Enduring passion

NZ House & Garden, Resene / Colour expert

A childhood fascination for paint colour lives on.

After many years of living overseas, experiencing other cultures and history, along with study and work in architecture and design, Katie Scott launched Sticks + Stones Design nine years ago, which “allows me to live my dream every day”.

Why do you love working with Resene colour?

When I was a teenager my mum decided to repaint the interior of our house so she brought home a Resene colour fan chart. I thought it was amazing how many colour options there were and pored over it for hours with her – the house was eventually painted every shade of Resene Tea; it was the 1990s!

I still love the stage in the design process when I pull out the colour swatches and start ordering Resene testpots. They are the best way to get a true sense of the colour for myself and my clients. My dad’s an artist so he gladly uses up the leftovers – which is a testament to the quality of the paint.

What effect does paint colour have on an interior?

Paint colour is one of the most important parts of the interior design process. The same space can feel radically different depending on the tone used, for example a dark room can be lightened and brightened using paler shades or the darkness embraced and a moody intimacy created by using a deeper shade.

Paint colour can also emphasise or disguise elements of the architecture; say a room has a number of angles on the ceiling which can be blended by painting the wall and ceiling in the same shade.

I encourage my clients to add more colour to their interiors. Every client has their own unique perspective so I make sure the colours we select are right for them – like choosing an outfit, it needs to feel comfortable and suit their tastes, and like an outfit paint can be changed. If someone is struggling to articulate their colour preferences I start by looking at their favourite pieces of art and furnishings and use those as a base.

What are your current three favourite Resene colours?

My usual favourites are anything green however lately I've been drawn to earthier tones of brown, ochre and rust: Resene Nullarbor, Resene Scoria and Resene Bandicoot.