Makers and shakers

From BlackWhite magazine - issue 03, colourful outlook

Seven artists, designers and bloggers weigh in on colour and decorating trends and their favourite Resene hues.

I’ve never DIY-ed in my life. It’s just not my calling. I’d much rather have an expert do the job really well than have me mess about with it. I’ve got very clear ideas about how I want the outcome to be and like to see it executed beautifully – and it’s not me that’s going to achieve that, that’s for sure.

If you could go back in time and give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Apart from buying shares in Apple’s IPO, you mean? I think I’d probably say, don’t stress too much and be prepared to go with the flow every now and then – it can be fun.

If you were to go out and splurge on any one home décor item right now, what would it be and why?

I’m awaiting a new couch. It’s being made at present – Apartmento’s Monty 3-Seater in a velvety bronze. I’ve loved my leather chesterfields, which have served us well, but after more than two decades it’s time for a change.

If you could have dinner with any artist or designer from the past or present, who would it be and why?

Where do I start? Grayson Perry, Jarvis Cocker, Katherine Mansfield, Jean Cocteau, James Baldwin and P. G. Wodehouse would fit nicely around my table. I don’t think the conversation would have any lulls. Oh, and Nina Simone could join us too as long as she’d promise a duet with Jarvis after dinner.

If you could magically invent something that doesn’t exist, what would it be and why?

As much as I love plane journeys (remember them?), being able to be anywhere in the world at the click of a finger would be great. Dinner tonight at The Wolseley? Why not.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Sitting inside other people’s and being’s minds, even for a minute. Just knowing what my dog gets so excited about in the park with her superpowered sense of smell would be great.

What are your key colour and design predictions?

For summer, I always end up in a world of blues: aquatic, dusty, Caprian, steel, sky or indigo with just a sprinkling of white and golden sand amongst them and I’m happy. During winter, I’m always a fan of greys from a light grey marle right up to the darkest asphalt with bright pops of scarlet fuchsia, lilac, marigold and cream cutting through.

› www.karenwalker.com

A large-scale work I’ve just completed going to Sydney titled Lily Pond, which has a total of 50 colours that balance and complement each other in a way that resemble the flower giving the work its title. I often use nature in this way as a source image or colour palette to choose from.

Are you a DIY perfectionist or do you leave it to the experts?

I’m definitely no expert, but I do like to try. I see our home as a different type of canvas and outlet for creativity.

If you could go back in time and give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Travel as much as you can while you can.

If you were to go out and splurge on any one home décor item right now, what would it be and why?

A dishwasher. I’m 44 and have never owned one.

If you could have dinner with any artist or designer from the past or present, who would it be and why?

Lucien Freud. He’d have the best stories.

If you could magically invent something that doesn’t exist, what would it be and why?

A remote control that could pause and rewind life, but more importantly, turn the volume down.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Invisibility for my whole family, so we could fly in first class.

What are your key colour and design predictions?

That black façades will be less common but it seems grey carpets unfortunately just won’t die!

› www.maxpatte.com

We painted the ceiling in our dining room/kitchen this lockdown, which has made the house feel new! We’ve wallpapered a few walls to add texture as we occasionally use our home as a photo shoot location. Wallpapering is not great for a marriage – we have recently discovered there are talented people who can do it for us!

Are you a DIY perfectionist or do you leave it to the professionals?

I prefer to start and finish a project in a very short space of time, so perfection is not an option.

If you could go back in time and give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Patience. All the things you dream of doing will happen, just maybe not tomorrow.

If you were to go out and splurge on any one home décor item right now, what would it be and why?

Whoops, I already just splurged on a wine cabinet to capture our drinking habits. I did vow after the boys won the America’s Cup (again) that I would get a viewing turret on the roof before the next event, so Dalts, please keep the cup in NZ!

If you could have dinner with any artist or designer from the past or present, who would it be and why?

Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr Seuss), who was not only an artist but also a poet and futurist. It would have to be a highly engaging, enlightening and funny dinner, wouldn’t it?

If you could magically invent something that doesn’t exist, what would it be and why?

I did think up the composting garbage disposal unit, but a nice young boy came up with it too – though haven’t heard if he has got to market with it yet.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

To instantly get stuff done without having to wait for the doing.

What are your key colour and design predictions?

So here we are in lockdown again, and it feels like our homes have become very important as we do all our living in one place. There’s been a nurturing, comforting trend of safe neutrals which I suppose are always there, especially as we Kiwis love to buy and sell properties at the drop of a hat. We’re seeing neutral colours becoming more earthy and warm – think sand, pumice, oatmeal, etc, which is a nice progression after the 50 shades of grey theme of recent years. It is calming to come home to a simple colour palette, however, after spending many weeks at home, we are probably all looking for some inspiration. Maybe it’s time to bring in some passion colours – a sprinkle of Mexico with cobalt blues, terracotta, sunshine yellows or some nostalgic Hawaiian-patterned wallcoverings and fabrics, like the amazing wallpaper patterns on the Netflix series, The White Lotus.

› www.wallacecotton.com

We recently painted the ceiling in a client’s villa in Resene Big Stone and it looks amazing. The room is large but it has a variety of different door heights, so by painting the walls in crisp Resene Eighth Black White and putting that beautiful dark hue on the ceiling, the eye is drawn up to take in the wonderful details.

Are you a DIY perfectionist or do you leave it to the experts?

I’d say I’m a DIY dreamer. I come up with the ideas that I think I can execute and then call in my very patient partner to help me make it happen!

If you could go back in time and give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Travel more! I was late to discover how good travel is for filling your creative cup.

If you were to go out and splurge on any one home décor item right now, what would it be and why?

Either an original Memphis vintage piece – there’s a Flamingo side table on Etsy right now that I’m coveting – or a new ‘inspired by Memphis’ piece (specifically, the Ebba Chair from the MoMA Design Store).

If you could have dinner with any artist or designer from the past or present, who would it be and why?

I would host a 1980s New York City dinner party with all the movers and shakers that do interior design for the stars. The outfits would be as way-out as the space and conversation!

If you could magically invent something that doesn’t exist, what would it be and why?

A Lego sorting vacuum cleaner that sucks all the pieces up and then sorts and spits them out either by colour or type (actually, that’s my son’s idea, but it’s damn brilliant).

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

To be nice all the time and never get grumpy, or to somehow show clients exactly what I am seeing in my head in real time.

What are your key colour and design predictions?

My hunch is that as production, shipping and building lead times increase, we will discover even more how great paint is for creating an immediate transformation – whether it’s to revitalise an item of furniture or makeover a tired room. Colours, I think, will head more towards clean and pure colours with more hues and tints than tones and shades. And as it becomes even harder to buy off-the-shelf items in anything other than black, white or grey, we will look to colour to bring personality and originality to our spaces.

› www.placesandgraces.com

I recently worked with a client on recreating a rich dark stain for their balcony furniture and Resene Black Pepper worked beautifully. While I’m happy painting abstract artworks, more defined painting skills are not my forte, so I was delighted with the ease of use of this timber stain – especially for novices like me!

Are you a DIY perfectionist or do you leave it to the professionals?

I’d happily leave DIY to the professionals, especially as I am a bit of a perfectionist and I know my limitations!

If you could go back in time and give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Have confidence in your abilities and go for it. Don’t wait ‘til everything is perfect – mistakes made equate to great learning opportunities.

If you were to go out and splurge on any one home décor item right now, what would it be and why?

I’ve long coveted a pair of antique leather club chairs, so if I could find them (and afford them) they’d be top of my list.

If you could have dinner with any artist or designer from the past or present, who would it be and why?

Isabel and Ruben Toledo. Isabel was a bold and gorgeous fashion designer and her husband, Ruben, is an exquisite and delightful artist. They were a gorgeous, creative and exciting couple with a true ‘love story’ life together. I’m such a romantic – I’d love to embrace that kind of joy.

If you could magically invent something that doesn’t exist, what would it be and why?

The ability to access just the right words when I need them! My mind has a terrible trick of vapourising my vocabulary just when I need it most.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

The ability to travel anywhere in the world in an instant so I could see and hug my loved ones right now. That would be the BEST!

What are your key colour and design predictions?

I think (and hope) we’re going to see a continued trend of bold, beautiful colours for homes in the coming year. That aspect of wanting to ‘brighten’ your living space will increase as we come out the other side of this pandemic.

› www.katrinahobbsdesign.com

We have a wooden feature that wraps around one corner of our house which we protected with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil, bringing to life the rich warm wood’s inherent colour.

Are you a DIY perfectionist or do you leave it to the experts?

Lucky for me, my partner is an amazing DIYer – from drain laying to spouting, decks to gardening, he has the flair. I make a great lackey, never afraid to pick up the paintbrush or spade and get stuck in to help. I’m also great at clean up.

If you could go back in time and give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Keep on believing in yourself. Don’t seek approval from others. Be happy in your own groove.

If you were to go out and splurge on any one home décor item right now, what would it be and why?

An outdoor couch! It would be ready and waiting for the deck that is coming in time for summer.

If you could have dinner with any artist or designer from the past or present, who would it be and why?

FLOX! I miss that woman. I always appreciate shooting the breeze with my fellow contemporary Hayley King, an entrepreneur and phenomenal artist always pushing herself to reach her next level. I’m grateful that I actually do get to dine with her and that we support each another in life and the art world.

If you could magically invent something that doesn’t exist, what would it be?

A paint cleaning system that recycles all the paint into compost.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Cleaning with the snap of my fingers. The time I would save!

What are your key colour and design predictions?

Bring on the calm! Home is your sanctuary away from the world, I say whatever brings you your calm, go with that. For some that might be lights and whites such as Resene Alabaster, bringing the airy magic. For others, that might be dark bold colours such as Resene Bunting to create a nest to return to.

› www.hannahjensen.co.nz

One of my favourite pieces to date is a wardrobe we finished in Resene Altitude. The powder blue in a high gloss encapsulates you and creates a sense of sophistication.

Are you a DIY perfectionist or do you leave it to the professionals?

A mix between ‘DIY perfectionist’ and ‘leave it to the professionals’ – if I know I can do it myself (perfectly), I am up for the challenge. Otherwise, I am calling one of our amazing tradies that we work with!

If you could go back in time and give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Be confident, be brave and go with what your gut tells you! I would tell my younger self to be braver with colour as I have learnt going bold on a piece can complete the look and feel of a space.

If you were to go out and splurge on any one home décor item right now, what would it be and why?

An entertainment unit painted in Resene Scoria – so I can not only watch TV but also add a beautiful piece to start my collection (on my wishlist with Mr and Mrs Ward).

If you could have dinner with any artist or designer from the past or present, who would it be and why?

Going back in time to have a glass of wine with the one and only Le Corbusier. From designing iconic architecture, furniture and creating art pieces that changed history, this extraordinary man is one of the most influential designers and artists of the 20th century. Le Corbusier is one of the artists who has inspired me to do what I love, which is being able to design bespoke furniture pieces and create spaces for people to enjoy.

If you could magically invent something that doesn’t exist, what would it be and why?

It would be amazing if we had a cooking machine where you could throw in whatever you have in the fridge – such as blue cheese, pickled gherkins and strawberry jam – and it cooks you a delicious meal with those ingredients in 30 minutes. Super quick and easy – especially during lengthy lockdowns!

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation. Being able to see all the designs and architecture from around the world in an instant would be eye-opening (plus, it would be free and without jetlag).

What are your key colour and design predictions?

Matte finishes are currently ‘of the now’, however I think high gloss finishes are making a comeback, which I am excited about – especially in bold colours such as Resene Fun Blue.

› www.mrandmrsward.nz

BlackWhite magazine

This is a magazine created for the industry, by the industry and with the industry – and a publication like this is only possible because of New Zealand and Australia's remarkably talented and loyal Resene specifiers and users.

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