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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 52

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. 52

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


Q. We are getting ready to build a house and I have been looking at exterior colours. One scheme I really like is the one from your website that has Resene Half Masala on the exterior walls. The interior is Resene White Pointer which I am also thinking would be great; however I like the whitish windows on the outside but they don't look white on the inside. Could you tell me what the window joinery colour is? And whether the COLORSTEEL® Ironsand would also be a good choice for the roof? We are doing LINEA® on the outside and a corrugated roof.

A. Photos are not very good at truly representing colour. I suspect the windows may be Titania - you could check this colour out to see if you like it with the Resene Half Masala and if that isn't as light/white as you want then check out Warm White Pearl. It really pays to ask the joinery people for real metal samples rather than rely upon a print colour brochure or a computer version of the same.

Do you want to have a garage door in the 'white' as well? If you do you might check the garage door people to make sure they do the door in that 'white'.

Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
COLORSTEEL® Ironsand
August 2016
 

Q. We're building a new home in a subdivision in Christchurch using LINEA® on the exterior. The roof and windows are ebony (black) and we have a chimney clad in dark grey schist. I'd like to paint the house exterior and window facings white. What white would you recommend? Also, I'm looking at 'white' for the interior living spaces with a couple of feature walls in maybe charcoal or dark navy. What interior white would you recommend on walls and ceilings?

A. It could look softer and more integrated if the exterior trims are not too stark a white. Optically it is quite demanding on the eye to see black and (pure) white close together. You might consider one of these 'whites' for the window trims and the exterior of the house - Resene Black White, Resene Sea Fog or Resene Wan White.

Interior 'white' options to consider - Resene Alabaster, Resene Quarter Milk White or Resene Quarter Merino.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Milk White
Resene Quarter Milk White
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
August 2016

Q. I am trying to decide on a colour for my eaves. I have Austral pepper bricks and a Woodland Grey COLORBOND® roof, gutter and fascias.

A. Some people refer to the under soffits as the 'eaves' and usually the under soffits are a very pale, often white, type of colour. These colours might appeal to you - Resene Sea Fog, Resene Half Black White or Resene Half Merino.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
August 2016

Q. I am not confident in choosing colours to paint. I want a fresh look for my lounge dining kitchen which is open plan in one long narrow room approx. 12m by 4m. The walls are cream coloured throughout, and the floors are light terracotta tiles. The kitchen is all white with a darkish coloured blue benchtop. I have mostly wood furniture. I like the spring colours most (particularly pastel sea greens and blues) but apart from that am clueless as to what will work in this space.

A. Any of the sweeter aqua influenced colours and watery blues may make your space seem larger - they are known as 'receding' colours so walls can appear further away - at least visually. They may balance and complement the warmth of the light terracotta floor and wooden furniture also.

There will be colours that appeal to you a lot and some that should but for some reason don't - I hope some of these may be ones that inspire you - Resene Breeze, Resene Jet Stream, Resene Cut Glass, Resene Half Spindle or Resene Half Opal.

Test colours carefully and remember when all four walls are painted all colours in an interior can double in intensity. Testpots are your best friend.

Resene Breeze
Resene Breeze
Resene Jet Stream
Resene Jet Stream
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Spindle
Resene Half Spindle
Resene Half Opal
Resene Half Opal
August 2016

Q. I have painted my 70s house interior in Resene Villa White. I would like to know what a complementary bathroom colour would be. I would also like to know what blues would go well with Resene Villa White for a feature wall in a teenage girl's room.

A. Much lighter/whiter colours and very definite soft toned deep colours look lovely following on from Resene Villa White. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Quarter Villa White, Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue, Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue, Resene Whiteout or Resene Half Joss.

Feature wall options - Resene Half Smalt Blue, Resene Blue Moon or Resene Dauntless.

Resene Villa White
Resene Villa White
       
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter
Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter
Periglacial Blue
Resene Whiteout
Resene Whiteout
Resene Half  Joss
Resene Half Joss
Resene Half Smalt Blue
Resene Half Smalt Blue
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Dauntless
Resene Dauntless
   
August 2016

Q. We are renovating our bach/home in Ohope beach and recladding in LINEA®. It's currently a very old faded denim like blue which we like, but we are worried about fade, maintenance and LRV. The bach is a very small basic rectangle shape so the colour is important. We have white windows and doors at the front and have gone for Arctic White picture frame windows in aluminium up the side. The roof is simple silver and the extension roof is getting done in Gull Grey.

We also have a caravan just painted in Resene Quarter Powder Blue and Resene Buttery White from the Karen Walker Paints collection so want the bach exterior to complement it but not really match. We also like grey like colours. The bach is small on a small section and will have a pine deck at the front.

A. It is a challenge to find the perfect colour isn't it? - especially ones that will work with the very crisp cool Arctic White windows and the warmer Gull Grey roof- and still look good with the caravan's pretty colours. You could check these grey colours out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Stack (LRV 41%), Resene Half Gauntlet (LRV 34%) or Resene Triple Black White (LRV 71%).

To relate to the caravan is a harder ask but you might look at these ones - Resene Triple Pearl Lusta (LRV 77%) - relates to the Resene Buttery White trims on the caravan and has very good LRV or Resene Dusted Blue (LRV 43%) - deeper than the Resene Quarter Powder Blue.

Washing the house down to remove salt deposits once a year would help a lot in regards to the maintenance of the paint film. LRV is not such a 'biggie' with LINEA®. LINEA® allows for deeper paint colours to be used - you might consider using colours like Resene Seachange or Resene Explorer.

Resene Quarter Powder Blue
Resene Quarter
Powder Blue
Resene Buttery White
Resene Buttery White
Resene Half Stack
Resene Half Stack
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Seachange
Resene Seachange
Resene Explorer
Resene Explorer
 
August 2016

Q. We are painting the interior of our house Resene Half Alabaster and just wondered what colour you would suggest for the ceiling?

A. The walls will appear to most people looking at them exactly the same as a pure white - it would take the most experienced eye to see that Resene Half Alabaster wasn't just white. I think you could use the same on the ceiling or (real) white - Resene White.

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

Q. We are going for a FlaxPod COLORSTEEL® roof and Appliance White windows. We are considering Resene Foundry, Resene Half Foundry or Resene Quarter Foundry for the exterior. Will they work with the FlaxPod roof colour? Which would be best?

A. I think I would be inclined to look at slightly warmer toned greys because of the warmth of the FlaxPod colour roof - perhaps you could check out these colours and compare them to the ones you have mentioned - Resene Half Baltic Sea, Resene Half Nocturnal or Resene Half Fuscous Grey.

Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Half Foundry
Resene Half Foundry
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Nocturnal
Resene Half Nocturnal
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
August 2016

Q. I am looking for an earthy clay type colour for our house that has been rendered. I want it to have an aged look and am wondering if you do a 'Tuscan' type paint?

A. The type of paint to get this sort of finish might be Resene AquaShield. As for colours, there are so many to choose from but these ones may be a good start point - Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay, Resene Quarter Biscotti, Resene Spanish White, Resene Just Right or Resene Anglaise.

Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay
Resene Eighth
Canterbury Clay
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Just Right
Resene Just Right
Resene Anglaise
Resene Anglaise
August 2016

Q. Is Resene Quarter Truffle a good choice for an entire house interior? I do need to work with existing furnishings of brown leather. I have beautiful wall paintings I'd like to keep which have red and gold in them but I'm not sure how it will all come together with Resene Quarter Truffle.

A. Resene Quarter Truffle is a lovely soft grey/beige. Have you painted up a large sample of the colour and moved it around the house to see how it looks in different rooms? It does pay to do this and especially important to see how it looks with the existing furnishings and paintings. If you paint up a large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) using all of the testpot (two coats) you may find it helps in this way:

  • Larger samples are easier to judge the reality of the colour.
  • It can be moved from wall to wall/room to room so that you can see how the colour alters - and it does - often quite a lot.
  • If you leave an unpainted border all around the edge of the card it helps your eyes focus on the depth of the tested colour. We often think a colour is lighter than it really is. Colours in an interior often look deeper than we might imagine.
  • If you roll the card into a cone shape with the colour innermost and look into it the colour appears deeper - this gives a good representation of what a whole room of the colour will look like.

If you want another colour to compare to Resene Quarter Truffle so you can better judge then you might look at Resene Quarter Tea.

Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
August 2016

Q. We have a new house where the second storey is built into the roof pitch so the COLORSTEEL® roofing is quite visible. We have Grey Friars on the roof and window joinery and wanted to paint the rusticated weatherboards a light grey. Could you please suggest a colour that won't look cold from the street frontage (which is south facing)? I have been looking at Resene Half Rakaia, Resene Quarter Rakaia or maybe Resene Quarter Concrete.

A. Resene Half Rakaia has a mysterious mushroom/mauve undertone and Resene Quarter Concrete is a pale silvery white. All colours on an exterior look much lighter (about half of their value) than you might imagine they will due to bright natural light stripping back their overall depth. This needs to be taken into account. All greys have the potential to look cool.

It is the grey/beiges that maintain some warmth because of their brown (or yellow or green) undertones.

Perhaps if you look at these colours and compare them to each other it will be easier for you to judge what looks warm and what looks cool. They are all referred to as 'greyish' tones - Resene Half Cloudy, Resene Surrender, Resene Rakaia, Resene Concrete or Resene Half Cloud.

I suggest you pop into a Resene ColorShop to view the A4 real painted samples of the colours in their Colour Library. This way you see reality and that may help your judgment of the colours.

Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Concrete
Resene Quarter Concrete
 
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene Half Cloudy
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
August 2016

Q. We have reclad our bach with ply board and batten at Lake Taupo and would like advice on what colours to paint the outside. The inside is Scandinavian style. We would like something contemporary. Any ideas for three combinations would be appreciated?

A. With timber (of any kind) the recommendation is for lighter colours. Is this what you had in mind? Usually there are some constraints on what type of colour is used on wooden surfaces - have you inquired about that? BRANZ can give you independent advice in this regard.

Everyone has a different version of 'contemporary' in their mind. If you favour the Scandinavian theme then you might check out a deep stain colour (this shows off whiter trims in a rather smart way) and the stain is a more 'natural' lighter type of look - Resene Woodsman – Sheer Black, or an earthy deep colour Resene Woodsman – Tiri, or a slightly softer/ weathered look - Resene Woodsman - Iroko.

Paints cover really well and last longer before recoat (compared to stains) but the look is heavier. Perhaps you could look at these paint colours - Resene Quarter Ironsand - warm and earthy or Resene Half Tuna - soft charcoal with a blue undertone.

Resene Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Iroko
Resene Iroko
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
August 2016

Q. I am helping my daughter in law decorate her new baby's room. I am looking at greys but a warm grey to go with black and mustard white. The greys I am looking at are Resene Foggy Grey, Resene Truffle, Resene Cloudy, Resene Cloud, Resene Concrete and Resene Rakaia.

However, now I am getting overwhelmed. I would also like it to go with a white such as Resene Wan White or Resene Half Pearl Lusta. Are you able to pin down a colour?

A. Three of the greys are more beige/grey i.e. Resene Truffle, Resene Cloudy and Resene Cloud. Resene Concrete has a silvery lilac undertone and Resene Rakaia has a delicate mushroom pink undertone. Without testing the colours well - large samples painted on A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and viewed in the room - there is no way to know what other undertones will present themselves. All colours in interiors can look twice as deep - much more than you might imagine when all four walls are painted - so using half or quarter versions of the colour may give enough depth.

One colour that I haven't mentioned is Resene Foggy Grey. If you tested a lighter version of this colour - Resene Quarter Foggy Grey it may give you the warmth and the depth (it may look like Resene Half Foggy Grey) you are after. It would look really smart with either Resene Quarter Wan White (this is cooler) or Resene Half Pearl Lusta (this enhances the warm look).

Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
August 2016

Q. We have a very bright living space which we were planning on painting Resene Black White. I need some advice on a contrast white that we could use for skirtings, architraves, windows etc. I was thinking Resene Alabaster but someone suggested using Resene Double Black White so I'm not sure. Also we were planning on using the Resene Black White through the other rooms in the house but none of these get as much sun. Will it be too cool in those areas?

A. I think a clean contrast - Resene Alabaster or Resene Quarter Black White will look better with your main colour - Resene Black White.

I know this may sound a bit strange but rooms that aren't blessed with as much sunlight might need to be a deeper/softer colour so they don't appear 'chilly'.

It is up to you of course but you could look at using Resene Double Black White or Resene Triple Black White. Even when used as a feature wall colour (with your Resene Black White) or as soft furnishings - i.e. drapes or bed linen - this can add quite a bit more ambiance where sunlight doesn't provide the brightness or warmth.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
August 2016

Q. We are having a new home built and are thinking of having all the walls done in Resene Quarter Tea. We need to decide on the colour for the kitchen cabinets and wondered if celadon-type colours such as Resene Secrets would match. We have yet to choose floor tiles and benchtop colours.

A. As long as you have some white - i.e. painted ceilings, painted woodwork and possibly as a base colour of the benchtop I think Resene Secrets and Resene Quarter Tea would look lovely together.

A whiter contrast increases the eye's ability to recognise the lovely undertones of colour in the Resene Secrets and Resene Quarter Tea - without contrast these soft colours may look a bit indecisive to indicate their ultimate potential.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
August 2016

Q. Could you please suggest some neutral colours for the interior walls of our new home? The carpet is charcoal and I would like to paint the doors, trim and ceilings in Resene Double Alabaster. I would like a colour with some warmth but not too cream.

A. You might look at these colours to see if any of them appeal to you - Resene Half White Pointer, Resene Black Haze, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Resene Eighth Akaroa or Resene Quarter Truffle.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
       
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Black Haze
Resene Black Haze
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
August 2016

Q. The walls of my living room and dining room are painted Resene Spanish White. I am wanting curtains. What colour would you recommend?

A. There are such a lot of colour options open to you but it does depend upon what you personally like, what other colours you have in the room - i.e. carpet, upholstered furniture etc and the look you are wanting to create.

Perhaps you could pop into the nearest Resene ColorShop to view the Resene range of curtain fabrics to see if there are any there that you fancy.

You might check out these ones as a start point - Diva - colour Ebony, Kinetic - colour Stone or Swivel - colour Latte or Charcoal.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
     
Resene Diva - Ebony curtains
Resene Diva -
Ebony
Resene Diva - Ebony curtains
Resene Kinetic -
Stone
Resene Swivel - Latte curtains
Resene Swivel -
Latte
Resene Swivel - Charcoal curtains
Resene Swivel -
Charcoal
August 2016

Q. We like Resene Truffle for an exterior colour. What dark colour would you recommend for our garage and front door? We're thinking along the lines of Resene Bokara Grey possibly.

A. Resene Bokara Grey is really black toned and very smart but you might also look at slightly softened charcoals also - Resene Baltic Sea, Resene Nocturnal or Resene Ironsand.

I definitely would recommend that you use the CoolColour™ reformulated version of the dark colours to try - as best as possible - to minimise extreme heat related problems by reflecting the sun's rays away from the surface instead of into the surface.

Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
August 2016

Q. I need some colour advice please. To the right of our front entry is our lounge and dining area. To the left of our entry door is the main bedroom. Stepping further into the house from the front door is an open plan area with the kitchen to the right and a rumpus open plan area. The whole area apart from the lounge/dining/main bedroom is a very light grey tiled floor which I need to work with. The back of the house has a small passage with the same tiles and three bedrooms leading off this area with a newly renovated bathroom/toilet in grey and white. These three bedrooms all have new carpets resembling the colour Resene Gargoyle. I'm trying to find some consistency and balance. I do like Resene Quarter Truffle but am leaning towards Resene Flotsam or warm very light greys.

A. If you have tiles in a light grey and new carpets (like Resene Gargoyle) in a very much browner colour you may need to check out some other colours apart from Resene Quarter Truffle. Resene Flotsam is quite warm but it does have a subtle mushroom/mauve undertone. Is that what you want?

You might look at these colours and compare them with each other - Resene Half Cloud, Resene White Pointer, Resene Quarter Cloudy or Resene Eighth Bison Hide.

Resene Gargoyle
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Flotsam
Resene Flotsam
 
Resene Half Cloud
Resene Half Cloud
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
August 2016

Q. We are about to paint our cladded home as well as the veranda and Hampton style balustrading. We have existing window frames in primrose (cream), but would like to paint the house, timber veranda and balustrade in Hampton style colours. What do you think would go best with the windows? My preference was light greys and whites, but we feel stuck because of the window colour.

A. The windows may look far more yellow in colour if you use a white or grey as the main colour on the house. Will this worry you? It may not give you the Hamptons look you are seeking. You may need to compromise. Choosing a main colour similar to the windows will make them seem less obvious - had you thought of that?

If you don't mind the yellow tone in the windows being very obvious then you could look at these colours - Whites - Resene Rice Cake, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta, or light greys - Resene Grey Chateau or Resene Quarter Delta.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
August 2016

Q. We're renovating a 1960s brick and tile unit and want to modernise it. We're having a new, white kitchen put in and would like to paint the interior white to keep it modern. We'd like to get a grey couch and things like that, then decorate with splashes of colour.

We don't want the interiors to look 'surgical'. Are you able to suggest some shades of white that are good for interiors?

A. You may need to carefully test several whites to find the right one. These 'whites' are worth looking at – Resene Black White, Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Half Merino or Resene Wan White.

Because it is very difficult to see the reality of these 'whites' I suggest you paint Resene testpots (all of it/two coats) onto large white A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow unpainted border all around the edge of the card. This white border will draw attention by making your eye focus on the subtle undertones of the white colours. If you roll the card into a cone shape with the colour on the inside of the card when you look into the cone the colour may appear slightly more definite. This would be helpful.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
August 2016

Q. We are building a new home and are looking for a warm white for the interior. Our home has a large outdoor area which will limit how much light comes in to the living areas which is why we are looking for a lighter colour but some of the whites are very stark.

A. In order for a 'white' not to look too stark it may need to be more 'coloured' not whiter, and warmer toned not cooler.

Perhaps you might look at these colours - Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Rice Cake, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream or Resene Bianca.

Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
August 2016

Q. I am looking for a soft mauvey grey colour for my walls. I am thinking of using Resene Quarter Rakaia. What colour would complement well on the ceilings? They are currently white. The house is a 1960s weatherboard bungalow style with normal 8 foot stud with wooden joinery and polished matai floors throughout. The rooms I am painting are a large rumpus and a bedroom and both are on the south side of the house.

A. South facing rooms receive the type of natural light that either sours or greys colours. Have you painted up large samples of Resene Quarter Rakaia? Paint a testpot (all of it/two coats) onto large white A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow unpainted border all around the edge of the card. and move the card from wall to wall and watch what the light in these rooms does to the grey. I strongly suggest you do so that you know exactly how the colour looks at any time of the day and night (electric light also influences colours).

Your colour may be perfect - neither too grey/grim nor too muddy - then that is all good. But if it isn't then an alternative main wall colour might be Resene Rolling Fog or Resene Mercury.

You might look at using one of these 'whites' for the ceilings - Resene Alabaster or warmer - Resene Quarter Bianca.

Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Rolling Fog
Resene Rolling Fog
Resene Mercury
Resene Mercury
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
August 2016

Q. I have Resene Quarter Albescent White on my walls with ply ceilings (whitewashed), grey carpet and grey vinyl. I want to paint the doors and have tried samples of Resene Double Concrete and Resene Stack and both look off! I'm now toying with Resene Rakaia or Resene Grey Friars which are both completely different but have not got the samples yet.

A. Sometimes it does take a while to get the right colour - please take your time testing colour and watch how the natural and artificial light alter it and also how the main colours alter your perception of it.

If you paint up large card A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges so your eye focuses on the reality of the colour it will be large enough to judge it plus the sample can be moved from door to door so you can see what changing angles and light and shade do to it. If the greys resist working well for you it may be that the wall colour (in a semi-gloss enamel) could be used on the doors so they aren't a 'feature' that demands attention but just blends in allowing every other element in the house to stand out.

Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
August 2016

Q. We are building a coastal home. Outside colour is Resene Regent Grey with Appliance White joinery. We are doing mid depth wooden floors inside. I want the interior to be light as we have great water views. I need a white that isn't cold but still fresh. I'm thinking of Resene Black White or Resene White Pointer. I also want to do a feature wall where the fire place is. Again nothing too bright but enough to be interesting and add some more depth to the room.

A. Whites that are softly muted often work well where the windows allow a huge amount of bright natural light into the rooms. You might check out several 'whites' and if you compare them to a sheet of white printer paper (real optic white) then you will be better able to see which ones appear less cold and still look fresh.

These are good options to look at - Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Half Black White. Both Resene Black White and Resene White Pointer are worth considering as well especially if you want chalkier grey/white and more beige/grey tones.

A feature wall colour might be any colour that you favour or a colour that relates to flooring, upholstered furniture or drapes. Take your time choosing this - if you use a totally random colour for the feature you may need to add a bit of this colour into other rooms to help it link in otherwise it may always be the 'odd man out'. Have you thought of a wallpaper? Also, another thought: If the fireplace surround is black or silver/chrome it may not need a feature around it as it is the feature.

Resene Regent Grey
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
August 2016

Q. I am looking for a pale teal or pale green/grey colour for a north facing bedroom with a medium sized window on the north facing wall. The room has a cathedral ceiling approx. 3.5m in height. I have tried Resene Pumice and Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue but feel these will be too strong with the 3.5m height. The ceilings will be Resene Alabaster. The main colour used in the rest of the house is Resene Quarter Rakaia and I didn't want anything too grey in the main bedroom.

A. You might check out these colours - they are light but as all colours look almost twice the depth that you might imagine they will do it pays to go lighter rather than deeper - Resene Half Tasman, Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Zumthor, Resene Half Emerge, Resene Eighth Lemon Grass, Resene Breeze or Resene Cut Glass.

Resene Pumice
Resene Pumice
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter
Robin Egg Blue
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Half Tasman
Resene Half Tasman
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Zumthor
Resene Zumthor
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Half Emerge
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth
Lemon Grass
Resene Breeze
Resene Breeze
Resene Cut Glass
Resene Cut Glass
 
August 2016

Q. I am going to paint the interior of our house in Resene Merino. Just wondering what colour white you'd recommend for the windowsills?

A. You might check out these 'whites' listed from 'more coloured' to 'whiter' - Resene Quarter Merino, Resene Alabaster, Resene Half Alabaster or Resene White (yes real white).

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

Q. We are planning on painting our 1970s brick house. We have bronze anodised aluminium. Could you suggest some colours that would go with it?

A. If you mean that you intend to paint over the bricks and want colours that will harmonise with the bronze anodised aluminium then you might check out these options to see if they appeal to you - Resene Quarter Mondo, Resene Stonewall, Resene Friar Grey, Resene Rockbottom or Resene Triple Thorndon Cream.

Resene Quarter Mondo
Resene Quarter Mondo
Resene Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Rockbottom
Resene Rockbottom
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple
Thorndon Cream
August 2016

Q. We are building a house with one half fossil brick, with Silver Pearl joinery and a Windsor Grey roof. What colour LINEA® should I use on the gables and chimney? Our colour consultant has suggested Resene Half Fuscous Grey.

A. I think - if you have reservations about the colour suggested - you might need to see all of the elements together i.e. a real sample of powder coated metal for both the roof and the window joinery and the coloured brick. By looking at large samples of paint colours at your nearest Resene ColorShop with your samples you will get a better idea of how they will work together. Check out some other colours as well to see how they look - Resene Half Baltic Sea, Resene Quarter Ironsand or Resene Grey Friars.

Some colours may look better with the roof and some may look better with the brick or the window joinery.

Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
August 2016

Q. We are planning on repainting our 10 year old contemporary style house in southern Queensland. We live on acreage surrounded by a backdrop of subtropical rainforest and greenery. The house is constructed in half weatherboard, half texture 200 ply. The paint scheme has been Resene Triple Mondo for the boards and Resene Bison Hide for the plywood. The house has a Zincalume® roof and an all clear anodised aluminium door and window frames. We would like to update the look of the house and are considering painting it out in darker greys, such as Resene Double Gravel or Resene Bokara Grey, but have no idea what would be the best (darker) complementary grey for painting the ply.

A. Please do get information in regard the ply to ensure the colours suggested aren't too dark and therefore likely to cause 'checking' on the ply surface or extreme 'flexing' movement that may cause stress buckling.

You might consider these options - to go with the Resene Double Gravel - Resene Tapa, Resene Quarter Gravel, Resene Half Chicago, or to go with the Resene Bokara Grey - Resene Quarter Ironsand, Resene Tundora or Resene Half Baltic Sea.

I strongly suggest you use the Resene Cool Colour™ reformulated version of these dark colours to minimise (as much as possible) the extreme heat/U.V. damage that can occur.

Resene Triple Mondo
Resene Triple Mondo
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Half Chicago
Resene Half Chicago
 
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Tundora
Resene Tundora
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
 
August 2016

Q. I am looking to paint my house a warm grey. I do not want the colour to throw a pink or blue tinge or any colour tinge really. I want it to be what it says a warm grey i.e. not "oh that is a nice grey, I can see green in it" for example. What do you suggest? I am looking at Resene Half Friar Grey. My house is a 60s house, two storeys but open underneath as there are two carports underneath. The house above is rectangular in shape. To look at from the road it looks top heavy. There are two windows with shutters either side of them - it breaks the expanse of the house. The house is supported by steel beams and columns so I am also looking at a contrasting colour to paint the steel, front door and shutters. I have been advised to paint the steel a dark colour to help hide any future rust that comes through so I am looking at Resene Fuscous Grey.

I also have a solid plaster wall around the property with big solid gates. So I am also looking for a colour for the wall and gates.

A. I love the colour Resene Fuscous Grey that you are considering for the steel, front door and shutters - please do use the CoolColour™™ reformulated version of the colour to assist in deflecting the sun's rays from the surface to minimise as much as possible the often harsh effects of U.V./heat damage on the surface that is being painted.

Greys are quixotic and changeable - they all carry multiple undertones of colour in them - this is often not noticeable until you see a few gathered together and can compare them with each other. If you pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library you may find this helps you to discern the underlying tones of the greys.

Resene Half Friar Grey is a yellow based grey - if you look at the deeper variants of the colour you will note that the colour code changes from N (neutral/greyer) to Y to denote the colours warming up and turning to a stone hue.

If you wanted to compare another one or two to the Resene Half Friar Grey then you might look at Resene Mountain Mist, Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow, Resene Half Jumbo or Resene Archive Grey.

Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Half Friar Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow
Resene Quarter
Scarpa Flow
Resene Half Jumbo
Resene Half Jumbo
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Archive Grey
August 2016

Q. I have chosen Resene Quarter Tea for the wall colour in my kitchen. Just wondering would Resene Alabaster go with it for the skirting, scotia and ceiling? I am going to polish up my rimu floorboards as well.

A. Resene Alabaster will go nicely with any colour as it is essentially 'white' - so it's very obliging. If you wanted a slightly warmer 'white' to reflect the glow of the rimu floorboards you might consider using either of these colours - Resene Eighth Rice Cake or Resene Quarter Merino.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
August 2016

Q. We are looking at painting our exterior walls in Resene Element. Could you suggest a roof paint to complement this? We will have a bit of natural wood on gables and Titania windows.

A. When you transpose the deepest colour from where it often is seen (roof) to the main body of the house it makes it a little tricky to find a roof colour to add balance and harmony. Too dark a roof will compete with the main house colour and make it look a little ominous. A lighter colour may suit better - deeper than the windows and much lighter than the main colour - and with this in mind you might check out these options - Resene Atmosphere, Resene Quarter Masala, Resene Friar Grey or Resene Climate.

Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Quarter Masala
Resene Quarter Masala
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Climate
Resene Climate
August 2016

Q. I have stripped wallpaper from most of our 1969 home. We are trying to modernise with colour but keep the structure the same. The house has had an old cream look on trims and our goal is to make it all fresh. We have chosen Resene Alabaster for ceilings and trims which looks great so far. In the office and my son's room we have used Resene Half White Pointer on walls, which again is nice showing some contrast to the Resene Alabaster and keeping away from the yellowed look. It looks fine with the light wood furniture. It also works well with bold accessories - black, white, silver and deep red/orange. The satin chrome door knobs look great too and we may also go with this satin chrome look for lighting. We also used Resene Half White Pointer in the lobby, thinking it was neutral enough to go with the mid brown parquet wooden floor and we got subtle warm curtains that were recommended to tie the walls and floor in, but it really hasn't worked as expected; each still sit as either in the grey palette or brown palette. We could investigate staining the floor. We are about to paint the stairwell leading up from the large lobby and into a hallway, off to a large lounge and also our master bedroom (all separate spaces). So I am trying to decide if we persevere with Resene Half White Pointer or change the lobby and go with something else for all these areas. We do not have any dramatic furniture to tie in with and will phase out pieces for new in the future. I suppose, while we like the freshness of the Resene Half White Pointer, we are not sure if it will be neutral enough for anything with brown or warm in it that we have in the way of furniture or pictures. At the moment we have a green blue carpet which we will change and again were thinking of a colour that would go with both grey and taupe. Can you recommend some wall colours for us to consider? We want to keep the hallway light to keep it open, and I presume the same with the stairwell. We are happy to be more adventurous with the lounge and bedroom, and are considering a deep blue as a feature wall in the bedroom.

A. Colour can be tricky. Each room (due to the size and natural and artificial light) shows the colour in quite a different way. Colours alter (often radically) when other coloured elements are seen close to it. The wood in the parquet floors is warm toned (yellow/red/orange/tan undertones through the brown) and it is probably that in part making the subdued grey/beige of Resene Half White Pointer take on more of the grey undertone and less of the beige.

Colours that you use in many different situations are completely different in every situation.

You might check out these colours to see if they will do what the Resene Half White Pointer isn't doing - it is really important to compare them to each other to know their potential - Resene Quarter Tea, Resene Eighth Bison Hide, Resene Quarter Truffle or Resene Merino.

They are warmer tones and will work well with Resene Alabaster. Please take your time and test the colours well for each room. Painting the Resene testpots onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted (white card) border all around the perimeter will help your eye focus on the reality of the colour and the card can be moved from wall to wall/room to room so you can see how it alters.

Feature wall colours (adventurous or otherwise) need to be related in this way:

  • Must work well with the main colour of the rooms.
  • May need to co-ordinate with other secondary colours in the room. - i.e. duvets, curtains, art work, flooring.
  • They can't be so random that they look as though you are still waiting to make changes to the room and the colour was 'someone else's' (previous owner) choice.

Most importantly because there are so many to choose from - they must be colours that you absolutely adore and can use in smaller ways as accessories in another room to create a balanced harmony that flows.esene Quarter Tea, Resene Eighth Bison Hide, Resene Quarter Truffle or Resene Merino.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
 
August 2016

Q. I have a large old character house to be fully repainted. It's in a valley and receives only morning sun and is south east facing. What colours would the expert do? I have no preference for colour. I just want it to be modern and neutral.

A. East facing natural light is sharp and cool - it emphasises greens and blues. South facing light is sour or cool which can make some creams look yellowish and whites will look colder and greyer.

I suggest you embrace a little more depth as the main colour and more clean crisp contrast for main trims - i.e. windows, door frames, under soffits and eaves. Then do something bold to attract attention for the door colour.

Perhaps look at these colours - Resene Double Thorndon Cream (main), Resene Quarter Rice Cake (trims) and Resene Bullseye (doors), or Resene Truffle (main), Resene Alabaster (trims) and Resene Clockwork Orange (doors), or Resene Moscato (main), Resene Pearl Lusta (trims) and Resene Timekeeper (doors).

Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Bullseye
Resene Bullseye
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Moscato
Resene Moscato
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Timekeeper
Resene Timekeeper
August 2016

Q. I need assistance with a paint colour around our smoked bamboo fence (the smoked bamboo apparently fades down to a 'mushroom colour'). The house is Resene White Pointer, the window joinery Silver Pearl, and roof and garage door, which is to the right of the fence, is Sandstone Grey. The metal fences are for climbers to grow over and hopefully will soon rust. Do I just use really black stain? (I suspect not) or Resene White Pointer, Sandstone Grey or another colour? The garden is all Japanese themed.

A. Although black is a theme for some accents in Japanese gardens, because of the soft tones that you have used on the house you might consider one of these colours - Resene Gauntlet (matches to the roof colour but may slightly seem deeper), Resene Half Gauntlet (slightly lighter matching to the roof colour). Or deeper than the house main colour - Resene Triple White Pointer. If you did want to stain - as opposed to painting with Resene Lumbersider - you might use Resene Woodsman stain in Resene Tiri, which is dark/natural looking but not too black.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Half Gauntlet
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
September 2016

Q. We want to paint our rugby clubroom’s exterior and interior changing rooms as well as replacing the roof. We would like some advice on modern colours for the building.

A. With such a big (and possibly expensive) job it may be a case of not how much you can do but how effective small amounts of colour can be.

If on the exterior all the deck timbers and handrails/steps to the upper level were really dark so they stood out against the paler main building colour it could look good - especially as a backdrop to the colourful sponsors’ advertising hoardings.

The base of the building might be painted a strong blue - Resene Submerge. The upper storey might be a very pale colour - perhaps a cool blue/grey ‘white’ - which might also be used as the main wall colour on the interior with pure white ceilings – try Resene White Thunder.

If the roof is to be a COLORSTEEL® powder coated one then you might consider COLORSTEEL® Ebony, or lighter COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars. Any exterior main entry doors could be Resene Red Berry.

For any wood stain areas use Resene Woodsman in Resene Crowshead.

The interior might use both the blue and the red as feature walls - this could be some larger walls without any doors or windows on them.

Doors, skirting boards and door frames could be a mid-toned grey - Resene Quarter Foundry.

These colours offer a maximum effect/ sporty /bold accented colour scheme that might appeal to the club members.

Resene Submerge
Resene Submerge
Resene White Thunder
Resene White Thunder
     
COLORSTEEL® Ebony
COLORSTEEL® Ebony
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
COLORSTEEL® Grey Friars
Resene Red Berry
Resene Red Berry
Resene Woodsman Crowshead
Resene Crowshead
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Quarter Foundry
September 2016

Q. I want to paint the outside of my house. At the moment it’s Resene Triple Sisal and the roof and aluminium joinery is dark brown - I think Resene Ironsand? I want to go lighter. I have recently repainted the interior Resene White Pointer. What colours would you recommend for an outside change?

A. What colours do you like? Your new interior colour is a soft grey edged taupe - do you think that sort of colour might look good on the exterior as well? It might have to be deeper as bright natural light strips the depth away from colours on an exterior. Perhaps you might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Truffle, Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Bison Hide or Resene Cloud.

Resene Triple Sisal
Resene Triple Sisal
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
   
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
September 2016

Q. I am considering changing the colour in our lounge - we currently have Resene Tea on the walls. The room has 80s thin natural trim woodwork and curtains which are grey/silver.

A. You may need to consider more than the curtains and the natural woodwork, such as any coloured flooring and furniture. I suggest you test very carefully any colour samples to ensure you know how they respond to all of the colours in the room as well as the predominant quality of natural light you have in the lounge. If you are considering changing from a warm beige (Resene Tea) to another neutral you could start by looking at these colours - Resene Half Concrete, Resene Barely There, Resene Half Rice Cake or Resene Sea Fog.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
September 2016

Q. Would you be able to suggest some nice light neutral colours for my walls? We have just painted the joinery doors etc. with Resene Rice Cake.

A. Resene Rice Cake looks rather nice with these light neutrals - Resene Double Merino, Resene White Pointer, Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Half Tea or Resene Quarter Akaroa.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
September 2016

Q. We want to lighten our house colours to be a bit more modern. We have an Edwardian cottage and the colours are currently Resene Astra (basement), Resene Gin Fizz (walls), Resene Orchid White (windows), Resene Oxley green (window facings) and Resene Bush green (doors and roof). The interior is Resene Gin Fizz and Resene Orchid White.

We would like to lighten the whole look, but are keen to have the window sashes the same colour inside and out (currently both are Resene Orchid White). Is it possible to have a palette with a lighter version of all these colours?

A. By maintaining the Resene Orchid White (in itself quite a strong cream) you do compromise your options. Will you mind if the windows look much stronger in their yellow tone than the main colour of the house? They don't now as the other colours are stronger but by removing those colours the yellow in the Resene Orchid White will stand out more.

Perhaps if you use Resene Half Orchid White or Resene Double Bianca or even the exact same colour as the windows - yes Resene Orchid White - for the main colour on the house and don't highlight the basement with a deeper (more yellow) colour but use exactly the same colour as the main, you may find the overall look is lighter and possibly simpler.

Lighter greens may need to be more muted (greyed) in order to be used with the lighter/whiter main house colours. You could try roof options of Resene Canyon, Resene Gecko or Resene Rivergum.

These colours might also be used for both the door and window surrounds or alternatively these slightly lighter greens might be considered - Resene Port Phillip, Resene Half Rivergum or Resene Spanish Green.

Resene Astra
Resene Astra
Resene Gin Fizz
Resene Gin Fizz
Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Oxley
Resene Oxley
Resene Bush
Resene Bush
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Double Bianca
Resene Canyon
Resene Canyon
Resene Gecko
Resene Gecko
Resene Rivergum
Resene Rivergum
Resene Port Phillip
Resene Port Phillip
Resene Half Rivergum
Resene Half Rivergum
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Spanish Green
   
September 2016

Q. I need to choose colours for my bedroom, the study that opens off it, and the ensuite that opens off that. I'm keen on a warm inviting tone in the bedroom - Resene Quarter Spanish White. I'm thinking of a yellow green like Resene Zen, but what about the study and en-suite?

A. Your 'white' is a warm peachy cream and it suits colours that are slightly deeper and more definite in hue.

You may find Resene Zen has a hard job asserting itself when used with such a 'coloured' white. It looks spectacular when used with a real crisp white like Resene Quarter Rice Cake or even cooler like Resene Alabaster. If you were using Resene Zen in the ensuite where there is a lot of 'white' bathroom furniture it would look wonderful.

Perhaps you could look at Resene Miso or Resene Thistle - both of these have a tiny bit more depth to them so they are well balanced when used with the strong natured Resene Quarter Spanish White.

Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Zen
Resene Zen
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Miso
Resene Miso
Resene Thistle
Resene Thistle
September 2016

Q. I like Resene Double Alabaster as an interior white; it's great with greys and timber floors. Just wondering, as the flooring gets warmer brown tones, would you suggest trying any other whites from your collection?

A. These 'whites' work well with warmer toned wood - Resene Half Black White, Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Barely There or Resene Half Bianca.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
September 2016

Q. I need some help on the right exterior colour. Our exterior is a mix of COLORBOND® Monument, Resene Black Haze render and Resene Shadow Match stained boards. We have an additional rendered wall which is angular (designed to be a feature) which I had specified Resene Stack for. However, now the first coat is done the Resene Stack looks too light and really not strong enough against the white and black. Should we try Resene Double Stack or go something totally different.

A. Colours on an exterior - subject as they are to masses of bright natural light - often appear half the depth that you might imagine they will be. I suspect this is the case in this instance.

COLORBOND® Monument is a warm black, Resene Black Haze is a warm grey/white so I think it might be nice to find a grey that has a bit of depth and has a warmer undertone. Perhaps you might check out these colours - Resene Half Baltic Sea, Resene Windswept, Resene Scarpa Flow or Resene Double Trojan.

Resene Black Haze
Resene Black Haze
Resene Shadow Match
Resene Shadow Match
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Double Trojan
Resene Double Trojan
September 2016

Q. Our family tradition is for granddad to make each granddaughter a doll's cot. Can you suggest an alternative ‘girly’ colour scheme? Current colour favourites seem to be pink, purple.

A. Is it just the end panels that Granddad has to paint - or is it the whole cot? If it is just the end panels it won't take long to create something really special. Pink and purple are 'girly' colours but if you want to be a little bit different you might look at using metallic colours. Llittle girls are born wanting 'bling' and sparkly glamour so this sort of theme may appeal. Try Resene Sugar And Spice or Resene Funtasia.

You could use butterfly stencils and apply random pink and purple 'flutterbys' or even different size hearts and flowers.

Resene Sugar And Spice
Resene Sugar And Spice
Resene Funtasia
Resene Funtasia
September 2016

Q. We have a two storey weatherboard home in need of painting its outside. We are thinking perhaps a warm grey with white trim, and a dark grey/black for the front door and side fence. A house down the road is Resene Quarter Craigieburn which is a little green and a bit pale for our liking. Also note we have a lot of red in terms of brick around the house and roof tiles. My initial thoughts are Resene Stonewall – Quarter, Eighth, Resene Ash or Resene Double Ash, Resene Grey Olive – Half, Quarter or Resene Foggy Grey?

A. I think you are on the right track with Resene Foggy Grey but I think you need to compare it with Resene Half Taupe Grey.

The Resene Ash palette and Resene Grey Olive palette may give you a lot more green or yellow/green but they do lack the essential grey undertone. The Resene Stonewall palette is quite yellow/brown - again not so grey in tone.

If you want more yellow/green/brown then perhaps you could look at Resene Copyrite.

If you can pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 samples of these colours in their Colour Library and compare them I think you will be able to come to a good decision. If you play the 'Least Liked' game it will be even better - 'which of these do I like least of all?' - get rid of the sample and continue like this until you are left with one which is obviously the 'Most Liked'.

Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Eighth Stonewall
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
Resene Half Grey Olive
Resene Half Grey Olive
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Copyrite
Resene Copyrite
 
September 2016

Q. We need a colour for weatherboards and fascias. We are not sure what would be the best colour to go with the existing green roof but bring it into a current look.

A. You might check out these soft warm greys and beiges to see if they appeal to you - Resene Delta , Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Truffle or Resene Triple Black White.

Resene Delta
Resene Delta
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
September 2016

Q. I would like to update the exterior of my 1930s house. The roof is Ironsand (will stay). I would like to update the look but keep it classic/neutral. We have been recommended Resene Double Ash but I worry it will be too green in tone. Do you have any other recommendations? We will paint the garage and front door Resene Ironsand.

A. Resene Double Ash may be too deep or olive green in tone so unless you were able to test it carefully to see how it looks you may be right to worry a little about this colour. The lighter versions 'neutralise' themselves more - i.e. Resene Half Ash or Resene Quarter Ash - and 'grey off' more so the green isn't so apparent.

You could try - Resene Half Cloud, Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Foggy Grey, Resene Double Merino or Resene Eighth Parchment.

Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Quarter Ash
Resene Half Cloud
Resene Half Cloud
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Eighth Parchment
Resene Eighth Parchment
 
September 2016

Q. We have a life style block with a farm style weatherboard house. We are looking at Grey Friars or Sandstone Grey for the roof colour and wanted some suggestions for the exterior walls.

A. The colours you mention as possibilities for the roof colour are polar opposites. Grey Friars is a classic dark charcoal and would work with almost any other colour whereas the Sandstone Grey is much lighter warm stone grey. Perhaps the Sandstone Grey might need to be paired with earthy warm greys and dirty cream/taupe neutrals - Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Foggy Grey, Resene Triple Merino or Resene White Pointer.

Resene Grey Friars looks good with these colours - Resene Thorndon Cream, Resene Quarter Parchment, Resene Half Silver Chalice or Resene Napa.

The choice is yours - colour taste is a personal thing and what is wonderful for one is ugly for another. The colours listed are only a few of your possible options.

Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey

Resene Triple Merino
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
 
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
September 2016

Q. We have a large home (Victorian/Queenslander) and high ceilings with ornate cornices. Our trims are all Resene Double Alabaster. We are after a colour that is not too grey but leans towards the green/beige/grey palette and think shades of Resene Tea may be the way to go.

A. You may need to compare several colours with each other - your perception and judgment of what the colours look like can alter radically when seen this way and all colour undergoes change in different qualities of light and with any colour seen close to it. Try Resene Tea, Resene Cloud, Resene Half Ash or Resene Triple Merino.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash

Resene Triple Merino
September 2016

Q. Our home is quite dark inside and doesn't get any direct sunlight. What colours would be most appropriate to use to lighten the rooms?

A. Lighter/brighter colours like these ones may work well for you - Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta, Resene Bianca or Resene Half Orchid White.

Any colour that is too 'white' may take on a cool grey undertone so the colours suggested have a warm/sunshine undertone to make the room appear to have sunny light in them.

Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
September 2016

Q. I would like to paint my bedroom and ensuite a warm beige colour to replace the green Resene Linen. I am replacing the carpet with Felted Position 14. The other colours in the room are a beige duvet and wood furniture and a wooden floor bathroom. What colours would you recommend? I tried Resene Truffle and like it but maybe need to go darker?

A. All colours in an interior can look deeper than you might imagine they will - often doubling in their intensity. If you are painting up samples please stand them up on the carpet - to your right and to your left as well as directly opposite a source of natural light. The colour will look as it will on the walls in the room - different on different angles according to light and shade. You need to see this in order to know what the colour will look like. Also check it against the beige duvet - again stand it upright as if is was a wall.

If you like Resene Truffle you could compare it to some other colours so you can truly judge what it is like – try Resene Cloud or Resene Double White Pointer.

Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Cloud
Resene Cloud
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
September 2016

Q. We are painting our large lounge and large kitchen area, joining each other. The house is a modern flat square look. The kitchen joinery is shiny black with a stainless steel bench. I am looking at Resene Triple Black White for walls, Resene Black White ceilings and possibly Resene Double Black White door surrounds. Is this colour too cool looking? The area has large windows but big eaves that let in later in the day sun. The paint now is Resene Tea.

A. Changing from warm toned beige to a complex greyed white colour is a challenge - yes it will be cooler than the Resene Tea palette of colours. It will work well with the black joinery and stainless steel - it will be crisper and very contemporary. Sunlight that comes into the rooms from the west (later afternoon sunlight) is a very yellow/red light so your greyed white may take on quite a different look - warmer and perhaps more green/beige in tone - due to this light.

Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
September 2016

Q. Can you please recommend a yellow from your range to paint a kitchen on the south side of the house to brighten it up and make it feel warm?

A. South facing rooms have a unique quality of natural light that makes white look grey and dingy, some beiges look like swamp mud and even very pale yellows look floury and sour. It is the light that does this.

You might try one of these yellows - all colours can double in their intensity in an interior so these are pale but may look a lot stronger than you might expect - Resene Quarter Dutch White or Resene Clotted Cream.

Resene Quarter Dutch White
Resene Quarter
Dutch White
Resene Clotted Cream
Resene Clotted Cream
September 2016

Q. We are picking paint for our new home. We are thinking of Resene Half Concrete for the walls and Resene Half Alabaster for the ceiling and trims. And Resene Concrete for the internal doors. Can you advise if these colours will match up ok?

A. The colours will look lovely - delicate, cool and silvery with a tendency to show an almost blue or lilac undertone dependent upon the natural light.

Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
September 2016

Q. I want a neutral colour to freshen up our living, hallway, kitchen and stairwell. Currently it is painted Resene Tea and not a light version of it. I would like an off white, neutral colour, possibly with grey/stone tonings. Would Resene Athens Grey be too dark? Is there a colour you suggest?

A. If you are testing colour - and I strongly suggest you do - then by painting all of the testpot (two coats) onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow white card border all around the edges you will be able to see enough colour and the real depth of it plus it can be moved from wall to wall so you can see how it alters. All colours alter but in an interior they can double their overall depth. The narrow unpainted border acts as a barrier to stop the existing wall colour from making you see the tester colour completely wrong.

Resene Athens Grey may look very pale in large rooms that get a huge amount of natural light but could look remarkably deeper in corners, dim areas and narrow rooms. Testpots are your best friend - please take your time to see how the colour looks everywhere at all times of the day and night.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Athens Grey
September 2016

Q. We want to paint the exterior of our house to hopefully make it look more modern. The dark bricks will be staying. I would like to paint the entrance way in a light colour, but am not sure about the rest. We will also replace the spouting and need a contrasting colour for that. Some of the house is vertical cedar and the rest is Hardiplank® weatherboards with a concrete block base. The block base will also need painting. The joinery is a dark brown.

A. Because of the bricks and the dark brown joinery a lighter colour may make these elements look darker and browner - is that ok? If you are replacing the spouting you might use a powder coat colour like Ironsand as it is a brown based charcoal. Other colours to consider - lighter and possibly a bit deeper for the concrete block base might be like these ones - Resene Tea and deeper - Resene Triple Tea, Resene Half Fossil and deeper - Resene Double Fossil or Resene Quarter Cloudy and deeper - Resene Cloudy.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Double Fossil
Resene Double Fossil
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Quarter Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
   
September 2016

Q. We are painting our interior walls with Resene Merino and Resene Quarter Linen. What colour carpet would you recommend that would go with this colour?

A. The interior colours are very obliging and would work well with any coloured carpet - taupe, beige, green, grey, charcoal etc. I think you need to take into account the upholstered furniture (coloured), any bedspreads or duvets (coloured) and the drapes and blinds (coloured) and the hard flooring in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen (coloured) and your budget and personal preference. Take the samples home to look at with all of the existing elements and your new paint colours to see how they look.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Linen
September 2016

Q. I'm cladding my new home with Shadowclad® board and batten. I've chosen matt black for the windows and Pioneer Red for the front door. I need an idea of what colour stain to use for the exterior and a COLORSTEEL® roof colour.

A. If your roof was dark (similar to the window joinery) then that would help tie things together – COLORSTEEL® Ebony matched to Resene All Black, COLORSTEEL® FlaxPod matched to Resene Element. Or to match the front door – COLORSTEEL® Pioneer Red matched to Resene Pioneer Red.

Shadowclad® board and batten may have some colour depth constraints in order to meet the build warranty so you don't void the guarantee. Your builder can give you this information or you can get in touch with BRANZ for independent advice.

Depending on what the restrictions are you might like to look at these colours as a starting point - Resene Woodsman – Tiri, Equilibrium, Iroko or Oiled Cedar.

COLORSTEEL® Ebony
COLORSTEEL® Ebony
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Element
Resene Element
 
COLORSTEEL® Pioneer Red
COLORSTEEL®
Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
   
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
Resene Equilibrium
Resene Equilibrium
Resene Iroko
Resene Iroko
Resene Oiled Cedar
Resene Oiled Cedar
September 2016

Q. I have beige carpet and curtains. The ceiling, skirting and architraves will be white but what is a nice relaxing colour that will suit in the lounge of our villa?

A. Beige (carpets and curtains) comes as many subtle colour variants and it is important to see how any wall colour relates to these elements in the house as well as co-ordinating with the upholstered furniture you have in the lounge.

You might check out these colours to see if they look good with the carpet and curtains and appeal to you - Resene Quarter Tea, Resene Eighth Joss, Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Eighth Spanish White or Resene Half Albescent White.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Eighth Joss
Resene Eighth Joss
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth
Spanish White
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
September 2016

Q. The block base of my house is white, the top cedar is Mission Brown and the gutters and garage are Grey Friars. We want to repaint the joinery and blocks. Yes, we can only afford half a house at a time. We thought taupe then black but are a bit afraid what the neighbourhood might think.

A. Grey Friars as a colour does have lighter variants that you might consider - not as dark as a black or as pale as a taupe - one of these might look good on the blocks - Resene Half Grey Friars, Resene Quarter Grey Friars. Or a deep warm brown tone that ties the charcoal and the Mission Brown together - Resene Saddle. Or a simple warm neutral colour - Resene Triple Blanc.

Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Saddle
Resene Saddle
Resene Triple Blanc
Resene Triple Blanc
September 2016

Q. We have a Woodland Grey roof and gutter and are looking at painting the exterior walls Resene Triple Tea. Do you have tips for this?

A. All colours on an exterior look lighter/brighter due to the way bright natural light enhances them. Resene Triple Tea may look paler - more like Resene Double Tea - because of the light and will look quite yellow/green/brown.

I always suggest that people paint up the testpot (all of it two coats) onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and tape it to each side of the house and view it close up and from far away at different times of the day to see how it alters with angles, shadows and light. That is the only true way to see the reality of the colour.

If you are unsure about the colour - after testing it - then you might also check out Resene Half Pravda as it isn't as yellow toned and still looks nice with Woodland Grey.

Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
Resene Half Pravda
Resene Half Pravda
September 2016

Q. I have read a thousand articles about choosing the right white but I just go round in circles. I have a 1950s home with a higher than average stud. I like Resene Double Alabaster for my lounge which is reasonably sunny. The adjoining living area will have a navy feature wall (Resene Celestial Blue). My question: is Resene Double Alabaster too bright? Everything on Google seems to steer towards people using it as a trim rather than wall colour. I have wooden floors in adjacent rooms and sand coloured carpet, grey furniture.

A. I don't think it is too bright though of course it does depend upon when the sun floods into your rooms - if it was early morning then Resene Double Alabaster might take on a slightly more cloudy/grey undertone once the sun moves around the house and shadow covers the walls. It is all about natural light - how much, how little, when in the morning or afternoon you receive the most light, what aspect the rooms have - N/S/E/W - as well as what other colours are in the rooms.

Take your time to test the colour by painting up a large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and moving it around the wall and rooms. If your eye tells you it is too stark or bright then place a sheet of A4 printer paper partially over the painted sample and allow your eye to judge which is whiter/brighter. If you don't like what the Resene Double Alabaster looks like then you might try Resene Half Sea Fog which is just slightly less 'clean’. Everything online is written by lots of people - and everyone has their own opinion don't they? Go with your heart.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Celestial Blue
Resene Celestial Blue
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
September 2016

Q. I have a cream coloured house in need of repainting. The roof is Grey Friars and the relatively new fence is white. And the house is half brick. The existing garage door is light grey. What colour would you recommend I paint the house and doors, bearing in mind that all the interior walls are painted Resene Rice Cake? A complementary colour would be ideal for some indoor/outdoor flow. Also some advice on what colour to repaint the concrete foundations at the front door would be helpful.

A. My first thought was that the garage might integrate better if the door was the same colour as the roof - Resene Grey Friars instead of a lighter (unrelated) grey. No you don't have to but it would be a good call.

You have used an off white in the interior of the house - Resene Rice cake -and one way to tie both the interior and exterior together would be to use a deeper variant of Resene Rice Cake.

You might check out Resene Triple Rice Cake or Resene Thorndon Cream - this particular colour isn't related to Resene Rice but has very similar colourants in it and a little shadowy undertone. I think you could use exactly the same colour for the concrete foundations of the house. I always have a fear that a different colour (coupled with the brick mid portion and the upper part of the house) might make this style of house look like a layer cake.

Colours on an exterior - due to bright natural light - often look much lighter/brighter than you might imagine they will so these colours might look slightly lighter than you might imagine they will.

If you weren't keen on using a related (light) colour for the exterior of the house then you might use a softer version of the roof colour - i.e. Resene Quarter Grey Friars - but it will look heavy and quite staunch - this may not be the look you are wanting to have - but I thought I would mention it to you any way. It is a good idea to have colour on the concrete patio and sides of steps coloured. If you did this it would make a nice entry point to the house. Resene Walk-On paving paint could be used for this.

The house doors could be White - like the windows - or Resene Rice Cake like the interior or even (boldly making a statement) the same as the roof colour. If you use a full gloss enamel it will maintain its slick gloss and stand out a little compared to the (lesser) sheen of the stucco.

Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
September 2016

Q. We have just replaced the guttering with COLORSTEEL® New Denim Blue and painted the fascia the same colour. We need something to match in with that and the brown aluminium joinery. Can you suggest something that will make the ugly brown joinery become less of a feature?

A. 'Ugly brown joinery' can be a stumbling block in regards to a 'new look'. To make it seem less of a feature you may have to consider using a warm earthy brown colour so that the joinery isn't seen as such a dark colour. Had you thought of that as an option?

You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Rockbottom, Resene Quarter Stonewall, Resene Half Stonehenge or Resene Half Napa.

A lighter mid tone grey might be Resene Half New Denim Blue. I am not at all sure it would make the brown joinery look less brown than what it is however.

Resene Rockbottom
Resene Rockbottom
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New
Denim Blue
September 2016

Q. I am painting the house I’ve just bought. It’s 5 years old and modern. It is currently a cool grey with white trim and I want something warmer. I am very interested in Resene Quarter Tea and have put some on the wall and boards which I’ve moved around the house. I am just a little concerned as it seems to have a pinkish tone in some areas. I think this may be coming from my light walnut floorboards. I am not sure what to do. I know it’s one of your most popular colours and it certainly looks fantastic with the white trim and all my furniture which are earthy browns. What do you think? It may also be the strong LED lights too.

A. If you paint - as a test patch - any colour over an existing wall colour you would never see it as it truly is. In your case if the existing grey is cool (possibly a little blue in it?) then that would highlight the warmth of Resene Quarter Tea and you might see it throwing more pinkish tone.

Without testing colour by painting it (two coats/all of the testpot) onto a huge A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted white card border all around the edges it is difficult to see enough of the colour to make a judgment. The unpainted border acts as a barrier and holds the tested paint colour away from the wall colour so it isn't negatively influenced. The card can be moved from wall to wall/room to room and you would be able to judge what the colour was truly like.

It will alter a lot with natural light, artificial light and angles of walls as well as when it is seen next to other coloured elements - drapes, flooring and upholstery.

Any room that only gets late afternoon sunlight (westerly light is red/yellow based) will show a lot of warmth in any colour. Do you think the room where the colour looks pinkish is a west facing room?

A huge amount of people like Resene Quarter Tea so it has been proved to be a warm neutral that works well in many different situations. However it isn't right for all people.

If you don't like the warmth of the colour another option to check out is Resene Eighth Truffle. It is only by comparing colours and testing them carefully that we can make a good judgment.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
September 2016

Q. We are building. I’m stuck on exterior/interior colours. What is a good dark grey/navy exterior colour? We have Helium borders for around our Grey Friars windows. Also what is a popular interior colour for the walls? Not too dark but not white white, maybe something with a grey tint?

A. You might check out these deep greys for the exterior to see if they appeal to you - Resene Quarter Grey Friars, Resene Half Tuna, Resene Raven, Resene Quarter Foundry or Resene Rhino.

For interior popular colours - greyed whites – it is worth looking at are these ones - Resene Black White, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Black White or Resene Black Haze.

Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Raven
Resene Raven
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Quarter Foundry
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Black Haze
Resene Black Haze
September 2016

Q. Which white would go well as a trim with walls of Resene Wheatfield? Resene Quarter Wheatfield looks quite stark on the colour chart.

A. A much lighter variant than Resene Quarter Wheatfield is Resene Eighth Wheatfield.

All colours seen in an interior can look a lot deeper also - sometimes double their intensity - so Resene Quarter Wheatfield might look as coloured as Resene Half Wheatfield.

If you compare Resene Quarter Wheatfield with Resene White you will be better able to judge just how coloured it is in reality. I recommend you visit your local Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library. There is nothing like seeing reality in a large enough formats to judge what colours are truly like.

Resene Wheatfield
Resene Wheatfield
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
Resene Quarter Wheatfield
Resene Eighth Wheatfield
Resene Eighth Wheatfield
Resene White
Resene White
September 2016

Q. I have a rumpus room currently emptied out of bedroom furniture. Now I'm thinking of white for the ceiling, keeping the beams exposed, but maybe Resene Duck Egg Blue or another blue.

A. I think that the shadows on the walls may make some duck egg colours look a little greyer than you might imagine they will do. Perhaps you might choose a colour that has a sweet light tone so that it doesn't 'grey off' too much. Test the colours really well - testpots are your best friend.

You might start looking at these colours - Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue or Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.

Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue
Resene Quarter
Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
September 2016

Q. I've recently painted one bedroom in Resene Half Biscotti with trim in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. I'd like to strip the white textured wallpaper in the kitchen/lounge/dining and paint this area. There is existing wooden furniture (staying) and deep red curtains (optional on staying). Would you suggest I carry the biscotti colour through or are there any other colour suggestions?

A. Resene Half Biscotti may be perfect or you may need to slightly lighten the colour - i.e. Resene Quarter Biscotti. What has worked in one space may not necessarily work in another so please take the time to test the colour - large painted samples are best because they can be moved from wall to wall/room to room so you can see how angles of walls and natural light and any other colours in the spaces react to each other.

It is all about colour/light/comfort for main living areas and how versatile the main colour is - bold or trendy can be the small things that are able to be changed without undue expense like your accessories.

Resene Half Biscotti
Resene Half Biscotti
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Biscotti
Resene Quarter Biscotti
September 2016

Q. I am thinking about repainting the outside of my house. Could you suggest modern colours for the base and weatherboards to tone with the bricks? The current colour is Resene Half Tea.

A. Modern colours contain more grey or green undertones and they would work well with the bricks. You might check out these ones to see if they appeal to you - Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Double White Pointer, Resene Half Titania, Resene Half Truffle or Resene Triple Black White.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
       
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double
White Pointer
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Titania
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
September 2016

Q. How are Resene Quarter Tea walls and doors going to look with Resene Alabaster door surrounds and skirting boards?

A. They will look very nice. It is a soft slightly warm look. The whiter trims will enhance the Resene Quarter Tea.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
September 2016

Q. Do we have to furnish the room first before choosing the paint colours? We are moving into our new home and are confused about when to paint.

A. By being able to choose exactly what you like in the way of furniture, flooring, curtains etc. you have the best of options. If you paint first it may alter what you can have with the wall colour - to your disadvantage. At worst it may mean you can't have what you want as furniture or drapes or flooring because it won't work well with the paint colour.

If you wanted to paint the walls Resene White or - extremely similar - Resene Half Alabaster - they might be the only true neutrals that would allow for any and all other coloured elements of furniture and fabrics.

Most people want colours and in order for colours to work well they need to be judged against other colours i.e. furniture etc.

Resene White
Resene White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
September 2016

Q. I am getting sorted to paint the exterior of my house. The bottom half is Hinuera stone and the top is painted cedar. Any ideas of a good colour that will go with the stone?

A. Hinuera stone is light coloured and slightly buttery - almost anything will work with it but it does really depend on what you personally favour as well as what will look best with the joinery and the roof colour.

September 2016

Q. I am currently in the process of repainting a retail shop front. The shop has two entrances and two tenants. The tenants want each side painted a different colour. One tenant wants Dove Grey. I am looking at painting the other side Resene Black White. The trim on the Dove Grey side is Black. The trim on the Resene Black White side is Cherry Red. The shop has a high area over the top of both shops for signage which I want to paint one colour. The shops need to stand out to attract the attention of customers. Could you please recommend a colour scheme for me?

A. The shops will certainly stand out painted two colours on such a small frontage. If the Dove Grey is light enough it should look rather nice with the white on the other side. The high facade which will have signage on it could be painted Resene Nero so all colour logos/signage etc will pop off the black back ground.

If the door to each shop is painted the trim colour it will personalise the individual businesses. A soft grey that you might consider is Resene Geyser or Resene Double Concrete. A white with a little grey in in it might be either of these colours - Resene Black White or Resene Half Wan White.

A nice red for the trim on the Resene Black White could be - Resene Smashing. And the black trim on the grey shop could match the roof facade - Resene Nero.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Nero
Resene Nero
Resene Geyser
Resene Geyser
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Half Wan White
Resene Smashing
Resene Smashing
 
September 2016

Q. We are looking at repainting the exterior of our house. We want a natural looking colour, something a bit lighter than what we already have. We have a charcoal coloured roof and brown wooden stained garage door/front door and brown/copper aluminium windows etc. Can you suggest a colour that would complement the brown aluminium and stained doors?

A. You might want to check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Fossil, Resene Eighth Bison Hide, Resene Half Sandspit Brown or Resene Thorndon Cream.

They are all quite different to each other and have a light, natural undertone of warmth which sits well with the stained wooden doors and warm brown joinery. They may look half again as light as they are due to bright sunlight but they do have both deeper and lighter variants if you want to check those colours out as well.

Resene Half Fossil
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Eighth Bison Hide,
Resene Eighth Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown
Resene Half Sandspit Brown
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
September 2016

Q. We are just about to start work on a property we have. New decks, fences etc. The joinery and roof are dark brown. I have no idea about colours for the paint but we would like to keep it easy to maintain and fairly conservative. One side of the house backs onto the stream and there are great lake views from the front of the house.

A. If the window joinery and the roof are staying as they are then the colour options are a little limited but you might look at these colours. Perhaps do the dark base of the house the same as the main house colour to make it seem taller (less like a sandwich) and a strong coloured deck and fence to balance the roof and window colours - Resene Sandspit Brown/Resene Sambuca, Resene Emerge/Resene Gumboot Resene Quarter Cougar/Resene Triple Friar Grey, Resene Double Rice Cake/Resene Half Masala.

Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sambuca
Resene Sambuca
Resene Emerge
Resene Emerge
Resene Gumboot
Resene Gumboot
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Triple Friar Grey
Resene Triple Friar Grey
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
September 2016

Q. I have a kitchen with a large glass splashback in Resene Quarter Napa. The cupboards are pavement melamine, the benches are black granite and stainless steel. What colour would be good for the walls, ceiling and doors? This is an open plan room with lots of windows and doors.

A. The flooring has a major part in an interior colour scheme as it is the key colour that other elements must work with. You would need to check colours also work with curtains, upholstered furniture and any coloured accessories or artwork. Some ideas to get you started - Resene Rice Cake, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Merino, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Resene Quarter Tea or Resene Quarter Albescent White.

Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
 
September 2016

Q. I am painting my sunny bright open plan lounge and dining area Resene Half Foggy Grey with Resene Inside Back on two feature walls. The adjoining kitchen is mostly white cabinetry with Resene Triple Rice Cake on the walls along with the rest of the house. I am struggling to decide on colours for the window frames, doors and architraves. I think that I'll go with Resene Rice Cake for the spaces that are painted the Resene Rice Cake colour or should I go one shade lighter and use Resene Half Rice Cake? I'm also not sure if I should do the same on the large windows and sliding doors that are inset in the walls that are painted Resene Half Foggy Grey... or should I go with Resene Quarter Foggy Grey? I have noticed lately the trend seems to be more for matching rather than contrasting trims. Our aluminium window joinery is O’Keefe Grey.

A. I think it could help to tie in the Resene Triple Rice Cake and the Resene Half Foggy Grey if you did use a lighter version of Resene Rice Cake - i.e. Resene Half Rice Cake. If you felt it was too 'white' then by all means use Resene Rice Cake - it is a personal preference at the end of the day.

I am not sure I would use Resene Quarter Foggy Grey around the window frames as it may make the O'Keefe Grey powder coat on the window joinery look a bit brown by comparison.

My thoughts are the lighter (neutral) version of Resene Rice Cake colour acts as a frame to the powder coated joinery and a barrier between the joinery and the wall colour - this is the Resene Half Foggy Grey that I am referring to.

Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
Resene Inside Back
Resene Inside Back
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Triple Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
   
September 2016

Q. I want to make the pantry/laundry room that is off the foyer more warm and cosy than the stark white that it is painted now. From the foyer, this room is visible as we are in and out of the pantry and do not always close the doors. So, the colour needs to go with the Resene Santas Grey.

I was thinking a warm, soft green... I don't want a 'purple' pantry. The trim is white. The appliances are white. .

A. Warm soft greens that work well in close association with Resene Santas Grey that you might consider are - Resene Kandinsky, Resene Green Spring, Resene Coriander, Resene Zen, Resene Ying Yang or Resene Aspiring.

Resene Santas Grey
Resene Santas Grey
Resene Kandinsky
Resene Kandinsky
Resene Green Spring
Resene Green Spring
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Zen
Resene Zen
Resene Ying Yang
Resene Ying Yang
Resene Aspiring
Resene Aspiring
 
September 2016

Q. We have a 1960s timber clad house that we have painted Resene Double Lemon Grass on the two long side walls and we have painted the ends of the house with Resene Triple Masala. Now I want colour advice for the window frames. They are currently painted a dark brown/green, and it looks good.

A. For the window frames - is this for the sashes as well as the frames? Or are the sashes going to be different? I do absolutely recommend that you use CoolColour™ reformulated dark colours for the windows to minimise as much as possible the often dire effects of heat stress/UV damage etc. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Ironsand, Resene Half Bokara Grey, Resene Karaka or Resene Zeus.

Resene Double Lemon Grass
Resene Double Lemon Grass
Resene Triple Masala
Resene Triple Masala
   
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
Resene Zeus
Resene Zeus
September 2016

Q. We are looking at doing renovations, and we have a two bedroom unit with open plan kitchen, dining and lounge. What colours do you suggest that still look trendy but aren't white? But still cheap as we are on a tight budget and need to save money somewhere.

A. The cheapest and trendiest interior 'go to' colour is a white. I know that you have indicated for anything other than white but it is so 'hot' and is asked for all of the time. The added plus factor is that it works with anything else at all and never really dates. A few for you to check out - they do carry quite different undertones of colour in them which may only be apparent when you see them against a real 'white' like a sheet of printer paper: Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Black White, Resene Half Bianca or Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

If you don't want 'trendy whites' then you could look at a grey - perhaps Resene Concrete - greys are popular.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
September 2016

Q. We have a new kitchen and we have Resene Double Rice Cake on the walls with Resene Quarter Rice Cake cabinetry. We have a glass splashback painted with Resene Proton. What colour accessories would look great with Resene Proton? We are redecorating the rest of our house so would be happy to continue with your suggestions throughout our home. We have Resene Double Rice Cake in all our rooms.

A. The Resene Rice Cake palette of colours and Resene Proton look gorgeous with these colours - perhaps they may inspire you - Resene Apple Blossom, Resene Cello, Resene Madam M, Resene Panzano, Resene Grey Olive or Resene Double Tapa.

In some of the other rooms in the house you may find that Resene Rice Cake works well with some of the coloured accents and doesn't look as quite as rich a hue as the Resene Double Rice Cake does in the kitchen where it is coupled with the 'whiter' Resene Quarter Rice Cake cabinets.

Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Proton
Resene Proton
 
Resene Apple Blossom
Resene Apple Blossom
Resene Cello
Resene Cello
Resene Madam M
Resene Madam M
 
Resene Panzano
Resene Panzano
Resene Grey Olive
Resene Grey Olive
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
September 2016

Q. I am choosing new exterior paint colours. My home has an orange-red roof and bronzy-brown joinery. I'm keen to use a dark blue-green like Resene Arapawa on the shutters and window boxes; they're north-facing though, so is that too dark? I'd also like a modern neutral colour for the weatherboards. What would you suggest?

A. Resene Arapawa is a lovely colour - it is quite deep and if that was a worry to you then you might go to a slightly lighter colour like Resene Blumine or Resene Marathon. You will in all possibility still get a powdery film appearing on the surface of the blue colour over time as it reacts to sunlight and heat. Blues can be a bit problematical that way and the deeper they are the more noticeable this is. It doesn't damage the paint but it is annoying.

For the main colour on the house I suggest you favour neutrals that will relate well to the bronzy-brown joinery so it has a 'friend' and isn't totally isolated in the colour scheme.

You could look at one of these colours - Resene Eighth Arrowtown, Resene Quarter Napa or Resene Eighth Stonehenge. Or alternatively slightly earthy creamy colours - Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Quarter Sisal or Resene Quarter Fossil.

Resene Arapawa
Resene Arapawa
Resene Blumine
Resene Blumine
Resene Marathon
Resene Marathon
Resene Eighth Arrowtown
Resene Eighth Arrowtown
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Quarter Fossil
September 2016

Q. I have recently painted my house and would now like to paint the wall along my street boundary. I have painted the street gates a dark Ebony colour and would very much appreciate suggestions on colours which would blend or offset this dark colour.

A. Perhaps mid to deep toned greys may look good. You might check out these colours - Resene Baltic Sea, Resene Half Nocturnal or Resene Half Tuna.

Alternatively if your neighbourhood isn't a target for graffiti artists you might consider a 'white' - the optical crisp contrast will dramatise the Ebony gates and offset whatever colours have been used on the house - Resene Black White or Resene Alabaster.

Resene Half Nocturnal
Resene Half Nocturnal
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
September 2016

Q. I am currently building a three storey duplex. I have chosen Resene Yasna for the garage level render and have PGH nickel flash face bricks breaking up the next floor level but I am stuck choosing a colour for the cladding to go between the brown/purple bricks and the COLORBOND® Windspray roof and capping. I originally was going to paint the top level cladding in Resene Quarter Parchment but I've been told by some people it that it would look better if it were more beige. I'm not sure I agree. What Resene colour do you think might complement these colours?

A. You might check out these colours to see how they look with the brick, the Resene Yasna and the Windspray roof - Resene White Pointer, Resene Half Truffle, Resene Half Atmosphere or Resene Double Sea Fog.

Some of the colours are more grey/beige and some relate a little more (grey/green) to the roof colour- but they look smart next to the Resene Yasna.

Resene Yasna
Resene Yasna
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene Quarter Parchment
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Atmosphere
Resene Half Atmosphere
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
September 2016

Q. I am painting a house exterior Resene Baltic Sea having tried Resene Half Gravel which looked greenish. Can you give me a darker and lighter trim colour for roof trim?

A. Darker colours - Resene Nocturnal, Resene Element, or lighter colours - Resene Scarpa Flow, Resene Jumbo, Resene Suva Grey, or whiter/lighter - Resene Quill Grey or Resene Triple Sea Fog.

Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Element
Resene Element
 
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Jumbo
Resene Jumbo
Resene Suva GreyResene Suva Grey
Resene Suva Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
September 2016

Q. We are painting interior walls Resene Concrete and have pale oak laminate and grey carpet. The kitchen benchtops are engineered stone in white with small flecks. What is the most popular colour for kitchen cabinetry (matt)? White is what we want, but what white?

A. You could try these whites – Resene Half Black White, Resene Quarter Wan White or Resene Half Alabaster. Please check them out close to the white engineered stone.

Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
September 2016

Q. I am looking for an interior paint colour that will work well with our light terracotta tiles.

A. You could check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Eighth Spanish White, Resene Quarter Spanish White, Resene Eighth Biscotti, Resene Quarter Solitaire, Resene Eighth Drought or Resene Eighth Fossil.

Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth
Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Quarter Solitaire
Resene Quarter Solitaire
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
September 2016

Q. What colour deck stain would you put with Resene Quarter Foggy Grey? It is a beach house, the window frames and roof are all white.

A. The following are decking stain colour suggestions for you to consider - Resene Woodsman in Resene Riverstone (soft toned), Resene Tiri (deeper). Or for an oiled finish use Resene Furniture and Decking Oil (annual application is required).

Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Riverstone
Resene Riverstone
Resene  Woodsman Tiri
Resene Tiri
September 2016

Q. I am in a unit block. We are planning to paint the hallway walls Resene Double Blanc. There is brickwork around the lift in the foyer areas on all floors. What would be a good feature colour for the brickwork? We have a light coloured tile on the ground floor. On the other floors a dark carpet with a light fleck to be put in. The unit doors have been painted Resene Gargoyle but are not visible from the lift/foyer area.

A. There are several viable options open to you:

  • You could use the same colour as the unit doors as they aren't immediately visible to each other.
  • You could use a softer tint of the door colour - i.e. Resene Quarter Gargoyle.
  • A definite rich warm feature colour might be used - i.e. Resene Pohutukawa.
  • A softer cooler colour might be used - i.e. Resene Timekeeper or Resene Snapshot.
  • Finally - a sparkly metallic (tonally related) feature colour might be used - i.e. Resene Alcatraz.
Resene Double Blanc
Resene Double Blanc
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Gargoyle
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Timekeeper
Resene Timekeeper
Resene Snapshot
Resene Snapshot
Resene Alcatraz
Resene Alcatraz
 
September 2016

Q. We have Resene Black White bedrooms, but not wanting to have that through the whole house we thought Resene Sea Fog for hallways and Resene Triple Sea Fog for the living area but the triple isn't as dark or grey as we'd like. What would go well? We definitely want a pale grey but not white.

A. You might check out the deeper Resene Black White colours - i.e. Resene Double Black White and Resene Triple Black White - these are slightly greyer than the Resene Sea Fog palette of colours.

Another slightly greyer colour to consider might be Resene Athens Grey.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Athens Grey
September 2016

Q. I want to change the colour of a small lounge we have in our home. I am confused what colour to paint. The current colour is red brick. The living room that you enter into the lounge from is Resene Half Akaroa. Colours I am considering are Resene Napa, Resene Half Arrowtown, Resene Triple Truffle, Resene Half Craigieburn and Resene Bison Hide. I have considered Resene Cougar but it may be a bit pink. Because the room has verandas outside the room only gets the sun at the end of the day.

A. The following colours have a lovely warm tone - not too much grey undertone - which is what the room may need because of the shadow in it for most of the day until the sun is low in the sky and can get under the veranda roof.

All colours in an interior can look twice as dark as you might imagine so it does pay to paint up large samples of the colours you are considering onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) (using all of the testpot/two coats) so it can be moved from wall to wall and does not have to compete with the existing wall colour.

If you leave a narrow unpainted border all around the edge of the card the white edge will help your eye focus on the reality of the colour and its true depth will be apparent - Resene Bison Hide, Resene Akaroa or Resene Double Tea.

I do suggest you (white) undercoat all the walls in the lounge so you can repaint with two coats (not three) as some colours are more difficult to 'blot out' and I am thinking the red/brick colour may be one of those. This room may look larger and lighter when it is undercoated and you will see the tested colours in a much more true to reality way.

Resene Half Akaroa
Resene Half Akaroa
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Half Arrowtown
Resene Half Arrowtown
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Half Craigieburn
Resene Half Craigieburn
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Cougar
Resene Cougar
Resene Akaroa
Resene Akaroa
Resene Double Tea
Resene Double Tea
 
September 2016

Q. The hallway in my old house is painted Resene Wan White which is too cold for my place. Please can you suggest a warm white or neutral, and also a complementary colour for the walls above? The panelling is door height.

A. Hallways aren't usually known for their brightness so a lot of colours can look greyer, whiter or colder.

The upper portion of the wall might be painted to match the ceiling - this is one way of dealing with that space so that all of the attention is focused on the panelling colour. If you don't like that idea then you might paint both the panelling and the wall above it the same colour but perhaps the panelling might be a semi-gloss and the upper wall a totally matt type of paint - this allows just a subtle level of sheen to be the only difference to the colour. The third option might be to use a lighter version of the panelling colour so they harmonize really well in a tonal way.

These warm white/neutral colours might be a start point - Resene Half Thorndon Cream (Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream for upper wall option), Resene Orchid White (Resene Half Orchid White for upper wall option), Resene Bianca (Resene Quarter Bianca for upper wall option) or Resene Albescent White (Resene Half Albescent White for the upper wall options).

Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
 
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
September 2016

Q. I am trying to choose the best colours for painting my house upstairs. It is big and spacious with a really large rectangular lounge, separate dining and new kitchen (white) and a small hallway leading to three bedrooms. I would like to create a luxurious, warm and cosy atmosphere with dark chocolate brown and light chocolate brown colours. The downstairs three bed/lounge/kitchen is very neutral with a plain beige/yellow colour throughout due to lack of light. The upstairs is full of light.

A. All colours seen in an interior appear much deeper than you might imagine so please do take your time to carefully test them.

You could look at these colours to see if appeal to you - Resene Quarter Gargoyle, Resene Malta, Resene Coffee Break, Resene Wrangler, Resene Rough N Tumble, Resene Stingray or Resene Toorak.

Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Malta
Resene Malta
Resene
Resene Coffee Break
Resene Wrangler
Resene Wrangler
Resene Rough N Tumble
Resene Rough N Tumble
Resene Stingray
Resene Stingray
Resene Toorak
Resene Toorak
 
September 2016

Q. We are painting our Californian bungalow in Resene Half Napa (weatherboards) and Resene Rice Cake (trims). We are also extending and have two exterior cladding products - Matrix for the main cladding and Ulltraclad as a small feature cladding wrapped around our dining room/window seat. We are also using red face recycled brick for the boundary walls and an outside studio.

For the Ulltraclad we have chosen a colour called Grey Friars which is a dark grey and we need to select a colour for the Matrix as we will be painting this product ourselves. We'd like a grey somewhere between Resene Half Napa and Grey Friars. Do you have any suggestions? Also do you suggest Resene Quarter Rice Cake for the trims rather than full Resene Rice Cake?

A. I think you may need to work with either the Resene Half Napa (warm yellow/brown neutral) or the more cooler (blue/steel grey) Grey Friars - it makes things much harder to try and find a perfect colour that sits between the warm brown and cool charcoal.

You might look at these to see if they appeal to you - Resene Eighth Mondo (warmer like Resene Half Napa) or Resene Quarter Grey Friars (cooler like Grey Friars).

If you were to use a lighter version of Resene Rice Cake - i.e. Resene Quarter Rice Cake - it will be a much whiter colour rather than a crisp yellow/green edged creamy white. Either would work but the full strength Resene Rice Cake will be warmer than the lightest version of Resene Rice Cake.

Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Mondo
Resene Eighth Mondo
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
September 2016

Q. I have chosen Resene Sea Fog for our wall colour. I am trying to choose the white to use for architraves, windows and skirting. Do you have a favourite white that complements the Resene Sea Fog?

A. Any of the Resene Alabaster palette work well with Resene Sea Fog - perhaps Resene Half Alabaster? Or if this is too stark then Resene Alabaster may appeal to you.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
September 2016

Q. I am trying to work out the colour scheme for the exterior of my house. I plan to use COLORBOND® Woodland Gray for the gutters and the fascias which are currently green. My questions are: should I use the same colour on the other areas which are currently Brunswick Green? If not - what would you suggest for the trims? What colour(s) should I use on the main body? I would like to have a hint of the green in the grey come through. The roof is the original terracotta colour.

A. It would be the simple option - the Resene colour match to COLORBOND® Woodland is Resene Squall. If you wanted a slightly deeper colour you might check out Resene Double Gravel or a lighter colour might be Resene Half Gravel or Resene Touchstone.

A main colour could be one of many colours but perhaps these ones might be checked out to see if they appeal - Resene Triple Merino, Resene Double Sea Fog, Resene Thorndon Cream or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey.

Resene Squall
Resene Squall
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Touchstone
Resene Touchstone

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
September 2016

Q. We are really struggling to choose the wall colour. We tried Resene Half Parchment, Resene Merino, Resene Blanc etc but none really look good for our bedroom. The carpet is blue and so are the doors. Our bedroom furniture is dark.

A. Colours alter in different qualities or light and when seen in close proximity to other colours. It really is a case of testing colours carefully to see how they react until you find a colour that looks good 80% of the time.

I know this may sound silly but I have to ask - are you painting the testpot directly onto a (already) coloured wall? If so I have to say that will stop you from seeing what any colour truly looks like. The greater expanse of colour on the wall will make the test patch alter a lot - to your disadvantage.

You do need to judge what the colour does - i.e. looks too light, takes on a muddy tone, looks sour/green edged, looks strangely pink etc so you know what colours won't work and what colours need warming/cooling/deepening etc.

I often say to people 'the room chooses' because of the light and other colours in it. In a world where we try to control everything colour makes us feel inadequate because it won't play the game and it always wins anyway.

You might try these colours - warmer/creamier - Resene Eighth Biscotti or more beige tone - Resene Eighth Drought.

Resene Half Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Blanc
Resene Blanc
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
September 2016

Q. We are about to paint our 1950s weatherboard house. It has a brown Decramastic tile roof. I am painting the windows and trims in Resene Alabaster and I need to find a colour for the weatherboards. I like Resene Periglacial Blue but I'm not sure it works with the roof colour. I'm open to something completely different.

A. The brown roof is very 'definite' but will work well with blues, greys and blue/greens as long as they have a bit of depth so the roof colour doesn't predominate too much.

I like the colour you have mentioned but perhaps you might look at several similar types of colours to compare them so you get a better idea of the depth of colour you may need.

All colours on an exterior look quite a bit lighter/brighter than you might imagine they will so it is really important to test colour in a large enough format and view it during the daylight hours on all sides of the house. If you apply all of the testpot (two coats) onto A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges it will help you in these ways:

  • Your eye will focus on the depth of the colour compared to the white card border.
  • It will be large enough to view from close up and far away.
  • It will be large enough to judge what it looks like in reality. Small samples can be deceptive and misleading.
  • Each side of the house angles to the natural light differently and will show the colour differently.

Perhaps you could look at these colours - just to make sure of your colour choice - Resene Powder Blue, Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Clouded Blue, Resene Emerge, Resene Casper, Resene Hermitage or Resene Ashanti.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Powder Blue
Resene Powder Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Clouded Blue
Resene Clouded Blue
Resene Emerge
Resene Emerge
Resene Casper
Resene Casper
Resene Hermitage
Resene Hermitage
Resene Ashanti
Resene Ashanti
 
September 2016

Q. We need a colour for our render. Posts are Resene Double Diesel, garage battens are Resene Armadillo.

A. Perhaps one of these colours might appeal to you - Resene Quarter Ironsand, Resene Gauntlet, Resene Eighth Oilskin, Resene Half Stonehenge or Resene Double Truffle.

Resene Double Diesel
Resene Double Diesel
Resene Armadillo
Resene Armadillo
     
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Eighth Oilskin
Resene Eighth Oilskin
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Half Stonehenge
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
September 2016

Q. We are renovating our kitchen. The main cabinets are in Resene Half Truffle, the island is in Resene Masala, with wooden vinyl strips and dark charcoal granite benchtops. It is a large light room. We want to add some zing in the wall colouring - maybe blues/greens?

A. Some 'zingy' options to consider are Resene Paradise, Resene Tradewind, Resene Fountain Blue, Resene Aquarius, Resene Sorrento or Resene Half Kumutoto.

Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Paradise
Resene Paradise
Resene Tradewind
Resene Tradewind
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene Aquarius
Resene Aquarius
Resene Sorrento
Resene Sorrento
Resene Half Kumutoto
Resene Half Kumutoto
September 2016

Q. I want some advice on our front door colour. We have a brown brick home with a Resene Karaka roof, garage doors and window frames. I like the idea of an orange or a red that would work with the house colours.

A. You might check out any of the following colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene Hot Chile, Resene Dynamite, Resene Lusty, Resene Kamikaze, Resene Rock Spray or Resene Clockwork Orange.

Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
   
Resene Hot Chile
Resene Hot Chile
Resene Dynamite
Resene Dynamite
Resene Lusty
Resene Lusty
Resene Kamikaze
Resene Kamikaze
Resene Rock Spray
Resene Rock Spray
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Clockwork Orange
September 2016

Q. I want to paint my 1960s red brick and weatherboard property. The property has double glazing throughout in an Altherm Matt off white or Almond colour and has a painted Grey Friars roof. I want to paint the red brick in Resene Triple Concrete/Resene Silver Chalice, the weatherboard gable in Resene Gauntlet or Resene Stack and then paint the bargeboards, soffits, downpipes and gutters in Resene Grey Friars. I feel Resene Triple Concrete may be too light and show the dust/dirt. Is this appropriate or should I just paint the weatherboards in Resene Quarter Grey Friars in CoolColour™? I will also paint the brick fence. Could you advise of a colour that will not show the dirt but be in keeping with the colours on the house. Would Resene Grey Friars look ok on the fence?

A. The powder coated window joinery - Off White or Almond - is a really rich warm colour and not at all 'white' - more like Resene Quarter Spanish White.

Your indicated colour choices of greys are unrelated to each other. One of my concerns is that painting the brick a light grey will make them look like unpainted concrete. Do you want them to look like unpainted concrete?

If you do want to paint the bricks you might consider a deeper colour. These are colours that you might consider - Resene Revolution, Resene Stack, Resene Regent Grey or Resene Half Tuna.

If you paint the weatherboards (and under the soffits and eaves/bargeboards) in a much lighter warm tone so that the window joinery has a 'friend' and the colour enhances the darker roof colour - that could help to balance the whole look - Resene Sandspit Brown or Resene Quarter Drought.

You could paint the fence in Resene Grey Friars and if the guttering and downpipes are metal they might look smart painted in Resene Grey Friars also.

Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Stack
Resene Stack
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
     
Resene Revolution
Resene Revolution
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Regent Grey
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
September 2016

Q. I have a deep cream kitchen with wood trim. What colour should I paint the walls and would white be an option?

A. My main thought with a (true) white on the kitchen walls is that it might make the deep cream cabinets look muddy, much deeper or yellow by comparison. Perhaps you could check out a paler cream colour - more off white - so that the cupboards have a 'friend' - Resene Quarter Rice Cake or Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
September 2016

Q. We are repainting the exterior of our single level 1950s weatherboard house. On the back wall we have French doors from the dining room, kitchen window, then the back door. The base of the house is Resene Grey Friars and the weatherboards are Resene Quarter Silver Chalice. The windows and frames are white, the back and front doors are Resene Half Grey Friars. We don't know whether the French doors should be white like the windows, or grey like the doors! Is there a rule of thumb, or does it depend whether (like here) they are close to each other?

A. White like the windows is the answer to your query.

I always refer to French doors as 'windows you walk through' rather than a public door like the front and back doors are.

If French doors present to the access more than the front or back door does - perhaps because the steps or path leads past it before you turn a corner or go into a porch to get to the front or back door - would you mind people knocking or banging on the French doors rather than the front door (because it was painted the same as the doors) so they think it is the main door into the house?

Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter
Silver Chalice
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
September 2016

Page 52

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

 

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

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