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From habitat highlights - issue 42, ways with wood

We have firmly planted timber in all areas of our homes. Now let's get creative in how we showcase its beauty.

Modern design trends seem to be continually searching for closer connections to our natural environment. Nowhere is that more evident than in our love for wood finishes.

Wood is branching out beyond weatherboards, shelves and decking to play bigger, more interesting roles in both interior and exterior spaces. Whether it's floor-to-ceiling panelling or cosy outdoor rooms, there are two consistent motivations for today's use of wood: celebrating the textures and warmth inherent in the raw material and the desire to be sustainable by using wood that is repurposed or from renewable stocks.

Timber panelling - a connection to nature

Wood strips in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil, tinted to Resene Tararua, Resene Kahurangi, Resene Paparoa, Resene Fiordland, Resene Mt Richmond and Resene Aotea make this a unique feature wall.

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Floor stain washed in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Wall painted in Resene Westar with trim in Resene Eighth Rice Cake, side table in Resene Otter, shelf unit in Resene El Paso and large vase in Resene Sour Dough. Chair from Dawson & Co.

A porch wall stained in a dark grey brown gives a cosy feel

Porch wall stained in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Crowshead, with battens in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Pickled Bean. Tray and planters painted in Resene Paddock, table and chairs in Resene Element, pot in Resene Quarter Merino.

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Floor painted in Resene Walk-on in Resene Gunsmoke, topcoated in Resene Quarter Concrete and Resene Bokara Grey mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium. Cushions from Mitre 10.

top tips Continue your Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil finish from your interior to your exterior for a seamless look on your timber. Choose the Resene CoolColour version when using dark colours to help protect your home.

Rustic elegance

Showcase the natural texture of wood with a wood oil like Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil which adds a richness to the material, says interior designer and Resene stylist Katrina Hobbs.

She suggests experimenting with a timber feature wall, combining panels of varying width wood finished in different shades of Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil, which include Resene Tararua, Resene Kahurangi, Resene Paparoa, Resene Fiordland, Resene Mount Richmond and Resene Aotea. You can even use a combination of lighter and darker oils for subtle colour variations or use a mix of different woods.

“The result is a wall that feels alive, full of texture and dimension.”

Indoor-outdoor elegance

Make the most of porches and exterior spaces to create a cosy nook you can use through the cooler months. On exterior fences try a deep stain like Resene Waterborne Woodsman Crowshead, which works beautifully against other ginger-toned stains like Resene Woodsman Pickled Bean or Resene Woodsman Warm Kwila. Don't forget your patio floor or decking, as the colour there can really help indoor-outdoor areas feel contained and cosy. Use Resene Walk-on tinted to a warm grey like Resene Eighth Stonewall or Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in Resene Bushtrack. Then add some warm throws to make your porch a usable space right through winter.

A whitewashed wood and painted timber drawer unit

Lower drawers painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Clouded Blue with upper section finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash.

Vases in Resene Frozen and Resene Sea Fog, wall and skirting in Resene Sea Fog and floor stain washed in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy.

A gallery feature wall using timber shelving

These shelves create a beautiful gallery feature wall that showcases both the wood and the treasures.

Shelves stained in Resene Colorwood Matai, wall painted in Resene Spanish White, floor in Resene Colorwood Shade and décor items in Resene Half Blanc, Resene Double Thorndon Cream, Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and Resene Night Magic.

Form and function

You can never have enough shelving and storage, but with creative use of wood you can easily turn a functional piece of décor into a striking feature wall. Rather than a single shelving unit, source old timber to upcycle into a selection of boxes and shelves and hang as you would a picture gallery. Map your design out, then pencil the shapes on your wall as a guide. Stain or paint your boxes before hanging. Use Resene Colorwood Whitewash for a relaxed, beachy finish or paint in Resene Enamacryl (waterborne) or Resene Super Gloss (enamel) tinted to Resene Black for a sleek, modern look. If you find that some of your shelf treasures are clashing, repaint them with Resene testpots to suit your taste.

Renter friendly

Reviving wood furniture or décor pieces you own or have found secondhand, is an inexpensive way to embrace more wood finishes if you’re renting or on a tight budget. Look for simple, classic designs that are sturdy and in good condition. Instead of staining or painting the whole piece one colour, think about how you might play with different wood finishes to create the look you want. Add splashes of colour inside or out with Resene testpots, try a coloured stain like Resene Colorwood Deep Purple or experiment with textured looks using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.

Top tips with Resene Paint Expert Jay Sharples

Jay Sharples, Resene Paint Expert

Use the right stains in the right place. Resene Woodsman exterior stains are designed for outdoors and require the correct environment to dry and perform. Resene Colorwood interior stains are designed for inside.
Resene Woodsman colours can all be tinted into Resene Colorwood or Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil to use inside. Resene Colorwood colours can be tinted in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil to use outside.
If timber has previously been stained or you’re not sure of the current coating, try a test area. Any previous finish will make a difference to your final colour result.
If you want a clear finish to protect your wood, it can alter how the stain colour appears. A clear gloss urethane such as Resene Aquaclear over Resene Colorwood will make the stain appear more vibrant than a clear flat finish such as Resene Aquaclear Natural.
On interior surfaces consider a natural-toned stain such as Resene Colorwood Natural as a base underneath a clear finish to help protect the wood from UV light.
Instead of stripping old yellowed varnish, use Resene Colorwood Whitewash, Resene Colorwood Light Greywash or Resene We Speak Beach colours over the top to give it a fresher look. This helps to hide old varnishes that have yellowed.

› View the range of Resene wood stains at your local Resene ColorShop, Resene reseller or online, (exterior) or (interior).

Colours mentioned in this article

Colours marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, the testpots can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.