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The stormy blue of Resene Biscay is just stunning on the master bedroom walls, creating a bold but cosy feel. The surrounding walls and trims are painted in Resene Black White.
All other décor and tones pop brilliantly against the deep blue wall, painted in Resene Biscay. The surrounding walls and trims are painted in Resene Black White, and a dark refined stain, Resene Colorwood Meranti, was used to liven up the rimu flooring.
The second bedroom with old-world charm and classic features an intriguing panelled wall painted in Resene Family Tree and surrounding walls, ceiling and trims painted in Resene Black White.
The pinks in this artwork pair perfectly with the shade of the wall in the hallway, painted in Resene Cherub, with trims in Resene Black White.
The hallway with the beautiful pink shade of Resene Cherub, also features Resene Wallpaper Collection 12382 with pops of flamingo pink to match and a deep navy blue for contrast. The trims are painted in Resene Black White.
This bathroom is not your typical colour, Rachel opted for sweet soft Resene Cherub to brighten the space.
A gentle relaxing blending of pale grey nostalgia and green atmosphere, Resene Unwind is painted on the kitchen walls, with trims and ceiling in Resene Black White.
This living room has pops of gold with charming décor and the perfect colour to match, Resene Unwind on the walls. Trims are painted in timeless Resene Black White.
You can’t miss this home’s exterior, the bright vivid shade of Resene True Blue is a welcome sight, with the front door and house number painted in Resene Rapture and trims in Resene Black White.
From disrepair to dream home: Rachel Covey transforms a forgotten house
Nestled in a quiet suburb in Dunedin, this home stands tall and proud looking out over the valley it sits upon. Saved from the brink of disrepair, interior designer Rachel Covey worked her magic with brave, bold Resene paint colours to bring this home back to life.
Originally built in the 1940s as a family home, it had two bedrooms along with all the mod cons for the era. The house had well and truly fallen into disrepair, however the new owner saw this as a challenge rather than a defeat.
As Rachel looked around, she knew she could make a home here.
There were holes in the floor, exterior walls crumbling and window frames barely holding on. The hot water cylinder had been leaking for many years creating a hole in the subfloor causing exposure to the elements and creating further damage. The leaking roof and jumbled design were, frankly, a mess.
Nicknamed the ‘Scotland Oasis’, this sturdy house has now been transformed into a beautiful and colourful home once more.
Rachel saw potential in each room, and she wasn’t afraid to play around with colours. The interior designer has been recommending colours to clients for years through her business, Noir Interior Design, so she is no stranger to the wonder of Resene’s many bright shades.
“With a love for antiques as well as playful colours, the interior style for this home was easy,” says Rachel. “I spend hours working with clients creating deigns that suit their personality and their lifestyles so when it came to my own home, I gave myself the same advice – incorporate ‘you’ into the design, and surround yourself with what makes you smile and helps you be happy.”
As walls came down and new bedrooms were added, Rachel was adamant that as well as each space having its own character, the home must still hold on to its original elements and features, such as the beautiful, detailed ceilings and original rimu flooring.
Pinching some space from the previous kitchen, Rachel added to the master bedroom, creating a stunning bespoke walk-in wardrobe, along with panelled walls painted in Resene Biscay, and gold feature lighting that pairs so well with the stormy blue shade.
The room has floor to ceiling blue velvet curtains that match the deep blue walls, and the rest of the space is painted in sophisticated Resene Black White. Touches of gold, pink and blue team with the original rimu flooring that has been stained in Resene Colorwood Meranti, bringing this room the unique charm and glamour it deserves.
“The master bedroom is my favourite space, it is an elegant and fun room with pops of blue, says Rachel. “I could sit in here for hours looking at all the details that have made this space come together. I visualise how far this room has come, and it makes me smile.”
The second bedroom has batten panelling for a more relaxed feel, lifting the room into its own space. A deliberate rich green, Resene Family Tree, was used as the feature wall, highlighting the space while adding depth. This room was carpeted due to irreversible damage on the original flooring, however the carpet now softens the space creating a gentle and relaxed feel.
“The bathroom had to be bold, beautiful and classy, just like the rest of the home,” says Rachel. “After many discussions a final decision was made to use solid black tapware and matte black subway tiles. This shade was instantly lifted, and stood beautifully, next to the floor to ceiling Resene Cherub, a soft and gorgeous baby pink.
“Although a small bathroom, it certainly makes an impact, and the pink makes it feel inviting and luxurious.”
“I am not scared of colour, I embrace it, I love antiques and my home is full of items that have stories and memories. My interior style is certainly unique, while being mindful of not buying items that will end up at the landfill, sustainability is very important to me.”
The now well-maintained weatherboards on the home’s exterior are painted in the brilliant Resene True Blue, and the beautiful, ostentatious Resene Rapture covers the bold front door and customised house number.
These Resene colours paired together create a bold yet harmonious colour scheme that leaves everyone wanting to see what is inside!
“Don’t be scared to use colour,” says Rachel. “Sit with the samples and Resene testpots for a while, view them in different lights and see how they talk to different elements of your home.”
“Embrace colour in your home if it makes you happy. Resene have such a wonderful range of colours and the depth to the colours are what makes them work.”
Rachel and her husband to be Josh, are enjoying their colourful home, and are looking forward to their upcoming wedding.
“I love all of this home,” says Rachel. “I feel proud it was saved and that it will live on for many years to come.
See more of Rachel’s work at Noir Interior Design: www.noirdesign.co.nz
Top tip: Low sheen paints, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, are the most popular finish for interior broadwall areas and an ideal choice where some sheen is desired and good cleaning properties are necessary, such as in living areas, hallways, bedrooms and playrooms – but can also be used in well-ventilated bathrooms and kitchens.
You do not need to use the same gloss level on ceilings and walls, a mix of gloss levels within one area is becoming a popular way to create a subtle visual effect or highlight feature areas. In living areas it is very common for the walls to be painted in a low sheen finish like Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Zylone Sheen and the ceiling to be painted in a flat finish like Resene SpaceCote Flat or Resene Ceiling Paint.
The stormy blue of Resene Biscay is just stunning on the master bedroom walls, creating a bold but cosy feel. The surrounding walls and trims are painted in Resene Black White.
All other décor and tones pop brilliantly against the deep blue wall, painted in Resene Biscay. The surrounding walls and trims are painted in Resene Black White, and a dark refined stain, Resene Colorwood Meranti, was used to liven up the rimu flooring.
The second bedroom with old-world charm and classic features an intriguing panelled wall painted in Resene Family Tree and surrounding walls, ceiling and trims painted in Resene Black White.
The pinks in this artwork pair perfectly with the shade of the wall in the hallway, painted in Resene Cherub, with trims in Resene Black White.
The hallway with the beautiful pink shade of Resene Cherub, also features Resene Wallpaper Collection 12382 with pops of flamingo pink to match and a deep navy blue for contrast. The trims are painted in Resene Black White.
This bathroom is not your typical colour, Rachel opted for sweet soft Resene Cherub to brighten the space.
A gentle relaxing blending of pale grey nostalgia and green atmosphere, Resene Unwind is painted on the kitchen walls, with trims and ceiling in Resene Black White.
This living room has pops of gold with charming décor and the perfect colour to match, Resene Unwind on the walls. Trims are painted in timeless Resene Black White.
You can’t miss this home’s exterior, the bright vivid shade of Resene True Blue is a welcome sight, with the front door and house number painted in Resene Rapture and trims in Resene Black White.
Published: 08 Mar 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
the look
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the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
