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Answers to your questions from our colour experts, p. 82

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. 82

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


Q. We have bought a new home and the dining room is a bit dreary.  How can I improve it with colour?

A. For most eating experiences we’re surrounded by walls, whether they be in a restaurant or in our own homes and whether we like it or not, the eating experience is affected by the environment we eat in. Is it bold and exciting with the striking red of Resene Jalapeno or relaxed and soothing with Resene Coconut Cream? Each lends itself to a different kind of food and a different dining experience.

When it comes to decorating your dining space here’s some tips to keep in mind:

  • In any dining room the table will be the focal point, so start with that then develop your colours. Separate dining rooms tend to be reserved for special occasions so they are a good opportunity to experiment with colour that you might not be brave enough to use elsewhere.
  • Red, such as Resene Salsa stimulates the appetite and is a good choice for dining rooms. Combined with gold cutlery, a dramatic air of formality will result.
  • Midnight blue, such as Resene Licorice, or aubergine, such as Resene Aubergine, and gold are also dramatic colour schemes for night-time dining.
  • Think about your favourite dining experiences and the food you like to eat and decorate to suit. If spicy and hot are your favourites, warm up the room with Resene Hot Toddy or Resene Shiraz. If you prefer fresh chilled food, try softer fresher tones such as Resene Half Escape.
  • Use striking wallpapers from the Resene Wallpaper Collection as memorable table runners when you have guests.
  • Continue your wall colour onto the ceiling to create a cosy cocoon of colour.

As living spaces have become more open plan, dining rooms have tended to be treated as part of the main colour scheme so the neutral palette in the living area has been extended to the dining area.

We are seeing an increasing use of strong grey features in dining areas.  Grey is a popular alternative to black and is so versatile that it goes with almost anything.  This allows you to dress up the table in whatever colours are in season or suits the event, without worrying about it clashing with the walls.

We are also seeing the lighter tones of grey blues and off whites, such as Resene Half Duck Egg Blue

Another popular way to add colour to dining areas is through the chairs.  Either all one bold shade or an eclectic mix of the rainbow. Upcycle wooden chairs with Resene testpots and let each family member choose their favourite colour.

We are starting to see a trend to more enclosed spaces, though this is tending to be more for leisure spaces, such as reading nooks, at this stage.

December 2018


Q. I’m just starting to think about exterior colours for my home.  What are some things I should think about colour wise if I am thinking of light neutrals or whites?

A. Whites and light off whites can be very glary in the bright sun.  As the sun tends to make paint finishes look lighter, we recommend considering a shade darker than your original choice to ensure that it doesn’t end up too glary.  If you are opting for a tone on tone colour scheme with a relatively light colour, it can pay to make the contrasts greater than you would inside to ensure the contrasts still work well when the sun is shining,  E.g. Use Triple, Full and Quarter strength variations of a colour (rather than the full, half, quarter you might use inside).

If you have the option to choose joinery and roofing from new, choose colours that go with many different colour options – e.g. colours like Grey Friars for the roof and neutral or aluminium joinery.  This will give you and future owners, more scope to change the colour palette later. 

Give your home an annual wash with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash.  This will remove contaminants off the surface and keep the colour and paint looking good for longer.

December 2018


Q. I’m tempted to go for a pastel or brightly coloured exterior?  Do you think this is a good idea.

A. We always think ‘Your house, your choice’ – you should choose what you would like to live in as it is your home.  Homeowners we talk to that have brightly coloured houses, always seem to love their bold coloured house and often find it inspires other neighbours to go bold.  If you decide you want a change later, you can paint over it.  If you are going dark, check the substrate to make sure it can handle a darker colour.  Some surfaces have restrictions on the light reflectance value (LRV) of the colour, which you need to follow to avoid warranty issues with the substrate.

Our environment is very harsh on paint.  Brighter colours will tend to show the signs of fading quicker so make sure you use a quality paint with high quality tinters so that your home keeps its good looks for as long as possible.

Depending on the area you are in, it may pay to let your neighbours know what you are planning if you are going for a bold or unusual colour scheme before you start painting.  There are a few areas where the council also has restrictions on the colours that can be used.

We have many customers who are very adventurous with their colour choices, inside and out.  For many others, they may have bold colour choices inside, and more neutral ones outside.  The key is choosing the colours that feel right for you and your project, not what friends, neighbours or trends tell you should pick.  Use the ideas of others as inspiration, not instructions!

A good way to be a bit braver with colour is to introduce it to a small part of the project, such as a front door, a letterbox, or perhaps painted pots or a garden feature or furniture.  That way you can enjoy a small amount of colour.  We often find that decorators slowly grow in confidence using brighter colours, by starting off with smaller projects and then once they get confident, translating those colour choices to larger areas.

Colourful exteriors can become a real talking point, which is great if you like the attention, but if you prefer to keep to yourself, the attention may be a little overwhelming.  The homeowners we talk to who have chosen bright colours have always enjoyed the interaction with others and the huge amount of positive feedback they have had.

We seldom hear of any problems with colourful exteriors, except where cheap paint is used and it fades quickly, so bright has ended up dull very quickly or where the neighbours haven’t liked the bright colour scheme.  Normally if it the colours have been chosen well for the home and painted using high quality paint, the feedback is very positive.

December 2018


Q. What are popular exterior colours for NZ houses? Why? 

A. Popular colours for exteriors tend to be blackened whites and greys, through to grey beiges (greiges).  Colours such as the Resene Sea Fog family – Resene Triple Sea Fog is popular, Resene Bokara Grey, Resene Tana, Resene Tapa and the Resene White Pointer colour family, with Resene Alabaster often used on trim and joinery.  For stained houses, Resene Pitch Black is hugely popular, particularly in coastal areas. 

For those who want something a little more coloured, grey blues are also a popular option – colours like Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.

The benefit of these colours is that they tend to be timeless and enduring, so they look they look modern for many years.  They are also very versatile colours, so it’s easy to change part of the colour scheme later, without having to change everything.  This is very different to a the past where often trim and joinery was very definite in colour – e.g. aquas, deep reds, deep browns – which can limit future colour options.

One drawback is that sometimes the individuality of the homeowner can be lost.  We recommend if you are opting for a neutral exterior colour scheme to choose a bold colour for your front door.  This will be a warm welcome to your guests and gives you a chance to show some personality with a favourite colour that can be easily changed later.  Popular front door colours at present are citrus hues (such as Resene Daredevil) and reds, such as Resene Jalapeno, are a perennial favourite.  We recommend using a gloss finish to make the colour stand out.

Dark colours can absorb a lot of heat.  We recommend if you’re using a dark colour outside to opt for a Resene CoolColour.  A Resene CoolColour looks like the normal colour but is designed to reflect more heat to keep the coating and surface cooler.  This is particularly useful on roofs, weatherboards, decks and fences.
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
Resene Daredevil
Resene Daredevil
Resene Jalapeno
Resene Jalapeno
Resene Pitch Black
Resene Pitch Black
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
   

 

December 2018

Q. Once upon a time, everyone wanted a red feature wall. Are feature walls still a ‘thing’?  And what colour do you recommend?

A. Rather than thinking of it as just a feature wall, we tend to think of a feature colour first and then decide where in the room that may go.  It may be a full feature wall, perhaps two walls, it may be a half wall – horizontal most common, but you do see vertical part walls also) – or a floor or a piece of furniture.  These days decorating is less defined by the surface.  i.e. the colour doesn’t have to stop when the wall hits the next wall, the floor or the ceiling – it can continue on.  Or it can be just a block or a piece of colour on a wall.  We often see furniture or shelving and walls painted to work with each other.

We’re increasingly seeing things you might have never noticed being picked out in a feature colour – table legs, internal doors, the insides of cupboards and drawers – things that you might only discover when you look a little further.  We call it unexpected colour – a pop of colour where you wouldn’t expect to see it.

We’re also seeing more and more paint effects for feature walls and areas.  This is an evolution of the geometric colour blocking we have seen in the past, but tends to be more freehand and more organic.  It’s ideal for those new to decorating as you don’t have to be perfect with a paintbrush or roller to create a striking paint effect finish.  Paint effects finishes were last hugely popular around 25 years ago.  In those days the colourways were much heavier and the looks much heavier and detailed.  Now the paint effects are often using lighter tones, a freer style and an anything goes attitude.  It’s an easy way to bring multiple colours into a space and also bring a sense of texture.  Techniques such as colourwashing give the effect of the wall being 3D.

As to feature colours?  Anything goes really.  For front doors, bright reds, citrus brights – lime, orange, yellow – are all very popular.  When it comes to interior feature walls, we are more often seeing plenty of mid and deep greys, deep blues, jewel colours (think sapphire, emerald type shades), rather than reds.  Many opt for a subtle feature – i.e. the feature wall is a few strengths deeper than the rest of the room – so it is a feature but it is easy to dress up.  Grey, such as Resene Half Bokara Grey and similar colours, is popular for the same reason… add citrus colours in cushions and flowers and you have a spring look, replace those with red cushions and red accessories and you can hunker down over winter with a cosy colour scheme.

The key is to pick a colour that you love. 

Red comes and goes as a trend colour.  Even when it is not on trend, we still see many red feature walls. They work well in dining rooms and in bedrooms, behind the bedhead, for those who want to spice up their space.

Resene Half Bokara Grey
Resene Half Bokara Grey
December 2018

Q. I’m keen to use a dark colour in my home as a trendy feature.  What colours do you recommend?  And where should I use this and what tips and tricks can you give me?

A. Dark colours especially on trend are:

Whether you go charcoal, dark green, or deep oxen red, having a contrast on the floors, trims and ceiling helps to delineate the area, preventing it from becoming claustrophobic – instead, it helps to enlarge the space visually. 
Darker colours immediately make a room feel more intimate and cosy - great for bedrooms, media rooms or large living spaces. Alternatively, use one dark wall to visually change the dimensions of the room. A far wall painted in a dark colour can make it appear closer, and therefore ‘correct’ the dimensions of a long, narrow room.

Bedrooms are an ideal space for dark walls. Most of the time spent in the bedroom is at night – making it the perfect place to go dark and dramatic. To get a velvety rich effect, use Resene SpaceCote Flat instead of low sheen. It absorbs the light more, making the room look richer. Using darker shades brings texture and mood, especially to a featureless space. Dark walls with a different shade on the floor or trims, for example, will create lines of difference and interest in the room that wasn't there before. It can also help a cavernous room feel cosier.

As a whole-room solution, team dark neutrals with cream or crisp white trims. This works especially well with older homes where the skirtings, architraves and cornices are likely to be more ornate and will be beautifully highlighted by the contrast with smoky dark walls. If you are worried that the room will look too closed in, paint the ceiling white, using Resene White or Resene Alabaster. Include light-coloured furniture, with warm undertones. 

Darker colours immediately make a room feel more intimate and cosy - great for bedrooms, media rooms or large living spaces. Alternatively, use one dark wall to visually change the dimensions of the room. A far wall painted in a dark colour can make it appear closer, and therefore ‘correct’ the dimensions of a long, narrow room.

Think beyond your walls, to floors, ceilings and furniture. These can easily be painted a dark colour too.  If you’re living in a villa with a high stud, a dark ceiling can help make the ceiling feel lower and the room feel cosier.

If you’re changing from a light colour scheme to a dark one, make sure you review your lighting at the same time.  You may find you need a little extra lighting or a stronger light bulb to balance the darker walls.

Paint chip
Resene White
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Resene Alabaster
Paint chip
Resene Tuna
Paint chip
Resene Baltic Sea
Paint chip
Resene Dark Side

Resene Pitch Black
Paint chip
Resene Atlas
Paint chip
Resene Zinzan
Paint chip
Resene Foundry
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Resene Indian Ink
Paint chip
Resene Nero
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Resene All Black

December 2018

Q. I am using COLORBOND® Ocean Blue and looking for a white and or oatmeal to complement the COLORBOND®. Shall I do the entire exterior in one colour? I will have a weathered timber front door.

A. You might check out the following colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Sea Fog, Resene Black White, Resene Quarter Bianca or Resene Rice Cake.

Some oatmeal tints to try: Resene Half White Pointer, Resene Eighth Parchment, Resene Half Albescent White or Resene Half Merino.

Using just one colour on the exterior is a good idea. Perhaps changing the sheen levels to create a little eye interest - i.e. low sheen for the weatherboards and semi-gloss for the windows can make the same colour take on a different look or mood.

The roof colour and the weathered front door would attract more visual interest than the weatherboards that way.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Eighth Parchment
Resene Eighth Parchment
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
December 2018

Q. We have Resene Quarter Bison Hide on our walls. We are looking for an off-white colour to brighten a dark stairway.

A. Here are a few off whites with different undertones that will dramatically lighten dark areas: Resene Half Albescent White (this is a warmer, slightly pinky browny – works well with the Resene Bison Hide family), Resene Half Sea Fog – this is a grey off-white and will give you a crisp contrast, or Resene Rice Cake – mix of grey and yellow, still a warm option.

I have given you three different looking colours to make the selection process easier. Hopefully you are drawn to one colour over another.

Resene ColorShops stock folders with A4 sizes of each of our colours and these are great to look at before deciding on your final colour. Ask one of our staff to show you the larger samples before purchasing a testpot or paint. You may need to carefully test colours to see how they respond to light and shadow. Don't apply a testpot to the already coloured walls - it won't look true to reality because of the greater amount of existing colour influencing it negatively. If you paint large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) with all, two coats, of the testpot it lets you see a huge amount of colour. Please leave an unpainted white card border all around the edge of the card to act as a barrier between the tested colour and the existing wall colour. You can move it from wall to wall so you can see how it alters during the day and night. Each wall may show the colour in a different way.

Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
December 2018

Q. I’m about to paint a recently renovated lounge, living, and kitchen area. The room faces west and gets a lot of natural light as we have floor to ceiling windows and doors along the west wall. It’s very sunny in the afternoon.

We have matai floors with black rock cabinetry in the kitchen with light wood benches, table and shelves. We have a light grey sofa. Our room is currently painted Resene Spanish White which looks good, but I’d like to have a crisper, cleaner white. I’ve been considering Resene Half Bianca with Resene Alabaster trim, doors and window trim. Other options are Resene Rice Cake, Resene Sea Fog or Resene Black White.

A. If you want to see a definite difference between the slightly coloured white wall colour and the wooden trims you may need to look at a whiter version of Resene Alabaster - i.e. perhaps Resene Half Alabaster or even Resene Quarter Alabaster. Changing from Resene Spanish White (which is a much stronger, very definite type of colour) to any of the coloured whites you mention in your email will make a very definite change. Of the colours you mention I like Resene Rice Cake which may work well with the wooden surfaces. I also like Resene Half Bianca which is a softer type of white. The later afternoon sunlight which is a yellow/red light may make you see more yellow or peach in any colours but then during the rest of the day that effect will probably not be as obvious.

Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
December 2018

Q. We're using Resene Half Cut Glass on our ceilings, and want a fairly neutral shade for the walls in our renovated kitchen/dining/lounge area - recommendations please?

A. With the entire eye interest drawn to the coloured ceiling area and not knowing what colour the kitchen cabinets/worktops/upholstered furniture/blinds/drapes and flooring is these areas it is a bit tricky to suggest options for you.

Whites will always work - perhaps one of these ones may appeal to you - Resene Alabaster, Resene Half Black White, Resene Quarter Rice Cake or Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

Resene Half Cut Glass
Resene Half Cut Glass
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
December 2018

Q. We have decided on Resene Grey Olive for the exterior plaster finish on our house. What colour should we consider for the exterior soffits please? Resene Quarter Grey Olive or something different?

A. Usually the under soffits is a whiter type of colour on most houses, but if you wanted the under soffits to be a colour you could use Resene Quarter Grey Olive. Alternatively - slightly lighter – you could try Resene Half Ash or Resene Titania.

Resene Grey Olive
Resene Grey Olive
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
Resene Quarter Grey Olive
Resene Half Ash
Resene Half Ash
Resene Titania
Resene Titania
December 2018

Q. I want to paint original stained wood panelling in the dining room of my bungalow; the skirting boards, doors and above will be white. Can you suggest a soft contrast for the panels? I’m wondering about Resene Double Sea Fog, but could also go with a soft blue/green.

A. Resene Double Sea Fog will give you a nice soft grey for the walls, a very modern and crisp look right now. You might want to use a semi-gloss to give it a little extra kick.

Other colours that would work: Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Secrets, Resene Half Cut Glass, Resene Ottoman or Resene Carefree.

Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Secrets
Resene Secrets
Resene Half Cut Glass
Resene Half Cut Glass
Resene Ottoman
Resene Ottoman
Resene Carefree
Resene Carefree
December 2018

Q. My kitchen cabinets are Arctic White with a pearl soapstone laminate bench top. The kitchen lounge is open plan. I want a neutral colour scheme with a feature wall behind the fire which has rustic red bricks. The house is late 80s. There is slate around the base of the fire and some rimu trimmings around it.

I like blue green neutrals. I feel it is important not to clash with the Arctic White cupboards and red bricks.

A. A blue/green colour could look very effective - especially with the very cool white kitchen cabinets. The following colours are lighter (more neutral) and they may be worth checking out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Quarter Robins Egg Blue, Resene Nebula, Resene Tiara, Resene Breeze or Resene Slipstream.

Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue
Resene Quarter
Robin Egg Blue
Resene Nebula
Resene Nebula
Resene Tiara
Resene Tiara
Resene Breeze
Resene Breeze
 
December 2018

Q. We are having a builder replace all the ‘brown timber’ around the gutters and he has suggested that going lighter might both reduce heat impact on timber and modernise the look. Can you suggest some colours that we might use that are still classic and won’t quickly date?

A. My first thought was if the 'brown timber' was painted to match the house colour the house would look taller and more in proportion.

I don't think I would suggest a different colour for the timber fascias as the eye is always drawn to a vertical line - and again this could make the house look squat. It sounds as though the builder is a practical person with a very valid suggestion.

December 2018

Q. I am looking for a soft and warm blue grey for my 13 year old daughter’s room, what would you suggest?

A. You might check out the following colours to see if they are the type of blue/grey that would appeal to your daughter - Resene Clouded Blue, Resene Powder Blue, Resene Longitude, Resene Dusted Blue, Resene Gull Grey or Resene Grey Chateau.

Resene Clouded Blue
Resene Clouded Blue
Resene Powder Blue
Resene Powder Blue
Resene Longitude
Resene Longitude
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Gull Grey
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
December 2018

Q. We are building two villas for holiday accommodation and I am planning on using Resene Quarter Albescent White in the living rooms, Resene Quarter Albescent White and Resene Half Dusted Blue in the bedrooms but would like advice as to what colours to use in the bathrooms and powder rooms. The bathrooms have dark charcoal tiles on the floors and Cararra marble walls with feature deep moody blue tiles on one wall in the showers. Also would you suggest using Resene Alabaster for the ceilings and trims or would you suggest another colour?

A. Do you want the same ceiling and trim colour throughout the house? If this is the case and you want to see a lighter/whiter colour compared to the walls then I would be inclined to use Resene Half Alabaster.

The powder rooms (being smaller) could have Resene Half Dusted Blue for the walls. It will look slightly deeper but that may not be a bad thing. Powder rooms often don't have the 'glamour' of the main bathroom so having a definite wall colour gives them a bit of ambiance. The main bathroom has a lot happening - dark charcoal floor tiles, Carrara marble walls and a feature of deep moody blue tiles in the shower. It probably has a large wall mirror as well? Because of that you might look at keeping it simple - Resene Double Alabaster may look well balanced with the lighter/whiter trims and ceiling.

Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
Resene Half Dusted Blue
Resene Half Dusted Blue
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
December 2018

Q. We're in the process of renovating which includes installation of new aluminium joinery and kitchen. The joinery is black and the kitchen cabinetry is matt black. We also have black granite benchtops going in.

As the areas get a lot of sun and are fairly light we want to use a white paint, which will also create contrast with the black. Is there a particular white that you would recommend for a scenario such as this?

A. Perhaps one of these very popular whites may appeal to you - Resene Black White, Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Poured Milk.

They are quite different to each other - this may not be apparent until you see large painted samples and compare them. If you could pop into your nearest Resene ColorShop to view the A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library it may be helpful. If you place a sheet of white printer paper partially over the samples their undertones of subtle colour will help your eyes judge the reality of the colours.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
December 2018

Q. What is the best colour to really make our brick house look amazing? I want it to look clean and slightly more modern (or traditional contemporary with a hint of French country). The suggestion was to go white instead of the current yellow beige brown we've got going on.

Our plasterer will be re-painting the soffits and plaster on the exterior, but there are many considerations such as making sure it isn't too shiny etc. as our house sits just after a roundabout. We need something that really lasts as it requires scaffolding and experts to paint that part.

We also have white metal gates either side of the house, so something that would go well would be great. Not sure what colour white it is - it is pretty stark white. If you have a white (or other better colour) that goes on metal that we can repaint to match/complement the colour scheme that may be an idea for later. Previous owners painted the concrete pad outside the entertaining area the same beige brown colour. It will probably look odd now.

A. I am inclined to think that a light coloured white with a subtle undertone of grey/beige may work for you. These types of colours may tie in with the mainly brown exterior that you have. Perhaps one of the following colours may appeal to you - Resene White Pointer, Resene Quarter Tea or Resene Quarter Truffle.

If you want a white for the fence that isn't so stark you might look at Resene Half Sea Fog. The concrete pad can be painted - the appropriate type of paint is called Resene Walk-on and there is a huge range of colours.

You might use a much deeper version of the colour you choose for the house so it links together harmoniously but isn't exactly the same.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
December 2018

Q. We are keen to repaint the exterior of the house, deck and fence. I would like to go dark but not sure what would best suit and am keen for some expert guidance.

A. 'Going dark' is super trendy at the moment. If you are keen on dark colours then there are two ways to approach this - just having dark fences, dark garage door and a dark roof in a warm brown based colour to tie in the window joinery colour. Being very bold and having a dark house with lots of a much lighter/whiter colour for trims to create a contrast. How much dark can you cope with?

Because of the window joinery you might start looking at these types of dark colour - Resene Masala, Resene Ironsand, Resene Windswept or Resene Baltic Sea.

Perhaps not so dark a colour for the house like one of these colours - Resene Eighth Ironsand or Resene Half Sandstone. Used with a much lighter (but not too stark a white) colour for contrast - i.e. Resene Double Sea Fog - it could create a smart new look.

Resene Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Half Sandstone
Resene Half Sandstone
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
   
December 2018

Q. We are renovating a kitchen using Melteca Silver Strata for the cupboard doors and Formica Veneto Marble for the benchtop. Can you please advise a good light colour to use on the walls and ceilings as we are going to use the same on both throughout the house? We are replacing the vinyl in the kitchen but the carpet is a darker shade of blue.

A. You could check out the following colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Sea Fog (or lighter or deeper versions of this colour), Resene Barely There (or Resene Half Barely There), Resene Concrete or Resene Wan White.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Half Barely There
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Wan White
Resene Wan White
December 2018

Q. We have recently built and we really don’t like our colour scheme - done in another brand of paint. Our preference is for Resene paints, and we would like to repaint. Unfortunately the joinery is a cream colour. The houses around us have dark roofs, mostly brick or dark colour schemes and we live in a lifestyle block estate. We are thinking of either going lighter or darker but really need some help on colour schemes.

A. Seeing as the yellowy cream joinery and garage door etc is the most dominant colour showing on the house perhaps one of these colours might be considered - Resene Triple Truffle, Resene Taupe Grey, Resene Triple Thorndon Cream, Resene Climate, Resene Grey Area or Resene Fifty Shades.

These colours are earthy (which may suit a rural environment) not grey which doesn't work for you. They have in common a slight yellow undertone which ties in a bit with the joinery.

If you are testing colours I recommend that you paint all of the testpot, two coats, onto very large A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and move the card all around the house so you can see how it alters in different angles and qualities of natural light. But most importantly it needs to be seen right up close to the yellowy cream joinery or garage door.

         
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Climate
Resene Climate
Resene Climate
Resene Climate
December 2018

Q. I have Resene Double Spanish White walls with Resene Kelp skirting boards. Is this combination still ok? Or should the skirting boards be painted in something else?

A. If you like the colour combination and it works well in your house and with your décor then you could keep it. But if you are planning on changing your overall look then obviously a whole new palette of colours for walls and trims might be considered. If you are bored with the deep coloured trims (or well-meaning friends or family are voicing their opinion) then you could consider using a lighter version of the wall colour - perhaps Resene Spanish White or a softer toned yellow/brown/green like Resene Triple Ash.

But you need to be aware that one small change often leads to every other thing changing.

Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Double
Spanish White
Resene Kelp
Resene Kelp
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Triple Ash
Resene Triple Ash
December 2018

Q. I am trying to colour match my Hardiplank 1988 exterior house colour, which is a peach cream colour. I tried Resene Dutch White and if it was an orange base it would be pretty close. Do you have a colour I could try?

A. Perhaps you could try Resene Solitaire or Resene Sazerac - both of these were very popular in the late 1980s.

Resene Dutch White
Resene Dutch White
Resene Solitaire
Resene Solitaire
Resene Sazerac
Resene Sazerac
December 2018

Q. Our room has lower than standard ceilings, and some panelling partway around the room and is a tad dark but does lead to a nice courtyard. Could you suggest some suitable colours or even wallpaper to liven up the space? We have two young kids and hoping to paint before we move in.

A. A real white ceiling will lift and lighten the ceilings - Resene White - whereas a colour on the ceilings will make it appear lower and may make the rooms appear more shadowy.

Had you thought of changing how the eyes see the spaces, by painting the wall above the panelling a much paler colour and the panelling itself to match?

This alters your perception of the wall height so the ceilings don't look as low.

Resene White
Resene White
December 2018

Q. I am after a French Blue muted grey for a wooden pergola alongside old non-glossy red brick. I have purchased several testpots and the closest is Resene Half Regent Grey but is still drying too dark. Any suggestions? So far I have tried Resene New Denim Blue, Resene Half New Denim Blue, Resene Bermuda Grey or Resene Dusted Blue. These are all too dark.

A. Is the pergola on the east (early morning) side of the house? If this was the case then I would understand why the test samples appear a lot more 'coloured ' or bluer than I would imagine they would be.

Wet paint looks light but always dries deeper. So perhaps greyer and paler colours may work better for you. You could try: Resene Neutral Bay, Resene Freestyling, Resene Longitude, Resene Half Gull Grey or Resene Casper.

If these are too deep toned then perhaps you need a very slightly coloured white not a definite colour?

Resene Half Regent Grey
Resene Half Regent Grey
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene New Denim Blue
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half
New Denim Blue
Resene Bermuda Grey
Resene Bermuda Grey
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Neutral Bay
Resene Freestyling
Resene Freestyling
Resene Longitude
Resene Longitude
Resene Half Gull Grey
Resene Half Gull Grey
Resene Casper
Resene Casper
December 2018

Q. My roof colour will be COLORSTEEL® Maxx Titania and the windows and door frames are white UPVC. What are some complementary cladding colours?

A. You could go lighter/whiter or mid/deep toned in colours for the cladding. The following colours are some that you might check out. For lighter colours - Resene Half Merino, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Resene Quarter Titania or Resene Half Pearl Lusta.

For deeper colours - Resene Taupe Grey, Resene Pravda, Resene Double Truffle, Resene Craigieburn or really deep toned - Resene Lisbon Brown or Resene Black Magic.

It all depends on the style of the house and what it is clad with, the environment it is in and the ambiance you want to create. Some types of cladding have constraints upon how deep a colour can be used on them.

Resene Half Merino
Resene Half Merino
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Titania
Resene Quarter Titania
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Grey
Resene Taupe Grey
Resene Pravda
Resene Pravda
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Double Truffle
Resene Craigieburn
Resene Craigieburn
Resene Lisbon Brown
Resene Lisbon Brown
Resene Black Magic
Resene Black Magic
   
December 2018

Q. I have Resene White Pointer on the walls and Resene Alabaster on the ceiling and door surrounds. I would like to have a feature wall in the bedrooms and wondered what colours would work best. Something not too dark, but not too light.

A. You do have a lot of possibilities for feature walls. What you ultimately choose may be related to other colours in the bedrooms - duvets, bedspreads, drapes, blinds, favourite accessories, flooring etc. If you need a few colour ideas, try these colours - Resene Red Herring, Resene Peace, Resene Helix, Resene Half Dusted Blue, Resene Duck Egg Blue or a tonal variant of the main wall colour - Resene Triple White Pointer.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Dusted Blue
Resene Half Dusted Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
December 2018

Q. I'm really stuck for ideas for my kitchen and lounge. I have cream cupboards, brown flecked bench, brown carpet and curtains and cream tiles. I am thinking a soft pale blue but just can't find one to match.

A. You don't say which soft pale blues that you have looked at and found to be not right. If the cream is a rich colour and the browns are definite light to mid-toned colours, you may need to consider using a slightly deeper blue to get a well-balanced look happening. Too pale a blue would make the kitchen cabinets and the flooring look too deep or muddy by comparison.

The following are some blues that are worth checking out - Resene Spindle, Resene Frozen, Resene Half Eskimo, Resene Oxygen or Resene Half Dusted Blue.

Resene Spindle
Resene Spindle
Resene Frozen
Resene Frozen
Resene Half Eskimo
Resene Half Eskimo
Resene Oxygen
Resene Oxygen
Resene Half Dusted Blue
Resene Half Dusted Blue
December 2018

Q. We are re-roofing and repainting a small 100 year old home on the West Coast near bush. We love the adobe style terracotta roofing and home style but know we can't do this on this home. We have the option of Endura options and are leaning towards Desert Sand. I am wondering about the pros/cons of this as a roof colour? Additionally, I am curious what exterior home paint colours would complement best. We are near the bush with a lot of trees, but thought we might be able to recreate that warm adobe type feeling but want to consider whether the light colours will always look 'grimy' or rain will take care of it.

A. You know only too well what your environment is like. What you are saying is 'will it work' knowing perhaps that the dream you have may not work. Do you have real metal samples of the Endura range of colours or are you looking at the colour chart? It’s always best to have the actual physical samples.

Desert Sand is possibly too yellow/brown. It is a warm colour for the roof - but it does limit you to in regard colours for the exterior on the house.

You might consider one of these colours - COLORSTEEL® Stone, COLORSTEEL® Fern Frond and COLORSTEEL® TernStyle or if you are intent on the Adobe colours - and brave COLORSTEEL® Terracotta.

These suggestions will open up a wide range of colours for the main body of the house, so you have masses of options to choose from.

A 100 year old house deserves to have a well thought through colour scheme in keeping with its age and ambiance.

These warm toned neutral colours may inspire you - Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Half Grey Olive, Resene Crowdpleaser, Resene Half Drought or Resene Half Napa.

Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Spanish White
Resene Half Grey Olive
Resene Half Grey Olive
Resene Half Drought
Resene Half Drought
Resene Half Napa
Resene Half Napa
December 2018

Q. I have a block of three ex-state houses in Invercargill. They are on two levels. I am looking to repaint the exterior of the property and want the weatherboards done in a nice blue, with the doors and window frames in a nice red, so the property is one that stands out and catches the eye.

I have looked through colour choices on your site and so far have thought that Resene Bahama Blue with Resene Flame Red would be a good combination for this, but let me know your thoughts.

A. People in the deep south are possibly far more conservative than you might realise. Might I suggest some slightly modified colours that will still attract attention? Some blues to consider - these ones are referred to as 'coastal inspired ' - Resene Awash, Resene Blue Moon, Resene Ship Cove or Resene Kashmir Blue.

The following are some beautiful reds that are very appealing - Resene Salsa, Resene Jalapeno, Resene Red Berry or Resene Hot Chile.

A smaller amount of red on the window sills, doors and letter boxes will attract a lot of attention without overpowering the beautiful blues. Using a true white for the main part of the windows would also enhance the blues and the reds. The use of blue, white and red is a Maritime theme based on the colours used on ships and the flags they fly. /swatches/preview.php?chart=Resene BS5252 range (pre 2008)&brand=Resene&name=Flame Red

Resene Bahama Blue
Resene Bahama Blue
Resene Flame Red
Resene Flame Red
   
Resene Awash
Resene Awash
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Blue Moon
Resene Ship Cove
Resene Ship Cove
Resene Kashmir Blue
Resene Kashmir Blue
Resene Salsa
Resene Salsa
Resene Jalapeno
Resene Jalapeno
Resene Red Berry
Resene Red Berry
Resene Hot Chile
Resene Hot Chile
December 2018

Q. I have a small weatherboard 1950s state house style house which I need to repaint. The guttering is currently Ironsand and the roof is a concrete tile, bit of a browny colour. The windows are Arctic White aluminium and the frames are painted white to match. I was thinking of painting the house a very dark grey but am not sure what grey I should use and what colour to paint the door.

A. Due to your house being timber clad, there are restrictions on the depth of colour you should use in order to decrease not only paint maintenance, but also movement of the timber weatherboards themselves. Dark colours attract heat, timber can warp and move with heat and we often see lines under the weatherboard from where boards have moved in the summer and expanded in the winter. These things may happen, not that they necessarily will, but I’d rather give you more information than less.

With this in mind, it is up to you what colour you paint your home. I will give you some colour options and a couple of ways to trick the eye into thinking it’s darker than it really is.

One way we do that is by painting the windows white and also the foundation at the bottom. The more white we have around a colour, the darker that colour actually looks. Here are some mid-tone greys that have interesting undertones: Resene Eighth Masala, Resene Kensington Grey, Resene Gunsmoke, Resene Half Raven, Resene Half Innocence, Resene Dusted Blue or Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow.

Resene Masala
Resene Eighth Masala
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Half Raven
Resene Half Raven
Resene Half Innocence
Resene Half Innocence
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Dusted Blue
Resene Quarter Scarpa Flow
Resene Quarter
Scarpa Flow
 
December 2018

Q. I would like some suggestions for a warm colour for one wall in my toddler son's room. I am painting the rest of the walls in Resene Alabaster in line with the rest of the house. It is south facing. I like dusty colours and pastels. I'd also like suggestions of the same idea for my little girl's north facing room; she is four and loves pink. Finally same again for the master bedroom which faces west. Our house is a beach house with Resene Alabaster, Resene Iron and Resene Black White in the rest of the house.

A. Children love clear bright colours. South facing rooms are not blessed with masses of bright sunshine - they often have cool or grey quality of light. Dusty colours and pastels may not be warm in a south facing room. For your toddler’s room I suggest you consider bright blues as they are warmer than very pale ones. You might check out the following suggestions - Resene Refresh and Resene Morning Glory.

A north facing room has a lot of sunlight in it - more so in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky. Some pinks to consider for your little girl - Resene Pale Rose or a slightly brighter one - Resene Pink Lace.

There are lots of other blues and pinks so I do suggest. If you can pop into the nearest Resene ColorShop to view the large A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library - you will find it very helpful. There is nothing like seeing a big sample of colour to help you with your decisions.

Choosing a colour for your bedroom is slightly tricky. You may need to consider your bed linen and drapes before you choose a colour. These elements - especially the duvet - can be a source of inspiration. But if you have white bed linen and drapes then a delicate pastel may be appealing. You could check out Resene Remember Me or Resene Slipstream.

Take your time to carefully test colours and watch how the natural light alters how they look during the day.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Iron
Resene Iron
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Refresh
Resene Refresh
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Pale Rose
Resene Pale Rose
   
December 2018

Q. I’m having Resene Quarter Bokara Grey on a feature wall, and apart from that want to paint the rest of my 1923 bungalow in a white. My trims on windows are natural cedar wood. I like Resene Bianca and Resene Rice Cake. Which one goes better with Resene Quarter Bokara Grey or are they both fine?

A. They are both fine with Resene Quarter Bokara Grey. Resene Rice Cake is slightly more complex with a subtle undertone of green in it and Resene Bianca is a warmer fleecy cream. Which colour looks best with your natural cedar?

Resene Quarter Bokara Grey
Resene Quarter
Bokara Grey
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
December 2018

Q. We have a 100 year old villa that we are doing up. We have painted our walls in Resene Black White. Just wondering what you would paint on the wide old style skirting. We would like to match the old fashioned extra-large windows in the same colour. I am looking for a white - do you recommend gloss?

A. A full gloss finish will enhance and highlight the woodwork. You could use Resene Eighth Black White for the woodwork as it will look very crisp and clean and would work really well with the wall colour.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
December 2018

Q. We have a really dark hallway which we plan to put a solar light into at some point. The house is 20 year old brick. We have Resene Black White in the living room. The carpet is dark grey. I am thinking a warm light yellow as I think Resene Black White would be a bit dark. What would you suggest?

A. Sometimes sneaking up on a colour that has a little bit of pale yellow in it is better than immersing the space in a definite yellow.

Perhaps one of these warm light creams that have a yellow undertone may appeal to you - Resene Half Orchid White, Resene Bianca or Resene Half Pearl Lusta. Or if you would prefer a light yellow then you might check out this one - Resene Cornfield.

All yellows no matter how light they are can double or treble in depth and brightness in an interior and this effect could be very obvious in a hallway.

Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
December 2018

Q. I am about to paint a Wendy house with Resene Napa as the exterior colour but am wanting a pink coloured door - nothing too dark, and nothing too bright, can you recommend a colour please?

A. Pinks are not naturally harmonious with Resene Napa which is a sombre muddy hue.

Deep toned pinks or very bright pinks tend to work better but if that isn't what you want perhaps one of these mid toned pinks may look suit - Resene Hopbush or Resene Suzie Q.

Resene Napa
Resene Napa
Resene Hopbush
Resene Hopbush
December 2018

Q. I am renovating my home after 25 years. I want to paint the entire interior including all stained doors and skirting boards. What are the most popular colours to use? Not greys or feature walls.

A. There are very many popular colours to choose from. The following are just a few that you might check out - Resene Half Thorndon Cream and for a soft toned 'white' for the woodwork you could use Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream, Resene Sea Fog with Resene Double Alabaster (Resene Quarter Sea Fog), Resene Half Fossil with Resene Eighth Fossil, or Resene Tea with Resene Quarter Tea

There are many other popular colours but you do need to take into account the colour of the flooring, drapes, upholstered furniture, bedspreads and kitchen cabinets and work tops. If you aren't changing these elements in the house then you may need to compromise and choose a colour palette that suits them.

If you are getting all new things then I recommend that you start by choosing flooring and kitchen colours first so that you have maximum options available to you. Colour is always the last thing you choose - not the first thing. It has to tie all other things together.

Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Half Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
December 2018

Q. I'm painting my son's bedroom, it is 3.5 x 3.5 and 3 metres high. The room has one bay window, so it is not filled with light. I'm doing a dado which I would like a traditional blue, and above the dado a warmer milky creamy colour. The window and trims and ceiling are white, and I would like them to standout.

A. Some traditional 'boyish' blues that are playful and happy colours - Resene Endeavour, Resene Wet N Wild, Resene Tory Blue, Resene Float, Resene Subzero or Resene Havelock Blue.

Milky and creamy colours to check out – for milky try Resene Double Alabaster, or for creamy try Resene Half Orchid White, Resene Quarter Villa White or Resene Half Pearl Lusta. There are also deeper versions of each colour you could try.

Resene Endeavour
Resene Endeavour
Resene Wet N Wild
Resene Wet N Wild
Resene Tory Blue
Resene Tory Blue
Resene Float
Resene Float
Resene Subzero
Resene Subzero
Resene Havelock Blue
Resene Havelock Blue
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
December 2018

Q. I’m painting a villa bedroom Resene Half Rice Cake I need a complementary colour for the window frames, doors and skirting boards. I want to do these glossy so they’re easily wiped.

A. These whites may appeal to you and if you want a gloss finish you may use either Resene Enamacryl (waterborne) enamel or Resene Super Gloss (solventborne) enamel - Resene Eighth Rice Cake, Resene Quarter Alabaster or real white Resene White.

Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene White
Resene White
December 2018

Q. I have a very small apartment, which has Flint Grey carpet. Could you suggest a colour for the walls please? The trim and doors are white.

A. You might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Barely There, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Half White Pointer, Resene Merino or Resene Eighth Truffle.

Pale neutral colour keeps the spaces looking light and reasonably large. If they are used with 'real' white for ceilings and trims, it allows you to use colourful accessories, furniture and drapes to enhance the rooms without the space looking smaller.

Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene White
Resene White
December 2018

Q. We have a 1970s retro caravan that we are doing some DIY on. It is white with an orange stripe on the outside, and has this retro lino. We would like to keep a retro feel but also make it more modern and light inside. We will keep the roof white but wanted to paint the veneer cabinetry a different colour - I was looking at greens or possibly blues but I think green is more in line with the look. I have tried Resene Stone Age but it seems to be quite yellow once painted on. Could you please give us further advice on what may work?

A. Some green colours that have the 1970s vibe might be like these ones - Resene Coriander or slightly lighter - Resene Half Coriander. Or try Resene Green Spring or a fresher green - Resene Pale Leaf.

Resene Stone Age
Resene Stone Age
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Coriander
Resene Half Coriander
Resene Green Spring
Resene Green Spring
Resene Pale Leaf
Resene Pale Leaf
December 2018

Q. Can you advise on an exterior wall colour for a house and a colour for the wooden front door, with the existing roof clad with COLORSTEEL® Lichen?

I am keen on Resene Alabaster for the exterior trims. I have used this colour inside for all trims, doors and ceilings. The interior colours are Resene Half Washed Green and Resene Robin Egg Blue.

I would like the exterior colour to complement and blend well with the interior, perhaps with being a more neutral colour.

The house is predominantly stucco with some weatherboard. My desire is to blend my home into the surrounding large country garden setting and rural pastureland landscape.

A. On the exterior, the roof colour does need to be taken into account. It is a very definite light olive tone.

The following are a few options that you might check out - Resene Ash, Resene Atmosphere, Resene Triple White Pointer, Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Half Delta or Resene Thorndon Cream. These colours work well with the crisp white (Resene Alabaster) trims and the Lichen roof colour.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Half Washed Green
Resene Half Washed Green
Resene Robin Egg Blue
Resene Robin Egg Blue
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Half Delta
Resene Half Delta
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
 
December 2018

Q. Can you please advise what is the deeper version of Resene Flotsam or similar? We need to put a darker colour with it, but need the same tone.

A. Resene Flotsam isn't a colour from a graduated tonal line but it is closely related to Resene Half Jumbo, Resene Mountain Mist CC, Resene Jumbo and Resene Suva Grey, Resene Triple Rakaia, Resene Half Baltic Sea or Resene Baltic Sea.

Resene Flotsam
Resene Flotsam
Resene Jumbo
Resene Half Jumbo
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Mountain Mist
Resene Jumbo
Resene Jumbo
Resene Suva GreyResene Suva Grey
Resene Suva Grey
Resene Triple Rakaia
Resene Triple Rakaia
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
December 2018

Q. We are building a house and the exterior will be COLORSTEEL®. We are deciding between TuiTuft (Resene Whitewater) or SandScape (Resene Lighthouse). The joinery will be a mid-charcoal grey. We are choosing a white for the interior and would like to choose a white which ties in with the exterior. Can you please give us some options for interior whites which would work with either the COLORSTEEL® Lighthouse or the COLORSTEEL® Whitewater? I am not sure if either of these colours are available as an interior paint colour.

A. Versions of both of the COLORSTEEL® colours can be made into any interior Resene paint. If you wanted to use a whiter/white with either of them - for ceilings and wood trims - you could check out the following suggestions - Resene Half Alabaster or Resene Half Black White or full strength and deeper variations of these. These work well with Whitewater or Lighthouse.

All colours on an exterior can look a lot lighter/brighter than you might imagine they will do, due to natural light stripping their depth and adding more of a reflection. COLORSTEEL® TuiTuft may look very white on an exterior, whereas COLORSTEEL® SandScape will look very slightly coloured.

Resene Whitewater
Resene Whitewater
Resene Lighthouse
Resene Lighthouse
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
December 2018

Q. On the 1960s style exterior I have silver aluminium joinery with brick and stucco. I would like Resene Pohutukawa red doors or a similar red and the house to be all over grey with one wall green. Can you please suggest some greys and greens to go with the joinery?

A. For greys try Resene Atmosphere, Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Grey Area, Resene Quarter Chicago or deeper toned - Resene Chicago or Resene Lattitude.

Some greens to check out - Resene Helix, Resene Viktor, Resene Templestone, Resene Condor, Resene Jurassic or Resene Canyon.

Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
   
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Atmosphere
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
 
Resene Quarter Chicago
Resene Quarter Chicago
Resene Chicago
Resene Chicago
Resene Lattitude
Resene Lattitude
Resene Viktor
Resene Viktor
Resene Templestone
Resene Templestone
 
Resene Condor
Resene Condor
Resene Jurassic
Resene Jurassic
Resene Canyon
Resene Canyon
December 2018

Q. We have an old cottage that needs painting. The roof has just been repainted in Resene Ironsand. I am looking for suggestions that will go with this and give the house a fresher, more modern look.

A. The following colours are worth checking out - Resene Truffle, Resene Double Thorndon Cream, Resene Double Ash or Resene Tea.

Are you wanting to continue using a deep colour on the windows etc or are you ready for a different theme?

I have included two types of options for the windows - a deep colour related to the roof and a universal pale neutral - Resene Quarter Ironsand or Resene Half Sea Fog.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Ash
Resene Double Ash
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
     
December 2018

Q. We are looking to use Resene Ying Yang on the interior walls and kitchen unit in a garden sleep out. What off white colour toning with Resene Ying Yang would be good for painting around window frames etc?

A. You could check out the following off white colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Rice Cake or (whiter) Resene Quarter Rice Cake, Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream or Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta.

Real white looks lovely and fresh with Resene Ying Yang also – try Resene White.

Resene Ying Yang
Resene Ying Yang
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene White
Resene White
December 2018

Q. We are renovating our weatherboard bach and going for a beachy look. We have decided on Appliance White joinery, and would like to choose a very light blue/grey colour for our weatherboards. We don’t want a huge contrast between the weatherboard and joinery. Also what colour roof would you suggest to match this?

A. These colours have a cool pale beachy vibe - you might check them out to see if any of them appeal to you - Resene Zircon, Resene Designer White, Resene Half Breathless, Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue or Resene White Island.

All colours on an exterior look lighter/brighter than you might expect them to so careful testing is recommended. If the roof iron is on a 45 degree angle to the sunlight light grey based colours can look like unpainted metal. I have recommended light to medium colours but if they are too pale both the following have full strength versions that you might check out. Try Resene Half Tuna or Resene Half Grey Friars.

Resene Zircon
Resene Zircon
Resene Designer White
Resene Designer White
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter
Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Tuna
Resene Half Grey Friars
Resene Half Grey Friars
December 2018

Q. We have just purchased a bach in a seaside town. We want to update both the interior and exterior of the house. I want something with a warm and cosy feel. Any suggestions welcome. I like neutrals but don’t mind colour just don’t know how to choose it.

A. For a warm and cosy ambiance one of the following colours may appeal to you - Resene Quarter Spanish White, Resene Eighth Fossil or Resene Eighth Akaroa.

Some lighter/brighter colours to check out - Resene Half Bianca or Resene Half Orchid White.

Resene Quarter Spanish White
Resene Quarter
Spanish White
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Fossil
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Eighth Akaroa
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
December 2018

Q. We are using Resene Merino through our house as we love the way it complements our red hued wood floors and trims. We wanted to do it throughout, however it doesn't work very well in the bedrooms where we have carpet in a light nut brown shade. We've found with swatches that Resene Eighth Tea would work well in the bedrooms; however we don't love the colour itself. Could you possibly suggest any whites/neutrals which look like a combination of Resene Merino and Resene Eighth Tea?

A. Perhaps one of the following may appeal to you - Resene Eighth Truffle, Resene Half Albescent White or Resene Milk White.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Tea
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Eighth Truffle
Resene Half Albescent White
Resene Half
Albescent White
Resene Milk White
Resene Milk White
December 2018

Q. I want to repaint our downstairs hallway a white colour that lifts and brightens. It has no natural light and is small/narrow. Which Resene white would you recommend?

A. Perhaps a white with a little warmth and sunlight in it may lift and brighten the hallway. You might check out the following to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Orchid White, Resene Half Bianca, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta or Resene Quarter Rice Cake.

Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
December 2018

Q. I am wondering about the colour Resene Juniper. Is there a colour slightly lighter in depth? In a previous house we used Resene Blue Smoke which would be too dark and got a testpot for Resene Pewter, which is a good depth but would like something perhaps less green/grey.

A. There are several colours that may work for you - Resene Ashanti, Resene Sea Nymph, Resene Undercover or Resene William.

Resene Juniper
Resene Juniper
Resene Blue Smoke
Resene Blue Smoke
Resene Pewter
Resene Pewter
Resene Ashanti
Resene Ashanti
Resene Sea Nymph
Resene Sea Nymph
Resene Undercover
Resene Undercover
December 2018

Q. I need to choose a house and roof colour. I like the neutral type colour like Resene Tea for the house and a grey for the roof.

A. Perhaps try one these neutral colours - Resene Half Truffle, Resene Quarter Cougar or Resene Quarter Napa.

The following greys are very smart - Resene Steel Grey, Resene Ironsand, Resene Grey Friars or Resene Half Baltic Sea.

Would you have the garage roller doors painted to match the roof?

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Cougar
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Quarter Napa
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
December 2018

Q. I need a paint colour to match Oamaru Stone.

A. It can be tricky matching Oamaru stone as paint will always look quite different compared to the subtle changing colours of the stone. But you might check out these colours to see if they suit – Resene Orchid White or Resene Half Orchid White.

Resene Orchid White
Resene Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
Resene Half Orchid White
December 2018

Q. I want to use Resene Sea Fog on the walls throughout our house but I am not sure if it's the best white to use.

Other than Resene Sea Fog, do you have any other suggestions on a good greyish type colour to use which can be used throughout a house. The house was built in the 90s, has grey carpets, and brown aluminium joinery for the windows etc.

A. You could use either of these whites - they will add a crisp contrast to the main colour – Resene Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Alabaster, Resene Eighth Black White or even real white – Resene White.

A greyish type of colour may need to have some earthy undertones in order to work well with the brown aluminium joinery – try Resene Truffle, Resene Eighth Stonehenge or Resene Eighth Friar Grey.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene White
Resene White
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Stonehenge
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
 
December 2018

Q. We need to re-paint an existing house clad in corrugated COLORSTEEL® Cloud. We have to use a colour of less than LRV60 on the walls and LRV30 on the roof. I am looking for a light grey on the walls (something like Resene Rakaia, Resene Triple Concrete, Resene Half Silver Chalice or Resene Pale Slate) and a darker grey on the roof, barges, fascia and gutters. What combinations would you suggest? We are looking for something to work with natural silver anodised joinery and cedar in Driftwood.

A. Colours to consider might be these ones - Resene Half Silver Chalice (LRV 56%), Resene Double Stack (LRV 25%), Resene Rakaia (LRV 56%), Resene Mid Grey (LRV 23%), Resene Eighth Tapa (LRV 54%) or Resene Gauntlet (LRV 25%).

Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Pale Slate
Resene Pale Slate
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Mid Grey
Resene Mid Grey
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Eighth Tapa
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
December 2018

Q. I am getting my house exterior painted and I want to have grey weatherboards with white windows. I have looked at Resene Iron and Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue but they are quite light. With that said, I prefer it lighter than dark. Could you please recommend a popular mid grey with white colour scheme for exterior paint?

A. Colours on an exterior often look a lot lighter/brighter than you might expect them to because of bright natural light stripping back any depth.

Some really lovely popular greys to check out - Resene Quarter Stack, Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Half Delta, Resene Half Mountain Mist or Resene Surrender.

If you use a crisp white - Resene Eighth Black White or even real white - Resene White - it will be a very nice contrast to the grey you choose.

Are you having the roof repainted as well? You might consider one of these options for the roof - Resene Ironsand, Resene Grey Friars, Resene Steel Grey, Resene Windswept or Resene Nocturnal.

Resene Iron
Resene Iron
Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter
Duck Egg Blue
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Half Delta
Resene Half Delta

Resene Half Mountain Mist
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene White
Resene White
 
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
December 2018

Q. We will be painting our 1920s bungalow. We have a new roof in Windsor Grey and think a white, cream or light grey would look good.

A. Windsor Grey is a very obliging and versatile dark colour so a lot of colours will work well with it. These colours are a few that may appeal to you - Resene Sea Fog, Resene Double Black White, Resene Merino, Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Half Silver Chalice or Resene Surrender.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double
Black White
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
December 2018

Q. I am painting a fence and concrete wall with Resene Bokara Grey. A trellis is going to be above the concrete wall and I wanted to stain it so it looks the same colour. Is there a stain colour that would be suitable?

A. No stain will look the same as a paint colour. Paint always looks a lot more densely coloured compared to the more 'see through' effect of stain. In order for the trellis to look the same colour as the fence and concrete wall you would have to paint the trellis Resene Bokara Grey.

You could try these stain colours that will have a little more contrast: Resene Woodsman Crowshead or Resene Woodsman Sheer Black.

Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Woodsman Crowshead
Resene Crowshead
Resene Sheer Black
Resene Sheer Black
December 2018

Q. My exterior house walls are vinyl clad in COLORBOND® Classic Cream. The iron roof and gutters are original zinc galv. colour. I don’t like classic cream! The items I can paint are the fascia, window frames, concrete patio, veranda awning, picket fence and fibro garage - any suggestions?

A. You could look at using three colours - a lighter creamy white for the picket fence and the entire fibro garage, and a lovely green for the fascia, window frames and veranda awning, with deeper green tone for the concrete patio - Resene Bianca, Resene Lemon Grass and Resene Quarter Karaka.

Resene Bianca
Resene Bianca
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Quarter Karaka
December 2018

Q. I am looking for a carpet colour to go with Resene Eighth Ash. It seems to have a greenish tinge in the rooms so some neutral shades will not go. Are there any rules to follow so that I get a neutral colour that gels?

A. Resene Eighth Ash is the palest/most neutral colour in the Resene Ash palette which is an earthy green. So it will appear a bit green in some lights/some rooms.

If you get the carpet people who visit, with a van full of carpet samples to come to you then you may find it easier.

Ask them to bring in samples of silver, warm taupe grey, beige, soft grey/green and cream tones. Carpet can look lighter when laid on the floor. This is because of the natural (day) and artificial (night) light. Look for mid-toned carpets rather than very dark or very pale. This is purely practical - both too dark and too light a carpet show dust and fluff, grubby foot marks and traffic.

Move the carpet sample from room to room so you can see how the colour appears to alter in each situation. Always view it flat on the floor right up close to the wall colour. Aim for a carpet that looks good 80% of the time - there will always be some time in a 24 hour period when it is less than perfect. If you find several that look good with the wall colour and all the other coloured elements in the rooms and still can't make up your mind, play the ‘Not So Good’ game. Place them together and remove the carpet sample that you like least of all - this one is ‘Not So Good’. Continue to do this until one sample is left - this is the right one/best one.

The carpet finally chosen may not have been one that you would have considered previously but the rooms/wall colour choose what looks best.
It takes time to choose.

Don't ask the carpet sales person which particular carpet colour is most popular - you and your home are unique and individual - don't follow popular trends just because they are popular now.

Don't ask all your friends and relatives which one they would choose - they all see colour differently to you. It is your eyes that must be pleased, your rooms that must look good, and your decor that must come together harmoniously.

Resene Eighth Ash
Resene Eighth Ash
December 2018

Q. We are having work done on our house built in 2000. The cladding is texture over polystyrene and the roof and windows are Grey Friars. We were going to repaint in the same colour but I feel we need a more modern colour for the exterior, maybe something lighter in the white shades. Can you please make some suggestions?

A. Some of the following lighter/whiter colours are worth checking out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Sea Fog, Resene Double Black White, Resene Barely There, Resene Athens Grey, Resene Quarter Surrender or Resene Half White Pointer.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double
Black White
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Half White Pointer
Resene Half White Pointer
December 2018

Q. What's your advice for small or subtle colour updates for the cooler months?
 

A. For changes over the cooler months, try use the coolness and cosiness as inspiration and go moody. Whether it’s a feature wall, a nook or the entire room; try the earthy hues of Resene Fifty Shades, Resene Pravda or Resene Wireless. Alternatively you could head to the trendy deep blues of Resene Dark Side or Resene Shadowy Blue to get this cosy feel also.
 
If you’re not into the deeper tones or colours, try the other end of the spectrum using a fresh warm white like Resene Half or Quarter Rice Cake and pair it with the relaxing Resene Eighth Lemon Grass.

Resene Fifty Shades
Resene Fifty Shades
Resene Pravda
Resene Pravda
Resene Wireless
Resene Wireless
Resene Dark Side
Resene Dark Side
Resene Shadowy Blue
Resene Shadowy Blue
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Lemon Grass
Resene Eighth
Lemon Grass
   
December 2018

Q. We've decided to paint our house in Resene Fast Forward. The roof and window frames are in Pioneer Red. We're struggling to find a colour for the barge boards and guttering. We were thinking of maybe a light blue, but are open to suggestions that will match with fast forward.

A. You might check out these light colours - they look lovely with Resene Fast Forward - Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Slipstream, Resene Zumthor or Resene Conch.

Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Zumthor
Resene Zumthor
Resene Conch
Resene Conch
December 2018

Q. I'm in need of a house colour. My fences are Windsor Grey, which I will be using on my trimmings; I’d like a mid-grey to match please?

A. Windsor Grey is a very black charcoal and almost any grey will work with it. Some of these colours may appeal to you - Resene Quarter Grey Friars, Resene Double Stack, Resene Gunsmoke, Resene Kensington Grey, Resene Double Silver Chalice, Resene Grey Area or Resene Gauntlet.

Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
December 2018

Q. We have chosen Resene Half Concrete for internal walls and Resene Eighth Black White for ceilings, trims and internal doors. We have a large set of glazed doors that leads to our living room that we would like to make a feature and paint in a dark charcoal. What do you suggest that would work with the colours already selected?

A. Here are a few charcoals that would work with the Resene Half Concrete: Resene Tuna, Resene Half Baltic Sea, Resene Nocturnal or Resene Grey Friars.

I have chosen colours that have a slight blue undertone, if you wanted to continue that undertone from the walls. You also have a couple of very neutral charcoals in there. Most of these colours also have associated family members which can be darker or lighter, just ask one of the staff in your local Resene ColorShop to show you the A4 swatches of each of these colours (or take colour charts home).

Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Eighth Black White
Resene Eighth Black White
 
Resene Tuna
Resene Tuna
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
December 2018

Q. What kind of white do I need to use to make a very dark space look lighter? The room faces south.

A. A lot of whites take on a grey cold look in a room like you describe. A warmer colour that isn't stark may make the very dark south facing room feel lighter. Perhaps you could check out one of these colours - Resene Half Bianca, Resene Eighth Spanish White or Resene Quarter Albescent White.

Resene Half Bianca
Resene Half Bianca
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Eighth
Spanish White
Resene Quarter Albescent White
Resene Quarter
Albescent White
December 2018

Q. I have bought a house painted pale yellow with dark red trim. The paintwork is faded and tired and the colour is not to my taste. I can’t afford to paint the whole house, so have painted the base of the house in Resene Half Masala, which is already toning down the yellow. I plan to also paint the window surrounds to get rid of the red trim there. My question is with future painting in mind what white or similar would suit trim and the Resene Half Masala base and what house colour would also eventually suit? I have thought of Resene Seashell for trim and Resene Half Concrete for the house so far.

A. Resene Seashell and Resene Half Concrete are very pretty and delicate with quite a silver/lilac undertone, but when they are put with the Masala palette they make it look sludgy. If you favour soft greys and whites I would recommend that you look at the following colours as they are more in tune with Resene Half Masala - Resene Sea Fog or Resene Black White, or a warmer white – Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

For the main colour on the house one of these colours may appeal to you - Resene Quill Grey, Resene Quarter Atmosphere, Resene Quarter Foggy Grey or Resene Double Barely There.

Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
Resene Seashell
Resene Seashell
Resene Half Concrete
Resene Half Concrete
 
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
 
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quill Grey
Resene Quarter Atmosphere
Resene Quarter Atmosphere
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Double Barely There
Resene Double
Barely There
December 2018

Q. We have Karaka barge boards and deck, with a white basement and Karaka garage door. What colour would go with this for the centre part of the house?

A. You have lots of possible options - these are just a few that you might check out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Double Thorndon Cream, Resene Ash, Resene Half Taupe Grey, Resene Eighth Stonewall or Resene Double Rice Cake.

Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Ash
Resene Ash
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Quarter Stonewall
Resene Eighth Stonewall
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
December 2018

Q. We have a 1960s bach that has bronze aluminium joinery. We would like to repaint in something striking - a really dark colour or a vibrant blue? Is there anything that will go with the bronze joinery?

A. You could check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Dark Web, Resene Suits, Resene Sambuca, Resene Indian Ink, Resene Spinnaker or Resene Billabong.

The blues will make the bronze joinery really stand out. The dark colours will as well but the windows may appear lighter/brighter by comparison.

Mid toned earthier colours that may help to merge in the bronze window joinery are - Resene Double Pravda or Resene Earthen.

Resene Sambuca
Resene Sambuca
Resene Indian Ink
Resene Indian Ink
Resene Spinnaker
Resene Spinnaker
Resene Billabong
Resene Billabong
Resene Double Pravda
Resene Double Pravda
December 2018

Q. I need to paint a whole house exterior. If I want to use a grey base colour with white trim, is there a grey that looks grey on sunny and dim days? What white goes with this that is stark but not overpowering? Is there a dark trim colour (not blue) but maybe charcoal that stays charcoal in different light and will blend with grey? I have a lot of lattice on my house. The doors on my house are stained cedar.

A. All colours alter during the daylight hours - they also change how they look on different aspects of the house - N/S/E/W.

The following are some greys, whites and charcoals - please take the time to test them so you can see how they will look when the light changes - Resene Quarter Stack, Resene Alabaster and Resene Nocturnal, or Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Black White or Resene Double Cod Grey.

Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Cod Grey
December 2018

Q. I'm looking to paint the gable ends of my Oamaru Stone house. They are currently Resene Tea but I would like to try something different, maybe a charcoal? But I don't want anything with a blue tint. I'm looking at Resene Zeus. Are there any other colours you would recommend that suit light colour brick, even if they are not in a charcoal colour I'm open to any ideas. My roof is an old dark tile and the window frames are black.

A. Resene Zeus is a good charcoal but the following are some others that you might check out - Resene Double Ironsand, Resene Diesel or Resene Shark.

Alternatively softer toned interesting green colours like these ones might offer you a different way to go - Resene Double Tapa, Resene Rivergum, Resene Touchstone or Resene Castle Rock.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Zeus
Resene Zeus
Resene Diesel
Resene Diesel
Resene Shark
Resene Shark
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Double Tapa
Resene Rivergum
Resene Rivergum
Resene Touchstone
Resene Touchstone
Resene Castle Rock
Resene Castle Rock
December 2018

Q. We are trying to find an exterior colour scheme for our 1970s house. We will be painting the roof (currently green), the brick (using Resene X-200), the walls/trim where the balcony is (ignore the colour of the balustrade, it will be replaced), the bottom concrete blocks and the red panels at the front and sides of the house.

We're just after something pretty neutral but struggling to figure out what would work. The house is in a rural area.

A. Because there is less colour options to choose from on the roof paint I suggest you start there. A warm dark charcoal - Resene Ironsand - or a deep rich olive green - Resene Karaka may be considered.

The bricks and the concrete blocks could be the same colour. It is the simple approach and it stops the layered sandwich effect when the concrete blocks are painted a different colour.

Perhaps one of these neutrals may appeal to you - Resene Truffle, Resene Cloudy, Resene Triple White Pointer or Resene Double Thorndon Cream.

The timber gables and upper storey where the balcony is could be one of the following colours – Resene Quarter Ironsand or Resene Quarter Karaka.

They are softer/lighter variants of the roof colour so the upper storey doesn't feel overly dark. It is a tonal approach which helps all of the varying elements on the house co-ordinate harmoniously.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Karaka
Resene Karaka
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Cloudy
Resene Cloudy
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Triple White Pointer
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Quarter Karaka
December 2018

Q. I am looking for some colour scheme guidance for a 1907 villa. I was thinking of a monochrome colour palette, potentially grey weatherboards and white trim, however advice from an expert would be appreciated.

A. If you like the timelessness of several tints of the same grey, a crisp white and (possibly) a little charcoal black then the following colours may appeal to you - Resene Eighth Friar Grey/Resene Friar Grey, Resene Half Silver Chalice/Resene Double Silver Chalice or Resene Quarter Delta/Resene Delta.

Two tonally related greys offer you a very pale and a deeper colour to embellish the house in a harmonious way.

Whites that work well with greys are Resene Quarter Black White or Resene Quarter Alabaster.

And perhaps a dark charcoal or black for some small detail worthy of being highlighted - Resene Nocturnal, Resene Baltic Sea or Resene Cod Grey.

Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Half Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Quarter Delta
Resene Delta
Resene Delta
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Quarter Alabaster
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Cod Grey
Resene Cod Grey
December 2018

Q. We are in the process of choosing an interior colour for our north facing house, which gets a lot of sun and has large rooms. We have a light-mid grey carpet (with a hint of brown) and would like a white wall theme that has some warmth. For walls we have chosen Resene Triple Alabaster. Do you think this will look good with Resene Alabaster trims and doors? We are thinking of sticking with Resene Triple Alabaster for the ceiling and we are also considering Resene Triple Alabaster for trims/doors.

A. The ceiling may look to be a deeper colour than the walls - even if it is the same colour. This is because of the way the light creates shadows across the ceilings.

Do you want the ceiling to look lighter or deeper than the walls? If you want it to be lighter to create a contrast - and to enhance the wall colour - then you might use Resene Alabaster. It is the same for the trims/doors - do you want a crisp clean contrast or do you want all the trims and doors to merge into the wall colour?

North facing rooms get more sunlight further into the rooms in winter when the sun is lower in the sky. The summer sun - which is higher in the sky - only comes into the rooms about two metres across the floors. The rooms may have shadowy walls. This may have a bearing on how the wall colour looks.

On some walls the Resene Triple Alabaster may look more like Resene Sea Fog and have some grey undertone. Will this be ok? Take your time to carefully test colours to ensure it looks as you expect it to look.

Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Triple Alabaster

(aka Resene Half Sea Fog)
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
December 2018

Q. I’d like some mid-khaki green to paint the outdoor sills of an old villa. The walls are Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream and the window facings are Resene Organic.

A. A mid-toned khaki green may not work as well with the colour of the facings - Resene Organic. Some mid-toned khaki colours are dirtier types of colour compared to fresher green of the Resene Organic. Will that matter to you?

You might check out these mid toned khaki colours - Resene Raptor, Resene Camouflage or Resene Hemlock.

And some other mid toned greens that are less khaki influenced for you to look at - Resene Siam, Resene Paddock, Resene Cabbage Pont or Resene Kelp.

Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Organic
Resene Organic
Resene Raptor
Resene Raptor
Resene Camouflage
Resene Camouflage
Resene Hemlock
Resene Hemlock
Resene Siam
Resene Siam
Resene Paddock
Resene Paddock
Resene Cabbage Pont
Resene Cabbage Pont
Resene Kelp
Resene Kelp
 
December 2018

Q. The exterior of my house is currently being painted in Resene Foggy Grey and Resene Ironsand. I wanted to paint the front door a different fun colour but I am struggling to decide which colour. What would you put with those colours?

A. The following are some 'different' colours that you might check out for the front door. They may be fun colours to you - or just interesting - please check them out to see what you think - Resene I Dare You, Resene Jail Break, Resene Yowza, Resene Untamed or Resene Code Red.

Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Code Red
Resene Code Red
December 2018

Q. I’m thinking it would be good to remove the 60s look of my house and thought painting the plaster and brick all one colour would be a good idea. What are my other options?

I was thinking a lighter grey all over with a darker grey on the sills and garage door. I secretly want a red front door but not sure how this would work. Eventually the roof will be Grey Friars when it’s replaced.

The front has a brick stripe down the bottom of the house. Out the back its right through the middle of the back wall as the section slopes down. I don’t want to highlight the brick as I’ll end up with a weird stripe out the back.

A. It will give your house a completely different look to paint it all one colour - it will get rid of the brick 'sandwich' and high basement area at the back of the house that you dislike now.

The following are some greys you might look at to see if they appeal to you - Resene Geyser, Resene Surrender, Resene Triple Concrete or Resene Grey Chateau.

If you plan on having a Grey Friars roof eventually then you could paint the garage door and window sills that colour now - Resene Grey Friars.

A red front door is a definite possibility - you may need to check out a few reds to see which one appeals to you, but any one of these looks really lovely with greys, whites and a charcoal like Grey Friars - Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Salsa or Resene Code Red.

Resene Geyser
Resene Geyser
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Grey Friars
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Pohutukawa
Resene Salsa
Resene Salsa
Resene Code Red
Resene Code Red
   
December 2018

Q. I need a white contrast colour for my windows, doors, and balustrades. I’m not sure what white the house is painted. It is a wooden colonial house and we recently painted the roof Grey Friars.

A. It is a very classic look to have a colonial house painted all in white.

I think if you used a standard true white - Resene White for the windows and other trims it will work with any other white. But if you were to use a 'coloured' white, you may find that it looked coloured compared to the white of the house.

Resene White
Resene White
December 2018

Q. We want to paint the outside of our 1950s two-storey weatherboard house. We live on a hill that borders a reserve and backs onto lovely greenery. We have direct neighbours on one side on the hill (pale yellow house at moment but he's doing it up slowly), and a couple of smaller houses on the flat with muted grey colours/pale greens. Our neighbourhood is a mish mash of styles of homes, so conforming isn't too much of a thing for us, but just giving you some context.

Our house is very visible from the street, and lots of people drive up our valley because the reserve next door to us is a mountain bike park. So we're quite the marker.

The main faces of the house face west (front face) and north (side with chimney). For the exterior, we'd prefer going for a fresh, contemporary, on-trend style with a splash of a bold colour. But we don't want to be too stark or cold or too blindingly bright on the hill. At the moment, we've got testers on the house for Resene Half Duck Egg Blue (main colour of weatherboards), Resene Persian Red or Resene Smoulder for the accents (front and back door, stucco chimney on north side), and either plain white semi-gloss enamel for the windows, frames and sills or maybe an off-white, like Resene Rice Cake or Resene Alabaster.

We're concerned that the house will look too dull grey, or too blindingly bright on the sunny side, which is seen from the road (about 30 metres away, line of sight.

We toyed with the idea of a light cream as the main weatherboard colour, but we don't want it to yellow in the sun and look dated. I think a fresh/contemporary look is key here, and those very light greys seem to be 'in' nowadays. But we are open to any suggestions and look forward to hearing your recommendations/combinations given the position of our home.

A. If you have applied test colours to the coloured exterior then you probably are not seeing them as they are in reality. I always recommend that all of a testpot (two coats) be applied to an A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) leaving a narrow unpainted (white card) border all around the perimeter. This gives you about 1 square metre of colour. It allows you to move the card all around the house so you can see how changing natural light alters how you see the colour. The unpainted border acts as a barrier to stop the existing house colour from negatively influencing how the test colour is seen.

Colours do appear quite a bit lighter/brighter than you might imagine they will do because of bright sunlight washing out the depth of the colour. Because of that, I recommend slightly deeper colours - if you are keen on Resene Half Duck Egg then using Resene Duck Egg Blue may be better and it will look like Resene Half Duck Egg Blue on the bright sides of the house.

If you do feel it is too grey then perhaps using a slightly green edged colour may be better - i.e. Resene Half Robin Egg Blue or Resene Emerge or one that has a bit more blue in it - i.e. Resene Periglacial Blue may appeal to you.

A true white in a gloss finish will emphasise the main house colour and add crisp contrast. But if you wanted a 'coloured' white (that was less optically clean and crisp) then certainly Resene Half Rice Cake will 'warm up' the overall look or Resene Half Alabaster will look slightly softer overall.

Using a red for the doors, is going to add some lovely rich ambiance - if it was on the chimney as well it would really draw a lot of attention. Resene Smoulder and Resene Persian Red are what I would call deep reds with a serious demeanour. You might look at another red that has a wee bit less depth and a bit more soft edged fire to it - i.e. Resene Avant Garde.

Had you thought of using a deep colour on the base of the house, the steps and porches, the door steps and possibly even the chimney (instead of red) to add a bit more colour? If you did then you could check out one of these colours - Resene Fast Forward (an interesting blue/green), Resene Balderdash (a slate blue grey) or Resene Dark Slate (an earthy slate green).

Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Persian Red
Resene Persian Red
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
Resene Half Robin Egg Blue
Resene Emerge
Resene Emerge
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Periglacial Blue
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Avant Garde
Resene Avant Garde
Resene Balderdash
Resene Balderdash
Resene Dark Slate
Resene Dark Slate
   
December 2018

Q. We are building a four bedroom house and we want to use COLORSTEEL® cladding for one side of the house, and LINEA® oblique cladding for the other side. For COLORSTEEL® cladding we chose FlaxPod, and are now thinking about colour for oblique cladding, door, windows and roof. We cannot use very light colour for the house as it has to be less than LRV 33%. We are thinking about using Resene Nero for the oblique, and maybe Resene All Black (Ebony) for windows and roof. The door will be a wooden door but we are worried this will make the house a bit too dark.

A. It may be a very dark house if you go with your original thoughts. It could be a bit oppressive. Perhaps using a deep colour that isn't as black as the roof and window joinery and looks good with the FlaxPod cladding and provides a little more contrast might be considered.

The following deep colours for the LINEA® might be checked out to see if they appeal to you - Resene Baltic Sea or even slightly lighter - Resene Half Baltic Sea (these colours meet the LRV criteria – Resene Baltic Sea is LRV 10% and Resene Half Baltic Sea is LRV 15%) or Resene Fuscous Grey or slightly lighter - Resene Half Fuscous Grey (these colours meet the LRV criteria – Resene Fuscous Grey is LRV 9% and Resene Half Fuscous Grey is LRV 13%).

Or alternatively these ones - Resene Scarpa Flow (LRV 31%), Resene Half Scarpa Flow (LRV 22%) or Resene Ship Grey (LRV 13%). The second of these three (Resene Half Scarpa Flow) falls into the LRV criteria and is less than 33% but it may be considered too light for you.

Resene Nero
Resene Nero
Resene All Black
Resene All Black
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
 
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Scarpa Flow
Resene Half Scarpa Flow
Resene Half Scarpa Flow
Resene Ship Grey
Resene Ship Grey
December 2018

Q. We want to paint our house but have Rivergum joinery/roof colour which doesn't seem to go with much. I was looking at using Resene Archive Grey but having the right section of the house that sticks out more, in a complementary colour, maybe Resene Chicago. Would this work or could you suggest any other ideas?

A. These colours might also be worth checking out as well as those you mention - Resene Half Taupe Grey with Resene Cobblestone, or Resene Foggy Grey with Resene Tapa.

My thoughts are that the right section of the house should not be too attention seeking - hence the softer deep colours I have suggested - unless you think it is really wonderful (or architecturally beautiful) and worthy of being a dark feature colour.

Resene Archive Grey
Resene Archive Grey
Resene Chicago
Resene Chicago
   
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Cobblestone
Resene Cobblestone
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Foggy Grey
Resene Tapa
Resene Tapa
December 2018

Q. I am looking to paint a doctor’s surgery I own and we need to decide on the colours and we really need some expert help. We want to freshen it up and give it a more modern business feel. It is based in a home.

A. If you stick with neutrals it won't date and the overall look will be smart and professional.

Main colour for house and garage - Resene Double Thorndon Cream; under the soffits, barge boards, window frames, door frames - Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream; garage roller door, handrail, steps/porch - Resene Quarter Ironsand, roof - both house and garage - Resene Ironsand, surgery door - reception - Resene Fast Forward, surgery door - Resene Triple Thorndon Cream and fences - Resene Ironsand.

Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double
Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth
Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple
Thorndon Cream
December 2018

Q. We have moved into a home where the trims and ceilings, doors are Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream. The kitchen cabinets are Resene Sandcastle. Currently all the walls everywhere are Resene Half Sandcastle. We would like to change the walls to a lighter colour and don’t want to repaint the trims, ceiling etc as they are in good condition. Do we go for Resene Half Thorndon Cream?

A. To try to introduce another type of colour for the walls may be tricky. Because the kitchen cabinets are such a definite colour - Resene Sandcastle - and you are not changing the ceiling and trim colour Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream then the answer is yes. Resene Half Thorndon Cream will work very well.

Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter
Thorndon Cream
Resene Sandcastle
Resene Sandcastle
Resene Half Sandcastle
Resene Half Sandcastle
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half
Thorndon Cream
December 2018

Q. We are having a new roof in COLORCOTE® corrugated steel, colour Seabird. We are thinking of having Canvas Cloth for the aluminium joinery. Could you give us ideas as to what would be suitable colours for the fascia and soffits? The house is Lockwood white.

A. In order to link in the Canvas Cloth so it isn't the only (lonely) cream/grey/beige on the house you might check out these colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Half Cougar or Resene Half Truffle.

Alternatively you could ask Resene staff about using a Resene version of the Canvas Cloth colour.

Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Cougar
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
December 2018

Q. I've painted my weatherboards in Resene Double Linen and I was thinking of doing the timber windows in a white colour. I was wondering which white colour you would recommend to go with Resene Double Linen.

A. Any of the following 'whites' will work very well with Resene Double Linen - Resene Quarter Black White, Resene Half Alabaster, Resene Quarter Merino or alternatively you could use real white - Resene White which is always right and enhances the depth and undertones in all colours.

Resene Double Linen
Resene Double Linen
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene Quarter Merino
Resene White
Resene White
December 2018

Q. My 1970s two storey house has a concrete block base and light brick second storey. The roof and garage door are a dark grey. We also have decking off the second storey with solid cement sheeting and glass balustrades. I want to unite the whole house so was thinking of painting entire house in a white/grey such as Resene Triple Sea Fog and using a dark contrast but am confused as to what would go well together.

A. Resene Triple Sea Fog is a lovely warm toned grey/white that works really well with many colours. Without knowing which particular dark grey the roof and garage door is I am a little bit hesitant to suggest deep contrast colours. I would like to know that what I suggest will work well over all with what you already have. But if you just wanted a deep contrast colour and weren't worried about whether or not it was harmonious with the roof and garage colour then one of the following might be appealing - Resene Volcano, Resene Half Forest Green, Resene Cello, Resene True Blue or Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey.

Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Volcano
Resene Volcano
Resene Half Forest Green
Resene Half Forest Green
Resene Cello
Resene Cello
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
December 2018

Q. We would like updated colours please for a 1920s home. The green roof and gold is very dated. Do we change both colours or one or the other?

A.. It is always tricky if one of the existing colours remains the same as it compromises what changes you might make. I suggest it is timely to change all colours to achieve the most impact.

Some new options for you to consider - Resene Element - roof, Resene Bone White - main colour and Resene Helium - contrast trims.

Or Resene Lattitude – roof, Resene White Pointer - main colour and Resene Triple Duck Egg Blue - contrast trims.

But if changing the cottage green roof is not an option then you might consider these warm white colours as they will work well with a strong very definite green - Resene Rice Cake - main colour and Resene Quarter Rice Cake - contrast trims.

Resene Element
Resene Element
Resene Bone White
Resene Bone White
Resene Helium
Resene Helium
Resene Lattitude
Resene Lattitude
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
 
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
 
December 2018

Q. We are moving into a new house and the wall colour in the bedrooms is Resene Tea. In one room there is a brownish orange as a feature wall and in another there is a brighter orange feature wall. I was just wondering what other colours you could suggest that might go nicely with Resene Tea as a feature wall? We really don’t like the orange. There are five bedrooms (including a girl’s nursery and little boy’s bedroom) so we are looking for five different colours. I do like pastels but can’t imagine pastel colours working with Resene Tea.

A. You may be right when you say you can't imagine pastel colours working with Resene Tea. It is a very definite colour and even though it is versatile with other neutrals it can be a sticking point when trying for a lighter or prettier lot of colours to work with it. The paler variants of Tea - Resene Half Tea and Resene Quarter Tea - are far more obliging when used with feature wall colours.

The following (light/mid toned) colours are a few that would work with (full strength) Resene Tea - Resene Artemis, Resene BBF, Resene Triple Duck Egg, Resene Time after Time, or Resene Quarter Baltic Sea.

Another thought I had is if three walls were painted Resene Quarter Tea then the balance of the colours would shift to an overall lighter look that stops the one wall of full strength Resene Tea from being ' too much' and then allows you to exploit pretty or paler pastel colours in bed linen, drapes, artwork, painted furniture or accessories.

Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Half Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Tea
Resene Quarter Baltic Sea
Resene Quarter Baltic Sea
December 2018

Q. We are repainting our plaster house in Resene Double Sea Fog or Resene Triple Sea Fog. There are LINEA® board gable ends that we’d like to paint in an almost black or dark colour, what would be a good choice to complement these?

A. You might check out the following colours to see if any appeal to you - Resene Ironsand, Resene Double Gravel, Resene Foundry or Resene Nocturnal.

Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Double Gravel
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Nocturnal
Resene Nocturnal
December 2018

Q. I'm getting ready to paint the exterior of my 70s house. I dislike the reddy/brown on the top half, and the white on the bottom half is blinding when in the sun. I'm thinking perhaps a Tea colour on top, with a lighter shade below, or similar with soft sandy colour. I'm also open to something more 'creative' if you have an idea.

A. Are you keeping the green garage doors? Or changing the colour of them so they co-ordinate with your new colours? You might need to consider that.

Some colours to check out - Resene Triple Tea – upper, Resene Tea – lower. These colours will look nice with the existing green garage doors but if you wanted a completely different colour you might consider using Resene Double Napa - this will create a sophisticated tonally related look.

Or try these colours - Resene Bison Hide – upper, Resene Half Parchment.

These colours will look nice with the existing green garage doors but if you wanted a completely different colour you might consider using Resene Stonewall - this will create a sophisticated tonally related look, or you may consider using Resene Spanish Green (slightly lighter than the garage doors) for the lower storey and Resene Bone White for the upper storey.

Resene Triple Tea
Resene Triple Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Tea
Resene Double Napa
Resene Double Napa
   
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Bison Hide
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Half Parchment
Resene Stonewall
Resene Stonewall
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Bone White
Resene Bone White
December 2018

Q. We've just painted our house exterior Resene Hammerhead (weatherboards and render) and window frames Appliance White. I'm stuck on the roof colour. I'm thinking perhaps Resene Mid Grey or Resene Double Stack. We would like to go lighter on the roof with a grey colour.

A. If you want the grey of the roof to be a completely different tone of grey compared to the blue/grey of the main colour on the house then either of the two that you mention would be ok.

But if you would prefer a grey colour that was slightly more related to the Resene Hammerhead CC then you might check out the following greys to see if one may appeal to you - Resene Raven, Resene Grey Chateau or Resene Quarter Grey Friars.

Resene Hammerhead
Resene Hammerhead
Resene Mid Grey
Resene Mid Grey
Resene Double Stack
Resene Double Stack
Resene Raven
Resene Raven
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Grey Chateau
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
Resene Quarter Grey Friars
December 2018

Q. We are building a new home which has three different exterior finishes - metal cladding in a Foundry colour, cedar stained Resene Natural and Integra plaster finish which we were going to paint Resene Black White. The covenants say no exterior colours with more than a 60% LRV so we are stuck with what shade of white (not too bright) to paint the plaster, that will complement the Foundry colour or possibly a light grey - but which one?

A. Definite restrictive LRV (Light Reflective Values) are tricky to work with if the criteria is a part of the build requirements. But the following light greys may be helpful – Resene Double Concrete (LRV 61%), or lighter - Resene Concrete (LRV 70%), or Resene Quarter Foggy Grey (LRV 64%) or Resene Athens Grey (LRV 74%).

Resene Natural
Resene Natural
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Quarter Foggy Grey
Resene Athens Grey
Resene Athens Grey
December 2018

Q. We have purchased a house in need of a huge clean-up and makeover. It is currently a 90s cream, with a slatted carport and garage roof in New Denim Blue, Wedgewood joinery and the house roof is unknown but is a darkish grey. We plan to finish the front under deck with baseboards. I'm thinking the slats on carport would be nice in a darker colour to house and would prefer to leave the extensive decking unpainted.

A. It is always tricky finding a new look when you have a very definite colour that is not being changed. In your case Resene Wedgewood is the colour that will either say 'Yes!' or 'No way!' when you test colours next to it.

You might check out the following suggestions for the house to see if they appeal to you and work with the Resene Wedgewood windows – Resene Quarter Bison Hide, Resene Half Truffle, Resene Triple Concrete, Resene Half Rice Cake or Resene Black White.

Perhaps if the slats on the carport and the under deck baseboards were the same colour to create a co-ordinated link it might be harmonious. Darker colours like these ones might be worth checking out but definitely no more blue as you have plenty of those happening already. Try Resene Double Cod Grey or Resene Double Foundry.

If you didn't want the baseboards under the deck to be a dark colour then the default would be to paint them the same colour as the house.

Resene Wedgewood
Resene Wedgewood
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Quarter Bison Hide
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Half Truffle
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Double Foundry
December 2018

Q. I want to paint the walls of our house Resene Quarter Rice Cake. Most of the house receives plenty of sunlight in the afternoon. I am unsure what the current ceiling/trim colour is, but it appears very white. Would you recommend keeping this or changing it?

A. If the ceiling appears very white it may well be real Resene White. I can't think of any reason that you would change it if you are happy with it.

If you paint the walls in all the rooms the same colour you may need the crisper clean real Resene White on the ceilings (and perhaps woodwork) to make the wall colour appear to be a colour and not just white.

Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter
Rice Cake
Resene White
Resene White
December 2018

Q. We have recently painted our 1980s style bach in Resene Ironsand. We need to paint the deck, including deck surround and we’re unsure what colour would work best. We tried Resene Truffle but that looks slightly pinkish.

A. You may need to consider a slightly deeper colour or a paler variant of Resene Ironsand - had you thought of that? Perhaps one of these colours may appeal to you – Resene Eighth Ironsand, Resene Half Masala, Resene Pravda, Resene Triple Truffle, Resene Friar Grey or Resene Stonehenge.

Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Truffle
Resene Truffle
Resene Half Masala
Resene Half Masala
Resene Pravda
Resene Pravda
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Triple Truffle
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Friar Grey
Resene Stonehenge
Resene Stonehenge
 
December 2018

Q. I want to paint a room using a black, white and grey theme but am not sure of the combination. I have testpots for Resene Alabaster, Resene Black White and Resene Double Concrete. The room is north facing and has two adjoining aluminium framed windows. The house is a 1950s built house so has natural hardwood flooring covered by carpet that I will be removing. Can you please tell me what colours in the black, white and grey range would go well together?

A. You might check out these ones – Resene Noir with Resene Surrender, Resene Quarter Surrender and Resene Poured Milk. Or Resene Double Cod Grey with Resene Gauntlet, Resene Grey Seal and Resene Half Sea Fog.

There are many other combinations but these ones may get you started.

Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Surrender
Resene Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Gauntlet
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
   
December 2018

Q. I am looking for a shade of orange that promotes creativity and wonder do you know what combination would spark that idea or attitude?

A. Deeper shades of orange are more earthy and natural - like clay, bricks and terracotta - and are not so stimulating. Very bright oranges are social and gregarious and paler oranges are warming and comfortable. I expect it depends upon the individual which orange might inspire creativity.

If you can pop into a Resene ColorShop and view the A4 real paint samples in their Colour Library I suggest you check out the following – Resene Chilean Fire, Resene Kamikaze or Resene Tango.

Resene Chilean Fire
Resene Chilean Fire
Resene Kamikaze
Resene Kamikaze
Resene Tango
Resene Tango
December 2018

Q. I have a stucco home at the beach with roof exposure only on the garage. I am liking Resene Gravel and looking at Resene Alabaster on the joinery and Resene Windswept on the roof. Does this combo sounds okay? Is Resene Alabaster too sharp if there is a third colour or all good?

A.. If you want to see very little difference between the roof colour and the main colour on the house then Resene Windswept and Resene Gravel are fine. But if you wanted to notice a difference between them then you might lighten the roof colour to Resene Gunsmoke or alternatively lighten the house colour to Resene Half Gravel.

A white that isn't as clean and crisp for the joinery might be Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Double Alabaster - this is also known as Resene Quarter Sea Fog.

Resene Gravel
Resene Gravel
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Windswept
Resene Windswept
 
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Gunsmoke
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Gravel
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
December 2018

Q. I have a 1970s weatherboard house that I am wanting to have painted this summer. The house is currently a medium brown; I'm thinking Resene Malta but there are issues with blistering so I am thinking I should go a lighter shade. I have had the roof and spouting replaced recently. The colour of these are Ironsand. I would very much appreciate your opinion on a colour for the window surrounds and weatherboard, something that will make the house look modern and clean.

A. If you like the warmth, mushroom/beige, of Resene Malta with the warm olive/brown/charcoal of the Ironsand then you might consider using one of the following lighter colours – Resene Half Malta or Resene Quarter Malta.

Either of these have very good light reflectance. Blistering can occur from trapped moisture on the surface of the timber under the paint. This could be from a temperature drop to sudden cool/moist weather after very hot sunny days during the painting cure time.

Resene Malta
Resene Malta
Resene Half Malta
Resene Half Malta
Resene Quarter Malta
Resene Quarter Malta
December 2018

Q. We are looking at painting the exterior of our house grey with white windows, but are just wondering which grey and which white?

A. Perhaps one of these options may suit – Resene Silver Chalice with Resene Quarter Black White, or Resene Eighth Friar Grey with Resene Double Alabaster, or Resene Quarter Stack with Resene White.

Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene White
Resene White
   
December 2018

Q. I need help with complementary colours for Resene Double Sisal in a bedroom. We are going to go natural browns for furniture and bring in pot plants. I also need suggestions for duvet colours and tones in an art piece and vases.

A.. It is often easier to find duvets, art pieces etc that you adore first and then find a colour for the walls lastly as it does give you more freedom of choice. But some nice accent and contrast colours might be like these colours - lighter colours such as Resene Half Villa White or Resene Half Sisal, or deeper or bolder colours such as Resene Atlas, Resene New Leaf, Resene Smoulder, Resene Salsa, Resene King Tide, Resene True Blue or Resene Dark Web.

Resene Double Sisal
Resene Double Sisal
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Villa White
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Half Sisal
Resene Atlas
Resene Atlas
Resene Salsa
Resene Salsa
Resene True Blue
Resene True Blue
   
December 2018

Q. We are building in the New Year on 30 acres with amazing views. The house joinery will be Black Coal Dust which has a little sparkle in it. The cladding is board and batten which will be a shade of Resene Black. The carpet will be laid in the bedrooms and office/linen cupboard only and the rest of the floor will be marble finish polished concrete which will be heated. My question is about internal colours. I have a bold colour personality however I thought that I would I would stick to a combination of blacks, whites and greys. My daughter was keen on Resene Foundry for her bedroom however I’m not sure it goes with the carpet we are planning. I think I would like a dark colour in the bathrooms (with white textured tiles), a dark bold entry and a dark colour behind the couch off the entry. I want this house to have some individuality/boldness/wow factor.

A. If you were to look at the following greys as a start point to see how they look with the other warm coloured items you have chosen – Resene Fuscous Grey, Resene Half Fuscous Grey or Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey. Using a few 'whites' like the following may allow you to exploit bold colour accents – Resene Double Alabaster, which could be a main interior colour, or Resene Alabaster – this or Resene Half Alabaster could be used for ceilings and doors.

A nice 'dark' soft toned black that could be a feature in the entry or behind a sofa is Resene Porter. A very nice teal influenced colour might be a bold colour such as Resene Dauntless, Resene Retreat, Resene Fountain Blue or Resene Morning Glory. And just in case you favour warmer bold colours check out these ones – Resene Celery, Resene Energy Yellow or Resene Ecstasy.

I recommend that you gather samples: paint, wallpaper and fabric that you favour and start to build the dream. Bolder colours might be accessories or smaller elements of soft furnishings or possibly artwork.

If you paint up very large paint samples onto an A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) using two coats/all of the testpot leaving a narrow unpainted border all around the perimeter then it helps you to see the true depth and reality of a colour it can be placed vertically behind the sofa, the carpet, the tiles, the kitchen cabinetry and work tops so you can see how they respond to each other. Don't lay the colour samples flat, unless you intend to paint the floor, as they won't be like that when they are in situ.

Once your walls are built you can move the large painted samples around to see how light, shade and angles influence the colours and alter how they are seen. That will allow you to modify what colours are used if needed.

Resene Black
Resene Black
Resene Foundry
Resene Foundry
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Half Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey
Resene Quarter
Fuscous Grey
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster
Resene Dauntless
Resene Dauntless
Resene Retreat
Resene Retreat
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Morning Glory
Resene Celery
Resene Celery
Resene Energy Yellow
Resene Energy Yellow
Resene Ecstasy
Resene Ecstasy
 
December 2018

Q. We are building a new house. My kitchen cupboards are Melteca Snowdrift satin and the bench is pearl lava (grey) engineered stone. The ceiling is ply in a light stain. What neutral colour do you suggest for the kitchen? Resene White Pointer has been suggested but I’m not sure. I have had shades of Resene Spanish White and Resene Blanc in previous homes so would like to have something different.

A. You might check out the following colours to see if they appeal to you – Resene House White, Resene Barely There, Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Double Sea Fog or Resene Double Black White.

If you do all ceilings and wooden trims/doors etc in a 'white' like one of these it will enhance the wall colour and add a nice crisp contrast. Try Resene Quarter Black White or Resene Alabaster.

Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
Resene Blanc
Resene Blanc
Resene House White
Resene House White
Resene Barely There
Resene Barely There
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Quarter Truffle
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Alabaster
Resene Alabaster

December 2018


Q. We have painted our kitchen dining area Resene Merino and are going to remove the tiles and put in a glass splashback. The intention is to have a complementary Resene colour. Any suggestions? We tried Resene Triple Merino - too light. Resene Grey Suit - nah. Resene Linen - bit light?

A. A complementary colour might be any of the following – Resene Grey Area, Resene Templestone, Resene Tana or Resene Half Taupe Grey.

Resene Merino
Resene Merino

Resene Triple Merino
Resene Grey Suit
Resene Grey Suit
Resene Linen
Resene Linen
Resene Templestone
Resene Templestone
Resene Tana
Resene Tana
Resene Half Taupe Grey
Resene Half Taupe Grey
 
January 2019

Q. What colour/s for the baseboards, roof, garage doors, front door and the painted parts of the deck would go with the dark brown aluminium joinery? I am looking at something like Resene Triple Sea Fog for the walls.

A. If you favour Resene Triple Sea Fog for the main colour on the house the following colours work well with it and the dark brown aluminium window joinery - roof and garage door - Resene Ironsand (much darker than the windows but with an earthy olive/brown depth that works to link them), bottom base boards/roof line fascias - Resene Half Sea Fog (a lighter version of main colour) or Resene Eighth Ironsand (a soft but definite version of the roof colour), painted parts of the deck - Resene Artemis and for a front door - Resene Fast Forward or Resene Smoulder.

Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Triple Sea Fog
Resene Ironsand
Resene Ironsand
Resene Half Sea Fog
Resene Half Sea Fog
January 2019

Q. We are building a new house. We are thinking of painting the interior in Resene Quarter Rakaia as we don't want to have a white house. Would Resene Quarter Stack, Resene Steel Grey, Resene Double Concrete and Resene Inside Back go with them? Is Resene Quarter Rakaia warm enough to do a whole house in?

A. I recommend that you choose all the flooring and the kitchen cabinets and worktops first, as there are far less options available in these items - and they are far more expensive than paint.

Resene Quarter Rakaia is a very nice grey/taupe. If it is used with a white (for ceilings and woodwork trims) the delicate undertone of the colour is more apparent. E.g. You could use it with Resene Half Black White. It also looks nice with certain greys - perhaps a deeper tone - Resene Rakaia or Resene Triple Concrete.

I am not 100% sure about Resene Quarter Stack or Resene Steel Grey - they are much deeper and very heavy and not so well related when seen alongside Resene Quarter Rakaia.

I like the following colours with Resene Quarter Rakaia - you might check them out - Resene Inside Back and a lighter variant - Resene Half Inside Back, Resene Shady Lady, Resene Triple Duck Egg Blue or Resene Jumbo.

All colours in an interior have the potential to look twice the depth that you might imagine they will do so carefully testing is an absolute must. Painting all of a testpot (two coats) onto an A2 card (available from Resene ColorShops) and moving it from wall to wall/room to room is helpful. Each angle, each space, each change of natural and artificial light alters (often radically) how a colour is seen. You need to see this in advance of the final colour decisions being made so that you are absolutely happy with how they look.

Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Rakaia
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Quarter Stack
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Steel Grey
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Double Concrete
Resene Inside Back
Resene Inside Back
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Rakaia
Resene Rakaia
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Half Inside Back
Resene Half Inside Back
Resene Shady Lady
Resene Shady Lady
Resene Jumbo
Resene Jumbo
       
January 2019

Q. We are renovating a 100 year old single level farmhouse villa. We are thinking about replacing the roof with COLORSTEEL® Pioneer Red and I need help in selecting a complementary colour scheme for the outside weatherboards, the window and door trim and the doors.

A. If you were considering a traditional scheme then the following colours work really well with COLORSTEEL® Pioneer Red – Resene Double Villa White - main colour, Resene Quarter Villa White - all 'white' details and Resene Palm Green - doors, windows. Or a more contemporary scheme – Resene Grey Area - main colour, Resene Merino - all 'white' details and Resene Suits.

You could also use a little more of the Resene Pioneer Red for door steps, window sills etc to link the roof back to the house colours - Resene Pioneer Red - it would work with both schemes.

Resene Double Villa White
Resene Double Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Quarter Villa White
Resene Palm Green
Resene Palm Green
Resene Merino
Resene Merino
Resene Pioneer Red
Resene Pioneer Red
January 2019

Q. Would Resene Sea Fog walls and Resene Masala accent work with a COLORBOND® Sea Mist roof? Otherwise what would you recommend as a colour scheme with Sea Mist for a coastal house?

A. If you want a light/white look for the main colour on the house with the very light coloured roof then you might look at the following colours - as well as Resene Sea Fog – Resene Quarter Titania, Resene Double Alabaster or Resene Whitewater.

You could use Resene Masala for the trims - it is a nice earthy olive based grey/brown. Or you could check out the following colours to see if they appeal to you - Resene Quarter Ironsand or Resene Half Baltic Sea.

Resene Sea Fog
Resene Sea Fog
Resene Masala
Resene Masala
Resene Quarter Titania
Resene Quarter Titania
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Whitewater
Resene Whitewater
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Quarter Ironsand
Resene Half Baltic Sea
Resene Half Baltic Sea
     
January 2019

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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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