The open kitchen looks modern and fun in Resene Happy Hour, which pops next to the more subdued elements like the grey bench space and stainless steel accents. Ceiling and trims look clean and smooth in Resene Alabaster. To the left on the dining room wall, Resene Moby creates a colourful connection that doesn’t fight the bold kitchen wall.

The kitchen’s cabinetry and stainless steel elements pair well with Resene Happy Hour, which brings the room to life. Ceilings and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster. The living room wall in the foreground is painted in Resene Moby. Just inside the entrance (seen at left), which leads into the open plan kitchen area, the walls are painted Resene Half Jumbo while the trims and ceiling are in Resene Alabaster.

While Petra and Milan wanted to dive into colour, the open plan space meant having to carefully choose a tone that wouldn’t battle the summery green of the kitchen walls. A nautical theme shines through in the dining area, which has been painted in Resene Moby, while the clean lines and modern aesthetic are maintained through the use of Resene Alabaster.

“Resene Moby goes so well with Resene Happy Hour and gives a nice contrast,” she says.

The open plan space is tied together with ceiling and trims in Resene Alabaster. The dining room feels spectacularly nautical in Resene Moby, while the contemporary kitchen shines in Resene Happy Hour.

Petra says that the inspiration for their lounge came from the Autumn/Winter 2018 issue of Habitat magazine. “The cover featured plywood planks painted in multiple colours and it looked so awesome that we decided to try something similar.”

The Autumn/Winter 2018 issue of habitat by Resene magazine, seen here on Petra and Milan’s coffee table, helped inspire their colour scheme. The walls are in Resene Moby while the ceiling and trims are in Resene Alabaster.

“After painting sample planks with Resene Moby, Resene Half Jumbo and Resene Alabaster, we decided that it wouldn’t work for our area because we have multiple colours already in the kitchen/dining area. In the end, we decided to use just Resene Moby as the planks themselves provided such a nice backdrop. And, because of the texture of the plywood, it actually feels quite different to Resene Moby painted on the plasterboard in the dining area.”

Thoughtful beach details make Petra’s living room a calm environment. The planks on the walls are painted in Resene Moby, with ceiling and trims in Resene Alabaster. The walls work in perfect harmony with the cream and grey furnishings, while spotlighting the beauty of the wooden floor.

The harmony Petra and Milan achieved by sticking to a well thought out colour palette has given them a fresh and vibrant open plan area. The bright colours are well balanced by the grey and wood furnishings, creating an inviting space for the couple to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Nautical details are prevalent throughout Petra and Milan’s main living spaces. In the lounge, the walls are painted Resene Moby complemented with trims in crisp Resene Alabaster.

Petra leans against the threshold between her lounge and kitchen dining area. The grooved panel walls of the lounge are painted Resene Moby, the kitchen wall, seen at the back, is in Resene Happy Hour. The trims and ceilings are in Resene Alabaster.

images Kate MacPherson