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The deep green hue of Resene Lisbon Brown envelopes the entryway in the home, creating a welcoming, chic space.
In the living room,Resene Alabaster creates the perfect backdrop for artwork and the striking fireplace.
Resene Double Foundry highlights the inside of the open kitchen cabinetry and contrasts beautifully against Resene Alabaster on the outer cabinetry and walls.
The pantry door is painted in the gentle greened brown of Resene Grey Olive, complementing the wooden handles.
The front door is painted in bold Resene Black, a hue that marries well with Resene Lisbon Brown on the walls.
The gentle earthy tone of Resene Grey Olive adorns the laundry walls, paired with natural elements to create a calming space.
A 1940s cottage gets a new life with the perfect colour palette
Interior designer Stacey Gillies and her architect husband purchased a run-down 1940s cottage in Birkenhead, overlooking the Chelsea Sugar Refinery. Despite the home’s state, the city and harbour views made it the perfect renovation project. Over the past decade, the couple have been transforming the space, using Resene paints to bring life and character into every room.
The journey of renovating has allowed the couple to experiment with colour in unique ways. One standout example is the entryway, where Stacey used Resene Lisbon Brown to "drench the space in a darker tone" and create a sense of arrival. “I thought it might be too brown, but when the sun hits it, it really is lovely and we get a lot of comments on it," she says.
The deep green hue of Resene Lisbon Brown envelopes the entryway in the home, creating a welcoming, chic space.
In the living room, Resene Alabaster creates the perfect backdrop for artwork and the striking fireplace.
Their kitchen, although retaining its original charm, received a fresh update with a crisp white and dark charcoal. “The cabinetry we repainted to Resene Alabaster and to provide a bit of contrast, we used Double Foundry at the back of the open shelves, which was left over paint from the home’s exterior refresh,” Stacey says, proving that you can be resourceful with what you have.
Once a bright mix of blue and yellow, the living room was repainted in Resene Alabaster, which provided the gallery-like feel they were seeking at the time. But it’s the future that excites Stacey, as she contemplates moving away from the white walls in favour of richer hues during their next stage of renovations.
The dreamy neutral palette in the living room, with Resene Alabaster and earthy toned decor, makes this an inviting and charming space.
Resene Double Foundry highlights the inside of the open kitchen cabinetry and contrasts beautifully against Resene Alabaster on the outer cabinetry and walls.
The pantry door is painted in the gentle greened brown of Resene Grey Olive, complementing the wooden handles.
The home is layered with a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces, and Stacey’s love for art and texture shine through. “I like interiors that are layered, with painterly colours that create an inviting feel,” Stacey says. “We are not minimalists, and I prefer colour, pattern and texture through a variety of materials. I love using art and objects to create moments in a home. Pieces found randomly in an op shop for example, or something that brings back memories, it’s a lot like how I dress.”
The front door is painted in bold Resene Black, a hue that marries well with Resene Lisbon Brown on the walls.
The children’s room is painted in the contrasting Resene Revolver and Resene Quarter Joss.
In the children’s bedroom, Stacey combined Resene Revolver and Resene Quarter Joss to craft a space that feels personal and warm for both her daughter and son. The moody purple hue in Resene Revolver carries over from her daughter’s side of the room, while the soft tones of Resene Quarter Joss provide balance on her son’s side. The warm beige “has a warm undertone to it while still being neutral enough to put other colours with it,” she says.
Of all the spaces in the home, Stacey admits a particular fondness for the bathroom. Once an outdated baby-blue room, it has been transformed into a practical and modern family space. “The light hits the mosaics on the back wall of the bath, which creates a very cool effect,” she says, adding that the living room also holds a special place in her heart due to its original art deco fireplace and beautiful city views framed by French doors.
The gentle earthy tone of Resene Grey Olive adorns the laundry walls, paired with natural elements to create a calming space.
As for her favourite Resene colours, Stacey finds it too difficult to choose just one. However, she leans towards “dusty pinks, browns, burgundy and tobacco shades,” all of which reflect her fondness for rich, inviting colours.
The transformation of this cottage continues to be a labour of love, one that will undoubtedly showcase even more colour in the future. Now that stage one of their reno is done, soon it will be on to stage two, and we can’t wait to see the result!
design and images Stacey Gillies, Stacey Gillies Interiors
Top tip:A dark or bold colour on the back of your shelving can really help to make it a feature. Or if you are looking for something even more unique, you can try adding a design from the Resene Wallpaper Collection to make your shelves a talking point. Wallpapers are best viewed in person to fully appreciate the colour, texture and finish. You can see a huge range of options in the wallpaper library at your local ReseneColorShop or get a taste of some of the options in the Resene Wallpaper Library online, www.resene.com/wallpaper.
Published: 16 Oct 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
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Resene Double Foundry
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colour to use or need colour
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Double Foundry
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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.
