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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 46

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. 46

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


Q. We are planning to paint the exterior of a large plaster on solid concrete home in a bush setting with deep green manuka and other native vegetation. The tiled roof is dark grey and the aluminium joinery is dark brown 1980s vintage. What colour would you recommend and would you choose the same colour if you were planning to sell the property? I am interested to know your recommendation for a bush setting and whether particular colours are more popular.

A. Warm greys, taupes and stone colours are very popular. They could work well with the dark grey roof and the dark brown window joinery. Perhaps if you check out these colours to see if they appeal to you and whether they suit your environment it might help you come to a choice - Resene Eighth Friar Grey, Resene Truffle, Resene Eighth Stonehenge, Resene Half Ash, Resene Triple Sea Fog or Resene Quarter Taupe Grey.

Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Quarte Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
April 2016

Q. We want to update/freshen up/modernise the colour of our interior walls. We think they might be Resene Spanish White but whatever it is, it looks very yellow in the sunlight and particular in the evening with lights on. I believe the edges and door frames are to be done in white and I do like to have a slight contrast with them. I'm definitely not looking for a pristine looking white as we have lots of colour in the house with kids' toys and aren't minimalist.

The carpet is a mushroom colour and the curtains and blinds are a cream colour, which also increases the overall yellow glow of the rooms. I'm hoping that with a different lighter base they won't appear so yellow, or at least have some contrast. At present they almost look the same colour as the walls. We are hoping not to have to change them.

The lounge and dining area which link together have very different light. The lounge gets lots of north sun whereas the dining room that sits in the middle of the house gets very little as there is no direct light that comes into it.

I want a lighter white (I'm assuming warm white considering we live in Wellington) than Resene Spanish White but am not sure what to use considering the light difference. The other colour used in the house in the kitchen (all prior to us owning it) is Resene Double Spanish White which looks quite good. The laundry and bathroom are in Resene Rice Cake. The exterior of the house is Resene Coconut Cream with Resene Alabaster and Resene Lemon Grass trimmings.

I'd also like to use the chosen lighter white colour in the bedrooms (and possibly have a coloured wall in there whether it be a complementary paint colour or wallpaper) but I'm very unsure about colour schemes and DIY.

A. Is the kitchen open plan to the dining room? Or is it totally separate? The reason I ask is because of the kitchen colour - Resene Double Spanish White - which you say looks quite good. It is always a bit of a mission changing a few spaces and leaving the rest as is. There is the danger that the rooms will look disjointed and won't flow nicely one to the other in a cohesive way.

You might use Resene Rice Cake (or Resene Half Rice Cake) in the dining room to add a bit more light and (because it is a brighter room) you could use a soft grey/beige Resene White Pointer or Resene Quarter Truffle in the lounge which will contrast a bit more with the drapes and co-ordinate a little more with the fawn carpet. If all the white trims were changed to Resene Eighth Rice Cake this would maintain a crisp but slightly warmer white for all the woodwork. The bedrooms could be the same as the dining room also which allows plenty of opportunity for wallpaper or feature wall colours - which might be the soft greys, minty greens or any other colours at all that you favour.

That still leaves Resene Double Spanish White in the kitchen unrelated. Will you mind if it is the odd man out in the colour scheme?

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double
Spanish White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
April 2016

Q. We are going to paint our house in Resene Double White Pointer and would like the basement in a darker grey. What grey would work?

A. I am not sure how dark you want the basement grey to be but you might look at these greys to see if any of them appeal to you - Resene Half Masala, Resene Half Baltic Sea, Resene Gauntlet, Resene Gunsmoke or Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey.

Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
       
Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
April 2016

Q. I'd like to paint the walls in a spare bedroom Resene Quarter Surrender but am not sure what colour curtains and carpet I would need to match. The ceiling is white. Can you please recommend some colour matches for Resene Quarter Surrender?

A. It would always be difficult to 'match' (exactly the same colour) but if you wanted colours that might co-ordinate and work really harmoniously with Resene Quarter Surrender for the carpet there are a lot of options in the slate grey or charcoal colours. They would provide a bit of depth and contemporary smartness to the room. Curtains are a whole other ball game (so much is available) but from the Resene curtain range you could check out these fabrics to see if they appeal to you - Beacon - Colour Flame, Beyond - Colour Steel, Decode - Colour Spring, Garden Party - Colour Nautilus or Xpressions - Colour Charcoal.

Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Beyond - Steel
Resene Beyond -
Steel
Resene Decode - Spring curtains
Resene Decode –
Spring
Resene Garden Party Nautilus
Resene Garden Party -
Nautilus
Resene Xpressions Charcoal curtains
Resene Xpressions - Charcoal
April 2016

Q. We are doing a renovation, replacing our joinery with Matt Ghost Grey. We need to change the paint colour for the roof and fascia and cladding to match. What would you suggest?

A. Resene ColorShops have formula matches on file for Ghost Grey powder coat. You may need to identify which brand of powder coating the windows are as there are several powder coat companies and there are two formulas on file. It is a very pale colour and may appear a lot lighter on a roof depending upon the angle the roof presents to the sunshine.

Often people ask for a 'match' to a colour they have - when in fact they aren't asking for a 'match' (exactly the same) but a colour that will co-ordinate. If this is the case perhaps you could use a deeper colour than Ghost Grey so there is a tonal contrast instead of everything being the same. You could look at these colours - Resene Half Tuna, Resene High Tide, Resene Raven, and for very pale/whiter colours that might be used for trims, under soffits or cladding etc - Resene Quarter Surrender or Resene Black White.

Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene High Tide
Resene High Tide
Resene Raven
Resene Raven
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
April 2016

Q. I am thinking of doing my rebuild in Resene Half Tea in the lounge, bedrooms, hallway and stairway, and Resene Quarter Tea around door frames, doors, window sills and in the kitchen and bathroom. I'm having a grey carpet. Will Resene Half Tea and Resene Quarter Tea go with grey?

A. I don't see why a grey carpet and your lighter Resene Tea colours wouldn't work together but it does depend upon which particular grey you were considering. There are so many to choose from and some may be better than others. If you get several samples and take them to your home to view in daylight and night light and right up against the paintwork you may find a grey colour that suits. It is all about what looks good to your eye.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
April 2016

Q. We have a new home with exterior colours of Resene Fuscous Grey on LINEA® panel and Resene White Pointer on plaster. The house has a black roof and guttering. We want to match some colours to fencing that surrounds the house - both wooden and LINEA® fencing which surround a large aggregate paved area as well as gardens. We think we should stay with the same palette of colours as the exterior house paints but unsure whether to go dark or neutral on the fences. We are probably favouring a darker colour but all suggestions considered please.

A. One colour only for the fence - both the LINEA® and the timber - may look neater and simpler than two colours.

Your first option - for the dark look - is to have a black like the roof and the guttering. This could work well and if that was your preference then Resene All Black is an exact match to COLORSTEEL® Ebony aka Black.

If dark - but not black - is what you think may be better then using the same colour as on the LINEA® as a practical link colour - Resene Fuscous Grey.

Or deep but not dark - perhaps one of the lighter variants of Resene Fuscous Grey? There are two colours that you might check out - Resene Half Fuscous Grey and Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey.

Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
April 2016

Q. We have an old weatherboard farmhouse in a very green area due to high rainfall. It is in a hinterland area with views to ocean and rolling green hills. We need to paint the exterior but do not want to make the house look any smaller. An earthy neutral is what I am after that complements the landscape. We have painted the interior living room Resene Beachcomber. I was thinking of Resene Half Napa with a white trim.

A. The colour you are considering is lovely. You might also check out these two options - Resene Quarter Craigieburn or Resene Half Cougar.

It is a good idea to compare colours to make sure that the one you favour is absolutely right for you.

Resene Beachcomber
Resene Beachcomber
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Cougar
April 2016

Q. I am looking for a soft grey for a weatherboard bungalow. I have seen a painted house that I love the look of. They used Resene Grey Chateau with Resene Half Merino trims. They have a Grey Friars roof which is obviously perfect. My roof is Ironsand. Will Resene Grey Chateau go well with that or is there a similar but better option?

A. I think you have answered your own question. The grey must change because of the roof colour you have. Perhaps look at these soft greys - Resene Quarter Taupe Grey, Resene Quarter Napa, Resene Eighth Friar Grey or Resene Triple Sea Fog.

A white that will work with any of the suggested colours might be Resene Double Alabaster.

Or if you are really set on Resene Grey Chateau then you may need to repaint the roof Resene Grey Friars.

Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Quarte Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
April 2016

Q. What roof colour do you suggest to fit in with Resene Lemon Grass weatherboards and Resene Thorndon Cream windows? We are open to lighter or darker roof colours.

A. You do have a few options available - Resene Seaweed, Resene Ironsand, Resene Squall, Resene Touchstone, Resene Cathedral or Resene Overland.

Roof colours can often appear a little lighter than you might imagine.

Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Seaweed
Resene Seaweed
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Touchstone
Resene Touchstone
Resene Cathedral
Resene Cathedral
Resene Overland
Resene Overland
April 2016

Q. I have a COLORBOND® Mountain Blue roof, bronze anodised window frames. I want whitish trim (eaves, balcony, posts). What colour should I use for the render?

A. If you use one of these colours for the render so it ties into the bronze anodised window frames it may look quite appealing - Resene Eighth Arrowtown, Resene Quarter Craigieburn or Resene Tea.

A white for the trims might be one of these - Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Quarter Rice Cake.

Resene Eighth Arrowtown
Resene Eighth Arrowtown
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
April 2016

Q. I am working on creating a monochromatic paint colour scheme. I am using yellow based neutrals: Resene Sisal in the main kitchen and living area, Resene Half Sisal in the laundry and toilet and Resene Quarter Sisal in the study nook as it is small and is closed off by bifold doors. I am using Resene Half Rice Cake for the ceilings, trims and doors as it has a tiny touch of yellow to it. I am stuck on the feature wall colour as would like to use Resene Bokara Grey for this and as my accent colour as it is a neutral and apparently you are able to use Resene Black White and grey in these schemes. Would this fit in with a monochromatic scheme or would I be better to use another yellow based colour like Resene Stonewall?

A. I think the Resene Bokara Grey has enough yellow/red undertone in it to work really well with the Resene Sisal and Resene Rice Cake palette of colours. It creates a nice contrast and a bit of exciting depth. If you want a softer deep toned colour you might look at Resene Tundora.

Resene Sisal
Resene Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
Resene Tundora
Resene Tundora
April 2016

Q. We are building a new house with Monument roof tiles and gutter and the fascia and garage door are Surfmist with windows anodised aluminium. The fence is a light cream colour and the retaining wall charcoal. We are going to render the front of the house. What colour do you think would be nice? And for inside the house we are having light cream colour tiles and for the kitchen cabinets we want an off white. The formal and living area and the kitchen are open plan and quite a large area.

A. For the render on the house you might look at these colours - Resene Bone White or Resene Double Tea.

For the interior rooms you might check out these colours - Resene Tea, Resene Half Titania, Resene Half Spanish White or Resene Thorndon Cream.

Resene Bone White
Resene Bone White
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
April 2016

Q. I would appreciate some colour scheme advice for our bach. The walls are white which I'd like to keep; the joinery is bronze. I need ideas for the roof and trim to suit the walls and joinery.

A. You might look at these roof colours which hopefully will harmonise with the bronze joinery - Resene Ironsand, Resene Lignite, Resene Double Stonehenge or Resene Touchstone.

Lighter trim colours that may work with the pure white walls are Resene Half Napa or Resene Double Ash.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Lignite
Resene Lignite
Resene Double Stonehenge
Resene Double Stonehenge
Resene Touchstone
Resene Touchstone
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
April 2016

Q. I have a red/orange brick house and want to paint the doors and am unsure what colour to go with. There is blue close to the door which is a New Denim Blue, and the trim around the door is Resene Spanish White. What colours would look good on the doors?

A. If the deeper colour - New Denim Blue - and the lighter colour – Resene Spanish White - are staying then it does compromise your colour option choices for the door - a lot. Will you mind if the new door colour doesn't look good with them? Have you thought about changing the New Denim Blue to match the door frame (Resene Spanish White) as this will lighten/brighten the entry porch and highlight the new door colour? It is just a thought - but it could be a good thing to do.

Then you could have one of these colours for the door - Resene Tiki Tour, Resene Barometer, Resene Half Bokara Grey, Resene Tangaroa or Resene Red Berry.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Tiki Tour
Resene Tiki Tour
Resene Barometer
Resene Barometer
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Tangaroa
Resene Tangaroa
Resene Red Berry
Resene Red Berry
April 2016

Q. We are renovating our beach house which is weatherboard and painted in Resene Half Surrender. As it is close to breaking surf we have been advised to use anodised aluminium for the doors and windows. I was wondering how this would look with the Resene Half Surrender. At the moment we have white windows and doors which look good. I thought maybe another shade of grey may look better with anodised aluminium or maybe a white trim around the doors and windows.

A. Because of the crisp clean contrast of the white windows Resene Half Surrender will look divine. Very coastal inspired. Could you have newer white windows with your existing house colour? All windows - no matter what colour or type of metal they are - oxidise with the sun. You don't notice it too much if it is white or silver but deeper colours may show UV deterioration quicker.

You may find the anodised aluminium looks grey/yellow in some lights and makes the (Resene Half Surrender) house colour look 'not so good'. Greys that look good with it are Resene Eighth Tapa or Resene Silver Chalice. They look urban/smart with the anodised aluminium joinery.

Resene Half Surrender
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
April 2016

Q. We are building a new home, plaster finish, schist entrance and columns with gable ends in LINEA®. We are looking at Resene Cougar on the exterior walls, an Ironsand roof and Titania joinery. Could you please suggest a colour for the gable?

A. Possibly a lighter version of the roof colour might work - Resene Quarter Ironsand. Alternatively the same as the window joinery - Resene Titania might be an option. Lastly - a lighter version of the Cougar - Resene Quarter Cougar. These colours keep you tied into the palette of colours that you already have rather than introducing a random (unrelated) colour that might be a little discordant

Resene Cougar
Resene Cougar
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Cougar
April 2016

Q. I have new gutters and fascias in COLORBOND® Woodland Grey. My house is colonial style with camel colour brick and red brick quoins. I painted all the front window frames in Resene Woodland but I'm not in love with the result and want a stronger colour for the front door, maybe something quite dark, and something for the deck.

A. A quite dark colour that has a similar undertone to Woodland Grey (so they are happy to be seen close to each other) is a bit difficult as Woodland Grey has an olive green/brown undertone. Is that what you want to emphasise in a darker way?

You might check out Resene Zeus or Resene Karaka. A complement (opposite each other) of these types of colours takes you to earthy traditional red/cedar types of colours - Resene Woodsman stain - Oiled Cedar - or toning in with the roof and windows a bit - Resene Woodsman stain - Tiri. Is that what you want for the deck? If not then you might consider Resene Woodsman stain – Natural or Resene Woodsman Furniture and Decking Oil - so no colour but just emphasising the natural colour of the wood.

Resene Woodland
Resene Woodland
Resene Zeus
Resene Zeus
Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
Resene Oiled Cedar
Resene Oiled Cedar
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Natural
Resene Natural
April 2016

Q. We are painting the exterior of our ex state weatherboard house. We want to paint it a mid-neutral grey but there are so many options! I like Resene Atmosphere and Resene Stack. Other colours I've been considering are Resene Half Delta, Resene Half Silver Chalice or Resene Surrender.

Could you give any further guidance? e.g. is one warm, one cold, would any of the options look too green, lilac etc on a big scale? (I've seen some houses that look lilac when I'm sure they were going for grey!).

A. The colours that you have listed - Resene Surrender may throw a little cool lilac/blue. Resene Half Delta can throw a warm yellow (could look slightly green) grey. Resene Half Silver Chalice has a warm green (almost but not quite blue edged) undertone.

Resene Half Atmosphere has a yellow/green warmth to it and Resene Stack is the deepest of the colours and the most grey but it too has a warmth in it.

All greys carry multi colourants so they are a little bit grey and a little bit something else. I have identified the ones that are warmer (usually because they have a yellow ochre colourant in them) but they all can look lighter in a bright natural light situation - and this is something that can throw some people as they only see a small sample and don't realise that they may lose half the depth of the colour to the sunlight.

Testing colour by painting all of the testpot (two coats) onto very large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow white card border- so their eye focuses on the reality of the colour - and pinning it up on different sides of the house exterior to view it during the day light hours is the best way to judge colours. Colours also undergo change when seen in close proximity to another colour - all the more reason to take your time and get it right. Take nothing for granted and don't choose a colour based on how it looked somewhere else. Colours undergo change constantly - it has to look great at your place at least 85% of the time - yes there will be times during the day that you look at the colour and go 'no!' so 85% right is the nearest thing to perfect given the quixotic nature of colour and its ever changing relationship with light.

Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Half Delta
Resene Half Delta
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Half Atmosphere
Resene Half Atmosphere
   
April 2016

Q. I'm doing Resene Triple Rice Cake in the bedrooms with a darker grey carpet (Tephra, Simonton Beach, Mohawk Horizon Collection) and was wondering what white I would use for the ceiling and skirting boards/windows? In the bathroom I'm thinking of Resene Awash, in the hall Resene Rice Cake and in the lounge Resene Double Rice Cake. Again what white would you use for the trims, etc.?

A. You might use Resene Eighth Rice Cake which works well with your room colours. Alternatively if you prefer a cooler white you could use Resene Half Alabaster.

Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Awash
Resene Awash
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
April 2016

Q. I'm selling my house. What colour do I paint the inside of my conservatory?

A. Do you want it to co-ordinate with other rooms in the house to create a balanced harmony? Then if that was the case then more of the same may be a simple way to go. If however you don't mind then the following are some other suggestions that you might check out - Resene Unwind, Resene Bluegrass, Resene Pearl Lusta or Resene Clotted Cream.

Resene Unwind
Resene Unwind
Resene Bluegrass
Resene Bluegrass
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
April 2016

Q. I have a small 1860s weatherboard cottage in a large garden. I was thinking to paint it barn red with lots of white and a hint of grey trim. The cottage has a COLORBOND® Dove Grey roof. I'm concerned it will look too much.

A. It is a fairly traditional look using a barn red type of colour - Resene Red Oxide, Resene Scoria or Resene Red Planet - and as long as there is lots of white to break it up I can't see that it wouldn't work for you. If you use a grey trim colour it might pay you to use a match to the roof colour so it all ties together harmoniously.

Resene Red Oxide
Resene Red Oxide
Resene Scoria
Resene Scoria
Resene Red Planet
Resene Red Planet
April 2016

Q. I have a dining room wall painted half Resene Hokey Pokey and would like a richer mustard colour. What would you suggest? Is Resene Afghan Tan too dark? It is fairly large but not a light room.

A. I think Resene Afghan Tan may be too brightly a yellow/red and definitely twice as deep as you might imagine it will be. I wouldn't describe it as rich mustard at all. You might check out these rich mustard colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Tussock, Resene Twine, Resene Gold Coast, Resene Mandalay, Resene Pizza, Resene Hot Toddy or Resene Bittersweet.

All colours appear deeper (often twice as deep) in an interior so it would definitely pay to carefully test the colours before deciding on which one is mustard enough for you.

Resene Hokey Pokey
Resene Hokey Pokey

as half strength
Resene Afghan Tan
Resene Afghan Tan
Resene Tussock
Resene Tussock
Resene Twine
Resene Twine
Resene Gold Coast
Resene Gold Coast
Resene Mandalay
Resene Mandalay
Resene Pizza
Resene Pizza
Resene Hot Toddy
Resene Hot Toddy
Resene Bittersweet
Resene Bittersweet
 
April 2016

Q. We have a small 1963 home. Our hallway has natural light from other rooms opening on to it but no windows. I need a colour to paint it that tones with Resene Truffle in the lounge and Resene Periglacial Blue in bathroom and toilet. I tried a small sample of Resene Truffle but it came out very different to the lounge (a room with plenty of natural light) and the Resene Half Truffle almost seems too light for a wall that has three children running their hands along it! Also with this in mind, I'm unsure what type of 'gloss' level to use. We plan to re-carpet in a charcoal.

A. It is always tricky hoping our preferred colour will work equally in all spaces - because the very nature of colour (mercurial/affected by light/other colour influences and spatial dimensions) means it isn't ever going to oblige. As you have already noted the lounge (lots of natural light) and the hallway (not so much light and smaller in dimension) make the colour look less in every way. The half tone version of Resene Truffle may not be too light - colours always increase in their depth in an interior - so Resene Half Truffle may look like full Resene Truffle a lot of the time.

Test it carefully by painting a whole testpot (two coats) onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges. This helps you focus on the reality of the colour and the unpainted border holds it away from any existing colour that may negatively influence it. The card can be moved from wall to wall so you can see how angles/light alter your perception of the colour. If after testing you feel it has developed too much beige tone (compared to the lounge) then an alternative colour worth checking out might be Resene White Pointer which has a little more grey in it.

I would go ahead and use it in the hallway but I recommend using a paint that can be washed and is tough enough not to mind that type of clean up – Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel. It will look like the standard acrylic paint that is in other rooms but will perform better. I often refer to Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen enamel as 'mothers' delight' as it resists a lot of marking and is really good for cleaning. Children's rooms and stairwells (the walls in these spaces often have a permanent 'tide mark' from small fingers) are spaces that benefit from a tough finish in paint.

Using more sheen in a paint may be another answer . Do you want one space to be shinier than the rest of the rooms? If you don't mind (I think you will) then you might use Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel. Shinier paint surfaces usually means 'easier to clean'.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
April 2016

Q. I was wondering if you have any tips about painting over some scratches in a wall. We are about to move out of our house and need to paint a few little white spots where the paint has come off. We still have the paint and I tried the colour in a small spot. I am pretty sure it is the right colour but it seems a lot darker. So I guess the colour on the wall must have bleached over the past few years and got a lot lighter. Is there a trick to match the original colour to the wall again? Something like adding a bit more white, or a special painting technique?

A. If this is for interior painting I am surprised that the colour has changed so much. However with exterior colours the degree of change is related to exposure conditions and time. With an exterior colour there are changes in both colour and gloss level which can make touch up difficult.

Sorry but if there is in fact an extensive colour change then touch up of a small area is really not an option. In your case the only thing you can do is to carefully add white to the colour and see how close you can get. Or paint the full wall/room.

April 2016

Q. Will Resene Sea Fog trims go with Resene Half Tea walls?

A. Resene Half Sea Fog may be better than Resene Sea Fog if you want a clean crisp whiter contrast to enhance Resene Half Tea. It is a personal choice however - you may like the slightly greyer Resene Sea Fog with your wall colour.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. We want to change the colour of our 80 year old, two storey weatherboard house. The roof and front door are Grey Friars. The garden walls are Resene Half Napa. Currently we have Resene Quarter Ash on the weatherboards, but are thinking we would like to change to a light grey, with about the same colour intensity as Resene Half Ash. We have a large expanse of natural teak decking and sandstone coloured concrete around swimming pool etc. areas.

A. You might look at these soft toned greys to see if they appeal to you - Resene Concrete, Resene Quarter Silver Chalice, Resene Triple Sea Fog or Resene Half White Pointer.

Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
 
April 2016

Q. We are going to paint the exterior of our house. It was built in the 1890s. We want something traditional. We have recently replaced the decks and will let them age naturally. I like Grey Friars for the roof and was going to have Resene Double Merino for the walls but am worried it will look too white. I would like a chalky whitish grey but not too cold looking. I also need help with the trim.

A. You may find the Resene Double Merino is quite a light earthy yellow based colour - but not too white at all - but I am not sure I would describe it as a 'chalky whitish grey' at all. Colours that could best be described that way might be these ones – Resene Triple Black White, Resene White Pointer, Resene Barely There or Resene Whiteout.

Testing colours on an existing coloured surface - as your house colours are now - would be very misleading. It pays to test colours on a white background so you can see the reality of the colour. Paint all of the testpot (two coats) onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow unpainted border all around the edges. This unpainted white border helps your eye to see the true depth of the colour and acts as a neutral barrier between the existing wall colour and new sample. The card can be moved around onto all walls of the house so you can see how angles and different light aspects alter how the colour appears.

Taping the super large sample of colour on the house wall means that you can see it from a distance as well as close up - this is very helpful so you aren't confused about what the colour truly looks like.

Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Whiteout
Resene Whiteout
April 2016

Q. What colours would go well with Resene Wood Bark on a house exterior with Resene Gauntlet on the roof?

A. It depends on what parts of the house and how large an area is being painted. Is it trims around windows? Doors? Barge boards? Is it the window sashes?

You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you and are appropriate for the areas being painted – Resene Sea Fog, Resene Triple White Pointer, Resene Wimbledon, Resene Red Berry, Resene Koru or Resene Explorer.

Resene Wood Bark
Resene Wood Bark
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Wimbledon
Resene Wimbledon
Resene Red Berry
Resene Red Berry
Resene Koru
Resene Koru
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
April 2016

Q. I'm looking for a colour to match a CMYK colour our graphic designers are using for a museum exhibition. Do you have CMYK colours in your range or can this be done?

A. You can look this up on our website to find similar Resene colours. Paint colours don't normally perfectly match CMYK (different colour systems) so we recommend that you view physical swatches of the colours to check they suit.

Go to www.resene.co.nz/findacolour and then type in the CMYK you are looking for. Then click search and it will bring you up recommended similar colours.

April 2016

Q. We are looking for a white to paint our interior. We are in an old bungalow that has yellow lead light windows over the windows. Can you suggest a white for us to look at which wouldn't enhance the yellow tinge that the room gets? Currently it's painted in a dark tea of some sort which I really don't like and I often see a pink tinge in it which may be from the windows. This space gets all the afternoon sun... so as you can imagine the yellow windows give off a very yellow glow!

A. If the yellow glass was always covered it might make a difference to how wall colours are seen in the room. If roman blinds were hung slightly above the yellow glass and could be dropped a little to cover the glass this wouldn't make a great deal of difference to the quality of natural light that you get in this room - apart from stopping the yellow glow. The late afternoon sun (westerly) is a warm red based natural light which also has a direct bearing on how colours are seen in this room - this is the pinkish tone that you see. The walls may also have a lot of shadow on them that will make colours look slightly deeper or greyer too.

A white of any kind would have to be tested very carefully because of the (yellow) glass, the natural (pink) westerly light aspect and the (grey) shadow.

Perhaps you could look at these colours – Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream, Resene Half Merino, Resene Quarter Albescent White or Resene Quarter White Pointer.

All colours in an interior have the definite potential to look twice as deep as you might expect them to look. So even though these are quite 'white' they may look like a deeper version of the colour. This is the quixotic nature of colour.

Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter
White Pointer
April 2016

Q. I'm painting my interior walls Resene Triple Rice Cake (all except bathroom and laundry which are Resene Delta). My skirting and architraves will also be Resene Triple Rice Cake but what colour/s do you suggest for internal doors and ceilings?

A. You might consider either of these colours – Resene Eighth Rice Cake - warm/mellow or Resene Alabaster - slightly cool/crisp.

Both are good 'whites' that would work well with your colours.

Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Delta
Resene Delta
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
April 2016

Q. We have a new two storey house that has a master bedroom and living area/kitchen/bathroom upstairs. This main living area is now painted in Resene Triple Sea Fog with Resene Alabaster on the ceiling and trim/doors. I would like to use different colours in different rooms, two of which are downstairs and quite dark bedrooms (not much light). There is a separate lounge area downstairs too. I just don't know what colours will flow with the already painted room upstairs and how to carry it into the bathroom, master bedroom and down the stairs? I think downstairs I should use Resene Half Alabaster on the ceilings. Would you agree? The exterior is Resene Regent Grey with Resene Alabaster soffits.

A. I think I agree with you in regard the Resene Half Alabaster being used on the downstairs ceilings and possibly all the woodwork as well to brighten up these spaces.

If you used a lighter version of the Resene Triple Sea Fog - i.e. Resene Sea Fog - it will allow you more freedom to choose any colour (or wallpaper) to enhance the rooms you mention. Some rooms - like the downstairs lounge - may benefit by using a rich warm colour to make it more appealing. This particular room might look stunning with a little wallpaper in it - a touch of luxe - but don't forget the furniture, flooring and drapes are coloured so a very light main colour allows for that without clashing.

Bedrooms - which as you note are quite dark - might need warmer/brighter drapes, bed linen and accessories to make them seem lighter and warmer. It is not always the wall colours that need to 'pop' unless you really want that to happen.

Children's rooms could have painted furniture or a feature wall in bold colours if you have small people with definite ideas about what they like. As I said the lighter version of the upstairs colour allows you total freedom to explore options like that as well as increasing the lightness of the rooms.

Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. I have a 1930s house and have used Resene Topspin in my hallway with Resene Alabaster on the ornate plaster ceiling and Resene Bianca gloss on the picture rails, skirting boards and architraves. I have built a new room which opens up from the Resene Topspin hallway. I would like to keep the colour light and fairly neutral. The new room has a servery through to a kitchen, and many timber windows that will be painted Resene Bianca. Could you recommend a wall colour that would suit the Resene Alabaster, Resene Bianca and opening up from the Resene Topspin hallway?

A. Light and fairly neutral might be one of these colours - all of which work with your existing colours – Resene Double Bianca, Resene Orchid White, Resene Clotted Cream or Resene Eighth Pavlova.

Resene Topspin
Resene Topspin
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Eighth Pavlova
Resene Eighth Pavlova
 
April 2016

Q. We are redoing our kitchen. We have a 1920s house with lots of beautiful rimu windows and matai floors. The benches will be Caesarstone Ice Snow and the cabinetry will be Melamine Titanium. Our current walls are Resene Half Spanish White (as is pretty much the rest of the house) but we would like to change this to some colour that won't clash with the Resene Spanish White as our kitchen/dining is open plan. So do you have any suggestions for a neutral classical wall colour and also a splashback colour? We have taken your advice before and found it awesome.

A. You might consider a soft greyed colour - this would work well with the new kitchen and still relate to the Resene Half Spanish White in the other rooms. You could check these colours out to see if they appeal to you – Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene Double Black White or Resene Quarter Silver Chalice.

A splashback colour needs to be a lesser element in the room I think because the new worktops, cabinets and all the lovely wood are the 'eye worthy' things and having another feature may tip the balance from gorgeous to OTT.

The simple classical splashback might be to just use crystal clear low iron oxide glass (has to be this one not the standard float glass which is greenish) over the wall colour - so not a colour feature just a protected splash area. Alternatively you could use white subway tiles (traditional) as the splash area.

Always remember you can accessorise the kitchen with funky fun or antique things that are colourful to lift the look in the kitchen but you can't as easily get rid of a 'oh wow!' coloured splashback if it is suddenly not trendy any more or you just tire of it.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
April 2016

Q. We are building a house with a Windsor Grey longrun roof and joinery in Arctic White or Matt Appliance White. I think I prefer Arctic White because it's less yellow. We are looking for a clean contemporary mid grey colour for LINEA® cladding. Do you have any suggestions? We would like to get a clear contrast between the dark roof, mid grey walls and pale windows.

A. It has always been my thought that Arctic White is a cool blue toned white and suits cooler greys. Appliance White is a slightly soft but warm white - it doesn't throw a blue undertone in colour the way Arctic White does and therefore goes with a larger amount of other colours.

If you like Arctic White for the joinery you might look at these greys that look really smart with it – Resene Half Tuna, Resene Raven, Resene Regent Grey, Resene Quarter Grey Friars, Resene Grey Chateau or Resene Triple Concrete.

Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Raven
Resene Raven
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
 
April 2016

Q. I am doing an achromatic colour scheme of black and white in an open plan house. I have chosen a feature wall in the open plan living area - Walltrends III 9448-49. Could you recommend some wall colours to complement this - whites/greys? I have used a wallpaper Komar Photographic Vol 14 8-740 on the staircase wall in the main kitchen/living area and would like to bring in some greys for the kitchen island unit and shelving and lighter greys for the kitchen cupboards.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they are what you want - Resene Alabaster, Resene Half Barely There, Resene Barely There, Resene Half Baltic Sea or Resene Blackjack.

Wallpaper Resene Walltrends III 9448-49
Wallpaper Resene
Walltrends III 9448-49
Komar Photographic Vol 14 8-740
Wallpaper Komar
Photographic Vol 14
8-740
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Blackjack
Resene Blackjack
 
April 2016

Q. I am looking for a co-ordinating paint colour for Resene Half Tea. My bedroom needs a feature wall. The bedspread and curtain colours are grey, silvery blue and black.

A. Resene Half Tea is a very obliging and flexible neutral that works well with a huge amount of colours.

Some ideas to get you started – Resene Bellbottom Blue, Resene Blue Moon, Resene Quarter Foundry, Resene Half Bokara Grey or Resene Meridian.

You might find it easier to pop into a Resene ColorShop with your bedspread or curtain and view the whole range of greys, blues, silvers and blacks so that you can be totally assured the colours relate well to each other and to your main wall colour.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene  Bellbottom Blue
Resene Bellbottom Blue
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Meridian
Resene Meridian
April 2016

Q. My brother and I are assisting our dad to move into a villa in a retirement village. Before he moves in we want to redecorate: complete interior paint job, new carpet, new curtains, tiles for the bathroom toilet and laundry floors, and tiles for a new shower. It's very hard to know where to start and we are hoping you might help us! It's a typical 1989-built 2 bedroom house, brick and tile exterior, largely open plan living area. Dad will want neutralish colours, and will want to keep the overall effect pretty light.

A. I think the best place to start is by choosing carpet and other flooring (e.g. kitchen floor) first then tiles for the bathroom, toilet and laundry floors - they must all like each other and co-ordinate well together.

Next would be the curtains - which also have to look good with the flooring.

All these new things may need to work really well with any existing things -i.e. kitchen cabinets and kitchen work tops - that are already in the villa - as well as any furniture your father has now that he is fond of and wants to keep - so it is really important that they all look really good together.

The painted walls, ceilings and woodwork come last of all. There are possibly 100s of neutral options to choose from. You can choose much easier if you are matching the new things that you have already made decisions about. Paint colour is like the last bit of the jigsaw puzzle.

If the rooms are shabby or very coloured already and it is making it difficult trying to envisage the whole new scheme and how it might come together then you could undercoat all surfaces in white so it shows off any other (possible) colours really well.

April 2016

Q. Are you able to recommend a colour for my back door - maybe something red? I've just about finished painting the exterior of my house - the walls are white. The window trim is Grey Friars and Resene Stack. The roof tiles and gutters are Grey Friars.

A. There are so many reds - all of them are gorgeous - so these are just a few that you might check out to see if one of them appeals to you – Resene Red Letter, Resene Jalapeno, Resene Smashing, Resene Pohutukawa or Resene Red Red Red.

Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Red Letter
Resene Red Letter
Resene Jalapeno
Resene Jalapeno
Resene Smashing
Resene Smashing
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Red Red Red
Resene Red Red Red
April 2016

Q. I have just bought a three bedroom 1930s villa. It seems to have a gritty plaster effect on all interior painted walls, like rough sandpaper, that I think I'm just going to paint over. Might this be a problem? Also I want a colour palette that is neutral, easy and bright to help make smaller rooms look bigger. The only colours it has to match is a white ceiling and polished matai wood floors. I was thinking Resene Cut Glass. Any thoughts?

A. The rooms may have been painted with a Suede finish - a silicate sand finish with a paint effect colour over it to create the Tuscan look. It takes a lot to sand it all off and I do understand you thinking that the simple thing would be to paint directly over it. You will always have this sandy/suede finish - no amount of paint will hide that. I don't think it would be a problem painting over it - but if you are worried doing a small test area (behind a door perhaps) with a testpot would put your mind at ease.

A neutral colour would certainly enhance beautiful woodwork. Neutrals are colours that are hard to define and very versatile like white, cream, beige, taupe and grey - they allow any other colours to work with them whereas Resene Cut Glass is a blue colour and possibly would be a little more difficult to mix and match other colours with - apart from whites and blue toned charcoals. If you want a cool, watery, coastal inspired theme throughout the house then it would work well.

Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
April 2016

Q. We have bought this house recently and are trying to make it look more modern by painting the roof, gutters and panelling under windows. We are struggling to find colours to match as the brick is kind of yellowish. We don't want a really dark roof because we have raked ceilings and don't need the extra heat attraction. We have been looking at colours like COLORBOND® Slate Grey but are not sure whether that would look ok and what colours to go with it.

A. Greys are a good idea as long as they are stony coloured (a little yellow in their undertone) so that they work well with the brick. You could use exactly the same colour for the roof, guttering and panelling or a slightly deeper colour for the roof and lighter for everything else - it is your choice. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Atmosphere and Resene Gauntlet, or Resene Half Friar Grey and Resene Double Friar Grey, or Resene Delta and Resene Half Chicago.

Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Double Friar Grey
Resene Double Friar Grey
Resene Delta
Resene Delta
Resene Half Chicago
Resene Half Chicago
April 2016

Q. Our house has a COLORSTEEL® Lichen roof and is clad in Shadowclad® painted Resene Double Tana. We need to repaint our house. Can you suggest another colour that would look good with Resene Lichen and has a LRV of about 40-45%?

A. With the LRV between 40-45% you are limiting (a lot) your colour options. If you want the maximum allowable depth for the Shadowclad® then these few colours might be worth checking out - Resene Double Sisal - LRV 46, Resene Double Pavlova - LRV 40, Resene Triple Akaroa - LRV 40, Resene Half Craigieburn - LRV 44, Resene Double Truffle - LRV 44, Resene Napa - LRV 40, Resene Quarter Arrowtown - LRV 44, Resene Grey Olive - LRV 41 or Resene Double Ash - LRV 44.

COLORSTEEL® Lichen
COLORSTEEL® Lichen
Resene Double Tana
Resene Double Tana
Resene Double Sisal
Resene Double Sisal
Resene Double Pavlova
Resene Double Pavlova
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Half Craigieburn
Resene Half Craigieburn
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Quarter Arrowtown
Resene Grey Olive
Resene Grey Olive
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
 
April 2016

Q. We are painting our bungalow Resene Quarter Delta with Resene Alabaster box corners and window frames. We'd like to use a dark charcoal/black colour on the full window sills and front door to provide a contrast and break up the grey (our roof is also grey). We're having trouble finding a shade that has some depth but without a blue or mauve tinge. We're considering Resene Foundry and Resene Cod Grey. Can you suggest anything better?

A. You might check out Resene Baltic Sea and Resene Bokara Grey. If you pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the large real paint A4 sheets of colour in their Colour Library and compare all the dark colours you might be better able to see the underlying tints and tones in the colours and by comparing one with another you could better judge what the colours are truly like.

Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Cod Grey
Resene Cod Grey
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
April 2016

Q. We have moved into our new home but the walls are painted yellow. We have reduced the brightness of the yellow with black leather sofa with reddish pillow and throws. The tiles are white with a light grey marble look. What colour will go over if I do a sea sponge effect on the walls? And the skirtings are wooden in colour. What colour can I paint them, also including doors which are also wooden?

A. Because of the extreme brightness of the yellow wall colour any sponge effect will still 'inherit' that colour through any other colour applied over top of it. A sea sponge paint effect is a diluted colour (50:50 colour and clear glaze) so has a translucency and, as a 'for instance', if you used a blue it would look green over the yellow, a red would look orange and a cream would look yellow, a grey would look greenish and a green would look yellow greenish.

The strong yellow will make its presence known whether you want it to or not. I suggest if you don't like the yellow you paint over it in a white undercoat to remove that colour and then start with a sponge effect over that rather than over the yellow. If the doors and skirting boards are wood that has been stained and varnished you may need to use Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer on the varnish, then an undercoat – Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat is good - and then two topcoats of whatever colour you favour in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel. Take your time to find the right neutral colour - after the white undercoat is applied you might like to leave it for a few days while you test several colours to see if they work for you and co-ordinate with the tiled floor. You will notice a huge difference in the room once the yellow has been painted over - i.e. lighter/larger - and it will allow you time to make the important colour decisions.

April 2016

Q. We have a 100 year old return villa. The exterior is Resene Half Ecru White and the windows and frames are white. If we painted the roof, that is currently a horrible mustard colour, in Resene Ironsand would it work?

A. Yes it would work. Resene Ironsand is a lovely warm charcoal that has an olive/brown undertone. It looks very smart with Resene Half Ecru White and Resene White.

Resene Half Ecru White
Resene Half Ecru White
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene White
Resene White
April 2016

Q. I am looking to paint the weatherboard exterior of a new house. The door is going to be bright turquoise. I like a beachy, coastal look.

A. You could try Resene Triple Sea Fog used with (lighter) Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Half Thorndon Cream used with (lighter) Resene Quarter Rice Cake or Resene Half Albescent White used with (lighter) Resene Quarter Bianca.

Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
   
April 2016

Q. One bedroom wall is Resene Bilbao, the others neutral cream. What colour curtains should I go for?

A. The simple (goes well with anything) option would be to have curtains very similar to the main wall colour. If you were keen on exploring bolder colourful patterned curtains they would have to feature in a much smaller way a little of a colour (like a small splash) as similar as possible to Resene Bilbao - this might be very difficult to find - not impossible but just very time consuming.

The more colourful patterned option would add a lot of excitement and visual interest to the room and if everything else was very very plain it could be rather nice.

Resene Bilbao
Resene Bilbao
April 2016

Q. I have replaced my roof in Ironsand. What colour would advise painting the weatherboards?

A. Ironsand is an obliging and versatile olive/brown based charcoal colour and these colours are a few (of many) that will work well with it - Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Quarter Craigieburn, Resene Quarter Friar Grey or Resene Ash.

Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
April 2016

Q. Our 45 year old house was painted in Resene Double Tea about 15 years ago. We have a mixture of old bronze coloured joinery and new Bronco coloured joinery. We are about to have the dichromatic tile roof recoated and white spouting replaced. We would like to paint the exterior and drag the old place into today with some fresh but lasting colour. I was going to go for charcoal roof and matching guttering, and a less brown and lighter version of Resene Double Tea for the exterior. Are you able to advise please?

A. The new Bronco joinery does control what might be used on the house as it is a distinct brown colour. So - perhaps a 'less brown version of Resene Double Tea' might be one of these colours - Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene White Pointer, Resene Triple Merino or Resene Quarter Craigieburn.

You may find that using a bit more charcoal - same as the roof colour - adds a bit more dimension and style to the house - had you thought of that? Perhaps on something like pillars, deck balustrades or the garage door?

Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
April 2016

Q. I have Resene Jigsaw in the family bathroom and ensuite. What colour would complement it in the master bedroom? It is basically north facing and will get lots of light; the ceiling colour is Resene Half Black White.

A. What works with your existing flooring, drapes and bed linen may compromise your choices a little bit. You could try these colours - Resene Double Rice Cake, Resene Green White, Resene Rum Swizzle, Resene Pale Leaf or Resene Kumutoto. For a soft coral and mango inspired red - because red is the natural complement of any green - Resene Glorious.

Resene Jigsaw
Resene Jigsaw
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Green White
Resene Green White
Resene Rum Swizzle
Resene Rum Swizzle
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Glorious
Resene Glorious
April 2016

Q. I will be having a largely black and white themed bathroom with the vanity being a black granite slab and the shower and corner spa bath in white. The flooring is a light creamy wood look flooring. Which greens/blues would be suited in this area? I am only planning on painting a few walls in colour and the rest in a shade of white.

A. You don't indicate in your query what type of green/blues you are interested in - bright, deep, muted or pastels. Here are a few to check out that are across the spectrum - Resene Retreat, Resene Blue Chill, Resene Norwester, Resene Half Baked, Resene Ziggurat, Resene Morning Glory or Resene Cut Glass.

All colours seen in interiors have the potential to look twice the depth that you might imagine. Please take the time to test colours carefully.

Resene Retreat
Resene Retreat
Resene Blue Chill
Resene Blue Chill
Resene Norwester
Resene Norwester
Resene Half Baked
Resene Half Baked
Resene Ziggurat
Resene Ziggurat
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
 
April 2016

Q. Our metal garage double door is painted what we believe is Karaka green. Is it just the usual Karaka green fence paint we use on this and what size pail would you recommend we buy?

A. Your garage door may be powder coated in Karaka and depending how old it is, the colour may have changed over time. We have a paint colour called Resene Karaka that is matched to the same colour as COLORSTEEL® Karaka which tends to be used as a powder coating colour. If you see the Resene Roof Systems chart you can see the Resene Karaka colour and it is available in testpots that you can try (suggest you get a standard Resene Lumbersider testpot if you want a low sheen finish or a Resene Summit testpot if you want a higher sheen).

Most paints cover around 11-14 square metres per litre and you normally need two coats. Depending on the size of the garage you may need 2-3 litres depending on the exact door size. You may also need a primer.

Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
April 2016

Q. Our house is yellow brick (I think it is Kowhai). The aluminium joinery and roof are Karaka. We have a very large deck area and we want to stain or paint it. Could you please advise what colour we should choose?

A. A stain is a very natural look for a deck. You might look at these colours - they are earthy and greenish like the windows on the house. Try Resene Woodsman Stains Resene Touch Wood and Resene Grey Green or Resene Furniture and Decking Oil - this isn't a colour, it is a protectant that imparts a lightly oiled look.

A paint finish on the deck - especially a very large deck - may create a very heavy block of colour but it is a very personal choice. Perhaps one of these might suit you - Resene Evolution or Resene Half Arrowtown.

Resene Touch Wood
Resene Touch Wood
Resene Grey Green
Resene Grey Green
Resene Evolution
Resene Evolution
Resene Half Arrowtown
Resene Half Arrowtown
April 2016

Q. I am looking for some 'ceiling paint colour/type' advice please. I have spent 10+ years renovating (and repainting with Resene paints) a large 1930s house in Wellington, and have two Resene Cararra ceilings that I am about to get 'touched up' (plaster wise) and then painted.

The rest of the house has been in Resene Spanish White tones (quarter on ceilings I think), but the two rooms with the plaster ceilings are on the darker side of the house, so I want to ensure I go reasonable bright, but not too white.

Could you suggest a light white colour that would match in with the existing Resene Spanish White colours, that would help brighten the rooms, but not be too stark white?

Also, I have had one quote from a painter, and he has suggested using an oil based paint. What product do you recommend from the Resene range that gives a 'not too glossy' ceiling finish that I could suggest they use?

A. You might use either of these 'whites' - the first one is a warmer white and the other is very slightly less so - Resene Half Bianca or Resene Alabaster.

They are not pure white and it is my belief that they will add a lot of light and crisp cleanness to the rooms.

There is a product called Resene Ceiling Velvet which is a matt oil based paint that may be exactly what you are looking for.

Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
April 2016

Q. I have a 70s weatherboard house with an iron roof and a very low brick base. The original windows were replaced 15 years ago with brown/bronze aluminium. Would you be able to recommend a suitable colour scheme for the roof, weatherboard, brick base, door, front steps, sills etc? I am struggling to have anything work with the joinery.

A. If you use a deep bronze toned brown/charcoal like Resene Ironsand or rich metallic brown like Resene Metallic Bronze for the roof it will help to tie in the existing joinery.

For the main weatherboard colours - and these might also include the base of the house if you don't want to highlight it as a feature worthy of attention - these might appeal to you - Resene Quarter Grey Olive, Resene Caraway, Resene Half Foggy Grey, Resene Bison Hide or Resene Double Thorndon Cream.

The porch and steps might be one of these colours - Resene Quarter Ironsand, Resene Gauntlet, Resene Sandstone or Resene Quarter Evolution.

The front door should be a feature to draw the eye away from the bronze/brown joinery – you could try Resene Seaweed, Resene Madam M, Resene Barometer, Resene Half Bokara or Resene Regatta.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Metallic Bronze
Resene Metallic Bronze
     
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
Resene Caraway
Resene Caraway
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Quarter Evolution
Resene Quarter Evolution
 
Resene Seaweed
Resene Seaweed
Resene Madam M
Resene Madam M
Resene Barometer
Resene Barometer
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Regatta
Resene Regatta
April 2016

Q. My husband and I have bought our first house – it has pink weatherboards and a COLORBOND® Classic Cream roof. We are trying so hard to find an exterior colour to match the cream roofing. We like greys but don't like greys with a blue undertone. Do you have any suggestions as to what we could paint the house?

A. The following colours are some that you might look at to see if they appeal to you with the very definite yellow cream of the roof etc - Resene Foggy Grey, Resene Half Taupe Grey, Resene Half Friar Grey, Resene Half Stonehenge or Resene Half Stonewashed.

Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonewashed
Resene Half Stonewashed
April 2016

Q. I am refurbishing a laundry/utility room in our arts and crafts home (built 1912). I have in mind a sage green colour for the bank of cupboards along one wall - and perhaps Resene Half Thorndon Cream for the walls (there will be white ceramic tiles above the stainless steel bench). Any suggestions for an old fashioned, dull, sage green (the sort of colour that might have been in the house 100 years ago)?

A. This warranted a trip to my herb garden to pick some sage and compare it to various green colours that Resene has. These are a few that you could check out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Rivergum, Resene Spanish Green, Resene Xanadu or two that are more like dried sage (duller green) Resene Ravine or Resene Cabbage Pont.

I hope this helps - it all depends however on how the colour looks in the laundry with the other colours. Testpots are your best friend.

Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
       
Resene Rivergum
Resene Rivergum

half strength
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Xanadu
Resene Xanadu
Resene Ravine
Resene Ravine
Resene Cabbage Pont
Resene Cabbage Pont
April 2016

Q. I am looking for a sage green for our bathroom walls. I have tried Resene Ottoman and I don't mind it but I feel it is a bit grey. The window surrounds are painted Resene Eighth Spanish White. Also looking for a complementary darker colour for the doors and as it's a 60s house I want a really bright colour for the cupboards.

A. Sage greens are greyish greens - are you sure this is the type of green you are looking for? The window surround colour - Resene Eighth Spanish White - is a warm almost peachy cream so you might need a slightly more developed type of colour rather than the cool whiter colour - Resene Ottoman - that you have tried. Bathrooms aren't usually bright sunny rooms - often their size and the quality of natural light makes colour look shadowy. You might need to look at several different types of green to see if they appeal to you - Resene Surf Crest, Resene Symphony or Resene Pale Leaf.

For cupboard doors you could look at these complementary (opposite of the green - i.e. red) colours - Resene Mexican Red, Resene Apple Blossom or Resene Sunglo. These three colours were incredibly popular in the 1960s.

Resene Ottoman
Resene Ottoman
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth
Spanish White
Resene Surf Crest
Resene Surf Crest
Resene Symphony
Resene Symphony
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Mexican Red
Resene Mexican Red
Resene Apple Blossom
Resene Apple Blossom
Resene Sunglo
Resene Sunglo
   
April 2016

Q. I'm about to paint our small cloakroom and adjoining guest toilet. I'm thinking a fun feature wall where the coats hang, painted in Resene Hullabaloo and the rest (opposite walls and bathroom walls) in Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue. Do you think these colours work well together? We live near the sea and we are going for coastal blues, whites and sandy colours throughout. We are also about to paint our front door a vivid turquoise. We like Resene Seeker and Resene Toto but wonder whether Resene Endorphin may be cleaner. Is Resene Seeker the same colour as Resene Scooter?

A. Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue will appear a lot greyer when seen with the much brighter Resene Hullabaloo which is really clear and bright with a very subtle green undertone.

Resene Seeker and Resene Scooter aren't the same colour - the colour codes indicate that Seeker is brighter/cleaner and Resene Scooter is slightly softer/muted.

Resene Endorphin is lighter/softer than Resene Scooter and Resene Seeker. Resene Toto is the palest - it is a mid-toned pastel not a clear/ bright colour.

If you pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library and compare the colours you would very easily see their differences.

Resene Hullabaloo
Resene Hullabaloo
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter
Periglacial Blue
   
Resene Seeker
Resene Seeker
Resene Toto
Resene Toto
Resene Endorphin
Resene Endorphin
Resene Scooter
Resene Scooter
April 2016

Q. I'm painting my walls Resene Black White. What is the best white to paint ceilings, doors, and window frames etc?

A. Any of these 'whites' will work for you - Resene Eighth Black White, Resene Half Alabaster or Resene White.

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

Q. What is the best Resene match for Appliance White used for aluminium joinery?

A. Resene has colour matches to most powder coat colours in its tinting system. Be sure to tell them which powder coat brand you have used for your joinery as there may be several that are similar.

April 2016

Q. I want to paint the outside and roof of my stucco house. I really love the colour Resene Masala for the outside. I also want white window and door frames and to paint my roof a grey charcoal colour. Can you suggest a complementary colour that will go with Resene Masala or a similar grey colour?

A. Resene Masala is a murky grey brown with undertones of olive. It is quite deep and I definitely recommend that you get the re-formulated CoolColour™ version of the colour to minimise heat and U.V. problems that can occur. Another colour that you might like to check out for the house is Resene Wireless. A dark roof that would work really well with Resene Masala is Resene Ironsand as it has similar undertones of colour. Another possibility for the roof is Resene Windswept or Resene Nocturnal.

Resene Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Wireless
Resene Wireless
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
April 2016

Q. I am using Resene Duck Egg Blue on the walls of my kitchen and Resene Quarter Rice Cake on the ceilings, windows and trims. I would like to use something a bit creamier for the kitchen cabinets. It is a re-purposed solid wood kitchen. I want to paint it to make it into a farmhouse look with butler sink and range.

A. You might check out these creamy tones to see if they appeal to you - Resene Double Rice Cake, Resene Pearl Lusta, Resene Villa White or Resene Clotted Cream.

Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
April 2016

Q. If I paint my 1954 mid-century modern house in Resene Ajay can you recommend some contrasting colours in yellow for the doors? The trim would be a black/white.

A. Any of the Moonbeam palette could appeal to you - Resene Moonbeam, Resene Half Moonbeam or Resene Quarter Moonbeam. Or much deeper – Resene Chenin or clearer/bolder - Resene Witch Haze.

Resene Ajay
Resene Ajay
Resene Moonbeam
Resene Moonbeam
Resene Chenin
Resene Chenin
Resene Witch Haze
Resene Witch Haze
April 2016

Q. We have purchased a house which we are doing up. The inside will be polished floorboards and white high gloss kitchen and we are thinking Resene Half White Pointer walls. Our big problem is what colour to paint the bricks outside? The windows are white aluminium.

A. You don't indicate in your query what type of colours you have a preference for on the exterior. You could try - Resene Triple White Pointer, Resene Mountain Mist, Resene Quarter Sandstone, Resene Triple Truffle or Resene Friar Grey.

Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
   
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Quarter Sandstone
Resene Quarter Sandstone
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
April 2016

Q. I am trying to settle on an exterior plaster paint colour. My roof is COLORSTEEL® Slate and windows Metro Electric Cow. I also have Wood-X Benmore cedar cladding. I am after a white that is not too stark, too yellow, too green or too cold. What would you suggest? I am thinking between Resene Double Merino or Resene Double Blanc but worry that the Resene Double Blanc may appear too muddy in low light?

A. Resene Double Blanc is much warmer (yellow/pink in its undertone) than Resene Double Merino which is a beige/green crossover neutral. All double formulas are a little deeper in colour - this could equate to 'muddy' in tone.

You could check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half White Pointer or Resene Quarter Truffle.

Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Blanc
Resene Double Blanc
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
April 2016

Q. I have a late 1920s character home with white roughcast and timber walls, white wooden window frames, and clinker brick feature corners and detailing on the ground level. The second storey has dark brown tiles on the walls. I want to repaint the house with colours that are more complementary to the clinker bricks. I was thinking of a charcoal colour for the bottom (replacing the forest green), a beige colour to replace the white walls and have no idea for a colour for the second floor.

A. Are the 'tiles' on the upper storey wooden shingles that have been stained? Or painted? Either way it would definitely pay to know what the coating is so that you could make the right decision for recoating with the appropriate system.

If you use a complex beige for the main body of the house and a warmed charcoal for the base of the house so they tie in harmoniously it could be good. You could try Resene Sandspit Brown, Resene Half Tea or Resene Eighth Napa. And darker for the base of the house - Resene Half Ironsand, Resene Masala or Resene Half Fuscous Grey.

A stain option for the shingles – try Resene Woodsman Tiri or Resene Woodsman Banjul. For a paint option you could use the same as the base of the house or lighter versions of those colours.

Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
   
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Banjul
Resene Banjul
April 2016

Q. What accent colour is compatible with the main shade of Resene Thorndon Cream?

A. Here are a few suggestions - Resene Vanquish, Resene Scaramanga, Resene Barometer, Resene Wireless, Resene Matchmaker, Resene Seaweed or Resene Atomic.

Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Vanquish
Resene Vanquish
Resene Scaramanga
Resene Scaramanga
Resene Barometer
Resene Barometer
Resene Wireless
Resene Wireless
Resene Matchmaker
Resene Matchmaker
Resene Seaweed
Resene Seaweed
Resene Atomic
Resene Atomic
April 2016

Q. I can't decide on what colour looks best with a COLORSTEEL® Ironsand roof and brown aluminium frames. I am looking for a light colour - and looking at something that will contrast nicely with what I have. I'd love a blue house but changing the colour of windows is not an option due to budget.

A. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Eighth Pravda, Resene Truffle or Resene Half Napa.

All of these are smart contemporary colours - not too beige and not too grey toned - and they work well with the Ironsand and the brown windows. Why don't you paint a few chairs for the deck in a gorgeous blue so that you get the blue your heart wants?

COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Eighth Pravda
Resene Eighth Pravda
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
April 2016

Q. I was thinking of using Resene Half Linen. We are renovating and putting in black aluminium windows with a grey carpet. Would Resene Half Linen work or have you another suggestion? I am so confused, we want something neutral and warm.

A. It really is all about carefully testing the colour and seeing how it responds to changing light and other colours in the rooms. If you paint all of the testpot (two coats) onto large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and leave a narrow unpainted border all around the edges you will have a large enough sample to truly judge the colour. The plus factor is that this sample can be moved from wall to wall/room to room and you can see what it looks like in all spaces. If you roll the card into a cone shape with the colour innermost and look into the cone you will see the colour a bit deeper - this will be how a whole room of the colour will look. It is especially important that you view the colour with a large sample of the carpet and drapes. Colours change - often radically - when seen with other colours. Testpots applied the way I have indicated are the best means of knowing how something will look.

Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Linen
April 2016

Q. I am looking for a green for my kitchen walls. I know now that anything with too much blue doesn't work. Example Resene Ash looks grey. Resene Lemon Grass and Resene Kangaroo look too blue. Resene Half Hillary is getting there but too heavy. I gathered I need a yellow undertone. So should I try Resene Quarter Hillary? The hilarious thing is I thought that Resene Half Hillary would be great for the end wall. Not so, it just looked like Resene Kangaroo! It's a villa with polished floors and lots of rimu around. I need a warm but non-intrusive green, otherwise will revert to our yellow which we need a change from.

A. Resene Quarter Hillary is a good one to test but you might also check these colours as well - Resene Eighth Hillary, Resene Moon Mist, Resene Half Coriander, Resene Orinoco or Resene Zen.

In an interior all colours can appear a lot deeper than you might imagine they will so though these are light they will appear to have more depth when all four walls are painted.

Resene Ash
Resene Ash
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Kangaroo
Resene Kangaroo
Resene Quarter Hillary
Resene Quarter Hillary
Resene Half Hillary
Resene Half Hillary
Resene Quarter Hillary
Resene Quarter Hillary
Resene Eighth Hillary
Resene Eighth Hillary
Resene Moon Mist
Resene Moon Mist
Resene Coriander
Resene Half Coriander
Resene Orinoco
Resene Orinoco
Resene Zen
Resene Zen
       
April 2016

Q. We want to repaint the exterior window trims on our 1920s bungalow. The weatherboards have been recently repainted and are Resene Linen. The colour on the window trims is currently Resene Pearl Lusta but we want something a bit more white looking without being too bright, and we want the colour to go well with the Resene Linen.

A. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you - lighter version of Resene Pearl Lusta such as Resene Half Pearl Lusta or lighter slightly green edged off whites - Resene Quarter Joanna, Resene Quarter Ecru White or Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.

Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Joanna
Resene Quarter Joanna
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
April 2016

Q. I am trying to decide on a colour to paint the walls in my lounge. I want a warm light colour. I need to work from our carpet which is chocolate. I have tried a few colours such as Resene Coral but still feel it can be a tad lighter.

A. A few 'tad lighter' colours for you to consider are Resene Parchment, Resene Half Akaroa or Resene Half Sisal.

Resene Coral
Resene Coral
Resene Parchment
Resene Parchment
Resene Half Akaroa
Resene Half Akaroa
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
April 2016

Q. Currently we have a COLORBOND® Dune roof, Jasper gutters and Jasper veranda posts. We need to repaint the weatherboards. Perhaps Surfmist?

A. The colour you mention - Surfmist - may be a little too grey/ yellow. Perhaps you might look at these colours as they all look really nice with the Dune and the Jasper colours - Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Half Titania or Resene Quarter Fossil.

Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Titania
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Quarter Fossil
April 2016

Q. May I ask what colours would best suit our render, fascias, eaves, windows and gables? We have just had a roof restoration done in zincalume. Would you paint or leave the brickwork?

A. You don't indicate what types of colours you favour for the exterior of the house so I have taken the liberty of a light and/or a mid tone colour. I think I would be inclined to leave the brickwork - at least until everything else was completed. Reason - sometimes it is much later that you feel you do want to make a change.

Render option to lighten the house - Resene Spanish White, or render option to add depth to the house - Resene Half Nullarbor. For window sashes and doors try Resene Half Bokara Grey (dark option) or Resene Quarter Spanish White (light option).

For fascias and under the eaves try Resene Quarter Spanish White and for gables - Resene Half Bokara Grey.

Are you planning on painting the zincalume roof? If you are painting it – for a deep option you could try Resene Tundora or for a lighter option - Resene Groundbreaker.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
 
Resene Half Nullarbor
Resene Half Nullarbor
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
 
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Tundora
Resene Tundora
Resene Groundbreaker
Resene Groundbreaker
April 2016

Q. We are going for an all-white beach house feel, cool, not warm, but not too cold. I am thinking Resene Black White would be good?

I am considering the following: COLORBOND® Shale Grey/Gull Grey roof, Resene Double Black White exterior weatherboards, Resene Black White interior walls, Resene Quarter Black White ceilings, eaves, doors, cabinets, and Resene Eighth Black White (skirtings, cornices, architraves). Is this the right approach? Is there enough contrast between the quarter and eighth strengths?

I also need a dark charcoal/black and looked at Resene Blackjack but it may be too dark. Is there a good alternative that is grey not brown?

A. I think your colour ideas are great. The only reservation I have is in the interior - personally I would have the same colour on the ceilings and the woodwork - Resene Eighth Black White. Colours in an interior can look deeper than you might expect them to look and nowhere is this more apparent than on a ceiling. So if you did use Resene Quarter Black White on the ceiling a lot of the time it would look like Resene Half Black White - do you want a greyer ceiling or a whiter ceiling? Resene Blackjack is a little too dark. You could look at softer/charcoal blacks like Resene Nocturnal or Resene Foundry.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter
Black White
Resene Blackjack
Resene Blackjack
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
 
April 2016

Q. I am looking for a colour that I can paint throughout my home that I can accent with wallpaper feature walls. I'm starting in the laundry with charged oak cabinetry and a speckled grey white benchtop. One of my big daughters wants gold featured wallpaper, another big girl teal and one a fun wallpaper for a little girl (6 year old). At the moment the carpet is a smoky blue but hopefully we will get to recarpet and it will be in charcoal tones. I'm thinking of Resene Black White and Resene Half Alabaster for trims and ceilings to be versatile and give some uniformity. In the girls' rooms they will have all the same coloured curtains - probably grey. We also have white radiators on the walls so want something light so these blend in.

A. I think the colours that you have mentioned would work with just about any other colour. Test the Resene Black White by painting up a large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges so that your eye focuses on the reality of the colour and move the card around from wall to wall and room to room. This is the very best way to see how it will look.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
April 2016

Q. I am looking to paint the exterior fencing and the gutter covering. I would like the colour of the gutter covering to be close to the roof colour, which I think is grey/green. I think I would like the fence in the same colour as the gutter covering, or some complementary colour.

A. Because of the matt finish over the textured tiles on the roof it may be difficult to match exactly the grey/green colour. You might check out these colours which could be sympathetic and 'like' being close to the roof colour - Resene Dark Slate, Resene Mangrove, Resene Easy Rider or much lighter - Resene Ravine.

The fence colour could match to guttering or you could try a similar colour but perhaps a bit darker - Resene Black Forest or Resene Woodsmoke.

Resene Dark Slate
Resene Dark Slate
Resene Mangrove
Resene Mangrove
Resene Easy Rider
Resene Easy Rider
Resene Ravine
Resene Ravine
Resene Black Forest
Resene Black Forest
Resene Woodsmoke
Resene Woodsmoke
   
April 2016

Q. I have a 1930s bungalow and I am painting the lounge, sunroom and hallway. The carpet is a textured neutral (light beige). I am painting all the window frames, doors and frames, skirting boards in a white colour. The ceiling has the brown square beams and this is all being painted white also. I would like to go with a grey/beige colour scheme. I want a wall colour that is a light neutral beige with a hint of grey. I want reasonably light and bright, especially for the hallway. I have looked at Resene Quarter Akaroa. What grey/beige would you suggest? Also, what white would you suggest for frames/skirtings/ceilings?

A. I am not sure I would ever call Resene Quarter Akaroa a grey/beige. It is far too creamy. If you compare it with these colours - which are beige with undertones of grey in them - then you will see what I mean - Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene White Pointer, Resene Eighth Bison Hide and Resene Half Tea. Whites that you might check out - Resene Eighth Rice Cake, Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Quarter Merino.

Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
     
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
 
April 2016

Q. We have selected Resene Diesel for dark beams for our Tudor style house. We are looking to use a grey colour for the walls: stucco and board.

A. Because Resene Diesel is such a rich warm toned black shade you might need to consider warmer greys so there is a co-ordination. Try Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Double Concrete, Resene Eighth Friar Grey, Resene Silver Sand or Resene Pale Slate.

Resene Diesel
Resene Diesel
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Pale Slate
Resene Pale Slate
April 2016

Q. I am renovating an 1886 cottage. The exterior is a buttermilk sort of colour (Resene colour, label says 'something' white) and I'm stuck on the roof colour. I have tested Resene Karaka, Resene Grey Friars and Resene Nocturnal.

A. I think your house may be painted in Resene Colonial White. I like both Resene Grey Friars and Resene Nocturnal - very smart and timeless. If you don't like these colours then perhaps you could check out Resene Tuna or Resene High Tide.

Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Colonial White
Resene Colonial White
Resene Tuna
Resene Tuna
Resene High Tide
Resene High Tide
April 2016

Q. We have a small stucco single level 1940s house and are looking at painting it black with white windows, with a black awning over the windows. Can you suggest colours in the black and white range?

A. You might check these colours out - Resene Bokara Grey with Resene Quarter Merino, Resene Double Cod Grey with Resene Black White, Resene Double Foundry with Resene Sea Fog, Resene Nero with Resene Wan White, or real black and real white - Resene Black with Resene White.

Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Nero
Resene Nero
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Black
Resene Black
Resene White
Resene White
   
April 2016

Q. We are adding a second storey to our house and are going to render the top only (the bottom is brick), and also one big wall at the front of the house that goes from the top down to the ground which will have a window next to it. The roof is terracotta. We don't know what colour render to use. Our windows are mixed – some are brown and some are white.

A. Are you changing the windows so that they are all one colour? With the brick lower part of the house and the terracotta roof it might be wise to consider a warm toned neutral colour so there is a co-ordinated harmony.

You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Pearl Lusta, Resene Double Bianca or Resene Half Fossil.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Half Fossil
April 2016

Q. We want to choose a colour for our new front door. We are thinking of matching to the roof which is New Denim Blue.

A. If you want to match (exactly the same colour) as the roof then it would be Resene New Denim Blue. Similar colours - but not an exact match - are these ones - Resene Tuna and Resene Half Foundry. I do recommend that you use the Resene CoolColour™ reformulated version of these deep colours to minimise - as much as possible - the extreme heat that deep colours attract to the surface of the timber.

Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene Tuna
Resene Tuna
Resene Half Foundry
Resene Half Foundry
April 2016

Q. Please advise: does Resene Periglacial Blue work with Resene Quarter Grey Friars?

A. It is a soft relationship - neither colour being dominant. If you want a muted greyed outlook then yes they work. It depends also on where you are using the colours. If the deep colour was darker (full strength) or the light colour was lighter (half strength) it might appear more balanced and provide more contrast.

Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
April 2016

Q. We own a 1980s Signature home which we love but feel it is bland and nondescript. I would like to modernise it and paint the exterior a dark colour. I really like Resene Bokara Grey for example. My window frames are a dark brown aluminium joinery (which I really don't like) and my roof is black and soffits are white. Can you suggest some dark colours for my house and trim please? My garage is also the same colour as the house; the garage door is dark so maybe we would need another colour on that? Our pipes are painted copper.

A. Resene Bokara Grey is a popular black shade. I do recommend that you use the CoolColour™ re-formulated version of any really dark colour to try and minimise as much as possible the extreme heat that the surface of the house will attract. Other really dark colours that you might consider are Resene Monkey or Resene Ironsand. Perhaps instead of the white for under the soffits you could use a warmed neutral - i.e. Resene Merino. The garage door colour is a little bit of a quandary - perhaps you could do it the same as the main colour so it doesn't look 'off' - it will make it disappear into the main garage a bit but you might use a glossier paint (such as Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel) so that the sheen level is the only difference - not a colour difference.

Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Monkey
Resene Monkey
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
April 2016

Q. We are doing up a 1960s weatherboard house near the sea for rental. The exterior is Resene Silver Chalice, which we like. We need to replace the roof and are considering Colorcote Grey Flannel or Grey Friars (though think a bit too dark/green). Sandstone Grey (Resene Gauntlet) is too close to the Resene Silver Chalice colour. Wondering if a grey blue might work too, though would prefer a dark grey contrast.

Also, we want to paint the interior a safe neutral. We always use Resene Pearl Lusta but wouldn't mind something a bit different (perhaps a more grey neutral than a yellow neutral). The existing colour is something like Resene Double Pearl Lusta so don't want it to create extra work by going for something too different. We are looking at Resene Half Tea, Resene Quarter Tea or perhaps Resene Truffle. Any ideas that would also complement the exterior (if that matters) would be much appreciated. The house gets a lot of natural light inside.

A. Resene Gauntlet (match to Sandstone Grey) has a bit warmer grey/beige in it compared to Resene Silver Chalice which is more yellow/grey stone coloured. If you are considering a Colorcote powder coat coloured roof then Grey Flannel does look quite nice with your main house colour. Grey Friars is a grey with a steel blue undertone. If you wanted a darker grey - by comparison to these two colours - then you might look at Colorcote Flint or even Colorcote Slate. For the interior you might look at these colours - as well as the ones you have mentioned - Resene White Pointer, Resene Double Concrete or Resene Double Sea Fog.

Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. I loved how Resene Milk White looked in a friend's kids' room but it is very different in test patches in my boys' two rooms. One room faces north and it does look Resene Milk White but in the other room it looks pale blue! Is there a better white with the same warmth I could use for the east facing room? Also if I used this in a west facing room would it change it again? These are all light rooms with generous windows.

A. Resene Milk White has an underlying cool tone that can throw a mauve or blue undertone in certain lights - I suspect this is what you are seeing in the east facing room. All colours will change - sometimes quite radically - when used in different rooms as the different spatial dimension coupled with the different aspect of natural light (N/S/E/W) as well as any different colours within rooms has the ability to alter colour. The same colour in a different room is a different colour. You may need to carefully test several colours to see how they respond in different rooms. These ones are worth considering - Resene Quarter White Pointer, Resene Half Merino or Resene Sea Fog.

Colour is mercurial and very complex. Because of this ability to alter, it sometimes doesn't 'play nice'. Sometimes what you have seen somewhere else doesn't always make it right in another situation.

Resene Milk White
Resene Milk White
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter
White Pointer
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. I want your thoughts on whether this will work. We are using Resene Quarter Bianca for architraves and doors, and Resene Eighth Rice Cake for the ceiling. I love aqua blues etc so was thinking of doing the west facing master bedroom in Resene Opal, the next bedroom (also west facing) in Resene Cut Glass and the third bedroom (on the corner of the house so west and south facing) in Resene Tranquil.

A. These are delightful colours. Others of a similar type are these ones - Resene Half Opal, Resene Breeze or Resene Foam. It is good to compare similar colours so that you can be certain that the ones you favour are the best.

Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Opal
Resene Opal
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Tranquil
Resene Tranquil
Resene Opal
Resene Opal

as half strength
Resene Breeze
Resene Breeze
Resene Foam
Resene Foam
   
April 2016

Q. We are currently renovating our entire home and deciding on paint colours. I would like to use a light warm grey colour not a blue tone as the house is older and I want it to feel warm. We have painted the bedrooms Resene Quarter Truffle (is this a warm light grey?) and the ceiling/trim and doors in Resene Half Sea Fog. The curtains are a dark grey and so is the carpet. We are looking for a paint colour to go in the lounge and in the bathroom, laundry and hallway.

A. Resene Quarter Truffle is a soft warm light taupe (not brown enough to be a true beige and not grey enough to be a stony colour) and it is lovely especially when associated with Resene Half Sea Fog. A greyer type of colour (light and warm) might be one of these ones - Resene Flotsam or lighter - Resene Half Flotsam or Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene Triple Black White – or Resene Half Mountain Mist or Resene Half Truffle.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Flotsam
Resene Flotsam
Resene Half Flotsam
Resene Half Flotsam
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Half Mountain Mist
Resene Half Mountain Mist
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
April 2016

Q. We are in the process of building a house and we are looking for a colour for our kitchen splashback. The interior is predominantly tones of grey. The carpets are a charcoal and the kitchen cabinetry is a glossy charcoal. The walls are Resene Half Black White with Resene Alabaster trim. The tiles on the floor are a concrete look. We have quite a bit of orange accents around our current very open plan house and thought it would be nice to pick that up in the splashback but the colour orange itself would be very bright (I'm not so sure such a strong colour would be a good choice and I'm not big on bright colours). Someone mentioned copper, then we could pick up the copper in the lampshades over the kitchen area. Resene Copper Fire looks quite dark though. Should we stay with a muted colour/shade? We are also very aware that there might be too much grey around the house.

A. One option is to use a thin sheet of copper as a splashback. A little Brasso once a month, polished off will keep it looking very nice.

An orange colour behind glass is the other option but as you have reservations about 'too bright' you might look at these options - Resene Fire, Resene Rock Spray or Resene Tandoori. And of course there is the metallic (very sparkly) copper- Resene Copper Fire. Normally I recommend crystal clear low iron oxide glass over colour so you see it absolutely true to reality but sometimes standard float glass which has a greenish cast makes very bright paint colours like orange look a bit more muted and slightly less OTT.

Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Copper Fire
Resene Copper Fire
Resene Fire
Resene Fire
Resene Rock Spray
Resene Rock Spray
Resene Tandoori
Resene Tandoori
April 2016

Q. I want to oil a piece of driftwood... it's a tiny project so a testpot would do for it, but I'm wondering what to use. I want it like a stain, quite a dark colour.

A. The Resene Woodsman exterior stain colours are available as testpots. They are waterborne oil stains. Each testpot covers quite a large area depending upon the type of wood and how absorbent it is. I think the first step is to pick up the Resene Timber Stains colour chart and look at the deeper colours so you have some idea of what is available.

I would do a 'sample' bit of (other) driftwood first to make sure the colour is exactly what you want and how many coats you might need.

April 2016

Q. I have a very large open plan lounge/dining with beautiful sarked ceilings. While we have a lot of windows, because we are surrounded by bush, it is quite dark so I would like some suggestions as to what colour I could paint to make it look lighter.

A. You may need to consider colours that are warm but whiter to enhance what natural light there is. These ones might be worth checking out – Resene Half Pearl Lusta, Resene Quarter Wheatfield or Resene Double Bianca.

Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Double Bianca
April 2016

Q. For a feature wall special effect I'm using a colour palette prepared by a Resene consultant which includes a feature wall colour of Resene Clay Creek. If I rag or rag roll to enhance the effect, can I use a lighter shade of the basecoat rather than a shade darker?

A. Yes you can definitely use a lighter colour over Resene Clay Creek - it will give you a much softer look. Is that what you want to achieve? I suggest you look at Resene Chino - this will add a little brightness - or Resene Parchment - this will add a muted/dusty look. Usually the colour is modified by adding it to Resene Paint Effects Medium, which is a clear acrylic glaze - this creates a soft translucent (cloudy) look.

Resene Clay Creek
Resene Clay Creek
Resene Chino
Resene Chino
Resene Parchment
Resene Parchment
April 2016

Q. We have a painted cedar house. It is currently dark green, with bronze aluminium joinery and a Karaka COLORSTEEL® roof. We are going to repaint and are looking for colour choices that would work with existing roof/ joinery. We were leaning toward either dark charcoal, or a light grey like Resene Half Gauntlet or Resene Stack. We are also surrounded by native bush and have natural wood decks.

A. I have reservations in regards to using the very contemporary and urban inspired charcoals and greys that you mention as they are so unrelated to either the roof colour or the window joinery colour. Are you wedded to the idea of a grey?

Alternate greyed earthy tones (not exactly grey) that may work for you are these ones - Resene Squall, Resene Half Gravel, Resene Taupe Grey, Resene Foggy Grey, Resene Eighth Gravel or Resene Triple Sea Fog.

COLORSTEEL® Karaka
COLORSTEEL® Karaka
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Eighth Gravel
Resene Eighth Gravel
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
 
April 2016

Q. We are after a French Country look and like Resene Linen for a green. What is the blue in a similar shade? Also, what's a good trim colour? Something light? We were thinking Resene Pearl Lusta?

A. A lighter version of Resene Pearl Lusta will add a bit of crisp contrast and enhance both the green and the blue - i.e. Resene Half Pearl Lusta. You might check out these blues to see if they appeal to you – Resene Spindle, Resene Shinto, Resene Nepal or Resene Botticelli.

Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Spindle
Resene Spindle
Resene Shinto
Resene Shinto
Resene Nepal
Resene Nepal
Resene Botticelli
Resene Botticelli
April 2016

Q. I am in the midst of redecorating. I want to use Resene Sea Fog for the walls. I thought I might like to use another contrast colour with it. What do you suggest? I am keeping the concrete wall natural. I am also going to put in a white kitchen bench and stainless steel bench. The ceiling is planked. We live by an inlet so we do see the sea, some of the time.

A. Seeing as you are embracing a lot of white and neutral tones (concrete wall) you might use a deeper version of Resene Sea Fog to maintain a really simple tonal look - i.e. Resene Triple Sea Fog.

You still have the planked ceilings to add the natural warmth of the wood and with the tonal 'coloured white' and the pure white of the kitchen cabinetry it could look very light and spacious in a contemporary way.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
April 2016

Q. I want to paint my deck. I have dark green aluminium window frames with cream cladding. There is no colour on the roof yet. Any ideas?

A. You do need to think through your options and the look you want to achieve before choosing a deck paint colour. For instance you could paint the deck in a lighter version of the green window colour. Do you know which green powder coat colour it is? Or after choosing the roof colour you do the deck in a slightly lighter version of that colour. Those are simple ways of co-ordinating the colours on the house. If you choose to paint the deck in a random unrelated colour it may always look as though you started a new colour scheme (by painting the deck) but haven't got around to changing the house colour yet.

April 2016

Q. My dilemma is that I have a new build - the home's style is traditional, in a beautiful country setting. The main cladding is Monier clay brick and the secondary cladding is board and batten. The front and garage door are cedar. The roof is Ironsand and is already on, the joinery is anodised silver with 'green tinted' glass and already fabricated. I need to make colour selections that will blend with the roof and the joinery - this will be the direction I will go with for the brick.

I need a main colour (that I will choose close to, for the brick) and a colour for the board and batten. Stain or paint? Doors? Varnish or oil? And soffits/eaves? Also to factor in but secondary in consideration, there is a large tall, three bay farm garage close to the house with Ironsand roof and walls either Straw or Ivorie in color. I feel nothing can blend all of this and I need to make a decision very soon.

A. As there are far less colour choices available in the bricks I suggest that it may be more appropriate to choose what you really like for that first. That way you get what you truly like instead of forcing yourself to accept a brick colour just because it works with the paint or stain colour. But if you don't mind what colour the bricks are then you might look one of these colours for the board and batten - stain option - Resene Woodsman Limed Gum (looks nice with Ironsand and might relate to the garage colour), stain option #2 - deeper - Resene Woodsman Tiri (looks quite similar to the Ironsand), or paint option - Resene Half Pavlova (might be similar to the garage colour) or paint option #2- Resene Double Bison Hide (deeper but looks good with the Ironsand roof).

A word to the wise - always choose your brick from real samples rather than a brochure or a computer view of what they look like.

Resene Limed Gum
Resene Limed Gum
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Half Pavlova
Resene Half Pavlova
Resene Double Bison Hide
Resene Double Bison Hide
April 2016

Q. I have a house that is plaster on Hardiboard®. We also have brown aluminium joinery with a high pitch galvanised roof (which we do not intend to paint). Could you recommend a charcoal grey that would suit please? Resene Bokara Grey is too dark and Resene Gravel is a little too green.

A. A lot of charcoals don't look good with brown aluminium joinery. I suggest you modify the charcoal with a warm undertone so they look good together. These colours may be worth checking out – Resene Ironsand or a softer version – Resene Half Ironsand, Resene Baltic Sea or a softer version Resene Half Baltic Sea.

Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
April 2016

Q. We have used Resene Innocence and Resene Gravel (both full strength) in two rooms in our home. Can you please recommend a Resene white that would complement those colours as the rest of the house is white? We would like to use the same white on the remaining walls and ceiling.

A. If you want a pure true white then you might use Resene White. If however you would prefer a white with a softer edge then you might look at these options – Resene Eighth Black White or Resene Half Alabaster. There is an extremely subtle difference between them - some people never see it - but it is there. There are also deeper variants of both of these 'whites' if you would prefer to see a little more tonal ambiance.

Resene Innocence
Resene Innocence
Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
April 2016

Page 46

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

 

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