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This bright, energetic space features Resene Wan White on walls, ceiling and trims, with pops of colour in stylish décor and on the kitchen cabinetry in Resene Apple Blossom. Aside from the colour, the play of angles, arches and curves makes this home unique.
The neutral shade of the walls and ceiling in Resene Wan White is the perfect backdrop for richly coloured furniture and greenery.
The playful kitchen features Resene Apple Blossom on the pantry and integrated fridge, Resene Tom Thumb on drawers and Resene Wan White on the walls and ceiling.
Alex’s built-in joinery which showcases her stylish and unique treasures, is painted in Resene Lazy River, Resene Apple Blossom and Resene Glorious. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Wan White.
The Japanese blue that inspired Alex, Resene Lazy River, was chosen for this cabinet. The carpet is inspired by and Resene Wan White. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Wan White.
This cosy lounge with inviting furniture is painted in Resene Wan White, the perfect backdrop for colourful and trendy artwork. The carpet is inspired by Resene Black and Resene Wan White.
Far from a boring laundry, colourful towels sit next to the gorgeous pale rose shade of Resene My Pink, and walls and ceiling in Resene Wan White.
The sunlight pours into this bedroom, highlighting the beauty of the Resene Wan White walls, ceiling and trims.
Pops of colour in fun cushions and artwork make this bedroom an enjoyable space. The walls, ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Wan White.
Alex Fulton's trendy beach house is bursting with colour and creativity
Driven by her vision for a hip beach barn, Alex Fulton, an admired interior designer, took on the challenge of transforming this once tired and dark space into a vibrant, light-filled haven using pops of energetic Resene colours.
Originally built in the 50s and architecturally renovated in the late 90s, this house in Sumner, Christchurch, featured four bedrooms, with the main bedroom and living areas situated on the upper level, offering breath-taking views of the local surf break. Despite its prime location, the house suffered from issues of wear and tear, leakage, and a lack of natural light, prompting the need for a complete interior overhaul.
Alex’s goal was clear – to open up the house, introduce abundant natural light and maximise every aspect of the design. The existing house was stripped back to its core, providing a blank canvas for Alex’s creative ingenuity. The introduction of expansive skylights played a pivotal role in infusing the interiors with a flood of natural light. Alex also paid close attention to angles, functional space, flow, and most importantly, colour.
The colour palette became the heart and soul of her renovation project. Alex chose to avoid clichéd beach-themed palettes and instead chose a variety of shades inspired by the surrounding environment, bringing the outdoors in with each carefully curated hue.
The forest green of Resene Tom Thumb, the bright pinks of Resene Glorious and Resene My Pink and the rusted orange of Resene Apple Blossom breathed new life into the space, creating a harmonious connection with the beachside setting as well as an original and refreshing atmosphere.
Drawing inspiration from her travels, Alex also incorporated a tranquil blue shade she had seen in Japan. By bringing the calming hue of Resene Lazy River into the design, seen on the inbuilt joinery, she created a serene atmosphere that elevated the entire space.
A gorgeous white remained a constant throughout the design, serving as the anchor that tied all the vibrant elements together. Every detail, from fittings in bathrooms and kitchens to door hardware and flooring trims, was meticulously treated with Resene Wan White. This clean design aesthetic keeps the space feeling fresh and uncluttered.
The unique elongated shape of the house presented an opportunity for creative furniture solutions. Alex incorporated built-in furniture that mirrors the home's contours, maximising space and storage. These design choices encouraged openness and a sense of height, making the interior feel more spacious and inviting.
The clever and quirky inbuilt joinery plays a dual role in Alex’s home – adding splashes of colour and providing practical storage. Customised and sprayed in her chosen Resene shades, the joinery became an architectural backdrop that complemented Alex’s playful and stylish belongings.
Colour was not limited to just the walls and joinery, it also infused other interior elements, showcasing Alex's expertise in incorporating bold and innovative choices throughout her home. Even the carpets became a canvas for her creativity. Working closely with Dilana Carpets, she designed custom carpets inspired by the colours Resene Apple Blossom, Resene Lazy River, Resene Wan White and Resene Black, adding another layer of artistry to the project.
This full renovation was not just an opportunity for Alex to showcase her love for colour but also a chance to create a mature and inspiring palette that resonated with her vision of a hip beach barn. The result is nothing short of spectacular – a home that exudes warmth, energy and a unique sense of style.
design Alex Fulton, Alex Fulton Design www.alexfultondesign.co.nz
architect Nott Architects www.nott.co.nz
images Simon Devitt www.simondevitt.com
Alex’s top tip: Enter any renovation or new build with a confident and curated colour scheme. Locking in your colours will make sourcing and specifying products easier and will keep you on track. Make a swatch fandeck of your colours and keep it with you when are out and about, that way you can easily refer to your colour library and help to keep all your choices on track.
This bright, energetic space features Resene Wan White on walls, ceiling and trims, with pops of colour in stylish décor and on the kitchen cabinetry in Resene Apple Blossom. Aside from the colour, the play of angles, arches and curves makes this home unique.
The neutral shade of the walls and ceiling in Resene Wan White is the perfect backdrop for richly coloured furniture and greenery.
The playful kitchen features Resene Apple Blossom on the pantry and integrated fridge, Resene Tom Thumb on drawers and Resene Wan White on the walls and ceiling.
Alex’s built-in joinery which showcases her stylish and unique treasures, is painted in Resene Lazy River, Resene Apple Blossom and Resene Glorious. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Wan White.
The Japanese blue that inspired Alex, Resene Lazy River, was chosen for this cabinet. The carpet is inspired by and Resene Wan White. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Wan White.
This cosy lounge with inviting furniture is painted in Resene Wan White, the perfect backdrop for colourful and trendy artwork. The carpet is inspired by Resene Black and Resene Wan White.
Far from a boring laundry, colourful towels sit next to the gorgeous pale rose shade of Resene My Pink, and walls and ceiling in Resene Wan White.
The sunlight pours into this bedroom, highlighting the beauty of the Resene Wan White walls, ceiling and trims.
Pops of colour in fun cushions and artwork make this bedroom an enjoyable space. The walls, ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Wan White.
Published: 24 Aug 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Apple Blossom
Resene Apple Blossom
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Apple Blossom
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the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
