garage. Perhaps paint that part a contrasting colour, or add cladding or stacker stone tiles there?

A. It is always a bit tricky when window joinery is a definite colour - as yours is - as it often compromises your choices when it comes to changing the colour that was carefully chosen to work with the joinery.

You might use stacker stone tiles on the garage and that might open up some colour options for the house. Adding a little more depth to the main colour may be enough to create a new look though. Perhaps you could look at these options - Resene Bison Hide, Resene Half Arrowtown or Resene Triple Fossil.

Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Half Arrowtown
Resene Half Arrowtown
Resene Triple Fossil
Resene Triple Fossil
April 2016

Q. I have a cargo van that I am turning into a campervan. I will be lining the walls, and making the furniture from ply with possible rimu trim. However the front seats are red and black - very masculine/Italian. I'm thinking I would like to whitewash the walls (as the ply has nice woodgrain), have solid colour doors on the cabinets, and a contrast for the cabinets themselves. I like anything to do with New Zealand's great outdoors - its seas, and bush etc. What colours do you suggest to cope with the red and black yet create a restful and calming intimate space in the back of the van?

A. You mention Whitewash and that will maintain a really pale light look to the ply and stop it from 'yellowing' if it was only polyurethaned. Resene Colorwood Whitewash is a white/clear coating that can be applied on uncoated timber as well as timber that is already polyurethaned. It isn't like a stain as it isn't absorbed into the surface of the timber.

Cabinet door colours to consider - in the theme of the NZ outdoors - might be Resene Avocado or Resene Coriander to add the 'greenery' and balance the red that is in the seats. The carcasses of the cabinets could be a black. I know that sounds a bit heavy but if it is only the edges and sides of the carcasses then it won't be too much and it will frame and 'punch out' the green doors. If you used Resene All Black it could tie in the black upholstery. This scenario could be reversed (green on the carcasses) and you might consider doing the cabinet doors in Resene Blackboard Paint so they might be used as message boards also.

If you could use some fabrics for cushions, curtains etc. that are natural hemp fabric and feature foliage design i.e. Resene Curtain Collection - Garden Party - colour Flax. Any other fabrics may need to be neutral to replicate sand, stone - naturalistic type colours.

Resene Avocado
Resene Avocado
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Garden Party - Flax curtains
Resene Garden Party -
Flax
April 2016

Q. We are keen to paint our master bedroom with a really dark blue/navy feature wall and the rest of the room white. It's a northwest facing room with lots of windows and light. The bed will be against the feature wall. Thinking we should paint the ceiling the same white. Could you recommend colours?

A. These really dark blue/navy colours may appeal to you - Resene Madison, Resene Licorice, Resene Bunting, Resene Black Rock or Resene Blue Night. Some whites for you to consider - Resene Quarter Black White or Resene Alabaster.

Resene Madison
Resene Madison
Resene Licorice
Resene Licorice
Resene Bunting
Resene Bunting
Resene Black Rock
Resene Black Rock
Resene Blue Night
Resene Blue Night
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter
Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
     
April 2016

Q. I have a 1965 Lockwood home. The interior is old polyurethane. I want to bring the house a more modern look but still retain the uniqueness of the wood in a Lockwood home. Does Resene have a whitewash paint or something similar that is transparent?

A. Yes Resene has a lovely white wash paint called Resene Colorwood Whitewash which can be applied over old varnished surfaces with the minimum preparation. In every Resene ColorShop there is a Wood Product display which features this finish so pop into your local Resene ColorShop to check it out.

April 2016

Q. I'm looking for an icy/grey/blue to paint the exterior of a one storey house clad in weatherboards. I need something lighter and greyer.

A. Icy/blue/grey Resene colours that you may find appealing are - Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Breathless, Resene Designer White, Resene Half Emerge, Resene White Thunder, Resene Zumthor or Resene Mystic.

Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Breathless
Resene Breathless
Resene Designer White
Resene Designer White
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Half Emerge
Resene White Thunder
Resene White Thunder
Resene Zumthor
Resene Zumthor
Resene Mystic
Resene Mystic
 
April 2016

Q. I have chosen Resene Green White for our interior except for the kitchen. The kitchen is going to have white cabinetry and I think the Resene Green White will look a bit sickly. So I am thinking of keeping the kitchen neutral with Resene Half Spanish White, which I think will tone in with the Resene Green White as the kitchen will be seen from the lounge via a wide opening. I have two questions: 1) will those two colours be harmonious, and 2) what colour white will be best for the skirtings, ceilings, and the painted framework of the opening into the kitchen that will work with both Resene Green White and Resene Half Spanish White?

A. The Resene Green White is fresh and light but it does tend to make the Resene Half Spanish White (or any of the Resene Spanish White colours) look heavier/peachy/yellow cream by comparison. If this isn't how you want it to look then you might use (lighter/brighter) Resene Quarter Villa White or Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream. Resene Eighth Rice Cake or real Resene White are good whites to use.

Resene Green White
Resene Green White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene White
Resene White
April 2016

Q. I'm building a new house and trying to find a suitable exterior colour. The roof is COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey and the joinery is warm white pearl. Cladding is weatherboards. What colours would you recommend?

A. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Quarter Parchment, Resene Quarter Ash or Resene Double Sea Fog.

COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. I need advice on a suitable colour for an office/apartment in Wellington facing northwest with windows along one side. It's very sunny in the afternoon. I need a calm colour suitable for a work environment but is comfortable to live with. There are two light filled offices, one large boardroom or living area without windows and a kitchen and small bathroom with separate toilet, no windows.

A. If you use the same colour in all the rooms, those that have no windows will always look different to the rooms that receive the low warm rays of sun from the north/west aspect. Will this worry you? If you use Resene Sea Fog it may absorb the bright light in the sunny rooms so making it feel restful as opposed to glary and will be very easy to live with. It is easy to add colourful elements to. It is very versatile. I suggest you maintain Resene White for all ceilings to keep it clean, crisp and fresh and it will enhance the Resene Sea Fog colour.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene White
Resene White
April 2016

Q. We have recently painted our bedrooms Resene Quarter Tea, with Resene Black White ceiling and trims. We love it! Next is our hallway and bathroom. What colours would you recommend for each to complement the bedrooms? The hallway can be quite dark and is fairly narrow. We want to keep things fairly neutral and like a fresh, clean, minimalist look. We will have wooden floors.

A. If the hallway is quite dark and narrow you might use the Resene Black White on the walls and the ceilings. It will take on a slightly deeper look because of the space and lack of natural light. The bathroom could be the same as the hallway or it could be the same as the bedrooms dependent upon whether this space needs light/warm or light/cool.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
April 2016

Q. We are thinking of painting our bungalow either Resene Cloud or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey. Which whites would you consider for the window frames? The roof is a dark grey.

A. You might check out these whites - Resene Alabaster, Resene Half Black White or Resene Wan White.

Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
April 2016

Q. We have specified Metroglass Evergreen glass in a project. I have found on other projects that colours near that same glass seem to take on a green tone and look completely different than on samples. What undertone should I use to help reduce this?

A. The dominant hue within the glass is green. You will only ever get a green/dirty cast to any colour if you use this type of glass. Red will look brown/orange, yellow will look limey, blues will look tealy and purple will look a dirty pink/brown etc. It is the nature of the glass - it even makes white look peppermint. Have you ever thought of using low iron oxide crystal clear glass so the colours seen behind it, through it and around it are totally true to reality?

April 2016

Q. We have a property we are doing up to sell. We are painting the roof Resene Grey Friars. Not sure what to paint the exterior, something that will appeal to a range of buyers in a rural area. We have white alloy joinery. I would quite like a lighter grey but not the browny greys like Resene Silver Chalice/Resene Stack.

A. Resene Silver Chalice and Resene Stack are warm greys - so I take it that you want a cool blue based grey? You might look at Resene Iron.

Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
April 2016

Q. We are looking at painting the exterior of our rental house. It has terracotta roof tiles and the joinery looks white/cream. Any suggestions as to what would suit these colours and the style of the house?

A. The following are some colours that would suit the house - Resene Spanish White, Resene Quarter Biscotti, Resene Cararra or Resene Villa White.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
April 2016

Q. We are putting Resene Quarter Tea on our walls and are keen to know what to use for our ceilings/window sills. We like Resene Alabaster and Resene Black White. What do you recommend?

A. I think the Resene Alabaster will look crisper and less grey toned than Resene Black White. It will enhance the Resene Quarter Tea more.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
April 2016

Q. I have bedrooms in Resene Quarter Tea and Resene Half Tea. I have orange wallpaper in the lounge which I now want to paint. Would Resene White Pointer be ok?

A. If you are keen on a soft grey/taupe colour after the warmer beiges that you have used then Resene White Pointer will look nice. An alternate colour that you might consider is Resene Cloud. You will probably need to seal the wallpaper if it is a vinyl coated one and apply 2-3 coats of colour to obliterate the orange so it doesn't 'ghost' through a much paler colour.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
April 2016

Q. We need to repaint our large plain building and would like to consider a fresher/contemporary colour scheme for the building which has various parts, shapes, and shades. The roofing and joinery are Grey Friars so we would like to know some suitable complementary colour for the walls and base (some columns and substructure to the lower parking).

A. You might look at these ones to see if they appeal to you - main flat surfaces - Resene Quarter Silver Chalice, brick facades and columns - Resene Catch 22, feature colour - Resene Kaitoke Green - this could be all the doors/louvre window shutters and balustrades on the upper level.

Or main flat surfaces - Resene Triple Black White, brick facades and columns - Resene Quarter Black White and feature colour - Resene Havoc - this could be all the doors/louvre window shutters and the balustrades.

Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
Resene Catch 22
Resene Catch 22
Resene Kaitoke Green
Resene Kaitoke Green
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter
Black White
Resene Havoc
Resene Havoc
April 2016

Q. We are renovating our single level brick and tile property on the inside, and also replacing the garage and front doors. The rest of the outside, including driveway etc. will be done after the inside renovation. We have recently had our roof painted in charcoal and would love advice on what colours for our garage doors and front door. We are keeping the white joinery and the guttering is painted white; however this could be changed if necessary.

A. If you painted the garage door a deep colour (to match the roof) it would create more depth and a sense of drama and eye interest. You might consider painting the front door Resene White - to match the joinery, guttering etc - so that your eye is forced to consider the bricks as deeper colours. The door being so pale a colour would also protect it from undue weathering which is what the bright sun light might do to deep or bold colours.

April 2016

Q. We have painted the upstairs of our house in Resene Double Bison Hide and are going to use Resene Half Bison Hide downstairs. We will be building a front door to the house as currently there isn't one. The top storey is Hardiplank™ and was added in the 80s. The rest is yukky brick. There is a deck also that was added before we bought it. We want to modernise it all up outside with a paint job and have been advised to paint all one colour, with trim another, for continuity. I like neutrals i.e. stonewall, grey beiges etc. but worry it may be too dark. I saw a house in Resene Double Ash and Resene Triple Ash and it looked too green but looked better in dull light.

A. Try using soft muted colours so the look is gentle rather than deep – try Resene Truffle, Resene Quarter Arrowtown or Resene Quarter Stonehenge. In order to make the colours appear a little deeper use Resene Half Alabaster for trims as it enhances the colours.

Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
April 2016

Q. I have a slate blue COLORSTEEL® roof, and need two different shades of a blue/grey colour for the LINEA® boards and the foundations. The LINEA® boards are on the upper floors of my hill home now being rebuilt. Should I put the darker colour on the LINEA® or the Hebel? I do not want it to look like a sandwich!

A. I think the darker colour on the LINEA® and lighter on the Hebel might be nice but it is a personal decision.

Greys with blue undertones that you might look at are these - Resene Surrender and Resene Quarter Surrender, Resene Triple Concrete and Resene Concrete or deeper toned - Resene Grey Chateau and Resene Geyser.

Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Geyser
Resene Geyser
April 2016

Q. We are renovating a villa in Kingsland and getting ready to paint the outside. The roof is Windsor Grey ColorCote. We are planning to do the trims in Resene Alabaster and would like some suggestions for the wall colour? We were thinking something light but are open to suggestions.

A. 'Something light' opens up a huge amount of possibilities. These are a few that you might check out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Eighth Friar Greystone , Resene Quarter Stack, Resene Truffle, Resene Triple Concrete or Resene Triple Black White.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
April 2016

Q. We are restricted with colours (due to council requirements), and have decided to paint our villa in a grey/white scheme. The roof will be Ironsand, and the trims Resene Alabaster. We have either Resene Scarpa Flow or Resene Jumbo to choose from, and are unsure which is best.

A. Both greys are nice. Of the two Resene Jumbo is the lighter one and has a more benevolent LRV of 32% - that may be a really important consideration if it is important to keep the surface of the old weatherboards cooler and less jeopardised from heat damage.

Resene Scarpa Flow is deeper and has a LRV OF 22%. There is a slightly lighter version of this colour - Resene Half Scarpa Flow which might be checked out - it has a LRV of 31%.

If you are allowed to choose from any other greys then I think you might check out Resene Half Gauntlet - LRV 34% and Resene Friar Greystone - LRV 31%. These look lovely with the olive/brown based charcoal of the roof colour.

Whichever grey you choose to use I do strongly recommend that you use the CoolColour™ reformulated version of the colour in order to get as much benefit of heat reflectivity away from the surface timbers as possible. This will minimise any potential problems associated with dark colours/heat absorption/UV damage that may occur.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Jumbo
Resene Jumbo
Resene Half Scarpa Flow
Resene Half Scarpa Flow
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
April 2016

Q. We are doing a new house build. The exterior cladding is terracotta bricks with Nuwall cladding above the windows in Bronco colour. The interior of the house is painted in Resene Eighth Truffle with doors in Resene Half Truffle. All woodwork is Resene Eighth Truffle. We need your advice on whether using Bronco for the joinery is the best colour or are there better colours that will go with the Resene Eighth Truffle.

A. I think Bronco powdercoat is a nice colour. It goes nicely with all of the Resene Truffle palette and the Resene Napa palette. But if you are unsure perhaps check out COLORSTEEL® Stone to see if you like a lighter colour.

Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
April 2016

Q. I am building a house with a corrugated roof in the colour Slate, with part cedar cladding which will be a light wood stain and weatherboards possibly Resene Sandstone. I am not sure of the colour for the soffits.

A. You don't mention what colour you are considering for the powder coated joinery. That may have a direct bearing on what colour you use on the soffits. If you want to use a much lighter colour than the Resene Sandstone for the soffits you could consider one of these - Resene Double Sea Fog or Resene Half Titania.

Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Titania
April 2016

Q. We have painted our house (built early 1900s, more bungalow style than villa) in Resene Nomad with an Ironsand roof, garage doors etc. We did the window surrounds in Resene Mondo but the colour has faded quite a lot and we are keen for a change. What colour would you recommend to use with Resene Nomad, possibly going lighter than Resene Mondo rather than anything darker?

A. You could use one of these softer colours - Resene Quarter Mondo, Resene Double Napa or Resene Stonewall. Or much lighter - Resene Thorndon Cream or Resene Sugar Loaf.

Resene Nomad
Resene Nomad
Resene Mondo
Resene Mondo
Resene Quarter Mondo
Resene Quarter Mondo
Resene Double Napa
Resene Double Napa
Resene Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Sugar Loaf
Resene Sugar Loaf
 
April 2016

Q. We are building a new house and shed and are looking to paint the weatherboard house something like Resene Half linen or Resene Half Napa. The house roof and garage doors will be COLORSTEEL® Slate or Ironsand. We will match the shed roof and roller doors to the same as the house. What would you suggest for shed walls?

A. You might check out COLORSTEEL® Titania or Bone - either of these will work with Resene Half Linen. However if you use Resene Half Napa as the main colour on the house which is a browner colour you may find it more difficult to find a colour that works well unless you use a much darker brown colour like Sorrel.

Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
COLORSTEEL® Titania
COLORSTEEL® Titania
April 2016

Q. We need help with a good colour to complement our new home. We have Ironsand metal roof tiles, Redwood stained cedar on fascias, front doors and garage door, and also on the chunky macrocarpa beams on our pillared main entrance, and Silver Pearl aluminium joinery. We are also having stone on the pillars, chimney and each side of garage doors (can still choose schist colour but will probably be mid grey/brown shades). I need a colour for the LINEA® which is the main cladding of the home, and was going to have Resene Gravel as seen on a home I liked. However, after painting one wall today on the front of the house it doesn't complement or highlight the cedar etc, and looks way too dark with the roof. The house behind it is a charcoal LINEA® so it looked similar to that. I got used to weeks of seeing a light primer colour on the LINEA® boards and it looked quite effective so to see the dark grey it didn't have the same effect. Please recommend a colour/s that would go well with existing features, and make a striking effect, tie it all together. Wanting a lighter grey or another light to medium modern colour.

A. I do think lighter colours will enhance the roof, the joinery, the schist and the cedar. Perhaps you could look at these ones to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Friar Greystone , Resene Half Stonehenge, Resene Eighth Masala, Resene Eighth Tapa, or really light - Resene Triple Sea Fog.

These colours wander off between taupe and greys with delicate undertones of colour in them. The last two colours merge into the Silver Pearl joinery colour. All colours when seen on an exterior look lighter than you might imagine so do take the time to test them before choosing. If your home gets a lot of natural light some sides of the house may look very pale.

Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
       
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Half Friar Greystone
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Masala
Resene Eighth Masala
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. We are looking for two grey colours to paint the weatherboard half of a house and basement - the greys need to go with existing brown brick with some red tones that clad the other two sides of the house without it looking like two narrow separate buildings. We are thinking a mid-grey/greige for weatherboards and a darker basement. Can you suggest some combinations please?

A. Some colours to try are Resene Quarter Friar Greystone and darker - Resene Friar Greystone , or Resene Quarter Stonehenge and darker - Resene Stonehenge.

Having three main colours on the house (bricks plus light colour and deeper colour) will segment the house into blocks - and that isn't including the roof colour and the door and windows. Are you sure this is what you want to do? You might use the same colour on the basement as the weatherboards to lessen that effect if you didn't want to separate all of the elements on the house.

Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
April 2016

Q. We are repainting our villa master bedroom. Currently the scheme is Resene Spanish White on the walls and Resene Quarter Spanish White on the ceiling, trim and door. We also have custom fitted shutters which are a quarter approximation. Because of the effort required to repaint the double hung sash windows and shutters we wish to keep the Resene Quarter Spanish White. We are thinking about a grey for the walls. Can you recommend something along those lines? If not what colour would you recommend?

A. In order to work well with the warmth and complex undertones of Resene Quarter Spanish White any grey must also have warmth and a certain soft mellowness to it in order to harmonise well. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Eighth Friar Greystone , Resene Half Foggy Grey, Resene Rakaia or Resene Triple Concrete.

Really deep charcoals may work as well if you are into dynamic rather than soft tones, such as Resene Half Fuscous Grey.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
   
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
April 2016

Q. We are looking at colours for a house we're working on. Could you send me a list of, or tell me how to search for, all external weatherboard paints with a LRV of 50 or higher?

A. You can do this on our website. If you scroll down you will see a 'Search by Reflectance Value' option. Type 50 where the 0 is and then click 'list colours'. You can narrow it down a by choosing specific charts or colour types if there are specific things you want to see.

April 2016

Q. We are repainting our house, currently Resene Perfect Taupe, and a darker brown which I'd like to change to a greyer colour. We have an orange/reddish tile roof too. What would you recommend that matches Resene Perfect Taupe?

A. You might check out these colours - Resene Half Fuscous Grey and Resene Half Baltic Sea.

Resene Perfect Taupe
Resene Perfect Taupe
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
April 2016

Q. Our kitchen is painted black/white with Matai flooring. The family room is open plan with the kitchen and has fawn carpet. What colour should we paint the family room walls?

A. If the rooms are totally joined without any walls separating them then I suggest you paint the family room to match the kitchen otherwise you will have a 'colour join' on the walls where the two colours meet each other. You may be able to paint the end wall of the family room in another colour to add a bit of a 'feature' if you think it may look too 'white' overall.

Perhaps you could look at a deeper fawn/beige colour that is similar to the carpet colour.

April 2016

Q. We are erecting a wooden Venetian screen around a wooden deck attached to our brick house (Monier Heritage Homesteader). The roof colour is Grey Friars. Is it better to have the screen darker or same colour as deck?

A. Possibly it is best to have it the same as the deck otherwise it will look like a 'add on' and a bit unrelated.

April 2016

Q. We have a house with a blue COLORSTEEL® roof, blue garage doors and blue aluminium window frames. What colour would be best to paint the outside?

A. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Rice Cake, Resene Eighth Drought or Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
April 2016

Q. We are looking at painting our house. At present it is white, a green roof, brown decks and a yellow base. We would like suggestions regarding possible colours please.

A. Have you considered using a tonal palette of colours that relate rather than two colours that don't? It is sometimes a nice harmonious way to go. Perhaps you could look at these colours - Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream with Resene Double Thorndon Cream for the base, or Resene Merino with Resene Triple Merino for the base, or Resene Half Truffle with Resene Double Truffle for the base, or Resene Tea with Resene Triple Tea.

Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Merino
Resene Merino

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
April 2016

Q. We want to find colours for the outside house walls, trim and doors that match our roof which is COLORSTEEL® Sorrel. Our windows are a very dark brown aluminium (close to Resene Black Magic) and they are framed with a wooden border.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Fossil, Resene Napa or Resene Triple Tea.

Trims could be lighter versions of any of these colours, depending upon which is chosen as the main colour.

Doors may need to introduce a definite contrast - perhaps like these ones - Resene Green Meets Blue, Resene Holly, Resene Madison or Resene Billabong.

COLORSTEEL Sorrel
COLORSTEEL® Sorrell
Resene Black Magic
Resene Black Magic
   
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Fossil
Resene Fossil
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Green Meets Blue
Resene Green Meets Blue
Resene Holly
Resene Holly
Resene Madison
Resene Madison
Resene Billabong
Resene Billabong
April 2016

Q. My house is Resene Grey Olive. I'm trying to decide between Resene Tiri or Resene Sheer Black for new retaining walls and the back yard fence line (was thinking violet/blue for the backyard fence to really pop behind yet to be planted shrubs, but may be overkill).

A. I think you should consider using Resene Waterborne Woodsman Sheer Black - it has a bit more depth than Resene Tiri. A pop of colour on the backyard fence may detract from any planting you choose. Seek out plants with more lime green, orange and purple tones to them instead. Paint a few large planter pots (different sizes clustered together) in variations of violet/indigo to build little vignettes of colour - i.e. Resene Violent Violet, Resene Pukeko and Resene Fascinator - and put only white flowers in them so they emphasise the dark stained wood - this will add deliciousness to the garden.

Resene Grey Olive
Resene Grey Olive
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Violent Violet
Resene Violent Violet
Resene Pukeko
Resene Pukeko
Resene Fascinator
Resene Fascinator
April 2016

Q. We want to repaint and update our house exterior. Currently it has brown aluminium joinery, a dark green roof, a cream exterior with dark red soffits. We don't want to paint the roof just yet but would like a more modern colour than cream and burgundy and I'm stuck for ideas!

A. Perhaps the first thing that you might do is to get rid of the dark red soffits. You could paint them a 'white' so that they are clean and fresh and not as dominant - i.e. Resene Sea Fog.

You could check out some complex neutrals to see if they appeal to you for the main colour on the house – Resene Triple Merino, Resene Triple White Pointer, Resene Half Bison Hide, Resene Truffle or Resene Cloudy.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
April 2016

Q. Is it possible to get a colour from an overseas colour range (northern hemisphere)? We loved it on our old house.

A. If you could find the colour online and take a colour picture into one of our stores our staff could find you the nearest Resene colour to try, or they could colour match your picture. However it's likely that the online sample won't be perfectly accurate (as paint colours don't tend to be a perfect match online), which is why it may be best for the staff to show you the closest Resene colours and then you can try them out. With the difference in hemispheres and environment, sometimes the same colour won't look as good because the light in the southern hemisphere is quite different, but you can find another similar colour that achieves the same result.

April 2016

Q. We have a 60s bungalow, currently pale yellow in colour. We're looking for a colour for the roof which will work for now but allow for an updated colour scheme on the house in a few years. We have a concrete retaining wall along the front of the house and garden which we recently painted in Resene Half Evolution. We'll happily consider simple or bold choices!

A. You might consider these colours for the roof - Resene Element, Resene Windswept, Resene Squall or Resene Ironsand.

Resene Evolution
Resene Evolution

as half strength
Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
April 2016

Q. I'm looking for a feature wall colour to go with Resene Triple Surrender walls and Resene Quarter Bianca ceiling and trim.

A. You could try Resene Half Fuscous Grey, Resene Jaguar, Resene Broadway or Resene Innuendo.

Resene Triple Surrender
Resene Triple Surrender
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
   
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Jaguar
Resene Jaguar
Resene Broadway
Resene Broadway
Resene Innuendo
Resene Innuendo
April 2016

Q. I want to change my kitchen cupboard doors to a white finish, but not sure what white to get. I have Resene Akaroa walls throughout the house, with Resene Double Alabaster ceilings and Resene Half Villa White on inside doors and trims. I don't want anything too sterile or stark, or too creamy, as the Cream Brulee Melteca® I have at the moment sometimes looks beige.

A. You have a white already – Resene Double Alabaster - on the ceiling and a yellow white – Resene Half Villa White - on the inside doors and trims. Either of these are what you should be using. Do you want a yellow/white - Resene Half Villa White – on the cabinets? If you use Resene Double Alabaster (the whitest of your colours) on cabinets will you mind the doors and trims being yellower?

You need to think this through really carefully. Introducing another 'white' can confuse the look and may make the other whites you already have look 'isolated' and slightly 'wrong'.

Resene Akaroa
Resene Akaroa
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Villa White

April 2016

Q. We have an older type house with vertical tongue and groove walls in the laundry and toilet. The toilet goes off the laundry. I am thinking of painting one wall of the toilet (the long side wall, the one you look at as you enter) in random stripes and one or two walls of the laundry (the wall behind the tub and washing machine, the wall you can see from the kitchen, and a side wall) also in the same random stripes. The kitchen walls are something like Resene Somerset. I thought I could carry that colour through to laundry and toilet as one of the stripe colours along with a white, a grey and a grey blue or purple grey. I am thinking softer rather than bold. I have played around with Resene Somerset, Resene Confederate Grey, Resene Alabaster and Resene Iron. Do you think this works or am I way off beam with these colours? Is there a rule of thumb to how many colours should be used? The ceiling, windows and skirting will be all the same white (ceiling white). The bathroom goes off the other side of the laundry and is painted Resene Half Smokescreen. We weren't planning on changing bathroom colour just yet but could do in near future.

A. You seem to have thought through your 'stripe theme' very well. I am of the opinion - and you may not agree with me, that is your prerogative - too many colours and too narrow stripes everywhere may make your eyes pixelate as the stripes are like a bar code. So - if you choose the colour you like the most as the wider stripe and then make three other varying widths so they don't compete with each other then it creates a lovely visual effect.

You may need to play around with the colours a bit to see which combination works. You could choose to include Resene Half Smokescreen as one of the colours.

Resene Somerset
Resene Somerset
Resene Confederate Grey
Resene Confederate Grey
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
Resene Smokescreen
Resene Smokescreen

as half strength
April 2016

Q. We have smoky grey garage floor paint. What colour would look great on the walls?

A. Your query makes a nice change - all too often the garage walls get painted with what ever paint is left from the house.

You could try: Resene Half Concrete, Resene Half Rice Cake, Resene Eighth Tana.

These are light colours to increase the natural light factor and make any work you do in the garage easier on the eye. If you want a very dark colour over a workbench for instance - you might use Resene Blackboard Paint - so you can chalk up reminders on it. Very handy.

Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Eighth Tana
April 2016

Q. We have just painted a new pool area with Resene Double Foundry. We are having a new cabana built and would love some suggestions for a colour with a wow factor.

A. The cabana will depend on how big it is and what it looks like. Will it have windows and a door? What sort of roof will it have? Do these elements need colours also?

You could paint it any colour - a fresh lime green or a sunset orange or a green or teal. Check these colours out – Resene Sushi, Resene Smoke Tree, Resene Deep Sea or Resene Kitsch.

Resene Double Foundry
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Sushi
Resene Sushi
Resene Smoke TreeResene Smoke Tree
Resene Smoke Tree
Resene Deep SeaResene Deep SeaResene Deep Sea
Resene Deep Sea
Resene Kitsch
Resene Kitsch
April 2016

Q. I have one coat of Resene Fawn Green on the house and I'm finding it too light, too lime green. Can you recommend a deeper shade in the same toning?

A. Deeper colours are either much greener, browner or earthier or yellower. You might check out these colours to see if any of them suit you – Resene Avocado, Resene Coriander, Resene Eagle, Resene Terrain, Resene Green Mist or Resene Triple Tana.

Resene Fawn Green
Resene Fawn Green
   
Resene Avocado
Resene Avocado
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Eagle
Resene Eagle
Resene Terrain
Resene Terrain
Resene Green Mist
Resene Green Mist
Resene Triple Tana
Resene Triple Tana
April 2016

Q. Our house is a very common NZ yellowy/creamy weatherboard. I was given a tin of Resene Half Thorndon Cream which is very similar although I don't remember what brand it was. I would like to repaint the wooden window frames and the concrete bottom part of the house including the front steps. At the moment I feel like the house is too plain and similar to many many other houses. I was thinking either Resene Midnight Express for both windows and concrete but I don't know if that would be too heavy for the windows, or maybe black on the concrete and white windows? I have tried out a few other lighter blue testpots but none are right.

A. I think the little touch of black as a shelf under the windows is really smart. If you used this colour on the porch and steps it would draw the eyes up to the front door. I am fearful about using it on the whole concrete basement area of the house in case it 'sandwiches' the house between the roof and base and makes it appear squat.

Likewise I feel that a really dark colour will frame the windows and make them look smaller (like fences do around paddocks) than they are. Perhaps you might consider doing the window sashes/sills and surrounds in a 'whiter' colour so they look large and luscious against the main walls. Not too stark a white though. You could check out these ones - Resene Half Black White or Resene Eighth Rice Cake. I think the contrast of a 'white' and a bit of 'black' define the house nicely. I encourage you to use a deep colour on doors - great statement value - or on fences - great definition of space. These are just a few extra ideas to consider.

Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Midnight Express
Resene Midnight Express
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
April 2016

Q. What colour would you suggest to paint our new fence? Our house is grey, possibly close to Resene Amber Grey. I am thinking along the lines of some type of darker grey.

A. Darker greys that you might check out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Steel Grey, Resene Tuna, Resene Grey Friars or Resene Foundry.

Resene Amber Grey
Resene Amber Grey
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Tuna
Resene Tuna
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
April 2016

Q. I was looking at Resene Revolution or Resene Grey Chateau for my nice big bright sunny bedroom with very high beams that have now all been painted in Resene Alabaster. Am I on the right track? I will also have a lot of white bedroom furniture in the room.

A. Resene Revolution is deeper (and possibly a little bluer in its undertone) than Resene Grey Chateau. In any interior - and especially when used in conjunction to white - colours can look a lot deeper than you might imagine they will. On window walls and in corners and when all of the room is painted it can make a colour look double the depth. Test colours well and watch how they alter with light and shade - testpots are your best friend in this regard.

Resene Revolution
Resene Revolution
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
April 2016

Q. I have painted walls Resene Double Sea Fog. I need an idea for the doors. I have been thinking what if I double the colour of Resene Sea Fog. i.e. Resene Quadruple Sea Fog?

A. Do you want the doors to be a 'stand out' feature? Are the skirting boards and door and window frames going to be the same colour as well? There is no quadruple Resene Sea Fog as a standard colour but if there was it might look like Resene Quarter Foggy Grey.

If you just wanted a little difference in your woodwork and door colour then you might use Resene Triple Sea Fog or alternatively you might use a much lighter/whiter colour like Resene Half Sea Fog so that the wall colour appeared deeper.

Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. We're painting the exterior of our 1900s villa in Resene Edward with Resene Quarter Rice Cake trims. We'd like a statement door but are struggling to find something that works.

A. You can try these colours - Resene Warrior, Resene Ebony Clay, Resene Paprika, Resene Easy Rider or Resene Triple Rice Cake.

Resene Edward
Resene Edward
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
     
Resene Warrior
Resene Warrior
Resene Ebony Clay
Resene Ebony Clay
Resene Paprika
Resene Paprika
Resene Easy Rider
Resene Easy Rider
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
April 2016

Q. We want to paint a concrete step which leads to a brick house with matai flooring and a Resene Wan White interior. What colour do you recommend? Also, we are replacing kitchen cabinetry. What do you recommend? We will be either having a stainless steel or concrete benchtop.

A. If you want the concrete step to work well with the rich matai and the Resene Wan White house then you could check out these colours - Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey (deep grey), Resene Mountain Mist (warm mid grey) or Resene Double Sea Fog (pale off white).

Kitchen cabinets could be whiter than the wall colour - Resene Quarter Black White - or deeper than the wall colour - Resene Triple Black White.

Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter
Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
April 2016

Q. I want to find a nice soft green that will complement Resene Titania. We've tried Resene Envy but that's a little too blue and not as soft as we'd like.

A. Because the Resene Titania is a yellow/green grey neutral it pays to look first in that direction for a main exterior green colour. These are a few that are similar to Resene Titania - Resene Linen, Resene Ash or Resene Quarter Lemon Grass.

Some other greens that may work - but could make the Resene Titania look like quite a yellow beige - Resene Tasman, Resene Pumice or Resene Haven.

Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Envy
Resene Envy
Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
Resene Quarter Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter
Lemon Grass
Resene Tasman
Resene Tasman
Resene Pumice
Resene Pumice
 
April 2016

Q. I have a Windsor Grey roof and Resene Alabaster around the windows and I really need some advice on what to do. I was thinking a grey for the house? Or a blue grey?

A. These are a few greys and grey blues that you might check out - Resene Half Mountain Mist, Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Surrender, Resene Gull Grey, Resene Half Regent Grey or Resene Mischka.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Mountain Mist
Resene Half Mountain Mist
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Half Regent Grey
Resene Half Regent Grey
Resene Mischka
Resene Mischka
 
April 2016

Q. We are in the process of purchasing a new home and would like to have the roof, exterior plaster and large deck painted/stained. We would like a black roof and probably white plaster, and it needs to go with the schist on the chimney and portico pillars. The property is on a lifestyle section. My question is, what black and white colour combination would you suggest, and what stain colour for the deck?

A. I think it may be a case of 'sneaking up' on the black and white so the colours aren't too 'chess board optic' and with a large deck a huge expanse of deep colour may be too attention seeking.

Perhaps these palettes of colour might appeal to you:

Resene Element – roof, Resene Sea Fog - 'white' and Resene Woodsman Decking Stain Smokey Ash – deck.
Or Resene Nocturnal – roof, Resene Wan White - 'white' and Resene Woodsman Decking Stain Riverstone – deck.
Or try Resene All Black – roof, Resene White - 'white' and Resene Woodsman Decking Stain Natural – deck.

I feel the schist will always 'pop' as a feature - but seen in close association with the 'white' of the house it may take on a soft multi-toned look that ages and blends naturally. The deck stain suggestions mimic the soft tones of nature rather than the dark browns, green and cedar reds that have been used almost without exception in the past.

Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Woodsman Smokey Ash
Resene Smokey Ash
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Riverstone
Resene Riverstone
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Natural
Resene Natural
April 2016

Q. I want to paint all the pale brick cladding of my house. I'm not sure which colour will look good. The joinery, fascia and gutter are Grey Friars. The roof is charcoal black. I will be making a block wall for a fence with honed blocks straight stacked with louvre gates and louvres in between the block wall. Can you please suggest a light colour for the bricks?

A. A paler colour on the bricks will act as a crisp contrast to the Grey Friars joinery and the Charcoal roof. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene White Thunder, Resene Mystic, Resene Athens Grey or Resene Double Black White.

They may appear very 'white' but if you view the A4 real paint samples in the Colour Library at your nearest Resene ColorShop and compare them with pure white (a sheet of printer paper helps in this regard) you will see lots of underlying tints and tones in the colours.

Resene White Thunder
Resene White Thunder
Resene Mystic
Resene Mystic
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
April 2016

Q. We have been searching for the perfect 'warm' black/'cool' brown almost black for the exterior of our house to no avail as yet. Resene Blackout has too much red undertone, Resene Diesel a touch too much purple but we love the depth. The closest we have found is Resene Cosmonaut which is perfect most times throughout the day and has no undertones but when the afternoon sun is on it comes out a touch too brown. We have ruled out Resene Bokara Grey, Resene Kilamanjaro, Resene Sambuca, Resene Wood Bark, Resene Coffee Bean and Resene Diesel. We don't really want any blue, red, purple or green undertones just a 'warm' black/'cool' brown almost black.

A. You have obviously been checking out colours very carefully and have found out that any change of natural light alters how colour is seen - i.e. the Resene Cosmonaut which is almost perfect.

This happens to any colour - different aspects of light from any axis - north/south/east or west -takes over the colour and just when you think it is right - boom! It isn't anymore. All colours carry multiple colourants in them and depending on the light aspect one of these will 'leap out' at you. Warm black relies upon colourants that are yellow or red. Cool browns rely upon black or blue colourant to kill the warmth that is a natural part of brown but it also adds more grey undertones to the colour.

Unfortunately we don't alter what nature does and before I suggest another colour for you to trial might I just say that the colour looking right most of the time (90% right) may be the best that you can ever expect and that some compromise may be necessary on your side. Some other colours to try are Resene Element or Resene Nocturnal.

Resene Blackout
Resene Blackout
Resene Diesel
Resene Diesel
Resene Cosmonaut
Resene Cosmonaut
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Kilamanjaro
Resene Kilamanjaro
Resene Sambuca
Resene Sambuca
Resene Wood Bark
Resene Wood Bark
Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
 
April 2016

Q. We have an older small house of Hardiplank® cladding, surrounded by larger and more expensive houses decorated with the current popular greys. We wished to paint the exterior (currently olive grey) in a dark mucky green but after many testpots have decided that this would make the house stand out rather than blending with the large shrubs and trees. We chose the colour Resene Linen as a compromise and then Resene Double Linen but this looks a bit 'lolly' and we prefer mucky type colours, green but not too dark.

A. Slightly deep - but not dark - mucky colours that you might consider might be like these ones - Resene Terrain, Resene Copyrite, Resene Moon Mist, Resene Eagle, Resene Tana or Resene Ash.

Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Double Linen
Resene Double Linen
Resene Terrain
Resene Terrain
Resene Copyrite
Resene Copyrite
Resene Moon Mist
Resene Moon Mist
Resene Eagle
Resene Eagle
Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
April 2016

Q. I'm going to be painting the inside of our house, and have decided to go with Resene Half Tea on all walls and Resene Alabaster on the ceilings. I will be having rimu skirtings and architraves. I'm still unsure if I'm going to paint the rimu doors. What do you think of painting them Resene Alabaster? Are those colours ok with rimu? I also like the idea of one wall in the lounge in Resene Smalt Blue. The kitchen cupboards are going to be Resene Tea or Resene Double Tea. If I put rimu around our windows do you think I will get a boxed in look?

A. I recommend you leave the rimu doors alone. If you have rimu woodwork then it is lovely to have the doors the same. Window frames in rimu - not necessary at all and seeing as they may be covered by drapes or blinds hardly worth the effort. Enhance the woodwork that you can see and paint the rest Resene Alabaster. Resene Double Tea looks lovely as a kitchen cupboard colour and it relates really well with the rimu woodwork and doors. Resene Half Tea and Resene Alabaster have a nice warm/light synergy and yes please do consider using Resene Half Smalt Blue (a softer version of the full strength colour) as it has a lovely warm look and doesn't darken too much as most colours tend to do in an interior.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Smalt Blue
Resene Smalt Blue
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Smalt Blue
Resene Half Smalt Blue
 
April 2016

Q. We are painting a cottage and are considering a dark chocolate brown/black palette for the roof and cladding. The cottage has beautiful wooden windows that are rimu. Is there a Resene external paint/colour that has a rich honey rimu looking tone to it? We think this against a dark background could look very cool. The house is an interesting shape and we want to funk it up in a cool, stylish way but at this stage don't want a bright colour on the windows given their varying heights. The property gets hot summers and cold winters.

A. If you are considering dark colours for both the roof and the house then I strongly recommend you use colours that are reformulated to a Resene CoolColour™ to minimise as much as possible the detrimental effects of hot sunny weather.

You don't say whether you want the roof to be darker than the cladding. This is normally what people ask for so these following colours follow that theme: Roof - Resene Element and cladding - Resene Half Ironsand, or roof - Resene Bokara Grey and cladding - Resene Kilamanjaro, or roof - Resene All Black and cladding - Resene Wood Bark.

A colour for the windows that looks like rimu (rich honey tones) is harder to come by as it will only ever look like paint. The only thing that looks like rimu is rimu - but perhaps you might look at these colours to see if they are what you have in mind - Resene Double Sisal, Resene Double Pavlova, Resene Navarone, Resene Dark Buff or Resene Brown Sugar.

The first two colours look like my pot of wild Manuka honey and the last two colours look remarkably like my old rimu cabinets in the kitchen.

Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Kilamanjaro
Resene Kilamanjaro
 
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Wood Bark
Resene Wood Bark
     
Resene Double Sisal
Resene Double Sisal
Resene Double Pavlova
Resene Double Pavlova
Resene Navarone
Resene Navarone
Resene Dark Buff
Resene Dark Buff
Resene Brown Sugar
Resene Brown Sugar
April 2016

Q. Can you please give me some paint colour options for the exterior of my house? The windows will be anodised or a light grey. We want a light grey roof and concrete colour cladding. We think we will use a James Hardie® weatherboard for both the upper and lower level and across the deck. Please advise if you have any other ideas.

A. If you are embracing the greys - roof, windows and cladding - then you might look at roof colours first – COLORSTEEL® Smokey or Resene Lattitude, COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey or Resene Gauntlet or COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey or Resene Atmosphere.

For the house try Resene Black Haze, Resene Triple Black White, Resene Double Concrete, Resene Half Silver Chalice or Resene Half Delta.

COLORSTEEL® Smokey
COLORSTEEL® Smokey
Resene Lattitude
Resene Lattitude
COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey
COLORSTEEL®
Sandstone Grey
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Black Haze
Resene Black Haze
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Delta
Resene Half Delta
 
April 2016

Q. We have Resene Carefree on our living room walls, and find it goes quite 'pepperminty' in certain light. We wondered if there was a slightly toned down version of this colour that we could look at. We love the serenity of it, but need it to behave a bit better.

A. Colour is such a naughty little chameleon - if it can change with light and other colours close to it - it will do so.

Southerly light is sour and often sharpens colours or greys them down in dingy way, easterly (early morning) light greens up colours - whether they have any green in them or not - westerly (late afternoon) light yellows or reddens colours and northerly light cast shadows unless in the middle of winter when the sun is lower in the sky and reaches further into rooms.

These colours may be worth checking out – Resene Nebula, Resene Swans Down or Resene Half Tasman.

Toned down colours usually have some black in them which greys them in a subtle way so they are still lovely but not as fresh or clear as a colour like Resene Carefree. There is a half tone of Resene Carefree but it may be a little too cool and white for you but worth checking on - Resene Half Carefree.

Resene Carefree
Resene Carefree
Resene Nebula
Resene Nebula
Resene Swans Down
Resene Swans Down
Resene Half Tasman
Resene Half Tasman
Resene Half Carefree
Resene Half Carefree
April 2016

Q. My house is painted in Cedar. I would like advice on what colour to use on the large beam, posts in front of house and colour to use on the deck as the decking is not in good shape and paint would be better than stain.

A. Natural earthy tones tend to work well with Cedar - these ones may be worth checking out - Resene Double Friar Greystone , Resene Quarter Gravel, Resene Rodeo Drive, Resene Navarone, Resene Middle Earth, Resene Double Thorndon Cream or Resene Double Parchment.

Resene Double Friar Greystone
Resene Double Friar Greystone
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Rodeo Drive
Resene Rodeo Drive
Resene Navarone
Resene Navarone
Resene Middle Earth
Resene Middle Earth
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Parchment
Resene Double Parchment
 
April 2016

Q. I have a red clinker brick house with an upper level in Hardiplank®. I'd like to change the colour scheme. I am thinking of removing the shutters. I'd like to have trim and gutters in a charcoal grey and keep the creamy colour of the windows and fence. What would be a colour for the Hardiplank®?

A. With the existing colours that are staying and the brick plus the charcoal that you want for the trims and gutters you are somewhat compromised in regard what you might use on the Hardiplank®. Perhaps a very pale off white may work or a delicate tint of green - check these out and see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Pearl Lusta or Resene Eighth Lemon Grass.

A warmer/earthier type of charcoal may suit for the gutters and trim - because of the bricks and the existing creamy colour on the house - perhaps one of these ones might be considered - Resene Quarter Ironsand, Resene Half Baltic Sea or Resene Half Nocturnal.

Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth
Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Nocturnal
Resene Half Nocturnal
April 2016

Q. We are doing up a bedroom and ensuite bathroom. The bedroom is a good size but with only a large sliding bluey silvery door on the north sometimes it might not be very light. I'd like to use a colourwash effect. What colour grey should I use and what paint effect? And what colour can you recommend for the adjoining bedroom?

A. A paint effect to use is loosely termed 'washing'. It is achieved by applying a dilute colour (possibly 25% Resene Paint Effects Medium glaze and 75% paint - these are acrylic paint systems) and it is brushed on and almost rubbed into the whiter base colour. The addition of the glaze allows for a softer semi-translucent effect to the paint which looks cloudy over the white base coat instead of dense and thickly coloured as paint is normally.

I roughly brush (large soft brush - I favour a duster brush because of its multi heads of bristles) in a very random way on large areas of wall and then with a dampened lint free cloth (any thin cotton or old t-shirts, or even muslin) I rub and 'polish' the wet paint until it is softly cloudy. Because it can start to dry off faster than you can work the paint I add the tiniest amount of Resene Hot Weather Additive to keep it wet enough to work.

It is easier perhaps if two people work the job - one with brush and one following on with the cloth. It is a skill best practised to achieve perfection prior to working larger areas. Corners are always the most difficult as too much paint can build up there making it darker.

Some soft greys worth investigating to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Surrender, Resene Iron or Resene Geyser.

These may flash a silvery blue undertone and the floor colour and the natural light in the bathroom may emphasise this. Is this what you want? For the adjoining bedroom you might look at these colours - Resene Surrender or Resene Flotsam. Or alternatively the same as in the ensuite (but not diluted) will give a denser look - the same colour but more of it - which is nice too. Alternatively you could use a 'white' in the bedroom - i.e. Resene Wan White or Resene Half Black White and find fabrics or other accessories in soft greys for the room rather than using a grey on the wall.

The only concern I have is about the colour of the sliding door and whether or not the colours will harmonise.

Resene Half Surrender
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
Resene Geyser
Resene Geyser
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Flotsam
Resene Flotsam
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
 
April 2016

Q. Our living areas are in Resene White Pointer and Resene Double White Pointer. The ensuite and main bathroom are Resene Half Perfect Taupe. I was thinking of painting the two south facing bedrooms in Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe but I'm not 100% sure of this, and am thinking of using Resene Alto in the bedrooms. Will this colour flow with others, and are there any other reasons why I shouldn't use Resene Alto. What overall colour will it appear?

A. South facing rooms have a sour or grey quality of light - even white looks grey and sometimes a bit grim. Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe is quite dense and grey based. I suspect like most colours in an interior it will look deeper - more like Resene Half Perfect Taupe. Resene Alto is a cool lilac grey and will definitely look both deeper and greyer in a south facing room.

You do need to test colours carefully to see how they look within a space. Use all of the testpot (two coats) applied to A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted white card border all around the edges. This unpainted area (white) forces your eye to see the reality of the tested colour - its underlying tints and tones and its true depth. The unpainted border holds the tested colour away from any existing wall colour so it doesn't unduly influence and alter your perception of the colour. The card can be moved from wall to wall so you can see how changing angles and light and shade alter the colour. You can roll the card into a cone shape with the colour innermost and look into it. You will see it deeper - as if all four walls were painted. This is a great way to see how a whole room might look when painted.

When you have done all this then you will know whether a colour is right or wrong. If you need an alternative - similar, warm but lighter - you might check out Resene Dover White and Resene Swiss Coffee.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter
Perfect Taupe
Resene Alto
Resene Alto
Resene Dover White
Resene Dover White
Resene Swiss Coffee
Resene Swiss Coffee
 
April 2016

Q. We have a varnished wall and Lockwood ceilings, and want to paint them white or whitewash. I'm a little worried that white paint will make the large gaps show due to shadowing (i.e. a perfect finish might make the large number of imperfections more obvious). If whitewashing could you let us know if you think we could paint over the varnish (or would we need a sealer)? And since the timber/varnish is old, would we expect to see any discolouring over time?

We currently have Resene Half Tea walls; however we are planning to paint them white also. Friends have used Resene Rice Cake for the walls and ceiling which we like, but if you have other ideas we'd love it if you could share them.

A. There is a product that Resene has that has been used a lot on Lockwood houses - it is Resene Colorwood Whitewash. It can be applied over cleaned old varnished surfaces without a huge amount of effort. In every Resene ColorShop there is a wood product display stand that has good examples of Whitewash applied over old varnished pine planks. I think you need to see this look so you can decide whether it will give you the effect that you want.

If you decided that a proper paint job rather than a milky white semi clear finish was what you preferred then it is a case of cleaning the surfaces thoroughly, sanding to get a 'key' for adherence and then as a first step applying Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and topcoats of white matt paint – Resene SpaceCote Flat or Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. This paint gives you a tough, easily cleaned surface film.

I do suggest you do some costing exercises to find out how much it would cost to have some of the ceilings finished in plasterboard and plastered. You may find it isn't as costly as you thought it could be and might be considered in a room (or rooms) where you want a nicer or more perfect look, such as in the lounge.

If you have a fair amount of shadow in the rooms - it may be that after painting (to make light and bright) the rooms could still look a bit dim and because of the shadow the white paint may look a bit grey. I suggest you look at a white that has a smidgen of warm yellow undertone to help with the light situation - i.e. Resene Quarter Bianca - as it could increase the light/look white and have a tiny bit more reflectivity and warmth.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
April 2016

Q. What colours are best to use for the background and the numbers when painting house numbers on the road kerb?

A. This is an unusual and quite different query - nice for a change!

Road kerb numbers are not always easy to see and they can get a lot of dirt and road detritus on them. I have always been of the opinion (and this is confirmed by commercial use for specific purposes of safety signs) that the very bold yellows and black can be seen from the furtherest distance.

If the background was the yellow and the numbers were in black then the combination of yellow and black may be appropriate. Try Resene Spotlight for the yellow and Resene Black.

Resene Spotlight
Resene Spotlight
Resene Black
Resene Black
April 2016

Q. We have painted our grey roofed cottage exterior rough cast in Resene Periglacial Blue with Resene Pearl Lusta trims and are searching for a contrasting colour for the front door. Can you suggest a shade of yellow or perhaps blue or purple that would work?

A. Deeper than the trim colour may work as a yellow tone - i.e. Resene Triple Pearl Lusta or brighter - Resene Sidecar. Some blues and purples that you might check out are these ones - Resene San Juan, Resene Explorer, Resene Covert or Resene Honey Flower.

Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Sidecar
Resene Sidecar
Resene San Juan
Resene San Juan
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
Resene Covert
Resene Covert
Resene Honey Flower
Resene Honey Flower
April 2016

Q. What colour could I paint on the exterior of my house? It is a 1990s Hardiplank® 'box'. The existing roof is Lignite (brown) and the joinery is a smokey pink. Neither of these things can be changed unfortunately.

A. I think it is probably a good idea to stay light and neutral - perhaps one of these colours may appeal to you - Resene Quarter Tea, Resene Eighth Fossil, Resene Quarter Cougar or Resene Half Truffle.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
April 2016

Q. We are building a bespoke build and have to decide on external colours. I didn't think it would be so hard! We have opted to have a Dune roof but hear that the paint colour for weatherboards/render may throw off a pink hue. I would like to pair a 'Dune' type colour with Resene Triple Stonehenge and a more white colour... but can't find an appropriate Dune coloured paint that won't look pink in the light. Does Resene have anything?

A. COLORBOND® Dune does have a mushroom taupe tone to it but unless you decide to use exactly the same colour on the render and weatherboards then you can 'slide away' from the pinky tone to another less red based warm colour.

Resene Triple Stonehenge throws off a little more yellow/brown (at that depth) and if this was your preferred 'deep' colour then you could 'sneak off' to Resene Quarter Pravda which may be better than a lighter version of your deep colour. Resene Half Stonehenge, Resene Quarter Stonehenge and Resene Eighth Stonehenge look good with Dune but they do 'mushroom up' a fair bit.

Or you could change your 'deep' colour to another to alter the whole look - Resene Sandstone (not as dark as Resene Triple Stonehenge) or Resene Half Truffle (lighter/softer not quite as warm as Dune).

Resene Triple Stonehenge
Resene Triple Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Pravda
Resene Quarter Pravda
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Quarter
Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
     
April 2016

Q. We have a little square art deco house and can't decide whether to go to a neutral colour like Resene Half Tea/Resene Thorndon Cream/Resene Half Napa, or a shade of grey like Resene Half Stack/Resene Grey Friars or tones of blue like Resene Half Duck Egg Blue/Resene El Nino. We were thinking of using a blue for the trims like Resene Biscay or Resene Licorice but are not sure if these go. Do you have any suggestions on a paint scheme that would suit the art deco style of house?

A. I like the archetypal pale neutrals best on Art Deco houses as it means that small trims can be changed periodically to give a whole new look without redoing everything constantly. I like Resene Thorndon Cream as it isn't grey or brown. Art Deco trim colours can be 2-3 variations of one colour or 'surprising' pastel colours.

It really does depend upon whether you want to enhance the character of the Art Deco style house or paint to merge in with what other people are doing.

Variations of blues for you to consider for trims - Resene Biscay, Resene Waikawa Grey, Resene Kashmir Blue or Resene Ship Cove.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Stack
Resene Half Stack
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene El Nino
Resene El Nino
Resene Biscay
Resene Biscay
Resene Licorice
Resene Licorice
 
Resene Waikawa Grey
Resene Waikawa Grey
Resene Kashmir Blue
Resene Kashmir Blue
Resene Ship Cove
Resene Ship Cove
   
April 2016

Q. My 7 year old daughter and I are redecorating her room. I have suggested we paint the walls in Resene Quarter Truffle, but she would like to have at least one wall in a blue colour. Could you please suggest some options for a shade of blue that would coordinate with Quarter Truffle? The room is large but does not get a lot of natural light.

A. Check out these blues - they are lovely, light and warm - Resene Half Kumutoto, Resene Seagull, Resene Delta Blue or Resene Zephyr.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Half Kumutoto
Resene Half Kumutoto
Resene Seagull
Resene Seagull
Resene Delta Blue
Resene Delta Blue
Resene Zephyr
Resene Zephyr
April 2016

Q. Our home's outside walls are currently a rich cream. Just wondering what colour you suggest would suit the brown joinery, multi-coloured bricks and cream roof?

A. Lighter colours tend to work best as the brick (multi coloured and chameleon like) and the joinery (dark and definite) as well as the roof control your options - a lot.

You might look at really complex neutral colours to see if they will work for you - they are quixotic and changeable - Resene Double Merino, Resene Quarter Tea, Resene White Pointer, Resene Westar or Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe.

Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Westar
Resene Westar
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter
Perfect Taupe
April 2016

Q. I am trying to decide on a colour scheme for our lounge. I'm planning on using a similar (lighter) shade throughout the house - everything's painted white at the moment. I am having some trouble matching with the carpet, the tiles of the fireplace and the black surround. I don't want to lose the spacious feel but am bored with the white. I am thinking of painting the far wall black to match the fireplace and going with a lighter colour for the other walls and for the other walls throughout the house. I also need to choose a curtain colour... we'd like neutral, earthy, contemporary colours.

A. You are somewhat compromised with these existing coloured elements. If you are keen on a 'black' for the far wall you may need to embrace the concept of a warmer black rather than a standard black. Had you thought of that as an option? A colour that likes the surrounding tiles, the carpet and the black fire surround - i.e. Resene Blackout or Resene Cosmonaut may appeal to you.

A neutral light colour - that also has a paler version that might be used in other rooms - doesn't take you far from white but perhaps one of these might be considered - Resene Merino (lightest is Resene Quarter Merino), Resene Albescent White (lightest is Resene Quarter Albescent White) or Resene Sea Fog (lightest is Resene Double Alabaster aka Resene Quarter Sea Fog).

Others that you might also consider - deeper/more definite colours- might be these - Resene Half Bison Hide (lightest is Resene Eighth Bison Hide) or Resene Half Akaroa (lightest is Resene Eighth Akaroa).

Curtains are a whole other scenario - you might start this exercise by checking out these Resene curtain fabrics - Kinetic - colour Stone or Swivel - colour Charcoal.

Resene Blackout
Resene Blackout
Resene Cosmonaut
Resene Cosmonaut
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Half Akaroa
Resene Half Akaroa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Kinetic - Stone
Resene Kinetic Stone
Resene Swivel Charcoal
Resene Swivel Charcoal
 
April 2016

Q. We have COLORSTEEL® Ironsand on our roof. I am looking for a deck, fence, pergola and outdoor furniture stain which is the same or very very close to Ironsand. Can you advise if the Resene Woodsman range would be the right range to be looking at and if so which colour would best match?

A. Yes Resene Woodsman stain is what you would use to stain the wood. It is available as both a solventborne stain and a waterborne stain - if the wood has been stained before it is important to use the same type of finish.

Testpots are available in Resene Woodsman colours so I suggest you trial these two colours on some off cuts to see how you find them – Resene Woodsman Banjul or Resene Woodsman Sheer Black.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Banjul
Resene Banjul
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
April 2016

Q. We would like some advice on colours for a bedroom. It is a small double room that doesn't get much light. What are the colour options that would suit this type of room but not too neutral or over the top? We are also wondering about wallpapering one side of the room, the main one opposite the window. Would this work in a small room? Do you have any wallpaper and paint combinations that would work well?

A. Perhaps if the room is a bit lacking in natural light you might check out light warm colours like these ones - Resene Orchid White, Resene Quarter Tea or Resene Eighth Fossil.

There are masses of wonderful wallpapers available in lots of books. Wallpaper needs to be chosen very carefully. I suggest that, if you can, you pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples of the colours in their Colour Library that I have suggested so that you get a good idea of what they are truly like. You can browse the wallpaper books at the same time and see how the wallpaper options go with your favourite paint colours.

Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
April 2016

Q. I want to paint walls in Resene Quarter Black White. What should I do for ceiling and trims?

A. You could use one of these 'whites' - Resene Eighth Black White, Resene Half Alabaster or 'real' white - Resene White.

Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter
Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
April 2016

Q. I am looking for a colour to paint a small 1960s weatherboard house that sits among a variety of trees and is across the road from a coastal beach. I have a few colours that I like but I am not sure if I have chosen the right colours to complement the environment and I'm not sure which white to use with each colour variation. The colours that I am thinking of are Resene Quarter Rakaia, Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Half Tea, Resene Half Truffle, Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Eighth Napa or Resene Half Tana. Also any advice on a complementary colour for the garage door would be appreciated.

A. The colours that you are looking at are lovely soft tones that make a delightful change from browns and greys. There is one particular white that will work really well with all of them - Resene Half Alabaster.

A garage door colour to complement these soft pastels might be grey or charcoal (these work with a huge amount of colours) or maritime blue or sandy/olive tones. You could look at these colours - Resene Half Tuna, Resene Windswept, Resene Coast or Resene Climate.

Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Half Tana
Resene Half Tana
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Coast
Resene Coast
Resene Climate
Resene Climate
April 2016

Q. We have two feature walls painted in Resene Fountain Blue around our newly built house. For the kitchen glass splashback we also chose Resene Fountain Blue but the glass seems to have changed the colour to a lighter shade. We are going to get the glass splashback re-done now for another reason but I wonder whether we want to change the colour behind the glass to a darker shade. What is a shade darker than Resene Fountain Blue in the same colour range (pastels)? We are trying to achieve the closest match possible behind the glass splashback to the true Resene Fountain Blue.

A. I suspect that the glass is standard float glass which always alters the colour seen behind it as it has a green cast to it - even pure white behind this glass looks pepperminty or dirty when seen through it.

There is only one type of glass that shows colours true to reality It is called crystal clear low iron oxide glass.

Ask the splashback people for small samples of both types of glass and lay them over any colours you have - or think you might want - so that you can see exactly what you will get.

Resene Fountain Blue
Resene Fountain Blue
April 2016

Q. We have cream coloured aluminium joinery. I want to move from creamish walls to white-ish, but am concerned this won't work with the cream window joinery. What would you advise?

A. If the cream window joinery can be totally covered with drapes and blinds then you can definitely go 'whiter' on the walls. Perhaps a warmed white might be better than a cool white - i.e. Resene Quarter Bianca or Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
April 2016

Q. I have been recommended Resene Double Alabaster for the ceiling and Resene Quarter Blanc walls. I didn't think they were a great pair. It is an old bach we use as a family fun place with not a lot of sunlight in the rooms. At the moment it is a lovely yellow green muddy colour but I cannot find it so thought I could do a change. Are these colours going to work together or do you recommend something else?

A. You are contemplating quite a change in your colours. Yes the colours you mention do work together - it is a very light soft subtle mushroom and chalky white look - a little Scandinavian in ambiance. If your bach reflects that sort of mood then I can imagine it working well - soft blues, dusky pinks and aquas and very gentle lemon/creams would help tie it together as soft furnishing and accessories. It is all about what you like and how you want the bach to look so if you are unsure about the colours then don't follow what someone else has recommended. Do your own thing.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Blanc
Resene Quarter Blanc
April 2016

Q. I'm slowly painting/repainting my tired looking home and I'd love some advice. My home is brick and the roof is Ironsand. Near the house is a garage made with COLORSTEEL® Endura. Its roof is Ironsand and the sides are Resene Desert Sand.

I want to paint the brown panelling at the front of the house and the concrete bricks under the windows. Could you make any suggestions for colours for these areas?

I'm also considering painting the concrete brick under the red brick and the concrete slab out the front of the house. I'm not sure if this is feasible or a good idea? If so, what colour should these be painted? And should the steps also be painted?

A. You might consider using a warmer/slightly deeper version of Resene Desert Sand on the house so that it ties in the garage main colour. You could check out Resene Sandal or Resene Mongoose and if you liked one of those it could be used on the concrete block base of the house. This might integrate the bricks and the base and make the house appear taller.

The (brown) panelling could be changed to a warm toned grey i.e. Resene Chicago and the brick under the windows and the concrete porch slab and steps could be a lighter version of this grey - Resene Quarter Chicago.

Alternatively you could paint everything the one colour (because the bricks are multi-coloured) and keep it very simple with a warm off white - i.e. Resene Half Spanish White.

Resene Desert Sand
Resene Desert Sand
Resene Sandal
Resene Sandal
Resene Mongoose
Resene Mongoose
Resene Chicago
Resene Chicago

and as quarter
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
April 2016

Q. We are looking to paint the interior of our house. We have cream (possible primrose) aluminium windows and doors and cream kitchen cupboard fronts. The floor tiles are a terracotta style colour. The house has a lot of natural light. Can you recommend a wall colour that would not make the windows stand out? We are thinking a white trim for architraves etc, perhaps a tinted white so it isn't so stark. I would like a fairly neutral colour that is relaxing rather than bright.

The exterior is a sandstone shade brick with pale eucalyptus roof and cream guttering.

A. I think if you have very distinctive coloured joinery the only thing that will make it less obvious is curtains and blinds to completely cover them. It is much harder to work with very definite coloured floors as they can't be 'hidden'. But perhaps you might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Quarter Lemon Grass or Resene Eighth Pravda.

A tinted white might be one of these colours - Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta or Resene Quarter Bianca.

Resene Quarter Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter
Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth Pravda
Resene Eighth Pravda
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
April 2016

Q. I need exterior house colour recommendations using grey tones but avoiding blue tones.

A. You might look at these greys to see if they appeal to you - Resene Quarter Tapa, Resene Atmosphere or Resene Half Gauntlet.

Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
April 2016

Q. We own an 1850s villa. Could you suggest a warm neutral for wall boards and a galvanised roof colour? We like a deep red for the door but are not sure what would match.

A. Charcoal roof colours work with a multitude of other colours so perhaps that is a good place to start - Resene Grey Friars, Resene Windswept or Resene Steel Grey.

The main house colours that you might check out are - Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Half Fossil, Resene Tea or Resene Double Villa White. These types of warm neutrals work well with most reds and charcoals.

Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Steel Grey
 
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Double Villa White
Resene Double Villa White
April 2016

Q. We would like to freshen up our 1960 stucco exterior paint colour. We painted it 15 years ago with a darker version of Resene Lemon Grass. We would like a fresh modern look that complements the brown aluminium and green surroundings. We are close to the beach as well.

A. Check out these colours - they are lighter (but not white toned) and may give you the fresh look you want to achieve - Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Fossil, Resene Double Truffle, Resene Half Spanish White or Resene Double Merino.

Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Fossil
Resene Fossil
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
April 2016

Q. I am trying to work out what colour to paint the warm brick foundations of my house/steps and my fence. Our roof is COLORSTEEL® Ironsand, the weatherboards are Resene Eighth Tapa and the trims are Resene Double Alabaster. Any recommendations? I have tried Resene Nocturnal but it is a bit too blue looking.

A. Personally I really like the bricks around the base and steps - nice honest feature and a warm colour to balance all the earthier tones. But if you do want to paint over them, they will need sealing first with Resene Sureseal pigmented sealer. I think a slightly deeper version of the main house colour could work – try Resene Half Tapa or deeper Resene Tapa. I don't recommend a really dark colour or a white as they may make the house appear shorter in height and a bit sandwiched between base and roof.

Fences often look good as mid - deep colours so perhaps you might check out these colours - Resene Half Ironsand, Resene Double Tapa, Resene Armadillo or Resene Bokara Grey.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
   
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Armadillo
Resene Armadillo
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
April 2016

Q. I want to use a complementary scheme of yellow and violet but subtle. Which colours should I choose? Secondly how do I incorporate neutrals as only yellow and violet would be too much?

A. I think everyone likes quite different tints, tones and shades of violet and yellow - and the following may not be yours but mine. Whites and soft greys work well as neutrals to tie into the violet and yellow palette. The following palettes are ideas to get you started - Resene Sonique and Resene Moon Glow - these could be used with Resene Alabaster and/or Resene Quarter Surrender. Or Resene Zappo and Resene Corn Field - these could be used with Resene Eighth Black White and/or Resene Geyser.

If you used very pale greyed violets and creamier yellows that were quite neutralised then you might find that the delicacy of the colours works well with deeper colours - Resene Orchid White, Resene In The Mauve and deeper colours - Resene Chapta And Verse and Resene Sidecar.

Resene Sonique
Resene Sonique
Resene Moon Glow
Resene Moon Glow
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Zappo
Resene Zappo
Resene Corn Field
Resene Corn Field
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Geyser
Resene Geyser
Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene In The Mauve
Resene In The Mauve
Resene Chapta And Verse
Resene Chapta And Verse
Resene Sidecar
Resene Sidecar
April 2016

Q. Which colours should I use for an analogous scheme? I want to use blue, blue-green and green on a subtle note.

A. One of the analogous colours is the 'key colour' and ideally it should be a lighter colour so the two others can act as accents or features etc. Use the Colour Wheel to find the colours in the first place - if blue is your key colour - then the two others are blue/green and blue/purple either side of the key colour. Analogous = related. Key colour = child - the related colours are the 'mother' and 'father' in this trilogy.

If blue/green is the key colour then the other two are blue and green.

Look at these colours - Resene Aqua - blue/green - main colour, Resene Venice Blue - blue - deeper contrast and Resene Niagara - green - lesser contrast.

Subtle often doesn't work as well as definite because it can be too hard to discern the 'related' aspect of the colours.

Pastel or lighter tints of the related colours don't allow one to be the key colour - it only works when white is the main colour and the analogous colours form the accents.

You could also try Resene Renew - blue/green, Resene Hemisphere - blue or Resene Serenity - green.

Resene Aqua
Resene Aqua
Resene Venice Blue
Resene Venice Blue
Resene Niagara
Resene Niagara
Resene Renew
Resene Renew
Resene Hemisphere
Resene Hemisphere
Resene Serenity
Resene Serenity
April 2016

Q. I want to paint the weatherboards on my 1920 bungalow with Resene Double Surrender. The new roof is COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars. I will use Resene Quarter Alabaster for windows but what colour will I use for an accent on the shingle tiles above the windows and the base of the house?

A. You might consider using a lighter version of the roof colour - Resene Quarter Grey Friars. Alternative options are a lighter version of the main house colour - Resene Half Surrender or more of a white like the windows - Resene Alabaster or much darker/blacker - Resene Double Cod Grey.

Resene Double Surrender
Resene Double Surrender
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Cod Grey
 
April 2016

Q. We are doing a feature wall in the lounge, which has a 4.4m stud. Originally we wanted to do a black wall but now think that is too much and would like a deep dark blue. Our lounge, dining and kitchen is all open plan and will be painted Resene Half Wan White. We also are thinking of making another feature wall in our master bedroom with this colour - again using Resene Half Wan White on walls and ceiling. Do you have suggestions for a rich, deep dark blue colour? Carpets are a light/medium neutral grey.

A. There are some amazing deep dark blues - all worthy of consideration. You might check these ones out - Resene Black Rock, Resene Midnight Express, Resene Blue Night, Resene Bunting, Resene Lucky Point or Resene Regatta.

Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Black Rock
Resene Black Rock
Resene Midnight Express
Resene Midnight Express
Resene Blue Night
Resene Blue Night
Resene Bunting
Resene Bunting
Resene Lucky Point
Resene Lucky Point
Resene Regatta
Resene Regatta
 
April 2016

Q. I am installing new plasterboard in the front room in my renovation house, and have removed a pelmet over the bay window. I have added plasterboard over what was a section of T & G above the window, and when I come to paint I have conflicting messages. My painter reckons painting the horizontal section (that comes 46cm out from the wall) with the pale yellow I am using will be fine, but the plasterboard installer says to paint the section the same as the ceiling (off white), as it is flat.

A. It is a personal taste choice to make. If you are unsure then undercoat it in white until all the wall is painted in the pale yellow. That is like a dress rehearsal that will allow you to see how it could look if it isn't yellow. If you like it then topcoat in white - all ok! But if you think 'no not white' then it can be painted pale yellow.

April 2016

Q. I am planning on painting kitchen and family room walls with Resene Black White but I am not sure what colour to do the glass splashback to match the Cararra marble-look benchtop.

A. Are you wanting to stay with the 'white on white' look in the kitchen? If this is the case you might use crystal clear low iron oxide glass over the wall colour so it acts as a gloss protective surface but not a 'feature colour'. Or use a deeper variant of the wall colour - i.e. Resene Double Black White for a subtle effect.

Alternatively you could use a metallic silver/grey to add a little sparkle to the kitchen - Resene Aluminium or a slightly deeper metallic - Resene Blast Grey.

Or you could use the Cararra Marble as a splashback to tie in the benchtop.

Definite colours as a splashback need to be considered very carefully. If you went that way the colour chosen would have to be something that was, and always had been, a particular favourite of yours so you weren't left with a 'trend' colour that after a short period of time you no longer liked. If it was a favourite colour it might also feature in some smaller way as accessories or as a 'follow on' feature in another room.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Aluminium
Resene Aluminium
Resene Blast Grey 1
Resene Blast Grey 1
Resene Blast Grey 2
Resene Blast Grey 2
Resene Blast Grey 3
Resene Blast Grey 3
April 2016

Q. I have Resene Woodrush on my trim and skirting and an avocado type colour on the walls. I want to change to something brighter, ideally not off white but a light shade. What colours would you suggest?

A. Are you changing the trim colour – Resene Woodrush - as well as the main wall colour? If you aren't you may find the Resene Woodrush looks a lot deeper and much more mustard/olive toned with lighter/brighter colours. Will this matter?

If you check out brighter light tones like these - to use with the Resene Woodrush - you may find something that will appeal to you: Resene Double Rice Cake, Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Half Caraway, Resene Tana or Resene Half Secrets.

Resene Woodrush
Resene Woodrush
       
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Caraway
Resene Half Caraway
Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Half Secrets
Resene Half Secrets
April 2016

Q. Just fitting out a room into a dental laboratory. I'm after a clean modern look. I am lining the two longer walls with Baltic Birch plywood (a light colour) and am creating a suspended ceiling with strips of timber. The two smaller walls will be plasterboard and the floor will be an epoxy resin pewter colour. I'm after ideas on what I can paint the plasterboard and the ceiling strips to give an aesthetic contrast to the ply and floor.

A. If you prefer the floor and ply walls to be the 'features' then the other walls and ceiling would need to be 'lesser' as in 'whiter'. You could check out these colours - Resene Black White or Resene Sea Fog.

But if you were considering a look that is possibly a little more sophisticated and contemporary then you could check out this colour - Resene Foundry.

The colour for walls and ceilings is the last element to a decor scheme and needs to harmonise with the other elements (which may be more costly, more coloured or more limited in options).

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
April 2016

Q. I'm at the point of painting the exterior of my house. The weatherboards are in a mixed condition - mostly ok with multiple layers of paint but some have the orange peel look. The window surrounds and frames are being stripped at the moment so I need to get the colours sorted so that I can get the topcoat colour soon. My preference is taupe/beige/grey mix for the weatherboards and a nice soft roof white to go with that for the window surrounds. I'd like a blue/black/charcoal trim. I'm not fond of anything with a yellow tint - I like greyish/beige better. The current colours pre-date me and they are really a bit boring!

A. Perhaps these might appeal to you – Resene Half Truffle, Resene Half Sea Fog and Resene Cinder. Or Resene Eighth Friar Greystone , Resene Half Merino or Resene Blue Charcoal.

Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Cinder
Resene Cinder
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Blue Charcoal
Resene Blue Charcoal
April 2016

Q. What wall and ceiling colours would match my Canadian White Eurostone bench with Melteca® Iron Ore and Arctic White cupboards? The kitchen has a high sloped ceiling and is fairly light.

A. You have two types of white (bench and cabinets) in the kitchen as well as a deeper warmer/brown grey colour. I wouldn't recommend using another white in this room. You say the ceiling is high/sloped and the room itself is fairly light so using the same colour on the wall and ceiling is a possibility. Was this your thought? Are you wanting to use pale cool greys in the kitchen?

If you favoured the pale cool grey option you could look at Resene White Thunder, Resene Concrete or Resene Iron as they would work with the very cool blue edged Arctic White cabinets.

If you wanted a warmer grey to work with the Melteca® Iron Ore and the Canadian White Eurostone benchtop colour then you might look at Resene Quarter Taupe Grey or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey. These colours may not work as well with the very cool blue edged Arctic White.

Are you absolutely wedded to the idea of having the Arctic White for the cabinets? It may be a little 'odd man out' in the palette.

Resene White Thunder
Resene White Thunder
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
Resene Quarte Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
April 2016

Q. We want to paint the exterior of our two-storey 1930s bungalow and we were looking at Resene Albescent White and Resene Alabaster. Our new roof is Grey Friars.

A. On an exterior colours often 'bleed out' and appear much lighter than you might expect. I suggest you paint half of an A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) with two coats of each of the colours and pin it on the brightest exterior wall. If in the very bright light you see very little (or no) difference between the two colours that would indicate that they are too similar in depth so that there wasn't a contrast.

If you still like the main colour - Resene Albescent White - but want the contrast to be more apparent then you might need to use real white - Resene White for the crisp clean look you want.

An alternative option to take the place of Albescent White if it appears too white would be to use Resene Quarter Fossil or Resene Eighth Bison Hide.

Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
April 2016

Q. We have a bungalow that needs repainting. It has a dark green roof which is the same as the detailing colour on windows. We were thinking about a light grey instead of white to modernise it. Would that go with the existing green roof? What shade would you suggest?

A. Here are several quite different greys for you to check out – Resene Quarter Foggy Grey, Resene Half Ash, Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Delta or Resene Triple Merino.

Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta

Resene Triple Merino
April 2016

Q. We are renovating the kitchen of our 110 year old house with 3.6m stud. The laundry is visible from the kitchen and is painted Resene Paris White.

We are building a new butler's pantry which I am also considering painting Resene Paris White because the open pantry can be viewed at the same time as the laundry, so I guess I'm trying to keep things simple. I am open to considering other colours for the pantry walls but would like to have a high luminance (I think that's the right term).

The shelves in the pantry are likely to be white Melteca ®. The floor is all matai timber and the benchtops will be the same. I need to decide the cabinet colours both in the kitchen and pantry, also the wall and ceiling colours.

We have removed the wall and fireplaces between the kitchen and lounge creating an open space approx 75m2. We will be installing a log fire between the rooms. I think I would like to introduce another contrasting colour to the kitchen, perhaps on the wall behind the new fireplace.

The kitchen cabinets will be traditional; there will be two black and stainless F & P ovens and a microwave the same. We have a double stainless F & P fridge and will also have a stainless dish drawer.

I definitely need lighter colours in both rooms because there are only windows on the northern walls. I'd be happy to use a combination of any of the colours from the Whites and Neutrals range or the Karen Walker Paints range. The problem is... which ones?! I'd like for the whole space to feel warm, spacious, light and clean and to look spectacular!

A. I agree with you about the butler's pantry being painted to match the laundry - Resene Paris White - continuation of a colour helps create a harmony of design.

Light enhancing warm colours will work well for you for walls though the ceilings might still be a pure white - Resene White - this is traditional and if the north facing natural light requires more brightness this is the best option. Walls could be one of these colours – Resene Bianca or Resene Quarter Ecru White.

Resene Paris White
Resene Paris White
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
April 2016

Q. I've painted my cement render fence Resene Pravda and would like to paint a cement render feature wall on the house to match, preferably in a darker brown shade. My garage and window trims are COLORSTEEL® Surfmist.

A. You could use a deeper variant of the fence colour so it all ties together really well – Resene Triple Pravda. Or another slightly deeper brown that is sympathetic – Resene Groundbreaker.

Resene Pravda
Resene Pravda
COLORSTEEL® Surfmist
COLORSTEEL® Surfmist
Resene Triple Pravda
Resene Triple Pravda
Resene Groundbreaker
Resene Groundbreaker
April 2016

Q. We have recently painted our lounge Resene Triple Spanish White. I am having trouble finding curtain fabric I like. Can you please make some suggestions as I love the wall colour and don't want to change it?

A. If you go into your local Resene ColorShop to view the fabrics there are several that might appeal to you – Designate – colour Latte, Swivel - colour Lagoon, Swivel - colour Charcoal or Diva - colour Ebony.

It is easier to judge colours when you see the real thing. The Resene ColorShop staff can help you get a sample of your paint colour out of the in store Colour Library so you could see both colour and fabrics together.

Resene Triple Spanish White
Resene Triple
Spanish White
Resene Designate Latte
Resene Designate Latte

Resene Swivel Lagoon
Resene Swivel Lagoon
Resene Swivel Charcoal
Resene Swivel Charcoal
Resene Diva Ebony
Resene Diva Ebony
April 2016

Q. What are some colour options for my lounge and bedroom to complement Cavalier carpet in colour Bath? I also need kitchen colours to go with Caesarstone Petraeus Gray.

A. You might look at these colours for the lounge and the bedrooms - Resene Half Tea, Resene Half Bison Hide or Resene Half Villa White.

For the kitchen you could look at these ones and see if they suit your cabinetry colour – Resene Quarter Villa White or Resene Quarter Tea.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
April 2016

Q. I have just bought a house that is 11 years old. It is currently painted in cream colours - yuck. I would like to paint the interior white but am not sure which one. The lounge and entrance has 3.3 metre ceilings. The lounge faces south so I'm conscious that the space is big and dark and since the floors tiles are white, I don't want it to look too stark but it must look clean and fresh.

A. Sometimes the natural light in south facing rooms makes whites look a bit grey or dingy so you may need to test the colours very carefully. Try Resene Half Merino, Resene Quarter Rice Cake or Resene Sea Fog. There are lighter and deeper versions of all the colours if you feel you need more or less depth.

Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. I need to choose a colour for the ceilings and doors in a dark set of offices. Is there a white you would recommend?

A. It really depends what other colours are in these spaces but perhaps one of these warm light reflecting whites might work – Resene Half Rice Cake, Resene Bianca or Resene Half Sea Fog.

Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. I have a large block of six flats which is a yuck green colour. I wish to repaint the block a neutral colour that upgrades the look of the block. I was thinking a tea or a grey but would love some advice on a good colour.

A. You could check out these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Tea, Resene Half Foggy Grey or Resene Truffle.

Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
April 2016

Q. We are currently building a new house by the ocean. Our main living/dining/kitchen area is 9.5m x 8m and open plan. It will have American Blond Oak engineered flooring and decorative ply ceilings. Could you please suggest a 'white' colour that will go nicely with the wood, without being too yellow? I am thinking something bright and airy but warm. We will also use the same colour on the ceiling and walls of a large hall wall (1.8m x 8m) that comes off the main area. The floor of this is also Oak.

A. You might check out these 'whites' to see if they appeal to you – Resene Barely There, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Merino or Resene Half Milk White.

They are all quite different from each other - this might not be noticeable unless you were comparing large samples and then using a pure white sample as a 'default'. In every Resene ColorShop there are A4 real paint samples of all the colours in their Colour Library for viewing purposes. This is really helpful - larger is better for judging the reality of colour.

Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Half Milk White
Resene Half Milk White
April 2016

Q. I have Resene Space Shuttle on my feature wall in the family room and would like a suggestion as to which white/cream that is not too yellow will best work with this colour for the whole house. I also would like to know your thoughts on doing all my bedrooms in a quarter shade of Resene Space Shuttle.

A. You might check out these off white colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Merino, Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream, Resene Sea Fog or Resene Barely There.

Perhaps you could look at these lighter earthy colours that are sympathetic to the Resene Space Shuttle colour to see if they are the sort of thing you are looking for - Resene Judge Grey, Resene Talisman or Resene Double Stonehenge.

Resene Space Shuttle
Resene Space Shuttle
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Judge Grey
Resene Judge Grey
Resene Talisman
Resene Talisman
Resene Double Stonehenge
Resene Double Stonehenge
   
April 2016

Q. I have a new kitchen with gloss cabinetry in Resene Alabaster, a Caesarstone Alpine Mist benchtop and a splashback in pale grey subway tiles which have a hint of a pale turquoise in them in some lights. Can you suggest possible colours for the walls, ceiling and door and window trims? It is a semi-detached house with the kitchen window on the north side and sliding doors in the attached family room opening to the east but there is a large house next door which blocks the sun as the day proceeds. In the afternoon light comes in to part of the family room from a side window which faces west.

A. With your new 'whiter' look in the kitchen you may need to check out several colours to see what appeals most to you. Perhaps you could start by looking at these ones – Resene Double Black White, Resene Wan White or Resene Quarter Surrender.

If you still like slightly warmer creamy tones - but not as deep as what you have now - then you might look at these colours as well - Resene Quarter Villa White or Resene Eighth Rice Cake.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
   
April 2016

Q. Would you please advise a colour scheme for a bagged brick country style house under a manor red veranda and window awnings. Please include a colour for the aluminium windows. I would like a white or whitish colour for veranda posts and small amount of fretwork. The veranda is timber, without eaves.

A. You might check these colours out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Double Thorndon Cream (main), aluminium windows - Warm White Pearl and veranda posts/fretwork - Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, or Resene Double Sisal (main), aluminium windows - Off White and veranda posts/fretwork - Resene Quarter Spanish White.

Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Sisal
Resene Double Sisal
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
March 2016

Q. I'm trying to find a colour for my hallway. We have a 1900s villa, so high ceilings (painted white), original floorboards and stripped doors. The only light is from the window in the front door and any light coming through from the rooms that feed off the hall. The walls are currently painted peach and I don't know if that's affecting the testpot colours on top or just my perception of them. So far Resene Half Rice Cake and Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta have been way too white, but Resene Half Tea, Resene Quarter Spanish White and Resene Blank Canvas all appear very grey. I'd really like something warm but fresh, a cream or caramel shade perhaps.

A. You hit the answer right off when you said that the existing colour was altering your perception of the tested colours. Ideally - in order to truly judge colours - I recommend that any testpots be applied to A2 white card (available from Resene ColorShops) - not to a coloured wall. This allows the maximum amount of paint to be seen - all of the testpot/two coats. If you leave a narrow unpainted border all around the edges of the card it helps your eye to see the reality of the tested colour and provides a barrier so that the existing wall colour doesn't negatively influence the colour you are looking at. The card can be moved from wall to wall so that you can see how changing light, shadow and angles alter how the colour is seen. If you roll the card into a cone with the colour inner most and look into it you see the colour deeper - this is a good representation of how it will look when all of the walls are painted. Colours in interiors - especially hallways because they are usually not blessed with bright natural light - can look twice as deep as you might expect them to look. I suggest you try the colours again - I am sure that one of them will be the right one - but possibly not Resene Half Tea as it is the muddiest grey/brown of the colours tested and will definitely look like (full strength) Resene Tea or even deeper.

Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Blank Canvas
Resene Blank Canvas
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
March 2016

Q. We are currently painting two houses. One, our own home, which is currently Resene Foggy Grey with Resene Industrial Silver garage doors and white joinery. The roof is Resene Windswept. I would quite like a blue/silver colour for the house – perhaps Resene Silver Chalice or something similar? And need a white or black/white for the trims and eaves. The second house is a little beach house with a newly repainted roof in Resene Ironsand brown, has brown aluminium joinery and is currently cream. I'd like to paint a modern coastal beachy colour bearing in mind the brown roof and joinery.

A. A white to try for trims on your house if you use Resene Silver Chalice as the main colour - Resene Quarter Wan White or Resene Quarter Black White. But if you chose to use a blue/silver like Resene Double Concrete or Resene Half Gull Grey for the main colour on the house you might use Resene Alabaster for the trims.

For the little beach house you could check out these coastal inspired colours which may look good with the brown roof and joinery - Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Half Tasman, Resene Longitude or Resene Conch.

Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Industrial Silver
Resene Industrial Silver
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter
Black White
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Gull Grey

as half strength
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Tasman
Resene Half Tasman
Resene Longitude
Resene Longitude
Resene Conch
Resene Conch
 
March 2016

Q. I'm looking for colour ideas for the exterior of our two level brick (lower level) and weatherboard (upper level) house. Our window and door trim colour (Charcoal Matt L290A) appears to most closely match to charcoal Grey Friars and cannot be changed; however we would really like a lighter paint scheme for the exterior of the house. Can you recommend light colours for the top and bottom levels? We are partial to the greys.

A. If your lower storey is brick and you want to paint over this, perhaps you might consider soft deep greys for the brick and paler for the weatherboards - Resene Quarter Grey Friars and Resene Surrender, Resene Grey Chateau and Resene Iron, or Resene Triple Concrete and Resene Half Concrete.

You also have the option of just using the same colour for both the bricks and the weatherboards - the different types of cladding will alter the look of the colour so it may appear quite different on each surface.

Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
March 2016

Q. I would like a colour scheme that would go with Resene Lynchpin or Resene Bismark for an open plan modern home.

A. You might check out these colours - they all go well with the greyer toned Resene Lynchpin and the warmer sea green/blue of Resene Bismark - Resene Quarter Villa White (warm), Resene Alabaster (cool), Resene Explorer (deep) or Resene Blaze (bright accent).

Resene Lynchpin
Resene Lynchpin
Resene Bismark
Resene Bismark
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
Resene Blaze
Resene Blaze
March 2016

Q. We are building a new house and I'd appreciate some advice please. The brick we've chosen is Firth Manorstone Tranquillity Rumbled (sandstone sort of colour). Our roof will be COLORSTEEL® Ironsand and we're thinking also of going with Ironsand for our front and garage doors. The aluminium we've chosen is Matt Titania. We need to select a colour for the LINEA® board in the gables. What colour would you suggest? Additionally, internally I'd like plain white interior walls. Not a grey white. Perhaps something warm, but not too yellow. Or too green! There should be plenty of natural light inside as we have big windows and sliding doors throughout. I'd be grateful if you could please suggest a white you think would work with Matt Titania windows.

A. Are you wanting to use a deep colour on the LINEA®? Or a paler colour? You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Quarter Ironsand, Resene Quarter Masala or Resene Eighth Masala.

For the interior you could check out these colours - not too grey, green or yellow - perhaps they are the right 'white' for you - Resene Half Barely There, Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Merino or Resene Quarter White Pointer.

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Masala
Resene Quarter Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Eighth Masala
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter
White Pointer
March 2016

Q. What would be a nice yellow palette neutral that would match our Titania joinery please? We have a large airy room with honey coloured wood floor that faces south east.

A. A match to Titania is Resene Titania but if you want a yellow based neutral colour that will harmonise with Titania you could look at these ones - Resene Double Pearl Lusta, Resene Wheatfield or Resene Eighth Pavlova.

Any type of yellow seen in a south east facing room may pick up a little green edge to it so you may need to try several to find out what one doesn't 'sour off' too much.

Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Double Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Pearl Lusta
Resene Wheatfield
Resene Wheatfield
Resene Eighth Pavlova
Resene Eighth Pavlova
March 2016

Q. I have a big deck. I want to paint a three drawer metal filing cabinet (which I will use for outdoor storage) and a metal table which my small compact BBQ sits on. The filing cabinet and table will sit alongside each other. As the deck is big I think the filing cabinet and table could take quite a funky look. I am tending towards the filing cabinet being a glossy yellow and the table being a non-glossy red. I will probably have green herbs in pots sitting on the top of the filing cabinet. Do you have any suggestions? The backdrop to these is the brown/black COLORSTEEL® cladding on the wall of the house, and a raw timber deck. Also at the other end of the deck I have a large blue pot, and a small chair with blue canvas on it. The deck also has aluminium trimmings on the balustrade. It is a new build, with a funky modern look about it.

A. I like your ideas. If the furniture is metal you may need to do a bit of prep to get the surface ready for a new paint colour. A good scrub down with sugar soap and rinse well, Sand with 150-200 grit sandpaper. Dust off well. Metal primer coat - if the metal has had a powder coat paint finish you could use Resene Smooth Surface Sealer. Resene Enamacryl could be used for a really slick glossy paint finish.

Look at these funky yellows to see if they appeal to you - Resene Starstruck, Resene Spotlight or Resene Turbo. Reds for you to consider - Resene Smashing or Resene Poppy.

For a non-glossy finish you might consider Resene Lumbersider (same as most testpots) or Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel. Perhaps the herbs could be grown in small aluminium buckets to tie in the trimmings on the balustrades.

Resene Starstruck
Resene Starstruck
Resene Spotlight
Resene Spotlight
Resene Turbo
Resene Turbo
Resene Smashing
Resene Smashing
Resene Poppy
Resene Poppy
March 2016

Q. We have a new property with joinery in Silver Pearl. What do you recommend for the weatherboards?

A. You could try these colours as they go well with Silver Pearl - Resene Atmosphere, Resene Silver Chalice or Resene Half Tapa.

Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
March 2016

Q. We have a 14 year old Oamaru stone home. We are looking at repainting the walls and ceilings throughout our open plan living/kitchen/dining, and probably throughout the house. Currently there is Resene Sisal on the walls, and Resene Half Spanish White on the ceilings. We want a fresher look and one colour throughout the house. And also we would like to lighten the room so that we can see better, as we are getting older. We have rimu window reveals and skirtings, and cedar internal doors and would like a colour that enhances the timber, and yet looks sharp and contemporary. We would prefer the ceiling and wall colour to be the same, although that isn't vital, but if it were a close colour that would help.

A. It isn't just the rimu and cedar timber the new colour has to co-ordinate well with but all the flooring, curtains and furniture plus the kitchen cabinets and the work tops. For a lighter, fresher more contemporary look you might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you and look good with every other element in the house - Resene Rice Cake, Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream or Resene Half Merino.

Any of these colours could be used on ceilings as well as walls but this does make the colours seem a bit deeper. If you do want the house interior to look very light then I suggest you use a white like Resene Half Alabaster to add contrast, to enhance the wall colour and to make the rooms seem really light and bright.

Resene Sisal
Resene Sisal
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
   
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
March 2016

Q. We need to repaint our house - weatherboards, wooden joinery but not the roof. The joinery is going to be Resene Sea Fog. The roof is COLORSTEEL® New Denim Blue. We need advice on the weatherboard colour. We are a fan of greys, but can't find one that doesn't look dull or cold. Thinking about switching to something like Resene Linen.

A. If you are considering using Resene Linen a warm yellow edged green, it certainly would look lovely and fresh but possibly the joinery might need to be 'whiter' - less grey toned - to harmonise well. You might consider using Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Double Alabaster.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
COLORSTEEL®New Denim Blue
COLORSTEEL® New
Denim Blue
Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
March 2016

Q. We have just completed painting our office space in Resene Quarter Silver Chalice for the walls with some offices having a feature (whiteboard wall) in either Resene Curiosity or Resene Pelorous. The carpet is a dark grey with silver fleck. What colours would you suggest for soft furnishings like lounge chairs and meeting chairs? The new tables will be White with an option that some meeting tables would be white.

A. You might consider bold orange based reds or rich golds. If the fabric was multi coloured - stripes or spots - then both those colours could be present on a dark grey background which will link in the carpet colour. If you use The Range fashion colours as indicators of possible options then please do look at Resene Red Hot and Resene Starstruck.

Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
Resene Curiosity
Resene Curiosity
Resene Pelorous
Resene Pelorous
Resene Red Hot
Resene Red Hot
Resene Starstruck
Resene Starstruck
March 2016

Q. I have a forest green couch, teal ornamental fireplace and am about to put down carpet (most likely light/mid brown). I have a testpot of Resene Quarter Lemon Grass on the wall which is okay but want something a little warmer in this palette but that will still fit in with the green influence in the room.

A. The forest green and the teal are radically different types of green - are you wanting to introduce a third type of green? You mention a warmer green - so that would make the green yellower - is that what you had in mind? Perhaps look at Resene Secrets, Resene Harp or Resene Celeste.

Resene Quarter Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter
Lemon Grass
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
Resene Harp
Resene Harp
Resene Celeste
Resene Celeste
March 2016

Q. Can you please tell me what would be a good white to go with Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue? I'm planning on colour-blocking our dining room - with Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue running around the lower part of the room and the rest in white. I don't want anything too yellowy/creamy, but equally I don't want a white that is too stark. Our architraves and skirting are currently bare wood but I'm considering painting them too (not sure which colour yet - possibly the same white as the walls or Resene Alabaster).

Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue is such a delicate colour that any white has to be very white to work really well with it. If you are already keen on Resene Alabaster then you could use it for the walls as well as the woodwork. Alternatively you might consider a slightly warmer 'white' like Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter
Periglacial Blue
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
March 2016

Q. We are doing extensive renovations on our 9 year old spec-built house to make it 'ours'. The roof colour is COLORBOND® Surf Mist on the main house and COLORBOND® Woodland Grey on the new carport roof (so we don't get too much reflection off it into the new deck off the converted garage). We want to paint the entire house exterior render and weatherboards and would like some guidance. I like the idea of a darker feature colour on the new alfresco (Merbau timber deck) area pillars and walls under the flyover roof, probably leaning towards something like Resene Shale Grey for the main house render colour. Not sure for the weatherboards (which are only on the top half of the walls at the front of the house.)

A. The weatherboards could be a lighter colour - a bit similar to the roof - perhaps Resene Half Titania or a bit deeper - Resene Bone White. These colours work well with the house roof and the carport roof. If you wanted a greyer colour for the render - and deeper than the weatherboards - you could consider Resene Quarter Tapa or Resene Half Taupe Grey. A deeper colour for the pillars and walls under the flyover roof could be one of these - Resene Double Gravel or Resene Armadillo - these types of colours harmonise well with the roof colours. If you wanted a dynamic feature colour you could look at Resene Red Planet or Resene Intrepid.

Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Titania
Resene Bone White
Resene Bone White
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Armadillo
Resene Armadillo
Resene Red Planet
Resene Red Planet
Resene Intrepid
Resene Intrepid
March 2016

Q. Can you please tell me the best white colour match for Vantage Warm White Pearl Matt window joinery?

A. Because this colour has a slight pearlescent shimmer in it alters a lot in different qualities of natural light. This makes it a little difficult to exactly match to but you will be pleased to know that a formula match has been made that is listed under IPT Powder Coat - Warm White Pearl - at all Resene ColorShops. There are no testpots available for you to trial however. Possibly the smallest size available is a 1 litre or 2 litre tin. Alternatively if you wanted a slightly lighter colour or a slightly deeper colour that 'likes' Warm White Pearl you might check out these colours to see if they suit you - Resene Half Rice Cake, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream or Resene Merino.

Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
March 2016

Q. We have a lounge and dining area painted Resene Half Ash with Resene Quarter Wheatfield trim. The bedrooms are Lockwood timber which have wardrobes and ceilings painted in Resene Quarter Wheatfield. We would like to paint the timber walls in a light colour that co-ordinates with Resene Quarter Wheatfield. Is it ok to also paint the walls Resene Quarter Wheatfield or would you recommend something else?

A. Certainly you could paint the walls the same colour as the ceilings and woodwork. But if you wanted a slightly lighter colour you might use Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta, Resene Cararra or Resene Double Rice Cake.

Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
March 2016

Q. I live in a block of units. Recently we have painted the doors and frames of the units in Resene Gargoyle. The colour some like for the walls is Resene Double Blanc. I like that colour but am concerned that it might be a little light for cleaning purposes. It is a complex of 65 units over 5 floors. Most are rental units with people moving in and out quite a bit. No one is going to be going around and cleaning the walls! Can you advise what colours would match the doors we have already painted? We are going to get new carpet next year for the hallways. The colour we like for the carpet matches both the colours mentioned above. It is a dark colour with a light fleck.

On the ground floor we have relatively new tiles of a light colour. The above two colours match the tiles too. There is some brick work near the lifts on each floor which will be painted too.

Any suggestions? I think we will go for the colour used on the doors.

A. I don't think that Resene Double Blanc is too light - not if you compare it to most other neutral colours. If you wanted it to be a bit deeper you could check out Resene Triple Blanc to see if that was a better option. An exact match to Resene Gargoyle is Resene Gargoyle - are you sure you want the walls and the doors to be exactly the same colour? It will be very brown, quite deep and very muddy looking. Perhaps as a compromise you might look at Resene Half Malta or Resene Joss. For the brickwork near the lifts you might use a slightly lighter version of the door colour - Resene Half Gargoyle just to create a bit of a contrast. For ease of cleaning in the units perhaps using a washable low sheen water based enamel might be better on the walls - check out Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel. It dries quickly, is applied the same as any acrylic paint and resists more detriment and abrasion.

Resene Gargoyle
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Double Blanc
Resene Double Blanc
Resene Triple Blanc
Resene Triple Blanc
Resene Half Malta
Resene Half Malta
Resene Joss
Resene Joss
Resene Half Gargoyle
Resene Half Gargoyle
March 2016

Q. We are considering Resene Half Wan White for the walls and Resene Alabaster for trims in our beach house bedrooms and hallway. Is this a good combination? Should the ceiling be same as trims? We do not like cream colours.

A. You may see very little difference between these two colours. At most it will be very subtle. If this is what you are trying to achieve - then it is all good - but if you want a tiny bit more clean contrast between your walls and the woodwork and ceiling then you might use Resene Half Alabaster.

Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
March 2016

Q. Our new house is to be painted in Resene Dusted Blue on the vertical weatherboards and Resene Elephant on the Resene plaster system as the contrast. We are looking at Titania for the roof/guttering/garage door but are not sure.

A. I think Titania may be too strong to use with the soft muted Resene Dusted Blue unless you want a distinct yellow/grey element to your palette of colour. There is a new COLORSTEEL® colour called TuiTuft that could work. There isn't a huge selection to choose from in regards to powder coat colours and with soft blues and blue based charcoals you are at a disadvantage. White always works and though I have seen whites as powder coated windows - Pearl White and Appliance White - I haven't seen these whites used as garage doors. You may need to check what other colours your window and garage door people have available. Perhaps the garage door could be different to the windows and guttering?

Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Elephant
Resene Elephant
March 2016

Q. We are planning to paint our bungalow Resene Kensington Grey. Can you make a colour suggestion for the windows - they will be some kind of white. Also how about downpipes - do you think Resene Shark would fit with Resene Kensington Grey?

A. Resene Shark is a very nice charcoal and if you want to highlight the downpipes as a feature then it will certainly do that. Another really dark but slightly warmer charcoal that works well with Resene Kensington Grey is Resene Nocturnal. Whites that look good with Resene Kensington Grey are - Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Black White or Resene Half Wan White.

Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Shark
Resene Shark
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
March 2016

Q. We are doing a new kitchen which will be open plan with the dining room and lounge in a 1930s house. The floors in the dining room and kitchen are going to be polished wood and we are taking the window surrounds back also. The kitchen cabinets will be white and the bench top Caesarstone Nougat - white with grey flecks. Would Resene Foggy Grey or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey be ok for the walls especially with polished floorboards and windows? If so what would be a good colour for the splashback - maybe something in the blue or red range?

A. It would pay to test your colours carefully - all colours in an interior can look much deeper than you might imagine they will. If you paint all of the testpots - two coats- onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges so your eye focuses on the reality of the colour you would find it really helpful. Plus the super large card can be moved from wall to wall so that you can see how much it alters on different walls/different angles and in changing qualities of natural and artificial light. If you roll the card into a cone shape with the colour innermost and look into it you will see how deep the colour might look when all four walls were painted. Lighter colours may be better.

Blue splashback options - Resene Wanaka, Resene True Blue or Resene St Kilda. Red splashback options - Resene Shiraz, Resene Red Red Red or Resene Jalapeno.

There are two types of glass used for splashbacks - only one shows the colour true to reality. It is low iron oxide crystal clear glass. The other one - standard float glass - has a minty green cast and alters the colour seen behind it a lot.

Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
 
Resene Wanaka
Resene Wanaka
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene St Kilda
Resene St Kilda
Resene Shiraz
Resene Shiraz
Resene Red Red Red
Resene Red Red Red
Resene Jalapeno
Resene Jalapeno
March 2016

Q. We are trying to choose an internal wall colour to match the rimu timber in our 19 year old townhouse. We plan to have just one reasonably light wall colour throughout the house, but for the central hall, which does not get much light, we plan to just use a lighter version of that main wall colour. Our doors, door frames, lounge floor, skirtings, and window frames throughout are a polished rimu colour (yellow/brown?), and all the window and outside door joinery is Aluminium in New Denim Blue powder-coat. The ceilings we thought will be an even lighter version of the wall colour, or off white. The combinations we have tried are Resene Triple Rice Cake/Resene Rice Cake and Resene Thorndon Cream/Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream. Is it possible to have a slight green tint with rimu, instead of yellow ochre based tints of white, or is it risky? We would like it to look as fresh and elegant as possible but yellow tints don't seem to do that for us. Are there any well tried colours that complement natural rimu timber well?

A. The types of colours that you have tried do have a definite green undertone to them even though they are termed 'yellow' as in yellow ochre - Y in the colour code. Sometimes these types of colours slide off toward more green and are colour coded G – Resene Rice Cake and Resene Double Rice Cake are G coded. These are some that you might check out - Resene Half Villa White, Resene Half Cararra, Resene Cararra, Resene Half White Rock, Resene White Rock, Resene Coconut Cream, Resene Joanna and the lighter versions of this colour.

Greener colours (yes they still look yellowish in some lights) like these are worth looking at too - but all colours can double in intensity in an interior so it pays to know this well in advance of making decisions - Resene Zen, Resene Orinoco or Resene Half Coriander.

They work well with rimu - some better than others - dependent upon the quality of natural light and any other colours in the rooms that may influence them. Take your time to test them.

Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Cararra
Resene Half Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Half White Rock
Resene Half White Rock
 
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Joanna
Resene Joanna
Resene Zen
Resene Zen
Resene Orinoco
Resene Orinoco
Resene Coriander
Resene Half Coriander
March 2016

Q. I want to repaint the exterior of my house which is render plaster. However I am concerned about heat build up damaging the substrate by using too dark a colour. I like the darker colours and am looking at Resene Judge Grey. Would this be a suitable choice? What other colours could you suggest? The windows are Ironsand and the roof is Gerrard Teakstone. I am not sure what colour the cedar is. I am aware of the CoolColour option as well.

A. Is the rendered plaster over top of concrete block or a fibre sheet or polystyrene? If it is over concrete block the surface may be more stable and less likely to be jeopardized by dark colours/heat. But if it is the other types of substrate then you are very wise to consider how it may affect it.

Using a slightly lighter colour - i.e. Resene Sandstone or Resene Quarter Mondo which are both available as CoolColours and have higher LRVs may be a better option to reflect more heat than darker Resene Judge Grey.

Resene Judge Grey
Resene Judge Grey
Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Quarter Mondo
Resene Quarter Mondo
March 2016

Q. I've just bought a do-up that I need to paint urgently and start renting out. The walls of my previous home were painted in Resene Eighth Tea, with Resene Quarter Black White on the doors and windowsills and kitchen cupboards. I love Resene Eighth Tea as it's slight grey tone makes it more modern than a more yellow-toned beige and I found that artwork looked better against it. Is Resene Eighth Tea still considered a modern/trendy interior colour? I definitely want neutral walls to help the house look bigger and suit all furniture. Unfortunately the kitchen cabinetry is a pale cool-toned grey and the floor tiles are yellowy. Even in the bathroom there are pink and grey marbled tiles, yellowy-toned walls and the same yellowy tiles. Not a good colour combination! I can't afford to replace tiles or cabinetry at the moment, although I am replacing the current grey-blue carpet to a darker flecked grey-brown.

A. Resene Eighth Tea is a lovely colour - often under rated in its pink/grey tone. I think the colour would work in most spaces as long as it isn't right up against the walls tiles in the kitchen or bathroom. The reason I say this is because if the Resene Eighth Tea isn't absolutely perfect with the colours in the wall tiles it will be very noticeable and may look 'off' - and this will make both walls and tiles look bad and you may have to avoid looking at the floor tiles altogether. I think if you used Resene Half Black White in the kitchen and bathroom it would go with coloured wall tiles and coloured floor tiles. Then you can use Resene Eighth Tea on all the other walls/rooms where there are no coloured tiles to conflict with the wall colour and the new carpet will tie it all together.

Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter
Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
March 2016

Q. We have just bagged our 1949 brick house and need to choose an exterior colour. We are thinking an almost white colour that will show enough difference from the white windows and soffits and that will also work well with the Ironsand roof. The property can be quite shaded due to the surrounding trees so we do need a light colour to lift the place.

A. I think you need a slightly coloured 'white' as the main colour so that the white windows and Ironsand roof really stand out. You might check out these colours - Resene Half Albescent White, Resene Sea Fog or Resene Half Merino.

They are quite different to each other which may not be apparent when looking at small colour chips and like all colours on an exterior they will look lighter/whiter/brighter than you might imagine they will do. If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library and compare them to each other and to real Resene White then I think it would be really helpful and you can then judge better which coloured white to go with.

Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene White
Resene White
March 2016

Q. I have used your service before and was very impressed! Now for the exterior. We would like to paint the roof a grey of some sort and the same grey for chimney and white brick at the bottom of the house. Ideally we would paint the house a different colour but it doesn't need it yet so will work with what we have at present. We will also be painting the window frames white at some stage. What we would like to know is what charcoal grey colour would best suit the current green/yellowish existing colour to really modernise the look?

A. I can imagine a soft toned charcoal with interesting coloured undertones working for the roof but perhaps you might need a lighter colour for the white brick foundation of the house. If it is as deep a colour as the roof you might feel the house is squashed like a sandwich between the roof and the base. This would make the overall height of the house look much shorter in depth - is this what you want to happen?

Check out these colours for the roof to see if they appeal to you and look good with the existing colour on the house – Resene Half Gravel, Resene Fuscous Grey or Resene Grey Friars.

Lighter versions of the roof colours that you might look at for the base of the house, sides of the porch steps and chimney for you to consider – Resene Quarter Gravel, Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey or Resene Quarter Grey Friars.

Whites to work for all the joinery - surrounds, sashes and sills (any white surface at all - even the foundation of the house and chimney etc if desired) might be these ones – Resene Eighth Rice Cake (sharp/warm) or Resene Eighth Black White (sharp/cool).

Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
 
March 2016

Q. We are painting our home in the following colours - open plan living, dining, kitchen - Resene Double Truffle, bedrooms - Resene Eighth Napa. Can you please recommend a shade of white for the ceiling and skirts/cornices and window frames? Also, do you think the Resene Double Truffle will be too dark in such a large open space? There are plenty of windows and day light in this room.

A. No I don't think that Resene Double Truffle will be too dark in a large open space. Providing it is broken up with windows, furniture, mirrors, artwork and doors I doubt that you will see huge amounts of it in an unrelieved way. It is a light to mid tone - a warming colour with lots of ambiance - and if there are small people or animals at your house it won't show sticky finger marks or wagging tail marks too much. Some whites that you might check out that work with both of your colours are these ones – Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Half Black White, or a warmer white - Resene Quarter Albescent White.

Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
March 2016

Page 45

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