A Helensville villa gets a charming pastel-coloured renovation

When Tineka and Sam first set eyes on their 1990s Helensville villa a year ago, to put it lightly, “it wasn’t in the best shape,” says Tineka. But it was the style of house they had always imagined raising their family in. And thus, with a much-needed dose of love and attention, the hardworking duo set about transforming the rundown home, armed with a palette of pretty Resene pastels.

“We think a family home should be warm and cosy,” says Tineka. “Colours play a big part in that.” So, in the search for hues that wouldn’t date, she pulled together a palette of soft greens, light blues and dusty pinks. “Pastels are a great way to bring warmth and colour into a home without being too overpowering.”

With this pleasing palette locked in, Tineka then put her secret weapon to work; Sam, who is a house painter by trade. Along with his sister and cousin, who are also house painters, they had the ultimate team to get the job done. “We’ve been really fortunate to have friends and family to help out in so many areas,” says Tineka.

The original wood panelling, high ceilings and kauri floors were heritage features that needed to be celebrated, and pastels were the perfect choice to stand alongside them. Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue, a soft faded green, features in the hall, dining, kitchen, living room and the girl’s bedroom, where it is paired with the charming Resene Wallpaper Collection 90321. “The woodland themed pattern is a really classic villa style, so it really suits the house,” says Tineka.

The dominance of Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue in the house is unsurprising – green is Tineka’s favourite colour.

In fact, this verdant hue features again in the master bedroom – this time in the pastoral green of Resene Clover on the fireplace. Tineka paired it with Resene Bianca, a softly diffused candlelight cream, for the rest of the room. “It’s another pastel colour with a lot of warmth, which the room needed because it can otherwise be quite dark.”

Resene Clover was such a hit that it also made its way onto the front door, where it was joined (on the inside) by Tineka’s second favourite colour, Resene Blanched Pink. “I just love dusty pinks,” she says. “Especially when they’re mixed with greens.”

A breath of fresh soft airy grey blue comes in through the bathroom where the shiplap walls are painted in Resene Oxygen. “It’s a very sunny room, so blue feels really fresh and bright in it,” says Tineka. “It’s the best room in the house because it’s so bright and relaxing.”

The whole interior received a last uplifting hit with the application of Resene Black White on the ceilings, skirtings and door frames. Tineka says, “it makes everything feel really bright,” and serves to enhance the pretty pastel hues used on the walls.

“I think colours have a huge effect on your mood,” she says. “So, having something that felt warm and happy was important to us.” She and Sam also tactically chose colours that would suit the house, instead of for the furnishings, giving their family home timeless appeal.

Published: 24 Jun 2020

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pastel green kitchen pressed metal splashback

Tineka and Sam chose the tranquil pastel green hue of Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue for the walls in the kitchen. Alongside the plywood cabinets, it creates a warming and inviting space. The addition of Resene Black White on the ceiling and window trims and pressed metal splashback provides a dose of fresh, bright white.

Pastel green dining room

Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue is continued in the dining room with Resene Black White on the ceiling, skirtings and window trims. The colour of the dining chairs, which is similar to Resene Nero, adds a contemporary edge to the soft, light-filled space.

pastel green living room

Tineka and Sam uncovered the original brick fireplace during the renovation. It presents a striking heritage feature along with the original kauri floorboards. Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue on the walls helps to warm up the space – especially when paired with Resene Black White on the ceiling, skirtings and window trims.

pastel green kids bedroom

In the girls’ bedroom, Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue is paired with Resene Wallpaper Collection 90321. This is Tineka’s favourite room of the house, “I love the mix of greens and pinks,” she says. “It’s a space that will grow with them.”

dark green bedroom

The field green hue of Resene Clover makes a striking feature in the master bedroom, which beautifully complements the original wooden fireplace mantel. The pastel cream of Resene Bianca lines the walls and Resene Black White on the ceiling and window trims brightens the normally dark space.

pastel hallway pink door

Tineka and Sam chose to keep the wooden panelling that lines the hallway, pairing it with Resene Quarter Robin Egg Blue on the upper half of the walls. Resene Black White features again on the door frames and ceiling and the soft dusty pink of Resene Blanched Pink makes a soothing appearance on the inside of the front door.

blue bathroom tongue and groove

Softly patterned tiles are a beautiful pairing with the shiplap walls painted in Resene Oxygen, a soft, airy grey blue. Resene Black White features on the ceiling and skirtings.

images Tineka Sailake

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Quarter Robin Egg Blue

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Resene Blanched Pink

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Resene Black White

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