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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 06

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. 06

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


Q. I am renovating the bathroom in my house currently. It is reasonably small. Being located on the south side of the house I am looking for a warm colour for the walls, which also doesn't make the room feel small. I have chosen dark charcoal coloured floor tiles and white splashback tiles around the bath and vanity. I am also painting the frames, roof and door standard white. The house was built in the 70s and the rest of the house is painted an earthy sort of colour. I am looking for something neutral which will appeal to a wide variety of people.

A. You could try the following colours as they are very appealing and warm/neutral and will look smart with the dark charcoal floor tiles and white splashback tiles – Resene Quarter Drought, Resene Quarter Akaroa or Resene Quarter Tea.

They are listed in order of warmth but generally colours undergo tremendous changes due to different qualities of light (natural and artificial) so it would pay to trial the colour within the space to see what it looks like using Resene Testpots.

Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
June 2013

Q. I am working out a colour palette for our home. Base colour for walls being Resene Bianca. Feature walls in Resene Lusty, Resene Lumberjack and Resene Norwegian Blue which all seem to go well. I want to add another couple of colours in other bedrooms. What do you suggest? I really want a colour wall in each room. My main furnishings include all colours as chosen paints.

A. Resene Lusty appears to be your brightest colour so perhaps you look at a rich yellow ochre like Resene Marzipan so your 'bright' isn't the only one in the palette. You might look at a slightly softer toned green like Resene Oxley (this looks really nice in association with both Resene Lumberjack and Resene Norwegian Blue) or even another warm neutral - Resene Double Biscotti, which melds nicely with both Resene Bianca and Resene Lumberjack.

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Lusty
Resene Lusty
Resene Lumberjack
Resene Lumberjack
Resene Norwegian Blue
Resene Norwegian Blue
Resene Marzipan
Resene Marzipan
Resene Oxley
Resene Oxley
Resene Double Biscotti
Resene Double Biscotti

June 2013

Q. We have rimu trim and doors in our lounge/ dining. Which (pale/neutral) colours will make the wood look less orange?

A. It can be a mission to find the 'magic colour' that makes the orange hue disappear or at least seem less 'colourful'. There’s no ‘one’ colour that works in every room because it depends on the lighting and the flooring. In west facing rooms, try Resene Merino or Resene Quarter Tea, in south facing rooms try Resene Eighth Napa. In east facing rooms try Resene Quarter Spanish White. Try adding to each room some bright blue/green/grey accents or accessories to modify/balance the orange tone in the Rimu. The following colours are the type of colours that work well: Resene Boulevard, Resene Emerge and Resene Half Innocence.

If all fails then by sanding off all the existing (golden syrup coloured) polyurethane and re-doing the doors and trims in Resene Aquaclear waterborne urethane, the rimu may look a lot paler and less 'coloured'.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea

Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Eighth Napa
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White

Resene Boulevard
Resene Boulevard
Resene Emerge
Resene Emerge
Resene Half Innocence
Resene Half Innocence
 
June 2013

Q. I have a rebuild underway. The prominent tone through my house will be a beige with medium grey/brown carpet. I have two bathrooms - the ensuite off the master bedroom I am thinking of a feature type wall of Resene Wasabi and wonder about Resene Half Linen on the walls, the walls will be tiled to about waist level with white tiles 100 x 300 (brick shape). I want to bring the green into the master bedroom, thinking of Resene Green Spring with a Resene wallpaper as a feature wall. Can I have two different greens in these adjoining rooms and should I have the same Resene Half Linen on both?

A. There are many options for the neutral colour throughout. Try Resene Ecru White or Resene Merino (instead of Resene Half Linen) because they are slightly more beige and a little less green. For the ensuite, a feature wall of definite colour and white tiles with the neutral on other walls should work well. Perhaps look at using Resene Gingko or Resene Citron because they aren't as dense and dirty olive toned but still have that base hue. For the master bedroom, as a wallpaper option you could try Schoner Wohen #2 book pattern 1507-38 or Saphyr II book pattern 208054 or 208014 with your neutral on adjacent walls. Or if you decided you preferred a paint feature then try Resene Iko Iko or Resene Coriander. Other greens you might like to try are: Resene Green Mist, Resene Avocado, Resene Caper or Resene Green Smoke.

Resene Wasabi
Resene Wasabi
Resene Half Linen
Resene Half Linen

Resene Ecru White
Resene Ecru White
Resene Merino
Resene Merino

Resene Gingko
Resene Gingko
Resene Citron
Resene Citron
Resene Iko Iko
Resene Iko Iko
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Green Mist
Resene Green Mist
Resene Avocado
Resene Avocado
Resene Caper
Resene Caper
Resene Green Smoke
Resene Green Smoke
June 2013

Q. I am after a red paint - have tried Resene Guardsman Red but it is too orange. Can you help please?

A. Resene Guardsman Red can be a really bright red with an under hue of orange in some situations so perhaps one of the following suggestions may be worth investigating: Resene Monza, Resene Red Berry or Resene Shiraz.

In order to see the true gorgeousness of red paint it needs to be painted (2-3 coats) over a grey undercoat as the colour often needs a deep base behind it and several coats to build its richness up. One coat over a white under coat often is a little transparent and the white undercoat brightens the colour without giving it true depth and character.

Resene Guardsman Red
Resene Guardsman Red
Resene Monza
Resene Monza
Resene Red Berry
Resene Red Berry
Resene Shiraz
Resene Shiraz
June 2013

Q. Would you stick to the same palette of colours, such as green or yellow, to choose separate colours for walls, door and trim?

A. Sometimes this is what people prefer to do especially if they are wanting to use neutrals, such as walls Resene Spanish White, woodwork/trim Resene Half Spanish White and (lightest) for ceilings Resene Quarter Spanish White but this isn't always appropriate.

If the colour you want to use for the walls doesn't have absolute lighter or deeper versions of it then it can be tricker.

If you want to define the trim and doors as much lighter/brighter/whiter - perhaps because they are of architectural merit and you want to highlight them - then you might use a benign and flexible neutral so it can also be used with other wall colours in other rooms if you want to create a 'different' look.

Ceilings may need to be lighter/brighter/whiter also as a 'pale' version of a wall colour may still look quite deep because of the way the light falls away from the ceiling which creates shadow and makes the ceiling feel much lower.

Some skirtings and architraves in modern homes are so tiny that they are painted to match the wall colour as they are not worthy of 'special' colour emphasis. Doors are sometimes only a little bit deeper than the wall colour as they can look a bit too dominant - especially through hallways as they line up as coloured block patches that interfere with the flow of colour in these areas.

So in answer to your question - subtle variations of a main colour is a nice way to go as it always looks smart but if your main colour is a mid-toned yellow or green then using lighter or deeper versions (if they exist) may be taking the palette of colours one step too far. Colour and how to use it is always a personal taste thing. Look around at what other people you know have done and make your decisions around what feels really good to you.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
June 2013

Q. We are painting a concrete wall in a courtyard and would like a white with a hint of green in it - a little bit of mint or apple green so it isn't too bright and glary. Can you suggest a colour?

A. Some of the colours that are a little bit minty or 'apple' are still quite definitely colours and won't be considered as a 'white' and would need to reduced in tint strength considerably which might cause problems. Sometimes it isn't possible to alter the tint strength to achieve this.

You could look at Resene Hint Of Green. Or I think you may find what you are looking for in The Range Whites & Neutrals fandeck and I would suggest you look at large samples of the following colours: Resene Eighth Lemon Grass, Resene Eighth Tana or Resene Quarter Linen.

These colours still say they are a 'white' and don't look overly coloured. If you pop into your nearest Resene ColorShop and see A4 sheets of these colours - and pop a sheet of white printer paper between them - you will see little greeny tints hiding within them.

Resene Hint Of Green
Resene Hint Of Green
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Eighth Tana
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Linen
June 2013

Q. What colours will go with Resene Wafer?

A. Resene Wafer is one of those soft muted pink based beige tones and all of the paler versions (Half, Quarter, Eighth) of Resene Spanish White work well with it as does Resene Eighth Biscotti and Resene Soapstone.

Brighter/cleaner colours like Resene Bianca and Resene Orchid White will work well too. Deeper colours like Resene Malta or Resene Half Gargoyle are nice as well.
Accent colours that favour blue/green - Resene Boulevard - and blue based red - Resene Breakfree - add lift, balance and a little bit of excitement.

Resene Wafer
Resene Wafer
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Eighth Biscotti
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Malta
Resene Malta
Resene Half Gargoyle
Resene Half Gargoyle
Resene Boulevard
Resene Boulevard
Resene Breakfree
Resene Breakfree
 
June 2013

Q. I recently re-roofed in COLORSTEEL® Karaka with matching downpipes in Resene COLORSTEEL® Titania. I looked at Resene Quarter Tea and wondered whether this colour fits and what other colour could be used on deck, base, window trims and the front doorway.

A. Resene Quarter Tea could work for you. You might consider the following colours as additional options for the main house: Resene Quarter Akaroa, Resene Half Ash or Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

For the deck and base of the house (very dark now) you could use a softer type of colour - perhaps investigate the deepest version (Triple formula) of the Resene Tea, Resene Akaroa, Resene Ash or Resene Thorndon Cream family of colours. This way it creates a blended co-ordination of light to deep colours on the house.

The front door could be the same as the base and the deck balustrades but if you want to make it a point of difference then perhaps a slightly lighter version of the Karaka colour - Resene Evolution might be considered.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Evolution
Resene Evolution
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
COLORSTEEL® Karaka
COLORSTEEL® Karaka
COLORSTEEL® Titania
COLORSTEEL® Titania
 
June 2013

Q. I have lots of Rimu in my home including Rimu panelling halfway up the walls in the lounge, passage and hallway. All doors are Rimu. What is a good colour to go with Rimu for all walls? The kitchen joinery is a colour similar to Resene Innocence. The kitchen floor is Matai.

A. Your home sounds as though it has wonderful warmth and rich colour with all the Rimu and Matai. I think you are lucky as you can use a lot of warm toned neutrals.

Some colours you might like to try are: Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Pearl Lusta, Resene Half Wheatfield, Resene Double Merino, Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Rice Cake or Resene Cararra.

Resene Innocence
Resene Innocence
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Half Wheatfield
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Cararra
Resene Cararra
June 2013

Q. We are renovating our two storey brick and plaster house. The new roof and the joinery is Grey Friars, bricks are Monier Desert Sand with the rumbled finish. The previous colour of the plaster was Resene Solitaire with a terracotta tile roof. We have now gone for greys and charcoals. We have agreed with the painter to paint the strip of plaster above the windows in the Grey Friars to match the windows and therefore give the illusion of taller windows. The rest of the plaster - walls on upstairs walls, deck walls and two approx 1m high walls around two decks downstairs, I had quite a contrast before with the Resene Solitaire and still want a contrast but perhaps not as much of one. Even the current unpainted plaster colour is not bad just still too dark for me. Interior colours are Resene Wan White, Resene Quarter and Half Foggy Grey. Would any of them work?

A. The colours in the bricks do conspire somewhat to control what choices you might have for the plasterwork, but if you were inclined toward the grey based neutrals (to pick up the grout colour between the bricks) then you might look at Resene Half Taupe Grey or lighter Resene Quarter Taupe Grey, which are a bit similar to the greys you have used inside your house but a little warmer/denser.

If these don't quite do it then the following colours are some you might investigate using as they are similar to the many colours in the bricks: Resene Quarter Gargoyle, Resene Sandcastle or Resene Half Doeskin.

I do think slightly deeper colours rather than very pale as you would end up with the same level of contrast as you had before which might look stark around the Grey Friars windows etc.

Resene Solitaire
Resene Solitaire
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Quarte Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Quarter Gargoyle
Resene Sandcastle
Resene Sandcastle
Resene Half Doeskin
Resene Half Doeskin
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene HalfFoggy Grey
Resene Half Foggy Grey
 
June 2013

Q. My client has had his chimneys replastered (colour close to Resene Atomic) and has had the roof repainted in green (close to Resene Xanadu but more yellow). They look bad together and I have selected Resene Celeste for the walls to tie them together. Is this OK? Any other suggestions? Also would you paint the window surrounds and sills white or the same colour as the walls? Foundation - same as the chimney or same as the house (or plastered step colour at rear of house)?

A. If you paint the plastered step/porch the same colour - or as close to it as possible - as the chimney then the chimney will have a 'friend' and not look isolated from the other colours - but don't do the foundation that colour as it will be too dark and will shorten the overall depth of the house making it look squat - not good!

The foundations of the house should be the same as the main colour on the weatherboards.

Under the soffits, guttering fascias, window surrounds, sashes and sills and the boxed fascia above the windows should be Resene White.

Your suggestion of Resene Celeste for the house is good but may appear a little too pale/cool to balance with the other colours. Exterior colours invariably look a lot lighter/brighter than you think they will be and in this case I think you might look at Resene Aspiring or Resene Linen as alternatives as they have a little more depth and association to the roof colour. 

Resene Atomic
Resene Atomic
Resene Xanadu
Resene Xanadu
Resene Celeste
Resene Celeste
Resene Aspiring
Resene Aspiring
Resene Linen
Resene Linen
June 2013

Q. We are painting the exterior of our house with Resene Akaroa as the main colour for weatherboards and Resene Mondo for one of the trim colours. We are struggling to select a third colour. We would like a mid range colour, given that Resene Akaroa is light and Resene Mondo is dark, and hopefully a couple of neutral options and a couple of colourful ones.

A. I think that your problems finding a mid-toned colour to go with Resene Akaroa and Resene Mondo are in main because Resene Akaroa is a mid-toned colour and the opportunity to find another deeper tone takes you too dark and close to Resene Mondo in tone. If you look at the following colours you will see that it places Resene Akaroa in a deeper position - Resene Quarter Akaroa, Resene Half Spanish White or Resene Eighth Fossil.

It helps to see larger samples - your local Resene ColorShop has A4 samples of colours in their Colour Library and if you gather all of the colours together and place a sheet of white printer paper between the colours it helps you to judge the colour tones and depth. If there is no 'white' to help you, you will always see light colours as much paler than they actually are.

I suggest it may be wise also to look at the deepest version of Resene Akaroa - Resene Triple Akaroa and perhaps Resene Sandstone to see how they make your Resene Akaroa look.

For more colourful options - the possibilities are endless but the following colours may get you inspired: Resene Dynamite, Resene Hibernate, Resene Toorak and Resene Confidante.

Resene Akaroa
Resene Akaroa
Resene Mondo
Resene Mondo
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Quarter Akaroa
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Triple Akaroa
Resene Sandstone
Resene Sandstone
Resene Dynamite
Resene Dynamite
   
June 2013

Q. We are painting the house - Resene Ironsand for the roof, Resene Half Parchment for the gutters and fascias but can't decide on the walls. Was thinking of Resene Triple Parchment but would like to go bolder and greyer as it is more contemporary. What darker colours would you suggest that will not date too quickly?

A. Deeper colours are very 'on trend' now so from that point of view your deeper colour (whatever it may be) will date but as to whether it will date quickly is hard to define. We usually take longer to pick up trends and they keep them for longer also as we tend to want to get our money’s worth out of a paint job and a colour scheme. You might like to try the following colours: Resene Quarter Sandstone, Resene Napa or Resene Half Taupe Grey.

If it is weatherboards that you are painting it is worth considering using Resene CoolColour™ technology to increase the light reflectivity of the surface.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Triple Parchment
Resene Triple Parchment
Resene Quarter Sandstone
Resene Quarter Sandstone
Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
June 2013

Q. I have an open plan kitchen and am painting the kitchen cabinets in full Resene Tea. Is it a good idea to paint the walls in Resene Quarter Tea and the skirting and lounge doors in Resene Half Tea?

A. This is a great idea. Doors and skirting often show fingermarking and floor dust so the Resene Half Tea will help to disguise that and the walls being Resene Quarter Tea keeps it light and flexible enough that other colours - carpet/curtains/sofas/paintings etc - will be able to co-ordinate easily.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
June 2013

Q. Please recommend a warm white that can be used to paint the ceiling, walls and skirtings? I had bought a testpot of Resene Merino as I thought it was perfect, but it appears quite grey on my test areas.

A. You might like to try Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Resene Eighth Spanish White or Resene Bianca. Trial the colours with testpots - I generally find that if you paint two coats on to A2 card (available from your Resene ColorShop) leaving an unpainted border all around the edges you get to see the true colour and by moving the card onto different walls you get to see how it can change due to the light. The colour will always look deeper alongside the windows and much lighter opposite the window

If you roll the A2 card into a cone shape with the colour innermost when you look into it. it will replicate how four walls of the colour will look when the room is painted.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
June 2013

Q. I am decorating a little boy’s room and want to do the two walls in a light grey and two in a darker grey. I have looked at Resene Tiara and Resene Scarpa Flow but I think the Resene Scarpa Flow is a bit dark. Can you please suggest something lighter? I also like Resene Surrender - can you suggest a darker match for that? We will have a raspberry red bed so we need the walls to work with that.

A. If you like Resene Surrender then perhaps instead of looking for a deeper colour to go with it (which would be a bit dark much as the Resene Scarpa Flow was too dark) you might look at a lighter version instead - Resene Quarter Surrender. This colour is about the strength of the Resene Tiara you tried previously.

Alternatively you could look at Resene Half Concrete and Resene Double Concrete and if these colours look a little too deep then you can go lighter - Resene Quarter Concrete with Resene Concrete.

All colours appear much deeper in an interior - often doubling in strength - so it is always wise to trial colour carefully and generally speaking 'lighter' is always better because of that factor.

Using 'real' Resene White for all ceilings and painted woodwork helps you also by making your eyes re-evaluate the depth of the trialled colour to its true intensity.

Resene Tiara
Resene Tiara
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Quarter Concrete
Resene Quarter Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
June 2013

Q. We've just painted our kitchen windows with a Resene White semi-gloss and are now looking to paint the kitchen walls too. At the moment they are a kind of fawny cream colour which is used throughout the house. With a dark grey bench and creamy buttery colour kitchen cabinets, we're just wondering what kind of white would look good? Our house is small and open plan and we want to use the same colour throughout the house rather than painting the kitchen a separate colour. Are you able to advise what tone of white would work well against the pure white windows and buttery colour of the cabinets (which we can use throughout)? We don't really want a pure white which feels too stark. Thinking of doing the doorways and doors in Resene Alabaster.

A. With the buttery colour of the kitchen cabinets I would probably suggest a warm slightly yellow based neutral. You could try Resene Bianca, Resene Half Pearl Lusta or Resene Half Villa White.

And if you went with one of these colours then you might also investigate using a light version of the wall colour for the skirting and door frames and doors - Resene Quarter Bianca would work with all of the above. If you preferred to use Resene Alabaster for the skirtings, door frames and doors it would still work with these wall colours but it might look like a duller (greyer) 'white' than the windows. If you like the real 'white' that you have used around the windows you could use the same for the doors etc.

Resene White
Resene White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
June 2013

Q. We have Resene Soapstone matt on all walls. We want to redo the ceiling. Which white should we use to complement Resene Soapstone on the wall? Finding it a little pinkish at the moment.

A. Yes, Resene Soapstone can be quite pinkish. I think if you look at slightly greyed whites you may find less pink presents itself. The following colours may suit: Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Quarter Black White.

Resene Soapstone
Resene Soapstone
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
June 2013

Q. I have a large room in Resene Tana (with a white ceiling and wooden floor). I would like some accent colours in lilac/purple, light and mid blues and pinks.

A. Because Resene Tana has an earthy yellow/green base to it any lilac/purples, light and mid blues and pinks need to have a bit of depth to them in order not to be swamped by the denseness of Resene Tana. You could try Resene Butterfly, Resene Birdcage, Resene Meltwater, Resene Hemisphere, Resene Waterfront or Resene Tapestry.

Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Butterfly
Resene Butterfly
Resene Birdcage
Resene Birdcage
Resene Meltwater
Resene Meltwater
Resene Hemisphere
Resene Hemisphere
Resene Waterfront
Resene Waterfront
Resene Tapestry
Resene Tapestry
 
June 2013

Q. My question is what colour would go with midnight blue as the main colour in a kitchen?

A. If your kitchen is a bit cold feeling with not a lot of sunshine you might look at Resene Half Pearl Lusta or Resene Quarter Spanish White. But if the room is flooded with bright sunlight and feels a little glary you might look at a slightly denser neutral to absorb the light, such as Resene Half Biscotti and Resene Quarter Bison Hide.

It could also depend on the floor colour and the colour of the benchtops. Colour is a somewhat quixotic element and changes due to light and other coloured things around it.

Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Half Biscotti
Resene Half Biscotti
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
June 2013

Q. I am looking for two colours for my outdoor project. One to render a side wall, roller door cover and carport wall (likely neutral) and one for a brick wall (would like a soft aqua colour but one that goes with browns). The stone on the ground will be cream travertine and in front of the brick wall with be fake grass.

A. You could try the following neutrals to see if they will work for you:
Resene Half Tea, Resene Eighth Drought or Resene Sugar Loaf. Then you might look at these soft aquas - Resene Kumutoto, Resene Sea Nymph or Resene Opal.

Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Eighth Drought
Resene Sugar Loaf
Resene Sugar Loaf
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Kumutoto
Resene Sea Nymph
Resene Sea Nymph
Resene Opal
Resene Opal
June 2013

Q. We have a bath painted Resene Cod Grey and want the wall behind it to be a slightly lighter blue grey (something like Resene Tax Break with charcoal)? What do you suggest?

A. Slightly lighter blue grey colours you might like to try are: Resene Gull Grey, Resene Neutral Bay, Resene Avalanche or Resene Balderdash. Resene Tax Break that you suggest - even if it was darker - is not similar to Resene Cod Grey but if you do favour this type of colour then you might like Resene Jetsetter, Resene Dark Slate or Resene Casal.

Resene Cod Grey
Resene Cod Grey
Resene Tax Break
Resene Tax Break
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Avalanche
Resene Avalanche
Resene Balderdash
Resene Balderdash
Resene Jetsetter
Resene Jetsetter
Resene Dark Slate
Resene Dark Slate
Resene Casal
Resene Casal
 
June 2013

Q. I am wanting to paint the outside of our house and am thinking of a green (Resene Anemone Green or Resene Hibernate) for the main colour and a brown (Resene Morocco Brown )for the trimmings. Do you think this is too dark? and are there any rules with the trimmings... is this colour usually lighter than the main colour?

A. These colours are quite dark, however if your house was a heritage listed villa these colours are in line with the recommendations from some of the Conservation/Heritage Architects. Generally most people opt for a little more contrast between colours and to give you some idea the following colours look good together - Resene Quarter Crisp Green with Resene Sambuca and Resene Quarter Evolution with Resene Black Magic.

There are no hard and fast rules in regards to trimmings but they are often either quite deep colours or very, very light (whiter) colours so they stand out more and create an eye interest feature.

Resene Anemone Green
Resene Anemone Green
Resene Hibernate
Resene Hibernate
Resene Morocco Brown
Resene Morocco Brown
Resene Crisp Green
Resene Crisp Green
Resene Sambuca
Resene Sambuca
Resene Quarter Evolution
Resene Quarter Evolution
Resene Black Magic
Resene Black Magic
 
June 2013

Q. If I am using Resene Quarter Tea for walls, what is a good complementary colour in the rusted/brown and maybe greenish colours for a feature wall?

A. There are a range of options you could choose from light to dark.  Here are some options to try: Rusted/brown - Resene Copper Rust, Resene Desert or Resene Desperado; Greens - Resene Locust, Resene Seagrass or Resene Patina.

Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea

Resene Copper Rust
Resene Copper Rust
Resene Desert
Resene Desert
Resene Desperado
Resene Desperado
Resene Locust
Resene Locust
Resene Seagrass
Resene Seagrass
Resene Patina
Resene Patina
 
June 2013

Q. I am looking for white paints for walls and the ceiling including skirting, architraves, cornices. It is a contrast between white and black (furniture, floor) in my office. The Windows face east and west. Could you please recommend white paints and give some information about what sheen level I should use?

A. I suggest you look at the following coloured whites for walls: Resene Double Alabaster, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Black White or Resene Quarter Bianca.

If you have white lacquered furniture you will see a subtle tint of colour in the wall 'white' - when the light comes from the east it may look sharp/cool or slightly greyish and the same colour 'white' will seem slightly yellow or pink toned when the light is from the west. The natural light aspects alter how colour (even pure White) looks. It isn't static and unchanging and is quixotic in this regard.

I would suggest using a low sheen for the walls, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Zylone Sheen; a flat finish for the ceilings, such as Resene Ceiling Paint or Resene SpaceCote Flat; and a semi-gloss enamel, such as Resene Lustacryl, for all woodwork - doors, architraves and skirting boards.

All of the colours mentioned come as lighter and (in some cases) deeper versions so it may pay to look at these too. You can trial these whites using Resene Testpots, which come in a low sheen finish. To see how gloss levels alter your perception of colour - even pure White- please ask at your Resene ColorShop to view the Gloss Level indicator samples or fandeck.

Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
June 2013

Q. What colour would you paint this master bedroom? It is the coldest room of the house heat wise but in summer gets very sunny and warm.

A. You might like to try Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Sandspit Brown or Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe. Alternatively you could just maintain the colour you have now and perhaps simplify the wardrobes by painting all one colour and throw a soft choco/latte throw or mock fur rug over the end of the bed and put soft warm rosy/beige light shades on lamps at the sides of the bed to add soft warm spots in the room so that over all it has a feeling of warmth.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Sandspit Brown
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe
June 2013

Q. I have a two storey house, upstairs is a dark brown stained weatherboard, and downstairs white block, and timber decking with trellis balustrade between the two. I need a colour to go with the brown stain, and dark blue roof. I am surrounded by trees so need something light.

A. You might like to try Resene Half Bison Hide and Resene Eighth Pravda. Both are grey/brown but the Resene Half Bison Hide has a little more yellow undertone in it.

Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Eighth Pravda
Resene Eighth Pravda
June 2013

Q. I am to use the same colour throughout the house - Resene White Pointer on the walls and Resene Half White Pointer on the kitchen cabinetry and architraves/doors/door frames etc. What colour should I use on the ceiling and scotia?

A. You have chosen really lovely colours. For the ceiling and scotia you might like the look of Resene Alabaster for a clean crisp look or, slightly more softly shaded, Resene Half Sea Fog.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
June 2013

Q. I'm painting the interior of my house and looking to do some rooms in Resene Tea and some in Resene Rice Cake. Tonally would these work? If not could you please give me some recommendations in the whites range that would go with Resene Tea which we already have in two rooms.

A. You might use Resene Quarter Rice Cake as this emphasises the Resene Tea in a lovely way. It might have the added benefit of linking your two main colours, Resene Tea and Resene Rice Cake, so that the flow through your rooms is cohesive if you elect to use it as your go to 'white' in all rooms. I like the two colours that you have chosen and though I might not have automatically chosen them this is a really nice palette. The Resene Rice Cake has a slight greenish edge and it makes you see the Resene Tea as browner not greyer.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Tea
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
June 2013

Q. We have looked at Resene Wet N Wild and Resene Whale Tail colours in your blue range for a boy's bedroom. This room is off a hall we have painted in Resene Double Mondo. Could you confirm whether these blues would be complementary to our colour scheme. We have chestnut/walnut 10 inch skirting boards with high white ceilings. Resene Cobalt and Resene Madison are others we have looked at but they appear a little dull for a child's room.

A. Resene Wet N Wild and Resene Whale Tail are definitely bold and bright. Not at all dull for a boys room! If you want a another bolder blue option check out Resene Sea World. Certainly if they are being used with a white ceiling and wood trim they will be lovely. White always makes all blues look gorgeous.

I personally like the idea that you have a dense brown - Resene Double Mondo - in the hall. Brown tones, which are the most shaded form of orange, and blue tones have a nice relationship as they are what is known as 'complementary' across the colour wheel. To lift the blues - use more white and perhaps lime or orange as accents in the room.

Resene Wet N Wild
Resene Wet N Wild
Resene Whale Tail
Resene Whale Tail
Resene Double Mondo
Resene Double Mondo
Resene Cobalt
Resene Cobalt
Resene Madison
Resene Madison
Resene Sea World
Resene Sea World

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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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