A coastal blue adds charm to a do-up

26 Jan 2022

Upcycler, upholsterer and keen renovator, Holly knows a great colour when she sees it, and she chose Resene Half Kumutoto to transform a previously bland living room. 

“It is one of my favourite shades and hits all those perfect nautical tones without becoming too dark,” she says.

She’s paired it with a hot pink couch she upholstered herself and the result is stunning.

Holly and partner Brett bought the house just six months ago. “It was an absolutely horrendous, well-abused rental that had been sitting on the market for nine months and had zero interest. Despite the way it was presented - the curtains were literally stapled over the windows - we instantly fell in love with its quirky windows and classic Taupo retro-bach architecture,” she says.

Holly, who is a finalist in Your Home & Garden’s 2022 Resene Colour Home Awards spent the first month of ownership renovating the living room, dining area and kitchen before moving in so it was in a clean liveable state.

The kitchen cupboards have been repainted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene White. “It’s amazing how much a quick repaint of kitchen doors and adding new kitchen hardware can transform a space!” says Holly. The walls are in Resene Half Kumutoto. She tackled the tiling after watching YouTube videos. The lampshade is also her own work, with Resene Half Smalt Blue from the Karen Walker Paints collection on the base. 

“All the work was 100% DIY and on a small budget. I even did all the tiling and plumbing myself with the aid of YouTube!” she says.

“I wanted to keep the style in theme with the original 50’s architecture of the house. My personal design style is rather bold and eclectic so I’ve incorporated a lot of oddities in the house but they work fabulously well together.”

See more of Holly’s ongoing renovation, and handmade items for sale on Instagram: 

@Holly­_interiors

Holly was a finalist in the Resene and Your Home and Garden Colour Home Awards. This year’s entries close 21 February. Entry form HERE

Published: 26 Jan 2022