Close Give Feedback
Resene Paints - home page
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Instagram Follow us on YouTube

Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 51

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. 51

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


Q. I have a warm white kitchen and want to put a splashback in using a taupe colour. What would be the best colour taupe to use?

A. You have quite a few options to choose from but these ones may be a start point - Resene Truffle, Resene Half Cloudy, Resene Half Perfect Taupe or Resene Quarter Stonehenge.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
July 2016

Q. We have lounge and kitchen/dining areas painted in Resene Half Ecru White. The floor in the kitchen is a rimu wood vinyl tile. The bedrooms are Resene Rice Cake. The other lounge is Resene Half Thorndon Cream. We are looking at getting carpet. Would we be best to go for a mid grey or beige carpet? The carpet samples from Harrisons flooring.

A. The Harrison carpet people have certain carpets and Resene colours linked together. If they have already shown you this and you are still uncertain it is a case of are you 'beige' or 'grey' people? If you don't like either of the samples of carpet it may be that the right one is still to be found.

Greys are very popular at the moment in regards to carpet but if they don't appeal to you then look for a grey/beige colour instead of grey or beige - a mid-tone colour that says 'not too grey not too brown' - it may appeal more.

Resene Half Ecru White
Resene Half Ecru White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
July 2016

Q. We are having an Ironsand roof, front door and spouting and grey aluminium windows. What would be a good colour for the plaster walls? This is a new build house.

A. You don't mention which grey you are having for the powder coated window and this will have a huge influence upon which house colour would look good on the exterior.

Here are some ideas to get you started - they are light colours as this is the requirement for all plastered surfaces - Resene Truffle, Resene Cloudy, Resene Half Napa or Resene Cloud.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
July 2016

Q. Before we have our house painted (Resene Jon for fascia etc and Resene Half Felix for gable battens) we want to replace the gutters.

None of the COLORBOND® colours fit that well with Resene Jon, so can you suggest what COLORBOND® colour we should get them to use for the gutter? After the gutters have weathered we will get them painted Resene Jon, but in the meantime we need something that doesn't look too bad and is a good base for Resene Jon.

A. A lighter colour for the gutters could be COLORBOND® Dune and a darker colour could be COLORBOND® Basalt.

I like the Basalt - it is about the same depth of colour as Resene Jon - but not as warm toned but the Dune is a lovely contrast which you might find appealing enough to leave as is.

Resene Jon
Resene Jon
Resene Half Felix
Resene Half Felix
July 2016

Q. My house is currently in beige overload. It is a light tea colour but don't know exactly what. Skirting, window trims and ceiling appear as Resene Spanish White. I recently replaced the kitchen bench. This is white; however the kitchen is a dated beige. I would like to bring it all together. I don't wish to change the trims and ceiling but want to go lighter on the walls and bring in the white of the bench. I'm not afraid of colour accents and wouldn't mind some colour or point of difference in the entry and on the gas fireplace walls. I like Resene Alabaster but it is a reasonably dark living area. I also like Resene Duck Egg Blue but was hoping to use that in the bathrooms... I also like orange.

A. If you choose a 'whiter' type of colour for the walls you may find the Resene Spanish White colour on the window trims and ceilings looks twice as deep a creamy/beige as it does now. Will this worry you? The ceiling and the woodwork may stand out as a coloured feature. This might only be disguised by using more of the Resene Spanish White as the wall colour.

Alternatively you could us the Resene Duck Egg Blue in the kitchen for the walls and change the ceiling and woodwork in just this space to Resene Alabaster which will give you a whole new fresh look to go with the new kitchen. You could still use this lovely grey toned blue (Resene Duck Egg Blue) in the bathroom also but it would look much better with Resene Alabaster than with Resene Spanish White for the ceilings and trims.

For a feature colour in the entry foyer and possibly using the same colour for the fireplace wall you could consider using a rich yellow based orange so your eye is forced to see the Resene Spanish White as a lighter colour - which it isn't but the deeper colour might work to make it seem so. You could check out these colours - Resene Tuscany or Resene Kalgoorie Sands.

A new main colour to work with the definite coloured ceilings and woodwork and make the reasonably dark living room might need to be quite related to the ceilings and woodwork - Resene Half Spanish White.

A complete colour change in the house will be compromised somewhat by the existing colour that is not changing.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Tuscany
Resene Tuscany

Resene Kalgoorie Sands
Resene Kalgoorie Sands
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
July 2016

Q. I have Resene Quarter Tea on the walls and I am thinking of doing Resene Double Tea for my glass splashback. What do you think?

A. If you like the deeper yellow/brown (slightly earthy green edge) of Resene Double Tea then by all means go for it. But if you would prefer a slightly more greyed/beige then you might consider one of these colours - Resene Half Napa, Resene Quarter Stonehenge or Resene Truffle.

The standard float glass as used in splashbacks has a definite green tone to it and it alters how colours are seen when placed over them - they end up dirtier. The crystal clear low iron oxide glass shows the colours totally true to reality.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Stonehenge
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
July 2016

Q. Which Resene whites would suit a small bathroom with little natural light? We have a white vanity and are looking to tile the floor with Graffiti Corda. We like the freshness of Resene Alabaster but are concerned it may not suit the tiles.

A. All 'whites' used in a room with little natural light will look a little bit greyer, but you may need that slight grey tone to come through if you are hoping to co-ordinate with the tiles on the floor. I suggest you take the time to paint up two super large samples of A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and pin them up in the bathroom to see how they alter with the natural light and how they look next to the tiles.

Please look at these 'whites and see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Wan White, Resene Black White or Resene Double Alabaster.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
July 2016

Q. We're painting our house Resene Double Gravel and are wondering what colour would be ideal for the steel roof. We have bright white window trim and plaster walls (in the Resene Double Gravel).

A. You might look at these colours - light toned - Resene Gauntlet, mid toned - Resene Windswept or dark toned - Resene Element.

Resene Double Gravel
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Element
Resene Element
July 2016

Q. I am building a new house - single level 125m2 with 20° pitch to COLORSTEEL® roof. The timber cladding is natural Lawson cypress with macrocarpa beams and posts along front veranda. We are in a rural location and would like to make the house look barn/hut like. I really love Resene Scoria for the roof with natural oiled timber board and batten. There are some exterior walls in COLORSTEEL® cladding as well. I am unsure what colour to select for window joinery/guttering and downpipes.

A. If the COLORSTEEL® cladding on the house and the window joinery/guttering was the same colour it might make a nicely co-ordinated statement. I like your idea of having COLORSTEEL® Scoria for the roof - very traditional and barn-like. I am unsure about using this colour on the cladding and for the joinery - it may be too much. It is however a matter of personal taste, isn't it? Perhaps if you can obtain some real metal samples of COLORSTEEL® colours it may make choosing a little easier - there is nothing like seeing the reality of the colour. Brochures and computer generated colour samples are a bit 'off' and you may end up thinking you have a certain colour and find out later it isn't as you imagined it would look.

The Lawson cypress is a very pale yellow/beige and oiling it won't change it a lot and it will yellow off a lot as it ages. Oils do need to be re-applied every 2-3 years in order to protect the surface of the wood. Some oils (the Linseed based ones) attract mould spores. The oil alone won't stop moulds from inhabiting the surface of the timber so you may find a lot of black or green discolouring especially on the sides of the house that get the most wet.

Have you considered using an oil like Resene Woodsman Natural stain that has a little extra 'something' as well as fungicides in it to add a bit of protection and colour (not much) to enhance both the cypress and the macrocarpa?

You could test this particular stain colour on offcuts so you could see just how it makes the timber look. You may find (possibly) you prefer a definite coloured stain rather than Resene Natural to create more of a 'barn look'.

Resene Scoria
Resene Scoria
Resene Natural
Resene Natural
July 2016

Q. We have just changed our kitchen to an Antarctic stone natural finish kitchen bench with warm winter white cabinetry. I need a splashback with a slight colour and am thinking of Resene Double Sea Fog as the living area has Resene Half Spanish White paintwork with taupe curtains. I feel I need a subtle colour. I have Resene Double Masala around the very top of the kitchen behind the cabinetry.

A. If you want another 'feature' colour in the kitchen for the splashback to go with the Resene Double Masala then Resene Triple Sea Fog might be better than the Resene Double Sea Fog.

This a totally random thought - but why don't you just cover the existing Resene Double Masala behind the cook top with crystal clear low iron oxide glass so that instead of a unrelated colour breaking into your kitchen wall space (and drawing attention away from the kitchen cabinets and stone bench top) you have a protected surface over the wall colour. Then it won't matter if you have a warm cream wall colour and taupe curtains in the living room and a whiter kitchen.

Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Double Masala
Resene Double Masala
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
July 2016

Q. I am renovating an ensuite and would like some help with a colour selection. The bottom half of the ensuite walls will be white Hardiglaze® tile and I am unsure what colour to paint the top section. I would like something neutral but also want to add some colour to this darker space. The bedroom is painted in Resene Eagle and the carpet is a mushroom brown. The new vinyl is more on the grey side but still matches the carpet.

A. If the walls in the bed room look great with the carpet and the new flooring that you are putting into the ensuite then perhaps a lighter version of that colour might be considered. This might tie the two spaces together harmoniously rather than having them look totally unrelated. You might check out these colours - Resene Merino, Resene Moon Mist, Resene Celeste or Resene Half Copyrite.

If you would prefer not to go the 'related' colour way and have the ensuite having its own mood and personality then you might look at one of these more neutral colours - Resene Half White Pointer, Resene Eighth Truffle or Resene Half Concrete.

Resene Eagle
Resene Eagle
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Moon Mist
Resene Moon Mist
Resene Celeste
Resene Celeste
Resene Half Copyrite
Resene Half Copyrite
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
July 2016

Q. We have just painted our entire interior walls Resene Half Pearl Lusta and are now trying to decide on a colour for all the wood trim, including skirtings, windows and doors and their surrounds. Could you suggest a nice fairly light grey that would go well with the Resene Half Pearl Lusta?

A. A lighter - but related - colour for the wood trims might be Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta. This would emphasise the wall colour without adding too much of a contrast.

If you want a contrasting feature colour for all the wood trims (a fairly light grey) so they pop out more then you might check out these - greys - Resene Concrete, Resene Half Iron, Resene Half Surrender, Resene Quarter Rakaia or Resene Barely There. These are lovely greys but some of them may throw out blue, purple or mauve in their undertones when seen with Resene Half Pearl Lusta because of the yellow in it.

Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Half Iron
Resene Half Iron
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
 
July 2016

Q. We are planning to paint the interior of our house and would like a colour/s we can paint the whole interior. We plan to recarpet in a dark colour and also refurbish the log burner which can be any colour but we were thinking black. The flue will need to be black or chrome. The brown board behind the log burner will probably be replaced with a metal sheet a metre wide which will reach near the top of the wall.

A. If you use a light neutral - a warm slightly yellow toned grey or a beige/cream - you may find these types of colours obliging enough to go with any other colours - carpet, drapes, furniture etc.

I do suggest that you use a 'white' for the ceilings and any other painted woodwork - i.e. Resene Quarter Black White - as this will lighten and brighten the rooms which appear a little shadowy now and add a crisp clean contrast.

Check these ones out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Barely There or Resene Half Albescent White.

For the new black log burner and the flue - I suggest a black flue because the steel metal will burnish with the heat and will get different colours (like a rainbow) on it compared to the stainless steel on the wall. This might be visually annoying. You may need to re do the hearth with large charcoal tiles with a stainless steel edging around it to complete the look.

Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
July 2016

Q. Would Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream go with wood trim colour Resene Black White? If not, what colour would you suggest for the wood trim? Floors are going to be whitewashed.

A. The Resene Black White may look quite grey compared to Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream plus they are the same depth of colour which makes for an unhappy alliance.

I suggest you reconsider the wall colour if the Resene Black White is a definite choice for the trims - perhaps one of these colours might appeal to you - Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene House White or reconsider the wood trim colour to a much whiter cleaner colour. If the Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream is a definite chosen colour for the walls - Resene Half Alabaster or Resene Eighth Rice Cake.

Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene House White
Resene House White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
July 2016

Q. We have been using Resene Quarter Surrender in our living areas and half in the bedrooms. We are now up to the kitchen and we were thinking of painting the cupboards/drawers in Resene Surrender. We were wondering about the benchtop and splashback tile colour and if you have any suggestions. We have white skirting. We do have Resene New Denim Blue as our exterior trim colours with white boards.

A. If you use a really cool toned white for the splashback tiles it will enhance the delicate silver undertones in the wall colour. Be cautious when looking at white tiles - sometimes they aren't all that 'white' - this fact that may not be apparent until you compare them with a sheet of (real) white printer paper then you may see sneaky undertones of colour.

The benchtop might be a little more coloured so that any foody stuff and sticky finger prints aren't highlighted - perhaps like these ones – Formica® Flint Crystal Velour or Formica® Elemental Concrete. They work well with the Resene New Denim Blue trims on the exterior as well

Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
July 2016

Q. We are building a new two bedroom two storey home. The roof, gutters and a feature panel on the front wall on the top level are all in Dune, the garage door is Woodland Grey. We're stuck on the external wall colour. Your ideas would be appreciated. Our painter recommended Resene.

A. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Double Barely There, Resene Half Perfect Taupe, Resene Half Cloudy, Resene White Pointer or Resene Pravda.

Resene Double Barely There
Resene Double
Barely There
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Half Perfect Taupe
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Pravda
Resene Pravda
July 2016

Q. I am after a neutral tone to paint my entire apartment. It is small but spacious and has lots of natural light, with floor to ceiling windows in the bedroom and lounge. I want a warm tone that isn't too sterile and will work with bright furnishings. I find Resene Joanna or Resene Ecru White quite appealing. What would be a good matching colour for ceilings and window frames? I am planning on having bamboo flooring in a natural/dark blonde tone installed.

A. If you used Resene Joanna (or Resene Ecru White which is a very very similar colour) you might check out Resene Quarter Joanna or Resene Quarter Ecru White for all the ceilings and woodwork.

Another option that you might look at also is Resene Double Rice Cake (it is lighter than the other two colours and slightly less green edged) and you might consider Resene Quarter Rice Cake for the ceilings and woodwork.

Another possibility is Resene Half Thorndon Cream with Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

Resene Joanna
Resene Joanna
Resene Ecru White
Resene Ecru White
Resene Quarter Joanna
Resene Quarter Joanna
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
July 2016

Q. We are trying to sort a colour for our bathroom. We have just put in a new white wall-hung vanity (taking out a vanity that had an oak coloured rimu cabinet), but still have the above coloured rimu around our white bath, plus we have wooden blinds that are a similar colour to the bath surround. The long window in the room faces east. We don't have a different coloured ceiling so the colour we use will go right over the whole room. In our toilet room we have used Resene Gravel which we love, as it contrasts beautifully with the white toilet and handbasin and also with the timber blinds. We have looked at some of the greys, but want something with a bit of warmth in it. Most probably a real mission for you - as it has been for us!!

A. If you were using a deeper grey (walls and ceilings) it may make the room really dark - so much so that you might need the lights on day and night. Is that what you want?

Perhaps not so dark but with warmth? You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - they do relate reasonably well to the Resene Gravel in the toilet room so there would be a harmonious link. Try Resene Archive Grey, Resene Half Tapa, Resene Taupe Grey or Resene Foggy Grey.

Because the window allows natural light from the east you may find these colours throw more green undertones until the sunlight is replaced by shadow in the bathroom. East facing rooms create a green edge to all colours - even creams.

These alternate options carry more red undertones so they may be worth checking out also but because of the easterly light these may flash a bit of mushroom brown or a stone hued taupe - Resene Mountain Mist, Resene Half Jumbo or Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow.

I really hope there is something in these suggestions that appeals to you as much as the Resene Gravel colour did - though that may be a hard act to follow.

Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Jumbo
Resene Half Jumbo
Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow
Resene Quarter
Scarpa Flow
July 2016

Q. What would Resene's equivalent be to Shale Grey and Surf Mist? I'm looking at doing my roof in the Surf Mist tone and the weatherboards in the Shale Grey tone.

A. COLORBOND® has a powder coat finish and these are the match colours in the Resene range - Shale Grey - Resene Atmosphere and Surf Mist - Resene Titania.

Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Titania
Resene Titania
July 2016

Q. My bedroom is large. The king size bed is set between two windows facing south east with a pillar guard house type window overlooking a large garden on the south side. The peak of the window joins a sloping stained Douglas pine beamed cathedral roof. I am considering painting these and the ceiling a subtle creamy white with blue walls and possibly a wallpaper behind the bed. The ensuite is tiled pink. Although not too bad it may require updating and wonder if there is a paint which can be used? The dressing room is already painted in a light grey.

A. I suggest you seek out inspiration in regard the wallpaper for behind the bedhead first. Once that is sorted it will be far easier to choose the perfect subtle creamy white for the roof and any other woodwork. If the ceiling has had an interior stain/varnish applied to it you may need to wash it down to ensure no dirt is on the surface and then you may need a sealer, undercoat and then two coats of a low sheen or flat paint like Resene SpaceCote Flat Fly Deterrent waterborne enamel. This paint is able to be scrubbed down - Resene Ceiling Paint Matt acrylic can't be as it gets shiny patches on it if you try to clean any little fly specks off.

The blue for the walls may need to be chosen carefully - south and south east facing rooms aren't known as warm rooms so the blue may make it feel cooler or greyer. If you paint up testpots onto super large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) (all of the testpot/two coats) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges of the card you will have the best opportunity to focus on the reality of the colour. You can move it from wall to wall to see how it alters also with light and shade.

In the ensuite you will need to use Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer on the tiles after cleaning down and rinsing well to ensure no soapy substances are on the surface. These would stop the paint from adhering well or make it look 'crazed' like crocodile skin. Apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen and Bathroom formula waterborne enamel if you want a 'less shiny' tiled surface - or Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom waterborne enamel for a surface that has a semi-gloss finish.

Take your time and test colours very carefully - they have to look absolutely perfect with the wallpaper, the curtains, the carpet and the bed linen on the wall.

July 2016

Q. I am thinking of using Resene Albescent White on my walls for the living/halls and bedrooms. I want to know what other lighter white would go with it for the skirtings etc? I thought of the Resene Quarter Albescent but don't have colour charts to see the comparison. I want something quite light on the ceilings - maybe Resene Alabaster. I am also considering using a slightly darker shade on the doors.

A. Resene Quarter Albescent White is a warmer 'white' that suits being used with Resene Albescent White. The look with these two will be softer and more muted. Resene Alabaster is 'whiter' than Resene Quarter Albescent White and would create a more clean edged contrast with Resene Albescent White.

As a deeper colour for the doors you might look at Resene Quarter Tea or Resene Double White Pointer - these are subtle with just a shadow of more depth in them rather than a stronger definite look.

Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
July 2016

Q. We are still trying to find the perfect exterior colour for our weatherboard house. We would love a suggestion for the boards and trims. I tried Resene Titania and think it looks too grey. Wondering whether to go half strength but feeling very confused. I want that white casual beachy look but not stark white. The roof is COLORBOND® Windspray and the front facade faces south so doesn't get heaps of direct sunlight.

A. Resene Titania may look greyish if it is seen on the south facing side of the house - this has a cool greyish natural light aspect. If you compared Resene Titania to Resene Athens Grey or Resene Double Sea Fog (these are more greyed in tone) then you would see it as a yellow/green stony neutral. Without comparing your eye has nothing to base a judgement against and you can be fooled into 'seeing' it wrong.

By all means test Resene Half Titania (this is lighter/whiter) but please be aware that it would only be in the shade that these very pale types of colours would look like a colour and not exactly the same as (real) Resene White. Natural sunlight steals away contrast and makes all exterior colours look much lighter/brighter and you often need at least 10-15 difference between the main colour and the 'whiter' trims - this refers to the first two numbers of the colour codes - in order to notice that they are different from each other.

Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Titania
Resene White
Resene White
July 2016

Q. Resene Habitat has an article about Resene Alabaster. The Resene Alabaster walls look grey in the article. Does Resene Alabaster look grey or white normally? I don't want walls that look grey. I'd like a fresh white that's not cold.

A. All colours seen in print or in a digital representation are not true - they are influenced by light and sometimes other colours in the rooms and camera techniques. If rooms are south facing any white can take on a grey tone. Perhaps the rooms in the article are south facing.

Resene Alabaster has a tiniest bit of a deeper colourant in it to 'shadow' it. This might only ever be seen when a sheet of pure white printer paper was placed next to it. When walls have angles and changing qualities of natural and artificial light on them all colour undergoes change. Without testing all colour you would almost always be misled in regard what it is like. Hence testpots - these really are your best friends.

So - if you paint up an A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) using all of the testpot/two coats and leave a narrow unpainted border all around the edge of the card you can pin it up and move it around on all the walls and all the rooms to see if it is white enough for you.

This colour does come as a lighter/whiter variant also - Resene Half Alabaster. To compare you might look at Resene White. All Resene colours can be viewed as A4 real paint samples in the Colour Library at all Resene ColorShops. There is nothing like seeing reality in order to make good judgments.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
July 2016

Q. I saw a photo of a hall ceiling in the Habitat magazine. It was painted Resene Sundial which I loved. My hubby didn't like that idea as a bit scared of colour! So I got my fabric light shades down the hall in Resene Sundial yellow as a compromise. Now the hall is stark white and I want a warm contemporary grey in the hallway to go with Resene Sundial yellow. What can you recommend?

A. The reflected light through the strong yellow light shades may make a grey look more taupe or beige in tone. Is this what you want? If you carefully test these greys you may find something that appeals to you - Resene Double Concrete, Resene Quarter Silver Chalice or Resene Surrender.

These colours are also available in deeper variants that you might check out if these options are too pale for you but please take note - colours in an interior often look deeper than you might imagine.

Resene Sundial
Resene Sundial
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
July 2016

Q. We have a beige theme throughout the house with beige walls, light brown carpets and chocolate drapes. We are looking at painting the ceilings in Resene Black White and am looking for some complementary colours for the walls throughout the house. It is a house of about 10 years old so considered reasonably modern. Open to warm but bright colour suggestions.

A. The colour of the carpet and drapes may influence what can be used harmoniously. You may need to check out several colours to find one that looks good with these elements.

Perhaps one of these might appeal to you - Resene Double Merino, Resene Thorndon Cream or Resene Double Rice Cake.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
July 2016

Q. I want advice on a white for cabinetry, ceiling and trim work. What will look good with Resene Half Truffle walls, light classic travertine flooring, and a whitewashed timber countertop? The room has fairly low natural light levels.

A. You might look at these whites - Resene Alabaster and Resene Quarter Rice Cake. They are crisp and don't 'grey off' too much in low natural light. I do advise you testing them in the environment and with the flooring etc. Colours (all of them) undergo so much change when natural and artificial light alter.

Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
July 2016

Q. My son would like a blue on one of his bedroom walls. What shades of blue would you suggest if the other walls are Resene Half Tea?

A. It really depends - I think - on the age of your son, his likes and dislikes in regard blue colours, what other elements are in the room i.e. flooring, drapes, bed linen and most importantly the aspect of natural light and how it changes during the day light hours as this alters the colour too.

As a start point you might check out some of these blues - Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Wavelength, Resene Subzero, Resene Mariner or Resene Shakespeare. These blues are quite different to each other - they create a different type of look.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
       
Resene Half Resolution Blue
Resene Half
Resolution Blue
Resene Wavelength
Resene Wavelength
Resene Subzero
Resene Subzero
Resene Mariner
Resene Mariner
Resene Shakespeare
Resene Shakespeare
July 2016

Q. What neutral colours would you put with Resene Black White for an office environment where we are repainting a few internal walls and doors? We just feel Resene Black White could do with a little warming. The carpet is charcoal with grey accents. Work desks are (fake) American oak and windows and door hardware are aluminium. Furniture accents are navy blue.

A. Sunny creams and blue toned greys are an option and a little bit of soft red - no the red isn't a neutral but it is mellow and warm and a little stimulating.

Check these colours out to see if they might appeal to you - Resene Half Colonial White, Resene Half New Denim Blue and Resene La Bamba.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Colonial White
Resene Half Colonial White
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New
Denim Blue
Resene La Bamba
Resene La Bamba
July 2016

Q. I would like a modern grey for a teen's room to go with a wood industrial look. We don't mind darker.

A. You could try - deep toned - Resene Mako, Resene Raven or Resene Steel Grey, or - mid toned - Resene Half Stack, Resene Eighth Masala or Resene Half Gauntlet. I hope one of these is appealing. Colours often look deeper than you might expect in an interior space

Resene Mako
Resene Mako
Resene Raven
Resene Raven
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Half Stack
Resene Half Stack
Resene Masala
Resene Eighth Masala
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
July 2016

Q. We have tried Resene Half Periglacial Blue on the outside wall of a small cottage on our property. In some lights it looks quite blue, in others it has a green tinge! We love the slightly greenish look. Can you suggest how we can obtain this all around? The east facing wall looks much bluer than the west facing wall, very confusing!!

A. That is the problem with colour - every aspect of natural light (N/S/W/E axis) throws the colour 'off' and you get a different undertone coming through.

If you could just swing the house around to face the one direction and flatten it out so there were no corners at all you might be able to control colour.

Perhaps you could try a different colour that does have a little more green undertone to see if it is what you favour - Resene Nebula, Resene Paris White or Resene Half Emerge.

Sometimes it is all about 'compromise' and accepting that you will only ever get the colour to look as you like it to look 80% of the time.

Resene Half Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Periglacial Blue
Resene Nebula
Resene Nebula
Resene Paris White
Resene Paris White
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Half Emerge
July 2016

Q. We are building a two storey weatherboard house. We need an exterior colour to match the Sandstone Grey roof and garage door, white joinery and Matt Slate Blue door. The colours must be LRV 40 or less.

A. If you are needing a main colour with a lighter LRV than 40% (lighter colours are bigger numbers - i.e. White is LRV 92) that work well with Sandstone Grey roof, White joinery and Slate Blue door you might look at these colours - Resene Triple Sea Fog - LRV 71%, Resene Half Atmosphere - LRV 59%, Resene Quarter Delta - LRV 59%, or slightly deeper - Resene Half Delta - LRV 49%, Resene Eighth Friar Grey - LRV 57% or Resene Foggy Grey - LRV 47%.

Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Half Atmosphere
Resene Half Atmosphere
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Half Delta
Resene Half Delta
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
July 2016

Q. I have a natural linen sofa and live in an apartment that does not get a lot of good natural light. I am considering painting the walls Resene Alabaster or Resene Half Black White or even Resene Quarter Black White. The natural linen sofa has a sort of greyish beige tone. Can you suggest the best colour? My apartment is tiny.

A. I think Resene Alabaster may be a good choice. I think it will increase the natural light and spatial dimensions nicely. If you want the walls to look slightly (very slightly) coloured then you might use real White for all the ceilings and woodwork - Resene White.

Layers of 'white on white' give a timeless appeal to rooms. If the rooms are not blessed with good natural light use a decorating 'light trick' by placing large mirrors opposite any windows to double the appearance of light and space.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene White
Resene White
July 2016

Q. What is the perfect white? Our kitchen is in need of a paint - it's very well lit during sunshine hours, with open windows, but it is on the small side. We are leaning more towards more of a soft grey white. Having sampled Resene Black White, Resene Sea Fog and Resene Alabaster we feel these are too light and too white. Do you have any suggestions for a white that's soft, quite grey, warm and would suit an almost French looking type of kitchen? I haven't been able to decide and my time is running out. I thought perhaps Resene Silver Sand but am unsure.

A. The 'perfect white' - if it exists - is the one you like the most and that looks fabulous in your kitchen at least 80% of the time. Note - 80% of the time because any change of natural or artificial light will alter how the colour looks so it may not be 'perfect' always.

All colours in an interior can look almost twice the depth that you think they will look so it does pay to test carefully and watch how walls angles, light changes and other colours in the space influence the colour.

Resene Silver Sand isn't a white - it is more of a light grey. If you like it by all means test it but you might also test Resene Quill Grey and Resene Triple Sea Fog and Resene Double Sea Fog - these may be the grey/white that you are seeking.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
 
July 2016

Q. I need a recommendation on whites please. I'm in Christchurch and have chosen Resene Bone White for the walls. What whites would you recommend for the trims and ceilings? The main daylight comes from the west-south-west. I also decided to do all white in the kitchen and bathroom. What would you recommend? They face north-east.

A. Whites that look good with this lovely warm beige/pink are these types of colour - Resene Eighth Spanish White or Resene Bianca or a 'whiter' variant - i.e. Resene Half Bianca. In the kitchen and bathroom if a 'white' is required Resene Quarter Bianca is a great colour

Resene Bone White
Resene Bone White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth
Spanish White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
July 2016

Q. Is there a colour in Resene Lumbersider fence paint to match Resene Tiri woodsman stain? I have to colour a fence in Resene Tiri but would rather use a paint for longer lasting properties.

A. I am not sure the paint will look as light as the stain would - paint is a heavier more opaque substance so it can appear darker. You might look at Resene Ironsand or even Resene Baltic Sea to see if one of these colours appeals to you.

Resene Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
July 2016

Q. I have a north facing lounge dining kitchen that overlooks green grass and the ocean. We are renovating with a white kitchen, rimu wood floor and a warm natural creamy colour carpet. I would like a warm light creamy colour for most of the walls but with an accent colour of something maybe duck egg blue or aqua to reflect the sea outside. What do you suggest? Also what colour white would you recommend for the ceiling?

A. What is the white that you are having for the kitchen cabinets - is it a laminate or a lacquer? Ideally the cabinets and the ceiling 'white' should match or relate to each other. For the walls you might check out these colours - Resene Bianca, Resene Half Pearl Lusta or Resene Half Villa White.

Accent colours that may appeal to you could be one of these - Resene Quarter Powder Blue, Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Emerge, Resene Half Opal or Resene Jet Stream.

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Villa White
 
Resene Quarter Powder Blue
Resene Quarter
Powder Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Emerge
Resene Emerge
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Opal
July 2016

Q. We are adding a large deck to our house and are looking for a stain/paint colours for the deck, pergola and privacy wall/balustrade, which will complement the existing white house, dark grey roof and New Denim Blue joinery.

A. Your stain options might be one of these colours, relating to the roof colour - Resene Woodsman Bleached Cedar, Resene Silvered Grey or a warm brown neutral Resene Bark.

I do recommend that you test the stain testpot colours on some off cuts of timber (two coats) to make sure the colours are seen in reality and able to be judged correctly.

Paint options might be one of these colours - relating to the roof colour - Resene Half New Denim Blue or Resene Ebony Clay CC, or a warm brown neutral - Resene Saddle.

Resene Woodsman Bleached Cedar
Resene Bleached Cedar
Resene Silvered Grey
Resene Silvered Grey
Resene Bark
Resene Bark
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New
Denim Blue
Resene Ebony Clay
Resene Ebony Clay
Resene Saddle
Resene Saddle
July 2016

Q. We are getting a new kitchen with white kitchen cabinets. We have timber floors and want a natural colour glass splashback but not too natural so it blends in with the white cabinets.

A. You don't mention in your query what colour the walls are in the kitchen or what colour the worktops are. Both of these may need to be taken into account before considering what colour could be used behind a glass splashback.

If you don't want white have you considered a metallic silvery colour - this may work with the handles on the kitchen cabinet, the stainless steel refrigerator (if that is what you have) the cook top or the extractor vent above it. If this is of interest you could look at Resene Silver Aluminium or Resene Silver Steel. These colours can be viewed on the Resene Metallics and Special Effects colour brochure.

Resene Silver Aluminium
Resene Silver Aluminium
Resene Silver Steel
Resene Silver Steel
July 2016

Q. Our lounge room has a deep red feature wall. We would like to keep the feature wall as it is. The feature wall also happens to have a large built in book case with white shelving. Can you suggest a paint colour that would go well for the rest of the room? We are in a villa style house. The rest of the room has white ceiling and trims.

A. A main wall colour may have to harmonise with more than the feature wall colour. It may have to work with existing drapes, upholstered furniture, flooring etc. You might look at these colours - Resene Quarter Cloud, Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Eighth Biscotti, Resene Quarter Spanish White or Resene White Pointer.

These colours range from pale taupe, warm grey, warm beige, cream and warm grey. They will work with the feature wall but you would need to check they work with the rest of the room. You may need to carefully test the colours - paint up very large samples on white card - and watch what the existing coloured elements of the room and the changing qualities of natural light do to the colours so you can make a good judgment.

Resene Quarter Cloud
Resene Quarter Cloud
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
July 2016

Q. We have picked Resene Half Napa for our interior walls. What colour would you recommend to use for the ceiling and trim that would go with Resene Half Napa? We like the idea of a warmer white, but not too yellow and not so much a cooler white like Resene Alabaster.

A. If you look at these 'whites' you may find one of them appeals to you – Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Quarter Merino. Not too cool or too yellow.

Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
July 2016

Q. I need to select a colour palette for our new beach house. It has a black kitchen and has large glass walls in all rooms with views across the ocean in front and green in the rear garden. I would like a warm white.

A. Perhaps one of these warmer whites may appeal to you – Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Black White, Resene Half Merino or Resene Half House White.

Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half House White
Resene Half House White
July 2016

Q. We are looking at external house paint for our newly renovated house. We are interested in a white for the weatherboards and a darker colour for our battening. The house has a lot of battening including the double garage underneath and down around the sides of the house. We are looking for two complementary colours.

A. Perhaps look at these colours to see what you think - Resene Half Black White with Resene Mako, Resene Half Merino with Resene Masala, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream with Resene Stonehenge or Resene Quarter Concrete with Resene Quarter Ironsand.

All of the 'whiter' colours also come as triple formulas - this is the alternative thought for palettes of colours - soft/whites and tonally related deeper versions of the same colour.

Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Mako
Resene Mako
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Concrete
Resene Quarter Concrete
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
July 2016

Q. I'm trying to find the perfect grey to paint our new room but am having difficulty finding something that matches the curtains already there and the warm sandy tones of our bedroom furniture. I was pretty set on Resene Silver Chalice but since having it on the wall don't like the blue shade in it. Ideally I'm looking for a grey grey - with no brown or blue shades and not too dark as the room has a low ceiling.

A. Because of the existing colour on the walls you will have a hard job seeing the reality of any grey that you are testing. If you undercoated all the walls in White and then tried test samples of the greys you would have a better chance of sorting out how the colours really look. Have you thought of doing that? It could be very helpful.

All greys have multiple undertones of colourants in them. These colourants influence how the colour is seen - and on different walls and at different times of the day and night they will change and change again. That is the mystery and magic of colour.

You might try one of these colours to see if they are grey enough for you - but remember they will alter all of the time just to annoy you as the natural light changes – Resene Double Concrete, Resene Quarter Delta, Resene Mountain Mist or Resene Silver Sand.

Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Silver Sand
July 2016

Q. I am looking at recladding. I have a Karaka green roof and guttering. What colours go with Karaka? I am changing the existing window joinery which is currently Karaka also. I am recladding in LINEA® and Stria. I like greys/charcoals but am not sure I like white/cream contrasting window joinery. The house is 19 years old.

A. Usually it is a case of choosing powder coated window joinery first as there is so little to choose from compared to paint colours. In this instance however it may need to be the opposite - I have put a house colour and a possible joinery colour together so it may make it easier.

Try Resene Chicago with COLORSTEEEL® Gull Grey joinery, Resene Gravel with COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey joinery, Resene Windswept with COLORSTEEL® TernStyle joinery (matching house and joinery colour), Resene Half Masala with COLORSTEEL® Bone White joinery (this is the lightest joinery colour in these suggestions) or Resene Atmosphere with COLORSTEEL Gull Grey (matching house and joinery colours).

The main house colour suggestions are earthy charcoals - the yellow/brown/grey in them work really well with Karaka and powder coat joinery colours.

Resene Chicago
Resene Chicago
COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey
COLORSTEEL®
Sandstone Grey
Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
COLORSTEEL® Bone White
COLORSTEEL® Bone White
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
COLORSTEEL® Gull Grey
July 2016

Q. We have almost finished renovating our 1980s house which has bronze aluminium windows with rimu sills. The doors (double cavity sliders in the living area) and frames are also a lovely warm rimu. We've opened up the kitchen/living area and have a new white kitchen. We've painted the walls and skirtings Resene Half Tea with Resene Quarter Tea in smaller areas (laundry, hallway etc). The ceilings are Resene Ceiling White and it all looks great. The rimu window frames though are rather stained and so we feel they would be better painted rather than trying to get them back to their original state, but we are unsure as to whether we should continue the wall colour for this or use a lighter colour. The bronze aluminium is quite heavy. We'd really appreciate your help.

A. A lighter colour (of any kind) around the windows will draw more attention to the bronze aluminium windows by 'framing' them. I am not so sure that is a good look. If you 'disguise' the frames by painting them the same colour as the walls (which is also the colour of the skirtings) then they aren't highlighted. They are just there saying 'no don't look at us' and merging in. You have already thought of this so I may be just confirming your own thoughts.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
July 2016

Q. I have seen photos of bedrooms with dark blue/navy walls and white trim and accessories. I really like this look. Can you please suggest a good 'blue' for this?

A. There are so many dark blue and navy options. Check these out to see if one of these appeals to you - Resene Nite Life, Resene Blue Night, Resene Bunting, Resene Midnight Express, Resene True Blue or Resene Biscay.

Resene Nite Life
Resene Nite Life
Resene Blue Night
Resene Blue Night
Resene Bunting
Resene Bunting
Resene Midnight Express
Resene Midnight Express
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene Biscay
Resene Biscay
July 2016

Q. I have a wee turn of the century villa. The one and only bedroom is quite dark (and small) so would like a warm colour to brighten and warm it up. I have tried a testpot of Resene Quarter Villa White. It seems quite bright. I'm looking for an old fashioned colour that doesn't look like old tobacco smoke.

A. Have you checked out the deeper versions of Resene Quarter Villa White – Resene Half Villa White or Resene Villa White? Or you could try Resene Half Pearl Lusta or Resene Pearl Lusta, or slightly sweeter - Resene Half Orchid White, Resene Orchid White, Resene Half Scotch Mist or Resene Bianca.

Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Half Scotch Mist
Resene Half Scotch Mist
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
 
July 2016

Q. Is there a neutral colour with a similar depth to Resene Joanna but beige rather than green tinged as it needs to go with colours that go well with Resene Joanna? The room is a large family area including a kitchen and has tinted glass and a medium dark carpet (which we may change to barely beige at some point). At the moment most of the house is in Resene Joanna and/or Resene Tea. I'm just looking for an alternative to Resene Joanna.

A. Some more beige/neutral options to try are – Resene Eighth Bison Hide, Resene Eighth Akaroa, Resene Quarter Tea or Resene Half Sandspit Brown.

Resene Joanna
Resene Joanna
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Half Sandspit Brown
July 2016

Q. We have painted our house Resene Squall (external) and Resene Quarter Parchment (internal) and need a recommendation for our front door colour. The inside will be Resene Quarter Parchment and we were looking for a light grey to complement the Resene Squall colour for the outside of the door, otherwise it's far too dark as the door is in a little porch way.

A. You might look at warm earthy grey/beiges as they look lovely with Resene Squall and your interior Resene Parchment colours. Check these out - they are mid toned so not too deep - Resene Archive Grey, Resene Greige, Resene Foggy Grey or Resene Quarter Taupe Grey.

If you paint the door in the shiniest gloss enamel (Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel or Resene Super Gloss solventborne enamel) it will reflect a lot more light and look really gorgeous. This may help the door to be noticed in the shadowy porch area.

Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Greige
Resene Greige
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Quarte Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
August 2016

Q. For the exterior of our new house we are planning to use COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey (roof, windows), Resene Gauntlet (window facings) and COLORSTEEL® Silver Pearl (garage and front doors). I am considering Resene Double Concrete or Resene Silver Sand for the exterior weatherboards, but am keen to hear your opinion on either of those or any other recommendations (at around or under 60% LRV).

A. I think Resene Silver Sand may be better than Resene Double Concrete. Resene Silver Sand sits really well with the yellow/grey of the Silver Pearl, the Resene Gauntlet and COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey. Resene Double Concrete throws up a little warm (almost mauve) undertone when seen near your other colours.

Resene Silver Sand has a LRV of 57%. A lighter version of this colour that may be worth looking at is Resene Quill Grey (LRV 65%) and if you want to check out another grey with a good LRV and a sympathetic co-ordination with your other colours you might look at Resene Quarter Delta which has a LRV of 59%.

COLORSTEEL® Sandstone Grey
COLORSTEEL®
Sandstone Grey
       
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
August 2016

Q. We will be moving to a new office, one that doesn't have a great deal of natural light. I would like some recommendations on some neutral light colours - I suppose whites that I can paint the entire offices with. We will be painting old wooden (actual) door and window framing to modernise the whole place. We will have some bright red/blue feature walls as well as some pictorials of our latest advertising etc.

A. You could look at using Resene Rice Cake for walls and Resene Eighth Rice Cake for ceilings and woodwork if you want a bright but warm white.

If you prefer a slightly greyer type of white then you might look at using Resene Sea Fog and Resene Alabaster for ceilings and woodwork.

Either would work with the feature wall colours but it is a personal preference as to which would look best.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
August 2016

Q. We are getting a new Versatile garage in the colour Desert Sand. We can't decide between Lignite and Ironsand for the roof. We also have a flat roof stucco (modern/art deco style) house that needs painting. Should we paint this Desert Sand or a lighter version? What colours would you suggest for the trim?

A. Ironsand goes with lots of colours (and Desert Sand) as it is a warm charcoal neutral. Lignite is a deep brown - which may look heavy and muddy with Desert Sand. It is your choice but I think Ironsand gives a smarter look.

Lighter versions of the Desert Sand type of colour that you might consider for the house could be one of these colours - Resene Biscotti or deeper - Resene Double Biscotti, Resene Half Doeskin or lighter - Resene Quarter Doeskin, or Resene Double Spanish White or lighter Resene Spanish White.

You don't say whether you want a 'whiter' trim colour or something a bit more quirky and of the Art Moderne era. Perhaps check these out - Resene Half Bianca or Resene Chapta And Verse.

Resene Biscotti
Resene Biscotti
Resene Double Biscotti
Resene Double Biscotti
Resene Half Doeskin
Resene Half Doeskin
Resene Quarter Doeskin
Resene Quarter Doeskin
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double
Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Chapta And Verse
Resene Chapta And Verse
August 2016

Q. We have rimu furniture in our house and I want to know what paint colours would work with the furniture in a bedroom and lounge/dining room.

A. It isn't just the rimu furniture the new paint colours have got to work with. If you have upholstered fabric covered furniture, carpets and curtains the new colour has to work with those - unless they are all going to be replaced in order to work with the new wall colour.

Some ideas to get you started - Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Resene Pearl Lusta, Resene Cararra, Resene Spanish White or a lovely green - Resene Coriander.

Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
August 2016

Q. I really like Resene Solitaire as an indoor colour as it has a hint of orange. Can you recommend a colour just a bit deeper without going too yellow?

A. Check out these colours to see if they are what you want - Resene Half Haystack, Resene Quarter Biscotti, Resene Half Sour Dough, Resene Blank Canvas, Resene Just Right or Resene Alpaca.

Resene Solitaire
Resene Solitaire
Resene Half Haystack
Resene Half Haystack
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Half Sour Dough
Resene Half Sour Dough
Resene Blank Canvas
Resene Blank Canvas
Resene Just Right
Resene Just Right
Resene Alpaca
Resene Alpaca
 
August 2016

Q. We have Ruapehu bricks, Ironsand roof, gutters, joinery and garage door - and a front door with four glass panels that we're going to paint Resene Limerick. To go with this we need a colour for the doorframe of at least LVR 40% that would work with our colours. Thoughts?

A. Normally I would suggest you use a related (but much lighter) version of what has been used on the joinery but even Resene Quarter Ironsand is too deep a colour and won't fit the criteria of LRV 40%.

You don't mention what you have used under the soffits. This is often a 'white' of some description and if that was the case then it might be used around the door frame. It would certainly meet the LRV criteria.

Alternatively you might use exactly the same colour as the doors on the door frames - it may solve the problem because Resene Limerick has a LRV of 40%. It would make the door seem larger/wider. Would that be a problem to you?

And a totally random idea would be to try and match as closely as possible the grout colour between the bricks - but it would be near impossible for me to match from a photo (colours don't represent true to reality when seen in print) so it would be a case of looking at the colour charts from the Whites and Neutrals larger range of colours right up against the grout to get the best possible option.

Resene Limerick
Resene Limerick
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
August 2016

Q. We are having difficulty deciding what colour to paint our orange tile roof. We are thinking of a light grey since the roof area is extensive over two levels and are considering Resene Half Surrender or Resene Double Concrete to possibly match with something like Resene Quarter Iron on the exterior of house and bright white trim and exterior doors. Another thought was Resene Aluminium or Resene Sword in your metallic roof colours range, but we're not sure whether metallics are suitable for tiles because we haven't seen any examples. Our house is in Auckland and faces west with a northerly aspect.

A. You could consider using Resene Triple Concrete for the roof with Resene Half Concrete. Alternatively you could use Resene Grey Chateau for the roof with Resene Half Ironsand - both the options would be best with real white - Resene White - for all the trims.

Because bright natural light on an exterior strips colour away it can seem much lighter than you might expect it to look. It would remove any subtle differences between the colours - this it may make them appear almost identical.

I have suggested a little more depth to the roof and the main house colour options. There needs to be a definite contrast between all colours and your original colour suggestions may find you have a house of great brightness and with little definition or character. I am not sure that this would be the effect you are looking for.

Metallic roof paint might not be a concept that works - unless you want the roof to look like new aluminium and be very reflective or glary. I haven't seen it applied to terracotta roof tiles although I suppose it could be done providing the roof tiles were very clean, sealed thoroughly with pigmented sealer to stop their inherent porosity and then painted with at least two coats - possibly three coats - of the metallic colour.

Resene Half Surrender
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Quarter Iron
Resene Quarter Iron
Resene Aluminium
Resene Aluminium
Resene Sword
Resene Sword
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene White
Resene White
August 2016

Q. Our home is an old villa with high ceilings. The house has large rimu windows, doors and skirting boards. Also we have old rimu furniture. The carpet is a fawn sisal with a fine black line through it. The rooms are not large but have high ceilings. At present I have painted walls and ceilings in Resene Half Spanish White. The problem is people tell me this is an 'old colour'. The curtains are a heavy calico. We would welcome suggestions from an expert.

A. Resene Half Spanish White is an amazingly versatile warm neutral which is why it has been loved and used for ages. If that makes it an 'old colour' then perhaps it is.

Aren't 'people' annoying? They always have to share their opinions with you and sometimes they can make you feel as though you are wrong in some way.

You aren't wrong if you really like Resene Half Spanish White and it works for you. Sometimes small changes can make existing elements in a house look quite different - and this may be the case if you didn't want to change your main wall colour.

You could lighten/whiten the ceiling to freshen up the house - perhaps look at using Resene Quarter Villa White which works really well with rimu.

Then you could investigate repainting one room only - the lounge? - in a different colour to give a new look for the room without making radical changes everywhere - i.e. Resene Double Parchment. This rich tawny beige colour looks divine with rimu and calico drapes.

If you truly hate Resene Half Spanish White and totally agree with these 'people' who are saying it is an old (boring/non trendy) colour then perhaps you could look at using one of these newer colours - Resene Half Parchment, Resene Quarter Akaroa, Resene Quarter Bison Hide or a much lighter/whiter colour - Resene Villa White.

I hope this is helpful and offers you options. Please don't listen to 'other people' - listen to your heart - it is your home after all isn't it?

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Double Parchment
Resene Double Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
 
August 2016

Q. I need some advice about what colour to paint the plastered part of some flats and also the fence. The red corrugated iron feature will remain as it is so it needs to be something that will work well with that. I was thinking possibly Resene Half Spanish White but am open to suggestions. I have no idea what colour to paint the fence so any advice would be appreciated.

A. Because the red corrugated iron is a feature on the flats you might look at one of these colours - not ruling out Resene Half Spanish White which is a timeless classic but just so you could compare and see other options - Resene Fossil (slightly under toned with a touch of green), Resene Half Tea (very versatile beige), Resene Eighth Arrowtown (a really smart earthy olive/beige).

The fences could be a little deeper - more of a contemporary statement - and you could check out some of these colours - Resene Friar Grey (mid toned stone grey), Resene Double Napa (lovely warm brown/taupe) or Resene Half Fuscous Grey (warm smoky grey).

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Fossil
Resene Fossil
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Eighth Arrowtown
Resene Eighth Arrowtown
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Double Napa
Resene Double Napa
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
 
August 2016

Q. What is the best white to use around door frames/skirting boards and what finish? I have been recommended Resene Double Alabaster, low sheen I think. Would satin finish be better? Going against neutral walls.

A. Resene Double Alabaster is a good choice for a white trim - not stark at all and able to go with lots of other main colours. I usually recommend a semi-gloss waterborne enamel - Resene Lustacryl - which will give you an easily cleaned tough surface. Skirting boards and door frames can have a hard life - thinking of the vacuum cleaner bumping against it and sticky fingers on the door frame.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
August 2016

Q. We are renovating a large 70s built split level home. We are going to render the exterior. The roof and garage doors are Ironsand. Our new aluminium joinery will be in O'Keefe Grey to match an existing window which has already been replaced. We are trying to pick an exterior wall colour and were wondering if Resene Double Truffle would work with these other two colours. Would also appreciate your advice on what colour to paint the gable ends and sills.

A. Resene Double Truffle will work really well. If the gable ends are a lighter version of the main colour - i.e. Resene Quarter Truffle they will stand out between the darker roof - Ironsand - and the mid toned main house colour. This could also be used as a 'white' for under the soffits/eaves.

The sills could be a lighter version of the roof colour - i.e. Resene Quarter Ironsand - this brings a little depth of colour down to the body of the house which will enhance the colour of the window joinery nicely.

Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
August 2016

Q. We want a cedar stain to repaint the outside of a house we are about to sell. We are keen for something that gives the house an updated look and because the cedar is quite weathered we want something that gives good coverage and won't look patchy. It also needs to work with the Forest Green joinery and garage door.

A. You could use Resene Woodsman Dark Oak or even much deeper colours like Resene Woodsman Bark or Resene Woodsman Treehouse.

What was the Resene Woodsman type of stain and colour you used originally? It is important that the same product is used again.

If you have some very sheltered areas of existing stain and some weathered stain this can give a patchy look when new colour is applied - you may need to specially prep the surface and double apply on the lower weatherboards to even out the colour. Our Resene ColorShop staff or technical advice team could assist you with the prep and products to use if you need assistance.

Resene Colorwood Dark Oak
Resene Dark Oak
Resene Bark
Resene Bark
Resene Treehouse
Resene Treehouse
August 2016

Q. What would be the best white to pair with the colour Resene Fascinator? This is for a bedroom.

A. I think it really depends whether you want a warm 'white', a 'cool white' or a white that carries lots of depth and unique under tones of colour. It also depends whether it is for the ceilings and wooden trims or for other walls as a main colour if Resene Fascinator is only going to be used on one wall or as painted furniture.

Some ideas to get you started - a warm white - Resene Half Rice Cake, a cool white - Resene Eighth Black White, and some whites with lots of depth and personality - Resene Thorndon Cream or Resene Athens Grey. You may need to take into account the colour of the flooring, the drapes and the bed linen as well to ensure you have balance and good co-ordination.

Resene Fascinator
Resene Fascinator
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Athens Grey
August 2016

Q. We are doing up our bathroom and I need help choosing a colour for the walls (top half). The bottom half to 1.2m high is Resene Alabaster, as are the window frames. I was thinking about Resene Half Robin Egg Blue, Resene Half Thorndon Cream or Resene Quarter Linen. I want it to feel warm so if I select a blue/green I don't want a cold one.

A. It is all about light - both natural and artificial - and how it makes colours look. If you carefully test the colours by painting up A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) with all of the testpot/two coats leaving an unpainted white card border all around the edges it will help you a lot -

  • Larger samples can be moved from wall to wall so you can see how the light and change of angle alters them.
  • The unpainted border helps your eye to focus on the true depth and reality of the colour.
  • The A2 card can be rolled into a cone with the colour innermost - looking into the cone the colour will appear deeper - as if all four walls were painted. You need to see this in order to know whether the colour is the right depth or brightness.

Two of the colours are yellow based greens (Resene Half Thorndon Cream and Resene Quarter Linen) and one is a green with some yellow in it (Resene Half Robin Egg Blue) - if you want to view them alongside a warm blue/green might I suggest you check out Resene Half Opal and Resene Jet Stream. It may help your eye to recognize the underlying tints and tones in all of the colours.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Opal
Resene Jet Stream
Resene Jet Stream
   
August 2016

Q. What is an on trend colour for the exterior of a home to go with a New Denim Blue roof and joinery? The house is not a villa but does have bullnose verandas and sash windows.

A. It sounds as though your house is a modernised transition bungalow - it has some features but not as many compared to a villa of the Victorian era.

You might look at these modern neutrals to see if they are appealing to you - Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Truffle, Resene Half Tea, Resene Cloud, Resene Triple Sea Fog or Resene Half Silver Chalice.

Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Silver Chalice
   
August 2016

Q. We like Resene Alabaster and want to paint ceiling and walls, but are unsure which percentage we use where. Quarter or eighth on ceiling etc.

A. I think Resene Alabaster only reduces to Resene Quarter Alabaster and after that it turns into (real) Resene White. These are the two options available to you.

If you were to use Resene Half Alabaster it would probably look the same as Resene Alabaster does. Because of the angles of light creating a shadowy surface across the ceiling the difference between the colours isn't apparent.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
August 2016

Q. We are building a new house and need to confirm the soffit and fascia colour. We have a COLORSTEEL® longrun FlaxPod roof, Midland Euro Gris Grande brick (darkish grey) and cedar weatherboards stained Resene Woodsman Shadow Match.

A. Is the fascia you mention the one that the guttering is attached to? Or is it the one that stands proud around the roof line? For either of these you might consider using a greyed colour - not white - but light in tone so it separates the dark roof from the bricks and stained cedar weatherboards. Check out these colours to see if you like them - Resene Foggy Grey or lighter - Resene Half Foggy Grey, or much lighter - Resene Triple Sea Fog.

Often the under soffits of the house uses a whiter colour but not always - it is your choice.

A lighter/whiter colour might be Resene Sea Fog or if you were using one of the deeper options listed above then you might consider using Resene Triple Sea Fog.

I note that you haven't mentioned what colour the windows are? It is possible that the same colour (as a paint) might be used for the under soffits or the fascias?

Resene Shadow Match
Resene Shadow Match
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
August 2016

Q. We are currently renovating our kitchen which will open into our lounge. The kitchen is a very light room as it opens onto the back yard. We are trying to find an interior colour to do these rooms but also potentially eventually follow it through the hallways. We are a family home and want to modernise the house but still have a practical space for resale etc. It will always only be a family home based on the area. What would your recommendations be on a popular colour for kitchen/dining/lounge that is not white? We have tried a few colours such as Resene Ghost, Resene Greywacke as on the swatch we thought they were greyish but not plain grey but they are too blue when on the wall. I was looking now at Resene Black White or Resene Alabaster.

A. Every single grey has some undertones of colour in it. The ones you have indicated in your email that you find 'blue' actually have definite tints of purple in them. If you compare them to the palettes of Resene Concrete, Resene Surrender or Resene Iron then this is very evident. Gathering together all of the grey charts may help you judge what greys carry blue, purple, green, yellow etc.- and that might make it easier for you to choose a grey.

The whites you have mentioned are not grey - even though they have the tiniest amount of colourant in them it doesn't make them grey. But if you pursue the whole palette (from the lightest to the deepest) of Resene Alabaster and Resene Black White you may find the Double or Triple versions of these whites are toned 'grey' enough for you.

The right colour for you is the colour that goes with every other colour you have and looks good in changing light. This can sometimes take a bit of work testing colours to find. So just because a colour is popular it may still not be the perfect one for you.

Personally I have always found that applying all of the testpot (two coats) to A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow unpainted white card border all around the edges helps a lot:

  • Because it is so large you are truly able to imagine how it will look.
  • The unpainted border helps you judge the depth of the colour as well as acting as a barrier to stop any other existing wall colour from unduly influencing it.
  • The card can be moved from wall to wall so you can see how changes of angles and light alter it.
  • If you roll the card into a cone shape with the colour innermost and look into it you see it deeper - this indicates how much deeper it will look when all four walls are painted. Colours always look deeper in an interior than you might imagine they will do.
Resene Ghost
Resene Ghost
Resene Greywacke
Resene Greywacke
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
 
August 2016

Q. We are renovating a small but light filled studio. The kitchen is Ikea white with a timber bench top, a new laminate wood flooring and olive gold/green splashback mosaic tile. We are leaning towards grey walls with white (to match cabinetry) trims and skirting because I love the tailored tidy look but are unsure of the shade/darkness. We're not afraid of bold choices but since it is a rental I have to think about non-intrusive colours.

Should I paint the entire apartment the same colour or delineate the kitchen from living with a different shade of the same colour?

A. If you like the grey look then I would suggest you check out the warmer/greyed /whites rather than hard edged cool industrial greys which may be in conflict with the warm wood and yellow/green mosaic tiles and amber glass pendant lights.

You could look at the listed colours which are shaded rather than hugely coloured so they will emphasise the white cabinetry and still maintain the light and make the spaces seem larger. They look spectacular with pure white - Resene White - as trims and ceilings. Try Resene Sea Fog, Resene Double Sea Fog or slightly more yellow/green/grey toned - Resene Quill Grey or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey.

All colours in an interior can look a lot deeper than you might imagine they will so these colours may appear in some instances double their depth.

Resene White
Resene White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
August 2016

Q. We are renovating a 1989 house and want a white or neutral for our walls. We have chosen Harrisons Brooklyn 770 for our carpet and would also like to keep all the rimu window, skirting and door trims. We are looking at Resene Half Merino or Resene Quarter Merino for the walls. Any suggestion of what would be a good colour to paint the doors and the ceilings? We have a lot of scarlet red and lime green furniture.

A. In small, narrow or dim spaces it may be wise to use the lightest of the colours and in very large or very bright sunny rooms you could use the deeper of the two colours. They are subtle colours but all colours in an interior can appear a little deeper than you might imagine they will do - it is about natural light, special dimensions and wall angles. If in doubt please do go to the extra effort to paint up both testpots onto some large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow unpainted border. This helps you focus on the reality of the colour and the unpainted border acts as a barrier to prevent the tested colour from being unduly influenced (in a negative way) and the sample can be moved from wall to wall so that you can see how it alters in different situations.

If the ceiling is painted Resene White it will enhance the gentle warm neutral wall colour and add a clean, crisp contrast.

If you don't particularly want the doors to be a 'feature' you could paint them the same colour as the wall (perhaps the lighter version for both spaces if you are using both colours) and there would be just a gloss level difference (woodwork is usually painted in a semi-gloss or full gloss enamel) not a colour difference. If however you want all the doors to be noticeable then you might paint them Resene White or Resene Merino - so it would be either lighter/brighter or a toned up version of the wall colour.

Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene White
Resene White
August 2016

Q. We are building a new home on a lifestyle block and I'm keen for a soft neutral throughout... How would Resene Quarter Villa White go? And what's an alternative? Not keen on yellow or pink tones, but then I hear Resene Villa White doesn't actually look yellow. I am keen to stay away from green and grey undertones. And what are some soft pretty duck egg blue/aqua suitable for a little girl's room or adult's bedroom to go with Resene Quarter Villa White or your suggested alternatives?

A. If you check out all of the Resene Villa White palette of colours - not just Resene Quarter Villa White - you will see just what type of colour it is. In small spaces, dim spaces or in south facing rooms you will notice that the quarter formula looks more 'coloured' - like Resene Half Villa White - so it can look yellower. All colours in an interior can appear deeper (or brighter) than you may expect due to natural light or due to being in smaller areas where colour is intensified.

Perhaps look at an alternative colour - i.e. Resene Half Rice Cake or Resene Half Bianca - so that you can paint up the samples onto very large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and then compare them to each other, moving them from wall to wall and room to room to see how they alter.

You have time on your side so ensure you know exactly how the colour will behave (or not) by careful testing. FYI - colours change with every change of light and especially when other colours are seen close to them. You need to consider flooring, drapes, duvets, upholstered furniture kitchen cabinets and work tops and how they will all look to together and what effect wall colour will have in association with them.

Duck egg or aqua colours to consider- Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Nebula, Resene Half Emerge, Resene Carefree or Resene Half Opal.

Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
 
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Nebula
Resene Nebula
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Carefree
Resene Carefree
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Opal
August 2016

Q. I'm after complementary colours for Woodland Grey rendered exterior walls. I would like white for windows and a darker colour (almost black) for the roof. I don't want the green to be highlighted in the Woodland Grey but would rather it look greyer.

A. Some greyed/whites to check out - Resene Black White, Resene Sea Fog or Resene Black Haze. Darker - almost black - for the roof - Resene Element, Resene Nocturnal or Resene Bokara Grey.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Black Haze
Resene Black Haze
Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
August 2016

Q. We have a new build and painting is looming. Upstairs is 100 square metres and mostly open plan - north facing, very sunny with lots of windows. Initially we were planning to paint all white but this looks too stark with all the light. I'd like to divide the spaces, creating a more homely feel. We'd love Resene Inside Back as a feature lounge wall that can only be seen from the dining area. I would love suggestions on warm mid tone greys to follow on from the lounge into the dining area and advice on a warm, white for the kitchen, stairwell and bedrooms and bathrooms below. What mid tone grey and warm white would tie in well with Resene Inside Back? If you have any advice for window and door frames and ceilings it would be appreciated too.

A. Warmer whites might be one of these colours - Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Half Barely There, or crisper whites for ceilings and painted wood trims - Resene Eighth Black White, Resene Half Alabaster, or light-mid toned greys to work with Resene Inside Back might be one of these colours - Resene Quarter Foggy Grey, Resene Triple Black White, Resene Quill Grey or Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.

Resene Inside Back
Resene Inside Back
     
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
August 2016

Q. What can I use with Resene Grey Friars if I use it as a base colour on a two storey building with Resene Alabaster joinery.

A. You don't mention what type of look you are wanting to achieve so the following are from lighter to deeper in greys - perhaps this will be a start point - Resene Snow Drift, Resene Triple Black White, Resene Surrender, Resene Gull Grey or Resene Regent Grey.

They are all quite different to each other - with unique undertones of colour in them - but they are worthy of consideration.

Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
     
Resene Snow Drift
Resene Snow Drift
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Regent Grey
August 2016

Q. I am planning on painting the exterior of my masonry bungalow with Resene Eighth Stonehenge and need some advice on the shade of white to paint the window frames etc.

A. If you wanted a soft toned white (not too clean or stark) then you could use either of these colours - Resene Black White or Resene Sea Fog. There are also lighter and deeper toned versions of these colour if you would like to pursue those options.

Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
August 2016

Q. I have chosen Resene Truffle for my house exterior colour. The garage door and fascia is Ironsand, the cedar wood is stained Resene Sheer Black. What colour should my downpipes be? Do I go with the same colour as the fascia?

A. I think in this particular case then you could use the Ironsand. The only thought I had was that where (or in fact IF) the down pipes run down the face of the house over Resene Truffle it will stand out as a feature. There may be no getting around that but it does need thinking about doesn't it? If you didn't favour that at all then you could paint the down pipes to match the house as they would then merge in.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
August 2016

Q. We have a two storey weatherboard house above a concrete block garage. It has silver aluminium joinery and dark blue garage doors. I want to paint the exterior a light grey colour with dark trim. I'd like to tie in with the silver aluminium and existing dark blue of the garage doors but not be too 'cold' looking. I am thinking of Resene Half Concrete for the weatherboards and Resene Double Concrete for concrete blocks, Resene Mine Shaft for the trim and balcony balustrade. Does this sound like a complementary colour scheme or am I trying to do too much? The priority is to tie in well with the 1970s silver aluminium which can't be changed.

A. The Resene Concrete palette of colours is a warm toned grey (hiding the tiniest bit of mauve undertone) which would look lovely with a dark charcoal. Another darker charcoal that might be worth checking out is Resene Bunker - not quite as purple/blue toned as Resene Mineshaft.

Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Mine Shaft
Resene Mine Shaft
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Bunker
Resene Bunker
August 2016

Q. I was wondering if a Resene Rice Cake interior would go with silver grey joinery?

A. If the joinery is Silver Pearl powder coat or aluminium anodised joinery then the Resene Rice Cake would be fine but some of the almost grey/green creamy tones like the following also work well - Resene Eighth Tana or Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
August 2016

Q. Our new house has a COLORSTEEL® matt Sandstone Grey roof and windows, with colour matched window facings in Resene Gauntlet. We also have a lot of schist stone in dark/light grey tones with a bit of white. The garage and front doors are COLORSTEEL® Silver Pearl. We always wanted white as the weatherboard cladding colour but wanted it soft and chalky to match the stones and not be too bright, so have moved more into looking at light greys. I like Resene Double Concrete.

There's also a tricky covenant I'm trying to obey but am hoping to make a close enough choice in order to get the tones right that it will not raise any questions. We are meant to use colours off the Resene BS5252 chart not over 60%, which limits the choice right down to Resene Silver Sand which I think is throwing yellow when compared to Resene Double Concrete. I consider Resene Double Concrete to look very similar in daylight and at 61% is not going to be obviously different to Resene Silver Sand which is 57%.

A. I am wary of any of the Resene Concrete palette of colours - not because of the LRV but more to do with the very warm slightly purple undertone of these colours and how they look next to the Resene Gauntlet which has a yellow/grey undertone.

If you are looking for a colour on the Resene BS5252 chart and very light to meet the criteria you are required to work with you could look at this grey - it looks really good with Sandstone Grey and Resene Gauntlet - Resene Quill Grey (LRV 65%) - related to Resene Silver Sand but lighter.

Another option - is to use a slightly deeper version of Resene Sea Fog (BS5252 - LRV 81%) from the Whites & Neutrals extended range of colours - Resene Triple Sea Fog (LRV 71%). You would have to get permission for this though.

Perhaps you might check out these colours - also from the Whites & Neutrals fan deck - to see if they might be acceptable - Resene Barely There (LRV 78%), Resene Quarter Silver Chalice (LRV 63%) or Resene House White (LRV 76%).

Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Silver Sand
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
Resene House White
Resene House White
August 2016

Q. I'm looking for inspiration and suggestions for a new colour for a hall and kitchen/lounge/dining rooms. The house was built in the 1930s and has quite a lot of dark wooden trims and doors. Almost the entire house is currently painted Resene Dutch White which I find too yellow/cream. I think the ceilings are Resene Half Pearl Lusta. If possible it would be nice to avoid painting the ceilings. I had thought of going quite white, and tested Resene Wan White and Resene Rice Cake. I do like these but they seem too white especially if I am to keep the ceiling colour.

A. You have identified the (possible) problem - yes it is the ceiling! It will look more coloured (than Resene Wan White) and yellower (than Resene Rice Cake) so the word is 'compromise'. Hmm - I know you probably don't want to compromise but if the ceiling colour stays you may have no choice.

You could paint the walls to match the ceiling - then nothing is more coloured or whiter so your eye sends a little message to the brain and says 'Resene Half Pearl Lusta must be whiter than I think it is'. It is - compared to Resene Dutch White.

If you undercoat all the walls with white undercoat (gets rid of all the yellow/cream) and look at the spaces with some large samples of Resene Half Pearl Lusta painted on A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) you will be better able to judge the overall look that you will achieve.

If you hate the word 'compromise' then the ceiling must be repainted - i.e. Resene White will allow you to have any other 'white' on the walls.

Resene Dutch White
Resene Dutch White
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene White
Resene White
August 2016

Q. We are building and would like a neutral colour for the living areas that doesn't look cold or stark. We were thinking of Resene Alabaster for the ceilings and Resene Milk White for the walls. Our aluminium joinery is Silver Pearl. If these two colours would work well, should we paint the architraves, skirtings and internal doors Resene Alabaster or Resene Milk White?

A. I suggest you choose the kitchen cabinets, work tops, any tiles or hard flooring and carpets and fabric for drapes first as there is far less to choose from in these elements (and they are far more expensive) than there is paint colours. Then get large samples of the colours you are interested in and see if they work with all of the other things. It is far easier to find a colour for walls when you are relating it to elements you have already chosen.

Resene Milk White can look grey, beige (especially next to Silver Pearl joinery), pink or taupe depending upon natural and artificial light and other colours seen close to it.

In east facing rooms it may pick up green undertones, in south facing rooms it can look grey and in west facing rooms it can look a slightly muted mushroom/pink. It is really important that it look perfect and if you haven't taken into account the natural light and shadow in the rooms and any other colours close by you can misjudge how it will look.

Testpots are your best friend. If you paint all of the testpot (two coats) onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) - yes it is super large but you need to see lots of the paint not a tiny little postage stamp size sample. If you leave an unpainted border all around the edge of the card it helps you focus on the reality of the colour and the unpainted area acts as a barrier between the colour and the plasterboard or plastered walls so they don't unduly influence how the colour is seen. It can be moved from wall to wall/room to room to see how it alters in changing light.

All colours in an interior can look deeper that you may imagine they will do. Once the card is painted up if you roll it into a cone shape with the colour innermost you can look into it and see the colour deeper, as if all four walls of a room have been painted. This is how you can sort out whether the colour is just right or too deep and change it for a lighter version.

Once you have sorted out the wall colour then you can look at the woodwork and decide whether you want it to blend in (same colour as the wall but in a semi-gloss enamel) or be highlighted to emphasise the wall colour (whiter) or be a much lighter version of the wall colour (half, quarter) so a softer look is achieved.

P.S. Resene Alabaster goes with anything - no worries there!

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Milk White
Resene Milk White
August 2016

Q. We have a three bedroom bungalow and are looking to paint the hallway and bedrooms a neutral/shade of soft white and not too yellow. We have wooden floorboards in the kitchen and living areas and charcoal carpet in the lounge and bedrooms. We have white shutters throughout the house.

The kitchen and lounge area were recently renovated before we moved into our house. The kitchen is in Resene Alabaster and the adjoining lounge is in Resene Half Solitaire. We would like to leave these but hopefully find a colour which can tone in with the Resene Half Solitaire. The hallway and bedrooms are on the southern side of the house. The hallway doesn't get much light and the bedrooms get some but they don't get any sun. The hallway is currently Resene Haystack and the bedrooms Resene Half Dutch White (too yellow). I have picked up some samples of Resene Merino, Resene Double Merino and Resene Half Merino but think these could be a bit 'grey' or cold for this end of the house. The Resene Half Merino almost looks a tad green?

Are you able to make a colour suggestions for the hallway and bedrooms which is a slightly warmer neutral or white? Or leans/ties in more with an 'oat' or 'tea' type colour similar to our lampshades in our bedroom and hallway.

A. I suspect the bedrooms and hallway were painted in warm sunny colours because south facing areas (and hallways that don't get a lot of natural light) aren't warm and sunny unlike west facing rooms. Painting these rooms a white often makes them look grey or chilly.

All of the Resene Merino palette of colours have a greenish undertone and as they are subdued and muted in ambiance in south facing rooms they may look sour (greener) or a cool grey/beige.

If you are wanting to use a neutral/soft (warmer) white to work with those colours that are staying – Resene Alabaster and Resene Half Solitaire - I suggest you investigate these colours to see if they work for you -and more importantly - in those areas not blessed with all day sunshine - Resene Eighth Spanish White, Resene Half Albescent White, Resene Bianca or Resene Eighth Tea.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Solitaire
Resene Half Solitaire
Resene Haystack
Resene Haystack
Resene Half Dutch White
Resene Half Dutch White
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
 
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth
Spanish White
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
August 2016

Q. The walls and ceilings in our house are painted Resene Eighth Pavlova and the baseboards, doors and door and window frames are all in Resene Quarter Pavlova. We are selling our house and have been advised we should lighten the wall and ceiling colour. We aren't changing the woodwork as not enough time and too costly. We have gone to Resene Eighth Pavlova but it is too white. What about 1/12 or Resene Half Rice Cake. The window and door joinery are Rivergum so we need to keep a slight muddy tone.

A. I think if you lightened your ceilings to Resene Rice Cake it would give the interior a much fresher look and would force your eye to see Resene Eighth Pavlova as the rich creamy yellow that it is. Light ceilings reflect a lot of light and make everything else look more coloured by comparison.

I hope this is helpful and allows you to make minimal but appropriate changes

Resene Eighth Pavlova
Resene Eighth Pavlova
Resene Quarter Pavlova
Resene Quarter Pavlova
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
August 2016

Q. We are building a new house with Rockcote cladding and need to decide the colour of the exterior and the soffits. Our roof is COLORSTEEL® FlaxPod, the windows are Silver Pearl, the front door and garage door are black. We are having cedar features around the entire entrance and above the garage windows and in the gable. We want a white that doesn't look cream/yellow but isn't too stark. I am considering Resene Quarter Merino with Resene Eighth Merino soffits.

Also for the interior want a white tone and are considering Resene Half Black White or Resene Alabaster at the moment. We are having grey flecked carpet and a Snow White kitchen with Jarrah Melteca® accents on the cabinets. The bench is Arctic Snow Quartz and the tiles will be ash wood look tiles in the kitchen, entrance and laundry and concrete look tiles in the bathroom, up the shower and side of the bath and W/C, with darker grey/black tiles in the ensuite and up the shower walls. I am also considering adding a grey tone into the children's rooms or as a feature in the master bedroom. What suggestions do you have and what finish (high gloss etc) should we select for our trims, skirting, window sills etc?

A. I really like the colour you refer to - Resene Quarter Merino - and on an exterior it will look lighter/whiter due to bright natural sunlight. An alternative to Resene Quarter Merino might be Resene Black White or Resene Sea Fog.

Resene Eighth Merino is not a standard Resene colour. I suggest if you want a 'whiter' colour for under the soffits that you consider using Resene Eighth Black White.

Resene Alabaster or Resene Quarter Black White are the same weight of colour but Resene Half Black White is a tiny bit greyer - it is subtle but a little more coloured than the other two.

Trims are often a semi-gloss water based enamel – Resene Lustacryl - but the full gloss water based enamel – Resene Enamacryl - is very wet/slick/hard wearing so it is a personal taste choice.

You have a huge amount of greys to choose from - probably 100s - and it does depend on what the other greys are in the house - tiles or carpets etc - as to which type of grey you choose. You may need to check out several to see which one looks the best with your other elements. Testpots are your best friend - always apply all of the testpot to large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) so it can be moved from wall to wall so you can see how it alters on different angles of wall, in different natural and artificial light and in different rooms.

Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
 
August 2016

Q. I am looking at painting a powder room in Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey and Resene Triple Rakaia. I want an accent of orange that will go with these two colours. Maybe Resene Christine or Resene Clementine Orange?

A. I like the soft little touch of red in the undertone of Resene Clementine Orange whereas Resene Christine has a dirtier undertone. I think it is a personal choice because what I like you may not. You might look at these two oranges to see how they compare - and it is really important to view the colours together so you can see their differences - Resene Ecstasy or Resene Gold Drop.

Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
Resene Triple Rakaia
Resene Triple Rakaia
   
Resene Christine
Resene Christine
Resene Clementine Orange
Resene Clementine Orange
Resene Ecstasy
Resene Ecstasy
Resene Gold Drop
Resene Gold Drop
August 2016

Q. We have a new house build with a combination of LINEA® weatherboards and render on the exterior. Our fascia and gutters are COLORBOND® Monument and the window frames are Black.

I was thinking of using Resene Eternity on the weatherboards and Resene Rice Cake on the render. I was thinking of painting the front rendered block fence in Resene Rice Cake also. We have a Merbau (reddish) timber deck that borders the house. Will these colours go together?

A. I like your colour choice for the main LINEA® and roof and windows - very dark/earthy and not a lot of contrast in depth between the Monument, the Black and the Resene Eternity - though the yellow/green undertones in the Resene Eternity will make it seem brighter possibly on the exterior. The Resene Rice Cake will 'pop' out nicely from the dark main colours - a nice crisp look. The Merbau works really well with the earthy green Resene Eternity so a rich warm look will be achieved.

Resene Eternity
Resene Eternity
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
August 2016

Q. We are building a house. The lounge opens into a living room which has a freestanding wall (to the ceiling) without any doors on either side. I am thinking of using Resene Biscotti or Resene Half Napa to colour the walls, but I want to use a dark brown or brownish red colour on the freestanding wall to give a bold impression. Can you please help me with what different possibilities I can go with?

A. Both the neutral colours you have mentioned are quite different from each other. Resene Biscotti is a lovely mellow warm beige with an orange/pink undertone and Resene Half Napa is an earthy brown/yellow/green/grey. Because they are so different from each other the colour you choose for a feature on the freestanding wall also needs to be quite different in order to work with the main colour.

Resene Biscotti looks lovely with these colours - Resene Pioneer Red, Resene Dynamite or Resene Desperado. Resene Half Napa looks lovely with these colours - Resene Hot N Spicy, Resene Bootleg or Resene Scoria.

Resene Biscotti
Resene Biscotti
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Dynamite
Resene Dynamite
Resene Desperado
Resene Desperado
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Hot N Spicy
Resene Hot N Spicy
Resene Bootleg
Resene Bootleg
Resene Scoria
Resene Scoria
August 2016

Q. We are choosing colours for a repaint of our render board and weatherboard house. We have tried Resene Foggy Grey and Resene Half Foggy Grey and wonder if Resene Bombay would give a less blue effect or if you can suggest another grey. We have lead lights and would like the front door and some of the trim in a dark grey to pick up the lead in the windows but don't know which one to choose. Also, the best 'white' for window trim and lattice work and corbels. We want less dark trim.

A. I wonder whether you are applying testpots to already coloured surfaces on the exterior of the house. If this was the case then you would very likely see the colour of the testpots 'wrong' because of the influence of the predominant house colour. Neither of the colours - Resene Foggy Grey or Resene Half Foggy Grey - are blue toned. They are yellow/grey stone colours and the yellow and black combination of colourants pulls up a slight green cast to the colours.

Resene Bombay has a warmer (slightly pink) undertone. The greys you have mentioned are very pale - not a dark grey at all that would look like the lead in the window so it is really important to find the right light grey and then look to see if there is a much deeper variant of it for the trim colour on the house.

I suggest you look at applying the testpots (two coats) to super large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted (white) border all around the edges of the card so you eye focuses on the reality of the colour. The unpainted border acts as a barrier to keep the colour away from the existing exterior colour so you won't get a misrepresentation of the tested colour. The large card can be moved around the house - all colours are seen differently on each wall of the house due to the axis of natural light. This may help you to choose your perfect grey.

These whites might be checked out also - Resene Quarter Wan White, Resene Half Black White or Resene Alabaster.

Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Bombay
Resene Bombay
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
August 2016

Q. I have a dark charcoal roof, Titania windows and garage door. I am thinking of Resene Double Truffle for weatherboards. What trim would you recommend?

A. A lighter version of the window colour - so they don't look excluded from the colour scheme - may be a good way to go. Try Resene Half Titania, or another similar but slightly lighter colour - Resene Quarter Ecru White. If you wanted a dark trim colour you might use a warm charcoal/brown - Resene Half Ironsand, or a slightly lighter match to the roof colour - I am not sure which charcoal you have used but it may be Grey Friars - Resene Half Grey Friars.

Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Titania
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Quarter Ecru White
Resene Half Ironsand
Resene Half Ironsand
August 2016

Q. We have a monopitch living/dining room of approx. 60m2 with a ceiling height of between 3 and 4 metres. After much time in Scandinavia, we don't intend to paint our walls Resene Black White though, as it looks a dirty colour in our room. Currently the walls are a mix of Resene Green White and Resene Archive Grey. The ceiling is Resene Black White. The room is west facing with lots of glass but doesn't get great morning light. We are wondering whether the normal advice of choosing a half shade lighter for ceilings applies when the ceiling is so very high? If we choose a very high LRV white for our walls how do we choose a lighter colour for the ceiling? Do normal 'rules' apply?

A. Normal rules apply to rooms with normal height ceilings. With your spaces and high ceilings you could use the same colour for both the walls and ceilings.

West facing rooms can be shadowy until later in the afternoon. West facing light has a warmth to it - this may be encouraging the Resene Black White to grey up a bit too much.

Whites that have the highest LRV are these ones - Resene Double Alabaster (LRV 88), Resene Alabaster (LRV 91), Resene Half Alabaster (LRV 92), Resene White (LRV 92) - this is 'real' white' or Resene Eighth Black White (LRV 92). Or for warmer whites with a tiny yellow edge - Resene Quarter Rice Cake (LRV 90), Resene Quarter Bianca (LRV 92).

Resene Green White
Resene Green White
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
August 2016

Q. What type of white do you suggest for painting internal doors, jambs and window sills? We are still to decide on wall colours but are thinking neutral colours. There are so many types of white that I have no idea what would be the best one and the differences.

A. It does depend upon what type of neutral colour you are going to use as the main house colour.

You might look at these 'whites' - crisp/cool - Resene Quarter Black White, sweet/warm - Resene Half Bianca, sharp edged - Resene Half Rice Cake or alternatively you might use the palest/whitest version of whichever neutral colour you are using for the walls for a softer more subtle look – e.g. Resene Quarter White Pointer with Resene White Pointer.

Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Quarter White Pointer
Resene Quarter
White Pointer
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
August 2016

Q. We plan to paint our 1920 villa. The roof is COLORSTEEL® Slate, the fascia is Resene Grey Friars, soffits and weatherboards Resene Quarter Surrender, window and door surrounds Resene Black White and the bottom base boards Resene Grey Friars. Do you think these colours will be a good fit for a 1920 villa?

A. I like your choice of colours however you may see very little (or no) difference between the Resene Black White and Resene Quarter Surrender.

Bright natural light on an exterior strips colour away making them look lighter. The difference between the two colours is very subtle and will make a very minimal contrast apparent and with the bright light this minimal contrast may disappear altogether.

I suggest if you do want to see a difference between the two colours that you lighten the 'white' - i.e. Resene Half Black White and deepen the main house colour - i.e. Resene Half Surrender. It is still a very subtle/soft level of contrast.

Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Surrender
Resene Half Surrender
August 2016

Q. I have Resene Quarter Tea on my walls with white ceiling and trims and white gloss cabinets for the kitchen but I'm stuck with what colour to choose for the bench top...

A. There are so many laminates, engineered stone, granite and tiles available you may need to pick up all the samples that appeal to you and play the 'remove one' game. This is where you look at all the samples and say to yourself 'I like this one least of all' and get rid of that one. If you continue doing this with the ever decreasing samples you will eventually end up with one sample which is the 'one' you have.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
August 2016

Q. I want to paint the eaves of our house. The house colour is reddish brick and our aluminium joinery is Denim Blue. What colour do you recommend to paint the eaves?

A. By eaves do you mean the flat fascias that follow the roof line? Perhaps the same as the window joinery? Is the roof the same colour as the window joinery? If that is the case then Resene New Denim Blue is a match colour. There is also a lighter version of the joinery colour available - Resene Half New Denim Blue.

Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New
Denim Blue
August 2016

Q. I am restoring a Heritage 1 listed house and would like some help with choosing a colour for the lounge, dining, stairway and entrance. All the timber panelling, ceiling, doors and windows will all remain as is with just a freshen up with Danish Oil. The only painted areas in these rooms are above the timber panelling. At the moment the walls are painted baby blue. I don't like pastel or bright colours.

The only colours chosen so far for the house have been Permanent Green for the roof and Resene Half Haystack for the outside of the window sashes as these were close to the original colours. The main house is unpainted concrete.

A. If you don't like pastels or bright colours and the areas of wall are small compared to the wooden panelling perhaps deep or muted colours might ring your bell?

You might look at these colours - Resene Holly, Resene Karma, Resene Lusty or Resene St Kilda. Or muted colours - Resene Chapta And Verse, Resene Timekeeper, Resene Earthstone or Resene Taupe Grey. Or a simple timeless neutral that creates a lot of light and goes with everything - Resene Clotted Cream.

Resene Half Haystack
Resene Half Haystack
Resene Holly
Resene Holly
Resene Karma
Resene Karma
Resene Lusty
Resene Lusty
Resene St Kilda
Resene St Kilda
Resene Chapta And Verse
Resene Chapta And Verse
Resene Timekeeper
Resene Timekeeper
Resene Earthstone
Resene Earthstone
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
August 2016

Q. I am doing a full renovation through our open plan living areas - lounge, dining room and kitchen. The space is easterly facing and doesn't get much sun. We have high ceilings and would like to go for a coastal theme. We like the washed out blues and greens but don't want anything too 'cold'. So far we have considered Resene Breeze, Resene Quarter Powder Blue and Resene Half Periglacial Blue. If we match with either Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta or Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta do you think these colours will be warm enough for the space?

A. The easterly aspect of natural light emphasises blues and greens but they can look a little grey after the sunlight passes and the rooms inherit shadow. Another colour worth checking out is Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue as it maintains its warmth.

As the colours you favour are very light I suggest you use Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta or even Resene Quarter Bianca but nothing deeper than this as it will be too coloured (yellow) to work well with the coastal hues you are considering.

Resene Breeze
Resene Breeze
Resene Quarter Powder Blue
Resene Quarter
Powder Blue
Resene Half Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Periglacial Blue
 
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter
Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
August 2016

Q. We are currently deciding what colour to paint our open plan kitchen living room. The kitchen cabinetry is Resene Sea Fog and the bench top is white granite. The flooring will be Blonde Oak polyfloor throughout. We are looking for a neutral colour for the walls and were thinking grey but don't want anything that will make the room appear too cold/stark. What colours would you recommend? Also suggestions for the ceiling and window frames/skirtings would be great.

A. I would use a 'white' for the ceilings and the woodwork to add a little light contrast to the wall colour. Perhaps you might look at Resene Quarter Black White - this is a good crisp white.

Some warmer greys for you to consider for the walls might be one of these colours - Resene Quarter Delta, Resene Triple Black White or Resene Triple Sea Fog.

The window walls will look a little deeper/greyer because of the shadow that is seen around a source of natural light so the colours may look double their perceived depth.

Please test the colours carefully - testpots are your best friend if the colours are applied to large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and moved from wall to wall and viewed at different times of the day and night. If you leave a narrow border unpainted it helps your eye focus on the reality of the tested colour.

Small patches of colour applied directly to plasterboard can be misleading - plasterboard is a browny colour - and any existing wall colour can make you misjudge the tested colour.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
August 2016

Q. I would like to do my room in a deep purple and one wall leopard print. Do you think it will go?

A. Yes - it sounds really luxurious and sensual.

August 2016

Q. We have a Woodland Grey roof with Surfmist COLORBOND® fascia and eaves. I am looking for a grey to render but don't want it to look too cold. We want white window frames with plantation shutters to give character to the front of the house. I loved a picture on Pinterest which was Resene Half Masala, but have since looked at Resene Half Tapa and wondered if the green undertones of the Resene Half Tapa would go with my roof and fascia colours.

A. You are right. There is similar undertones in the colours.

But if you really like the deeper colour (like Resene Half Masala) then you might look at and Resene Quarter Gravel. They are worthy of consideration.

FYI - on an exterior colours can look half again as light because of the bright natural light.

Resene Half Tapa might look like Resene Quarter Tapa - would this worry you? Is it lighter/brighter that you are looking for?

Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
August 2016

Q. We have painted our new home Resene Heathered Grey throughout, with the exception of the master bedroom and lounge where we chose Resene Zulu. We love the Resene Heathered Grey but the Resene Zulu although not bad in some lights is mostly just a bit too dark and too purple. I like grey/lilac muted shades but Resene Zulu sometimes looks really purple with almost red in it. Can you suggest a colour that would complement Resene Heathered Grey and would work in the bedroom and lounge? I love Resene paint and this is the sixth house I've used it on.

A. Yes you are right - Resene Zulu is a warm grey with strong undertones of red/purple in it. You might look at these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Matakana, Resene Monsoon, Resene Scorpion or Resene Waterloo.

Resene Heathered Grey
Resene Heathered Grey
Resene Zulu
Resene Zulu
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
 
Resene Matakana
Resene Matakana
Resene Monsoon
Resene Monsoon
Resene Scorpion
Resene Scorpion
Resene Waterloo
Resene Waterloo
August 2016

Q. Does Resene Cougar go well with Wallaby? Our roof and gutter are in COLORBOND® Monument. We are building a modern single storey home. We have cedar shiplap on our roller door.

A. The only Wallaby I can find is the COLORBOND® one and if it is this colour that you are referring to then yes Resene Cougar does look good with it.

Resene Cougar
Resene Cougar
August 2016

Q. I'm going for Resene Quarter Truffle in the master bedroom with Resene Alabaster for doors, trims and ceilings and I like the idea of a feature wall in a dark moody blue at the head of the bed. I like Resene Shadowy Blue but I'm wanting some suggestions on a suitable blue.

A. Dark moody blues that you might check out to see if they appeal to you are the following colours - Resene Blue Night, Resene Bunting, Resene Biscay, Resene Midnight Express, Resene Regatta or Resene True Blue.

All colours in an interior can look a lot deeper than you might imagine they will do so it is really important to test the colour in the environment to ensure it is absolutely right at least 80% of the time - there will always be some part of the day or night when the light makes the colour change to 'something else' - so it will never be 100% right all of the time.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Shadowy Blue
Resene Shadowy Blue
   
Resene Blue Night
Resene Blue Night
Resene Bunting
Resene Bunting
Resene Biscay
Resene Biscay
Resene Midnight Express
Resene Midnight Express
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
August 2016

Q. We have painted our new ceiling Resene Alabaster, and our walls are going to be Resene Double Sea Fog. We now want to paint our rimu window frames. Do we do these the same colour as the walls? Or the same Resene Alabaster as the ceiling?

A. If you want the window frames to merge in with the walls so they aren't a feature at all then using the same colour as the walls - but in a semi-gloss enamel - will do that. However if you want the windows to look crisp against the wall colour then using Resene Alabaster will do that.

A 'dress rehearsal' to give you a way to judge which option is better for you would be to undercoat the woodwork in white. If you don't like the 'white' look then you can topcoat in the wall colour.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
August 2016

Q. I have Totara floors (the wood has greenish flecks through and more depth and grain than the usual orange/rimu floor). I have rimu door and window frames that are heart rimu and not at all orange.

I want a colour but nothing cream/yellow. The room has light all day - north facing with big windows. It will be filled with plants and rimu bookcases. I would love a restful non glary 'green'... but am really worried it will look cold or hospital green. I want to play up my open, light space not close it in. I need something warm, fresh and something to make the woodwork and plants pop.

My kitchen adjoins the lounge and is retro aqua/teal blue... I am stuck with this for a while.

A. Some colours to try with your woodwork and adjacent to the distinctive retro aqua/teal you have in the lounge are - Resene Spring Rain, Resene Norway, Resene Coriander, Resene Pale Leaf or Resene Soft Apple.

Colours in an interior can look twice as deep or bright as you might imagine they will look. Please do test them very carefully - testpots are your best friend. If you apply the testpot (all of it/two coats) on to A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops).

Leaving an unpainted border all around the edges then your eye can focus on the reality of the colour. Moving the card from wall to wall will show you how light/shadow/wall angles alter the colour.

Resene Spring Rain
Resene Spring Rain
Resene Norway
Resene Norway
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Soft Apple
Resene Soft Apple
August 2016

Q. I have exterior walls in recycled unpainted red brick, gutters are in COLORBOND® Jasper and I would like a charcoal/dark grey for the windows and trims. I don't want something as brown as the Jasper.

A. Perhaps you might look at this colour - Resene Ironsand. This is an earthy brown based charcoal and it would work well with the Jasper and the brick.

Alternatively you might check out these colours - Resene Windswept or Resene Baltic Sea.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
August 2016

Q. I am looking for a colour scheme for our house exterior and roof. It is looking shabby and blah.

I do like fresh greige tones and crisp white. I was maybe looking at painting the balustrades white but am not sure. In winter the place looks dreary as we have lots of trees so I want to brighten up the place.

The deck has been added to and the previous owners stained the deck an orangey colour - ugh - so we need to paint/stain it as well to match the new colour scheme.

A. Grey/beiges (greige) can look a little bit dull, heavy or muddy - not fresh or bright. Is that what you want? You might check out a few to see if that is really what you are after - Resene Truffle, Resene Cloudy or Resene Double White Pointer.

Colours on an exterior can look a lot lighter than you might imagine - so do test them and take that into account.

Definitely use a bit more white on the balustrades - i.e. Resene Half Alabaster - this will add a bit of light contrast.

If you are thinking of restaining the deck you might look at one of these colours – Resene Tiri or Resene Iroko.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Iroko
Resene Iroko
   
August 2016

Q. We need to repaint our house. Currently we have Resene Taupe Grey which we love but want to change it up a 'little' bit. We have an Ironsand COLORSTEEL® roof to consider and silver pearl joinery. We are thinking a soft grey for the LINEA® (not one that will appear too white) and a contrasting mid-grey for plaster. We want to go a bit more 'silver/concrete grey' than the current Resene Taupe Grey we have. The main concern I have is not letting the Ironsand look too brown in contrast to the grey choices.

A. Unfortunately 'silver/concrete grey' will make the Ironsand look earthier/browner - one being cool and one being warmer the contrast 'pops' at you more. Have you thought of making a smaller change from Resene Taupe Grey to a slightly greyer warm colour?

You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Eighth Tapa/Resene Tapa, Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow/Resene Scarpa Flow or Resene Eighth Stonehenge/Resene Stonehenge.

Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow
Resene Quarter
Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
August 2016

Q. I am intending to paint my house white. I want a white/white colour but not one that is a shade of grey or cream. Can you recommend one for me please?

A. You could look at these 'whites (one is real White) to see how they are for you - Resene Quarter Black White, Resene Alabaster or Resene White.

As long as you can accept that the westerly side of the house (late afternoon sunlight) may make the white look a little creamy or even slightly peachy for a wee while and the south side of the house which has a cool/sour cast may make the white look greyish then all will be well.

The reason that colours change is because different aspects of natural light do that to any colour - not just 'whites'.

White carries all colour with in it so you are likely to notice the changes.

I suggest you test the 'whites' and see how they look at different times of the day and on different sides of the house.

Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
August 2016

Q. I have chosen Resene Half Sea Fog to paint the walls in our entire house because I wanted something light and not creamy (the original colour was Resene Quarter Spanish White). We've done a ceiling in ceiling white but I'm worried it's too white and old fashioned. Can you please recommend a colour for the ceiling and a darker colour for doors (thinking grey, but not cold).

A. I don't think using real White for the ceilings is old fashioned - it may even enhance the Resene Half Sea Fog and make you see it as a colour and not just 'white'.

If you want another 'white' for the ceilings you might check out Resene Half Alabaster - though you may not notice the difference.

Doors could be a deeper version of the wall colour - a total co-ordination rather than introducing a random grey which may make your wall colour look slightly yellow in its undertone.

You might look at either of these colours - Resene Double Sea Fog or Resene Triple Sea Fog.

However if you don't mind the grey on the doors making the wall colour look warmer then you could check out Resene Quarter Silver Chalice.

Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
August 2016

Q. I have a large house clad in Hardiplank® with dark bronze joinery, a combination which is awful. What colour exterior would make the joinery less noticed and blend in or should I try and paint the joinery white or cream if possible? I really hate the look of this 70s house and would be grateful for your suggestions. The roof is scoria red.

A. How badly do you want the dark bronze windows to 'disappear'? It isn't impossible to change them - just laborious. You could spend a lot of time on this job - dark bronze is inside as well as outside - and to do part (exterior only) would only emphasise the colour when looking from the interior to the exterior.

If you feel you want to do this then I suggest you check with your nearest Resene ColorShop to get the appropriate preparation and paint system.

A house colour to make the joinery less obvious may mean embracing mid tone earthy colours so that the window colour isn't so dark looking and attention seeking. Here are some suggestions – Resene Stonehenge, Resene Quarter Mondo, Resene Pravda or Resene Groundbreaker.

Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Quarter Mondo
Resene Quarter Mondo
Resene Pravda
Resene Pravda
Resene Groundbreaker
Resene Groundbreaker
August 2016

Q. I want to paint our kitchen/dining and lounge. I have a Resene Pohutukawa red feature wall which I like in the lounge and would run that colour into the dining room with the rest in an orange but am not sure of a complementary colour for the rest of the lounge and would appreciate any help. I will be replacing carpet and looking at possibly grey or light chocolate brown.

A. I like the idea of using the Resene Pohutukawa in the dining room. It is the use of orange (dining room) that throws me a bit. I feel the main colour in the lounge and kitchen and dining room need to be the same colour - was that your thought? Or were you considering orange and another colour for the lounge etc? That might make it a bit discordant.

There is a colour - a soft edged orange - Resene Touche - that looks delicious with the deeper spicy red of Resene Pohutukawa that you might consider using. But because colours intensify so much in an interior and I am slightly worried that you will end up with two very strong natured colours both vying for dominance might I suggest you pull back from orange and use a lighter orange toned yellow instead?

Please check out Resene Oscar or (much lighter) Resene Dutch White - these colours glow and provide a sunny ambiance to balance the strong architectural features and the wood you have and still allow the Resene Pohutukawa to be the 'queen of feature colours'.

Reds are passionate and bold and don't like sharing the centre stage with other strong colours - hence the lighter options suggested.

Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Touche
Resene Touche
Resene Oscar
Resene Oscar
Resene Dutch White
Resene Dutch White
August 2016

Q. We are renovating our very 70s bathroom next month and are planning on using a natural oak (wood look) vinyl, with other hardware monochrome black and white. My question is whether you think Resene Half Carefree painted on the walls would look good, especially as we would love to tile a metre up the wall round the room. Do you think the warm oak colour of the floor will be good with the monochrome look, and should we add in the subtle Resene Half Carefree?

A. I think the only way you might truly know whether the subtle Resene Half Carefree would add to the overall look of the bathroom is if you painted up a large sample and viewed in in all lights and in close association with the floor and the black and white.

If you paint up all of the testpot onto a large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow unpainted border all around the edges (this helps you to focus on the colour) and placed it in the bathroom you could see a big enough sample to make a decision. The sample can be moved from wall to wall so that you could see how angles and light and shade alter it.

Resene Half Carefree
Resene Half Carefree
August 2016

Q. We are using Resene Alabaster for the walls. Is there any point going Resene Half Alabaster for ceilings and trim. We have a 2.4m stud height.

A. If yours was a lower stud height it might warrant lightening the Resene Alabaster but personally I think you are right - Resene Alabaster would work for both ceilings and walls.

Resene Half Alabaster and (real) Resene White are only marginally different from each other and Resene Alabaster is only slightly different again.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
August 2016

Q. I would like to paint my small 40sq m apartment white with blonde wooden floors. I don't want paint with a grey tone as I fear it will make the space smaller and darker. However, I also don't want too much yellowy tone. My parents have Resene Buttery White throughout their house and this is too yellowy for what I want.

A. You could check out these whites to see if they appeal to you – Resene Half Black White, Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Quarter Bianca or Resene Quarter Merino.

Seeing larger A4 paint samples in the Colour Library at your local Resene ColorShop will help you by showing the reality of the colour, You can compare them to see the underlying tints that hide within the colours.

Resene Buttery White
Resene Buttery White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
August 2016

Q. I'm painting my weatherboard house and have decided to do the gutters and fascias Woodland Grey and am not sure what would go well on the weatherboards, window and door trims.

A. It depends upon whether you want a lighter colour to make the Woodland Grey gutters and fascias look deeper and stand out or whether you want a tone of the Woodland Grey so it has a 'friend'.

Perhaps you could look at these lighter colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Titania, Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Rice Cake or deeper tones – Resene Touchstone, Resene Quarter Gravel or Resene Quarter Tapa.

The deeper colours - if not used as the main colour on the house - could be used for the smaller trims.

Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Touchstone
Resene Touchstone
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
August 2016

Q. We are building a new house. We have Titania joinery, Titania weatherboards, a Gull Grey roof, Sandstone Grey garage doors and fascia boards, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream soffits and box corners. And to top it off an Intensity Red powder coated front door! The roof was initially going to be Sandstone Grey. I am now in a dilemma as what colour to paint the negative detailing panels which are around the front door (Intensity Red) and top storey garage door (Slate Grey). I feel I have ended up with a bit of a mish mash colour scheme as the house and choices have evolved over a period of time. I need to choose a colour to paint the negative detailing and the basement that will hopefully bring it all together. I wondered if there is a Resene Double Titania and how that would look. Initially my plan was to use Resene Baltic Sea but I am a bit frightened to bring in another colour.

A. You are possibly right to worry a bit about the colours. My rule of thumb is that 'less is more' in regard colours on a house.

I recommend that you only highlight with an 'extra colour' those elements on the house that are truly spectacular and therefore 'worthy'. You already have two spectacular features - red front door and slate garage door.

You have four colours on the house not counting the Slate Grey and the Intensity Red - so six in fact.

Rather than introducing another colour have you thought of using more of the Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream (this is the least of the house colours) or some more of the Gull Grey colour (this matches to Resene Atmosphere) to link in the roof colour?

If you do feel another colour is needed and you like the idea of another (deeper) version of Titania then you might use Resene Bone White.

Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Titania
Resene Titania
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Bone White
Resene Bone White
August 2016

Q. I have just painted my bathroom in Resene White Pointer. But find it very grey in some lights. I want to paint the rest of my house in a similar colour without so much grey undertone. I am thinking maybe Resene Merino? Or can you suggest another colour which will match my Resene White Pointer but is a warmer colour? Also what colour do you suggest for doors and trims?

A. Resene White Pointer is a greyish colour. All colours in a 'white' (bathroom) environment would look deeper as well - more like Resene Double White Pointer.

I think Resene Merino is a good choice especially in a large very sunny room. If however the rooms are dim, narrow or small then you might use Resene Half Merino instead. It may still look like (full strength) Resene Merino in the dim rooms but it wouldn't look deeper than that which the full strength colour could do.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
August 2016

Q. I wish to know if the Resene Parchment colour falls under neutral colours as I am considering this for the internal walls of the house. I have just seen this colour on the colour card but haven't seen it on a project.

A. Resene Parchment is a light yellow/beige neutral. It can look twice as deep a colour (like Resene Double Parchment) in some areas in a house - small rooms, dim rooms that don't get a lot of sunshine and narrow hallways. You might be wise to use Resene Half Parchment so that if the rooms are as described previously then they wouldn't look any deeper than Resene Parchment.

Resene Parchment
Resene Parchment
Resene Double Parchment
Resene Double Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
August 2016

Q. I have a two storey house. The first floor is cement block ('70s style house) that is painted the colour of Resene Tea. We want to keep that colour but paint the upstairs which is sort of a cladding. The roof colour is a terracotta tiling and there is also some reddish stone accents on some parts of the exterior patio. We would like to paint the upstairs a colour in either a 'whitish family' or a tannish colour to complement the terracotta roof colour. So what whitish paint goes with Resene Tea or a tan colour?

A. It is a little difficult finding a pale colour to work with both the colours you have but you could check out these colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Quarter Spanish White, Resene Quarter Tea or Resene Double Bianca.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Double Bianca
August 2016

Q. We are building and I need to pick my colour. I want a very crisp fresh bright white throughout the house. Will Resene Double Alabaster be a good option?

A. Yes it would be a good option. If you want a crisper/starker white you could look at lighter versions also - they go to Resene Quarter Alabaster.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
August 2016

Q. We are going for a Woodland Grey COLORBOND® roof and looking at a mid grey to go with Woodland Grey and Surfmist fascia and eaves. Resene Half Tapa we love as a render colour and have seen some lovely photos in weatherboard exteriors but we're worried as I've seen some comments on it perhaps being cold. Do you think it's too cold for an exterior render colour with a front that is north facing?

A. Resene Half Tapa has a little more grey in it than Woodland Grey but it isn't too cold at all - just greyer. If you are uncertain please check out a slightly lighter version - Resene Quarter Tapa - or a slightly warmer colour (more related to Woodland Grey) is Resene Friar Grey.

Please ask for the CoolColour™ reformulated version of whichever of the colours you eventually choose as it will help reflect heat away from the surface of the weatherboards and cause less heat related problems.

Resene Half Tapa
Resene Half Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Quarter Tapa
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
August 2016

Q. I like Resene Half Foggy Grey and Resene Quarter Foggy Grey but I need something with the same tone but a bit lighter for some areas of the house with less natural light. There is no Resene Eighth Foggy Grey. Is there an equivalent with another name?

A. There isn't an exact equivalent but these colours might flow off the Resene Foggy Grey colours you have in a lighter sympathetic way – Resene Double Black White or lighter Resene Black White, Resene Sea Fog or Resene House White.

Sometimes rooms with less natural light can be cooler also so even (real) White can look grey or chilly. It would pay you to carefully test the colours to see how they may alter with the natural light.

Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene House White
Resene House White
August 2016

Q. We have bought a house and the existing trims and doors are Resene Sea Fog which we are not going to paint. I am trying to choose a white to brighten up the space and enhance the Resene Sea Fog so it doesn't look old, grey and dirty. I'm looking at maybe Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Half Black White or Resene Quarter Black White. Am I on the right track?

A. Both Resene Half Black White and Resene Double Alabaster would work well. Resene Double Alabaster is a lighter version of Resene Sea Fog so it is a natural choice.

Resene Quarter Black White may make the Resene Sea Fog look a little dingy.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
August 2016

Q. We have built a new house in a semi rural setting. I had the colour scheme chosen and have started painting the outside in Resene Triple Truffle. The roof colour is Ironsand. I think it looks fine but everyone else thinks it is too dark. I need to choose a new colour for the weatherboards. I like neutral but need something lighter, something that blends well with the environment and the roof colour. The house is very plain – a box with white aluminium windows.

A. Might I just say that if it is your house then you have a right to have what you like on the exterior.

Secondly all colours on an exterior end up looking lighter (half as deep) than you might expect due to the bright natural light 'bleeding out' colours. So Resene Triple Truffle may look like Resene Double Truffle - if you showed that colour to 'everyone else' would they say that was too deep a colour also?

The colours on the house and roof that you have chosen do blend beautifully with the environment.

Here are some other colour options - Resene Double Truffle, Resene Quarter Friar Grey, Resene Triple White Pointer, Resene Triple Tea, Resene Half Cougar or Resene Half Napa.

Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Quarter Friar Grey
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
 
August 2016

Q. I have decided to have Appliance White for our window joinery. Would it work well with the Resene Rice Cake family? I will probably use Resene Rice Cake on walls and Resene Quarter Rice Cake for ceilings or Resene Half Rice Cake with Resene Eighth Rice Cake. Or do you think I should change to warm white pearl joinery? Or would you recommend changing the paint colours.

A. I think Warm White Pearl may be slightly better with Resene Rice Cake and its lighter variants. The colours are well balanced and harmonious but it is worth remembering that in an interior colours often appear slightly deeper in tone - so the lighter selection may be better. It is however a personal choice.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
August 2016

Q. I have an outside aviary with a raised roof I want to paint. I thought the colours should match the outside e.g. trees, grass/sky?

A. There are so many colour options that you might check out – Resene True Blue, Resene Coriander, Resene Koru, Resene Into The Blue, Resene Woodland or Resene Azure.

Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Koru
Resene Koru
Resene Into The Blue
Resene Into The Blue
Resene Woodland
Resene Woodland
Resene Azure
Resene Azure
August 2016

Q. I purchased a pot of Resene New Denim Blue as it looked like a nice charcoal/blue grey colour and good and dark to complement Resene Double Alabaster. Can you recommend what we can use that will give a real blue black look to our kitchen walls?

A. You could try Resene Double Tuna or Resene Tuna.

Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Tuna
Resene Double Tuna
Resene Tuna
Resene Tuna
August 2016

Page 51

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.

 

Order online now:
Testpots | Paints | Primers and Sealers | Stains | Clears | Accessories

Get inspired Get inspired ! Subscribe      Get saving Get saving ! Apply for a DIY card

Resene Paints Ltd

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us!

Resene Paints Ltd   – www.resene.com

Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Instagram Follow us on YouTube
Videos on how to paint and stain your house
 

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

What's new | Specifiers | Painters | DIYers | Artists | Kids | Sitemap | Home | TOP ⇧