Reader roundup: Exterior makeovers, colourful art and bold living rooms

17 Jan 2024

A new year brings new creativity, and our readers have been busy with vibrant new projects of all types. From wonderful wall murals to happy rocks and sky blue homes, there is no limit to what you can do with Resene paint colours and wood stains.

Our lovely reader Cathrine received a Resene prize listening to the monthly Resene Colour Home on The Breeze radio show, and made the most of this gift by painting her home in a beautiful cornflower blue, Resene Wedgewood. This brilliant blue shade pairs so well with the white window trims and lush greenery, the perfect summer hue. “We are extremely grateful for this gift,” says Cathrine. “It means a lot to us in this current economic climate where every penny counts.”

The team at Otaki Market made both rocks and hearts colourful for these young artists. Using a vibrant array of Resene testpots, everyone came together to engage in a creative and fun-filled activity of rock painted and decorating. “The young people absolutely loved the activity and taking home their painted artwork,” says Claire, organiser at Otaki Market. “It is through the generosity of organisations like Resene that community events such as ours can flourish. Resene’s commitment to supporting local initiatives has made a tangible and positive impact on the lives of the young people who attended our Kids Markets. The smiles, laughter, and shared moments of creativity were made possible because of this contribution.”

Paint isn’t just used for new artwork, it can also be used to refresh old designs. When Jean bought her home, she discovered the previous owners had left a very faded piece of aluminum artwork behind. With the help of Kerry from the Resene ColorShop in Cambridge, Jean found the perfect colours to repaint it and give it a new life in her garden.

When Neralee sought help from Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey, she had pictures of a house she had seen with a gorgeous slate blue. Meryl helped to narrow down the perfect shade for the exterior of Neralee’s home, and she couldn’t be happier with the result. Gone is the dated cream, and in is Resene Westminster, a striking grey blue tone. Alongside this colour, used on the weatherboards, Neralee chose Resene Shark for the garage door and chimney and Resene Tuna for the plaster surfaces. The front door remains in a colour they have loved, Resene Foundry. “I’m so glad I spoke to Meryl before we went ahead,” says Neralee. “I love Resene Westminster that she suggested, it’s the perfect balance between grey and blue in the tone we were after.”

If you need help from a Resene Colour Expert like Meryl, use the free Ask a Resene Colour Expert service online, www.resene.com/colourexpert or visit your local Resene ColorShop.

Volunteer Helen Turinsky showed a labour of love by giving Bike Hub Nelson a makeover. Helen spent weeks working painting the mural with an array of Resene colours, which covers a once faded wall of Bike Hub’s storage space. The scene of the Nelson waterfront features the lighthouse, Haulashore Island, the Boulder Bank, the chain fence and, of course, a bike. Bike Hub Nelson coordinator, Matt Lawrey says Helen is a well-known jeweler and painter who spends her Tuesdays working on bikes at the hub. “It was a real labour of love... the detail is quite sensational. People just love it. The workshop is housed in a very nondescript concrete bunker of a building and it really adds some colour and life to the place.”

Vicky needed help with a colour choice for her living room, so she took advantage of the free Resene Virtual Colour Consultant service. After talking with Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey, Vicky went with Resene Time Traveler, a mysterious soft yet deep blue. This burst of colour has added character to Vicky’s living space and created a cosy place to sit and relax.

You can book your own colour consultation – free instore or virtually, or book a home visit in selected areas (a fee applies for home visits).  Click here, www.resene.com/colourconsult, to book.

Share your projects using Resene with us – we’d love to see them! Email us at editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz

Published: 17 Jan 2024