To be told by your painter that the job is such a pleasure because it doesn’t conform to the “mainstream pastel project” was taken as a huge compliment by Nichole and Alex Hren of Rangiora, just north of Christchurch.

Instead, it has a hallway of fresh green Resene Xanadu, a kitchen wall of hot and spicy Resene Hot Chile, a master bedroom of moody Resene Half Oilskin and a child’s room of dreamy blue Resene Shipcove.

Some of the living areas are Resene Triple Sisal while the one concession to ‘pastel’ is the Resene Quarter Spanish White for the trims and a wall in the master bedroom in Resene Black White.

The new home (yes, it’s new) was a big undertaking for the family who lived in a garage with three, then four, boys while it was being built. Alex started the painting himself but, facing burn-out, employed East Coast Painters to finish it. The couple are thrilled with the standard of work by the painter. “He knew how important the prep was to ensure the effect was just as we wanted.” 

The couple’s aim was to imbue the house with the sort of character you find in older homes, so they used a mix of recycled and custom-made components for the Canadian oregon timber panel doors, the deep architraves and cornices, stained glass windows and a sculptural clawfoot bath. Much of the hardware is from Recollections while the rimu flooring is demolition roof sarking from the old Feltex factory in Christchurch.

Nichole chose the colours, the boldness of which initially made Alex nervous but once the paint application began, his fears were allayed. They are both certainly pleased with the result.

What inspired the Resene colours and products you used?

Our colours were chosen by looking at the beauty of colours in nature and seeing what works well together.

How did you decide on the overall look of the interiors? What was your overall philosophy?

The overall look of the interiors was to ensure all of the colours complemented each other despite their location in the house – sometimes with three colours sitting alongside each other as with the kitchen area. We wanted warm strong colours.

What part of the house are you most happy with?

I love the look of the Resene Hot Chile with the Resene Triple Sisal. We used this combination in the open-plan kitchen and lounge area and also in one of our son’s rooms.

What is your advice for someone trying to achieve a similar look?

Make sure you use Resene testpots and paint them on to sample boards rather than directly on to the wall. Paint looks very different in different lights so you need to move the sample boards around, and put them alongside each other to ensure the colours all complement each other and don’t clash.

What was the biggest decorating, renovating or building challenge for this project?

Convincing my husband that the Resene Half Oilskin in our bedroom would look fabulous; and it did!

Do you have a favourite colour, and if so why is it your favourite?

I really love the Resene Hot Chile. It is difficult finding a deep red that is just right and this particular colour took the longest to decide on.

Throughout the new house, Alex and Nichole introduced character details like the replica clawfoot bath, stained glass windows and tongue and groove panelling. The walls are Resene Xanadu (green) with Resene Quarter Spanish White below, both using Resene Lustacryl paint. 

Not content with one strong green, the couple used Resene Xanadu in the entranceway and hall at the back, then the deeper Resene Tom Thumb for the hall in the foreground living room. The floors are recycled rimu from the old Feltex factory in Christchurch. 

Nichole had to convince Alex that Resene Zylone Sheen tinted to Half Oilskin would look good in the main bedroom. 

To temper the depth of the Resene Half Oilskin, the bedhead wall is painted Resene Black White.

Nichole says that finding the right rich red was tricky but that Resene Hot Chile is perfect. It's not only used in the kitchen but also in Zach's bedroom (using SpaceCote Low Sheen paint) alongside Resene Sisal (using Zylone Sheen paint). 

Another son, Luke, has a room in fresh Resene Ship Cove. 

Connor's bedroom is more subdued in Resene Sisal. 

A view down the hallway towards the Resene Half Oilskin main bedroom. The wall colour here is Resene Zylone Sheen tinted to Xanadu.