Paint effects make the space

Like most architects' own homes, George’s home has been a work in progress, starting with two levels in the mid-1980s, and since growing to four storeys (and six actual levels). Various spaces have evolved during that process. The formal dining and lounge room in particular has gone through a significant development process over some years, with the paintwork having its final touches completed last year.

It’s a rich, textural space, with lots of art; Oamaru stone, glazed tiling, old brick, and big hardwood timber in the Tudor revival fireplace, a Cedar ceiling, and an almost Victorian collection of objects. All these materials, forms, and objects are a dominant influence on the room's atmosphere, meaning that the painted plasterboard walls needed to work that much harder in order to play an effective contributory role visually.

George felt that a plain painted finish on the plasterboard - whatever colour or tone - wouldn't work, and that most wallpapers would in contrast be too visually competitive, so he opted for the ideal balance of a ragged-off finish.

He had never tried one before, but working off Resene's instruction material gave him a good start. It took some trials and time, but it was a great success, and fun to do as well.

The combination of a Resene purple base and flat blue-grey ragged-off topcoat adds a subtle but gently assertive foil to everything else in the room, allowing an enhanced appreciation of the entire space and its contents.

It has been a success, and gets lots of attention.