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In the heart of the home, Resene Double Lemon Grass brings a serene and stylish touch to the cabinetry, kitchen island and stools. The ceiling is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
In the entryway, a cosy, country adorns the space, with warm wood tones mixing with Resene Double Lemon Grass and Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
Further shelving in the entryway is adorned in Resene Double Lemon Grass, contrasting with the walls and ceiling in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
This spacious, bright living space is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, with gentle neutral décor and wood tones that ground the space.
Connecting the indoors with the picturesque floraoutside, Resene Double Lemon Grass was the perfect choice on the door for a harmonious design inspired by nature. The ceiling and wall (under desk) are painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
A strip of Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream works as a feature behind the mirror and sink in the bathroom, with surrounding walls and the door painted in Resene Double Lemon Grass.
Various textures and earthy tones make this a soothing and striking design. The kitchen island, stools and door are painted in Resene Double Lemon Grass and ceiling painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
The gallery, or ‘breezeway’ connects the family with the outdoors as they move through the home. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and doors in Resene Double Lemon Grass.
How Resene Lemon Grass transformed this home into a bush retreat
One of Resene's most peaceful and dynamic greens has brought a new sense of life into this once-dated 1980s coastal retreat. Now a serene sanctuary for a family of six in Shoreham,this home balances work, playand the beauty of nature with a palette inspired by its surrounding bushland and coastal vibes.
Resene Double Lemon Grass, the soft green that adorns cabinetry, doors and various highlights, gives this home its signature relaxed yet sophisticated appeal. “This project was about reconnecting with nature, but also about creating a modern, family-friendly space where memories could be made,” says Sarah Bryant, Architect and Director at Bryant Alsop, tasked with helping the family with their dream design.
In the heart of the home, Resene Double Lemon Grass brings a serene and stylish touch to the cabinetry, kitchen island and stools. The ceiling is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
In the entryway, a cosy, country adorns the space, with warm wood tones mixing with Resene Double Lemon Grass and Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
The transformation of this homewasn’tjust about aesthetics – it was about designing a home for a young family looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “We threw ourselves into the romance of creating a bush-inspired yet sophisticated family home,” Sarah says. Originally a compact 1980s holiday house, the project quickly evolved into a space where the family would spend more time, catering for both life and work.
The home's layout takes inspiration from a ‘pinwheel’ design, connecting distinct public and private zones. The family’s needs for separate wings for parents and children were balanced beautifully by the inclusion of large glazed ‘galleries’ that provide views and easy accessto the home’s natural environments.
Further shelving in the entryway is adorned in Resene Double Lemon Grass, contrasting with the walls and ceiling in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
This spacious, bright living space is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, with gentle neutral décor and wood tones that ground the space.
For the colour palette, the design drew inspiration from the environment itself. The natural greens of the surrounding eucalypts and the soft, coastal light led to the choice of Resene Double Lemon Grass – a perfect shade to reflect the neighbouring flora. “The green tones really connect the house to the outdoors,” says Sarah. “It feels like the house is just a natural extension of the landscape.”
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream was chosen for its ability to flood the interior with natural light, creating a bright, airy feel throughout. Together, these hues perfectly mirror the calm, bushland setting and enhance the home’s inviting, relaxed atmosphere.
The design was also heavily influenced by the owner’s memories of childhood beach houses. The two long, contemporary louvred galleries work to evoke that breezy, nostalgic feeling. These breezeways, made from solid Blackbutt timber, open up at night to catch the sea breeze. “The breezeways are a perfect blend of contemporary and nostalgic design,” says Sarah. “They’re about making memories with the family while staying cool, calm and connected to nature.”
Connecting the indoors with the picturesque floraoutside, Resene Double Lemon Grass was the perfect choice for a harmonious design inspired by nature. The ceiling and wall (under desk) are painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
A strip of Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream works as a feature behind the mirror and sink in the bathroom, with surrounding walls and the door painted in Resene Double Lemon Grass.
With a family of six, practicality was key. The design needed to be durable and functional, especially when it came to surfaces that could withstand wear and tear. “We needed surfaces that could cope with the everyday demands of a young family and Resene's products were the perfect choice for this project,” says Sarah.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, designed to be the central gathering place. Resene Double Lemon Grass adds a pop of green to the joinery and stools creating a playful yet sophisticated space while the sleek terrazzo countertops and textured splashback offer a stylish contrast to the warmth of the other shades. It’s the contrasts and combinations of colours and materials that makes this kitchen as beautiful as it is functional.
Various textures and earthy tones make this a soothing and striking design. The kitchen island, stools and door are painted in Resene Double Lemon Grass and ceiling painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream.
The gallery, or ‘breezeway’ connects the family with the outdoors as they move through the home. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and doors in Resene Double Lemon Grass.
Aside from the logistical difficulties presented by the lockdowns, one challenge was working with the existing structure. “The original house had strong bones, but it needed a bit of love to elevate it,” says Sarah. A large gum tree posed a design challenge, requiring careful consideration to ensure the home’s layout maximised natural light and cross-ventilation without disturbing the tree.The ‘pinwheel’ floorplan proved to be the perfect solution, connecting each wing of the home with the stunning landscape while reducing heavy western heat loads. This thoughtful design ensures that the family can enjoy the beauty of each part of the day in comfort.
This is truly a home that embraces its surroundings and reflects the unique needs of the family within. Whether it's gathering around the kitchen or relaxing in one of the peaceful wings of the home, it has quickly become a sanctuary where memories are made and family life thrives.
“This house is a testament to what can be achieved when a home is designed with both heart and purpose,” saysSarah. “It’s a home where family life can unfold, in harmony with nature, every single day.”
Top tip:If you have an older character home, you can help to hide imperfections by choosing lower sheen finishes such as Resene SpaceCote. The matte and lower sheen finishes help to diffuse the light. You can also use gloss finishes such as Resene Enmacryl to attract attention to feature areas, such as your front door, as the glossy finish will help the colour pop.
Published: 08 May 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Double Lemon Grass
Resene Double Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
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 Double Lemon Grass
Resene Double Lemon Grass
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
