take 5

Homeowners Daniel and Kate Bristow-Smith certainly were, so when they built their new home earlier this year, they made a bold departure by not only using one bright colour, but five of them – Resene Bright Lights, Resene Adrenalin, Resene Havoc, Resene Buttercup and Resene Happy.

The colours are cleverly arranged on overhead cupboards so that they are seen as staggered blocks of colour along the back wall of the kitchen. The idea was inspired by an image found online by the couple, and the kitchen was drawn up by Daniel, who has an architectural background.

White isn’t completely absent from the kitchen, with all of the lower cabinets finished in Resene Black White, and a White Pearl Trendstone island bench. At first, the front of the island bench was also white but on advice from Debbie Daly from Rawcraft Kitchens, that was changed to Resene Half Bokara Grey. Says Daniel: “The colour has a soft warm edge to it, which we preferred over a dense black.”

Facetted glossy black tiles from the Tile Warehouse and a slender reflective stainless steel bench add extra drama to the space, balancing out the strength of the fiery colours overhead.

To finish off the look, Kate was able to find metal barstools in colours that match the overhead cupboards, as well as an orange woodburning stove by Pyroclassic Fires for the adjoining living area.

A striking colour feature, created using (from left to right) Resene Bright Lights, Resene Adrenalin, Resene Havoc, Resene Buttercup and Resene Happy. The lower cabinets are Resene Black White and the front of the kitchen island is Resene Half Bokara Grey.

Cabinetry: www.rawcraftkitchens.co.nz.

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

• Specifiers:

  • Earn CPD points reading this magazine – If you're a specifier, earn ADNZ or NZRAB CPD points by reading habitat magazine. Once you've read an issue request your CPD points via the CPD portal for ADNZ (for NZ architectural designers) or NZRAB (for NZ architects).  Join our specifier and trade database...

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

Sign up for a DIY card and Save! Australia | New Zealand

› Return to Habitat 27