Sweet simplicity

From the Resene/Your Home and Garden Colour Home Awards Competition - sixth finalist

2019

Tones of Resene blue and green provided the ideal update for this mid-century Wellington home.

When Ben and Lara Maher bought their 1950s house in Tawa, Wellington, six years ago, they looked past the old carpet and 1970s wallpaper and saw a timeless family home. With a love of mid-century design and muted colours, they set about renovating their new abode.

We wanted our home to feel relaxed and welcoming,” says Lara. “We love colour but are drawn to more muted tones with a mid-century or retro vibe, rather than bright pops.”

The couple ripped up that old carpet to reveal beautiful original rimu floorboards, replaced eight chandelier-style light fittings that “dominated the living and dining rooms”, and painted the house throughout.

For the base colour, Lara chose the cool tone of Resene Double Black White as she knew it would be versatile. “It’s the perfect backdrop and makes it easy to change up the decor – as I like to do frequently!” she admits.

In their bedroom, the Mahers wanted to create a cosy retreat. They opted for Resene Rhino, a deep grey-blue. More recently, a project to remove the wall between the entry and dining area offered an opportunity to create a feature wall using HardieGroove lining and a tin of Resene Karen Walker Smoky Green.

The addition of plenty of secondhand finds and some handmade furniture by Ben are the cherries on top of this fresh yet moody colour scheme. The Maher home is living proof that retro can still be modern.

A cosy retreat bedroom in Resene Rhino
Using the cool tone of Resene Black White for the base colour