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A home that thrives in the dark
This Sydney bungalow, refreshed and expanded with the help of Resene, leans into the dark side in all the right ways. Wrapped in deep, saturated tones like the earthy stone of Resene Element, and layered with industrial textures, the transformation turns a once modest mid-century home into a bold, atmospheric retreat that feels grounded in place and absolutely sure of itself.
Designer Richelle Langdon from Oliver Myles Interiors says the project began with a simple truth. “A modest mid-century coastal bungalow in Sydney’s south, loved for its laid-back character and bayside enclave,” she says. “As the family grew, the home needed to grow with them.”
Its sloping site held untapped potential, so she and homeowner Belinda Price set out to unlock it. “Through creative problem-solving and a strategic design approach, we transformed the unused lower-ground level, increasing the home’s footprint by 75%. The result is a family home that now works harder, lives larger and supports the rhythm of a growing household.”
Kitchen walls, trims and ceiling painted in Resene Element.
That lower-ground level, now a dramatic kitchen, dining and living zone, became the canvas for the hero colour. “We drenched the lower-ground level in Resene Element,” says Richelle. “Walls, ceilings, trims and the window frames. Instead of treating colour as background, we allowed it to envelope the room. The result feels dramatic and cohesive, with the depth of colour acting like an architectural finish rather than just paint.
“To balance that intensity, we introduced Resene Black White to the walls in the snug. It brings a lighter moment without breaking the mood.” The palette has had such an impact that “the client is now considering coating the snug in Resene Element, proof of just how immersive deep, tonal colour can be when used confidently.”
Living room walls and ceiling painted in Resene Element with back wall in Black White.
Belinda, who works in textiles and has an instinctive love of black, pushed the scheme from the outset. “The client loves black, so we embraced it,” Richelle says. “It’s a staple in her wardrobe and had already crept its way into a few corners of the home. We started with the exterior, painting the tired white weatherboards a deep, saturated black. From there, we didn’t hesitate. We carried that bold confidence into the new interior spaces layered with the warm honey browns of timber and leather. A palette that feels dramatic, grounded and unmistakably her.”
The aesthetic leans into industrial notes softened with tactility. “She naturally gravitates toward an industrial aesthetic, and she’s brave. After decades working in the textiles industry, she’s open to anything unexpected. We wanted attitude. I was after kind of rock-chic energy: bold, gritty, confident, but still refined.”
Staircase walls painted in Resene Element.
Descending into the new level is deliberately cinematic. “I love this whole lower level, it’s immersive, it has a pulse. As you descend the steel and spotted gum staircase, you get a glimpse of what’s to come. It feels a little like entering a club… there’s tension, anticipation.” Inside, the palette “leans masculine, yet it’s unmistakably a woman’s home. Strength sits confidently in the steel, concrete, stainless and smoky glass, then softens through linen, leather, timber, woven elements and greenery. It’s a balance of grit and grace – curated, grounded, unapologetic.”
Living room walls and ceiling painted in Resene Element.
Functionally, the space works as hard as its colour palette. Excavation increased head height, a new concrete slab enabled a polished floor, and a cleverly concealed drainage pit now hides behind acoustic artwork. The kitchen is compact but adaptable. “A commercial-style trolley serves as a movable island, allowing the layout to adapt and create extra seating when needed.” Oversized windows pull the greenery right into the palette, connecting the moody interior with the landscape beyond.
Even the shift in levels is expressed through material choices. “The sloping site creates a natural split-level, so we expressed that shift through materials. Spotted gum flooring on the kitchen and dining level brings warmth, better acoustics and a soft counterpoint to the harder, more industrial elements.”
Dining room walls and trims painted in Resene Element.
Richelle has been the Creative Director of Oliver Myles Interiors for more than twelve years, the studio named after her twin sons Oliver and Myles. Her path into design began with a boutique homewares store that sparked a deeper passion, eventually leading her to formal training at ISCD Sydney and into a career shaped by both creativity and technical skill.
While Richelle works across many aesthetics, one thread never changes. “The thread that ties my work together is texture. I layer materials that feel warm, grounded and tactile timber, linen, leather, natural stone, woven elements. It’s less about a ‘style’ and more about creating atmosphere: spaces that feel personal, lived-in, and beautifully considered.”
Bedroom walls and ceiling painted in Resene Element.
Her love of colour goes far beyond black. “I’m not especially drawn to white interiors, so my go-to when a project calls for a white is Resene Half Thorndon Cream. It has a subtle, sophisticated green undertone that gives it depth and makes spaces feel calmer and more grounded.” For exteriors, she’s loyal to earthy richness. “For exteriors, I love Resene Triple Friar Grey. It’s a beautiful, earthy neutral that pairs brilliantly with those hard-to-update 1970s red brick homes we see a lot of in Sydney. It modernises the façade without fighting the existing architecture.”
This project shows what can happen when a homeowner is brave enough to follow their instincts and a designer is ready to match them beat for beat. In Richelle’s words, it’s “a space that invites late-night laughs, shared meals and the everyday moments that foster connection.”
Bold, grounded and incredibly self-assured, this home proves that going dark doesn’t close a space in. It opens a whole new world of feeling.
design Richelle Langdon, Oliver Myles Interiors
images Owen Hall Photography
Top tip:When you’re working with deep, saturated colours like Resene Element, it’s best to choose a matte or flat finish, like Resene SpaceCote Flat, so the depth and velvety quality of the hue really registers. And for exteriors painted in dark tones, consider using Resene’s CoolColour™ technology, which lets you use a rich shade without worrying as much about excess heat build-up or sun damage and with the added benefit of lasting longer than standard colours.
Published: 03 Dec 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Friar Grey
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Friar Grey
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
