Home to make you happy

Traci bought this house ten years ago. She'd fallen in love with its style and the street full of bungalows. So when it was damaged in earthquakes she made it her mission to rebuild a brand new 1950s bungalow (but with a better designed floorplan and lots of storage). Traci was so intent on doing all the interior herself she even started an interior design course.

The colour scheme starting point was the Marimekko orange cow fabric which ended up in the laundry. Next was the custom made couch with contrast buttons. Matching the fridge was a no brainer - Traci loves Resene Trinidad!

It was important for Traci to have all the permanent elements of the house white with a dark neutral floor. If she gets the urge to change the colours, it's all a simple paint job. As for the variety of colours, the key is that they are all the same intensity, and it's the job of the rest of the walls and ceilings to highlight the colour.

The playroom is painted in Resene Double White Pointer (walls), Resene Black White (trims) and a striking Resene Endorphin ceiling. It's fun, lively and functional. It's easy for the kids to put stuff away and if something doesn't fit on a shelf or in a cupboard then the kids know they've got too much stuff. The cushions and bean bags are all outdoor fabric so have good UV and stain resistance which is great because most days this room is full of all the neighbourhood kids.

The kitchen has Resene Double White Pointer walls, ceiling and trim in Resene Black White and the striking Resene Trinidad fridge.

The laundry has a feature wall of Resene Trinidad with other walls in Resene Double White Pointer, and the ceiling and trim in Resene Black White. When the door is open from the kitchen to the laundry you can see the Resene Trinidad wall. It looks stunning without being too much orange in the kitchen.

The brief from Traci's daughter was 'blue and has a chandelier'. She is super excited that there are 53 chandeliers, including all the ones on the wallpaper. The wall paint is Resene Scooter with Resene Black White ceiling and trim.

Traci's son wanted to feel like he was in a forest. The bird's nest light and furry beanbag complete the whole experience. The wallpaper is Komar National Geographic 'Sunday' from Resene, with wall paint in Resene Caper and ceiling and trim in Resene Black White.

The children's bathroom is Resene Half Escape with Resene Black White. The tiles have the same mix of blue and grey as the rest of the house. Resene Half Escape was just enough blue to bring the colour through from the hall, but not too much that it's overpowering.

The hall and stairs are Resene Endorphin. As Traci says "I walk in the door and smile. Every single time. It's simple, bright and makes the space feel huge. I love the white panelling, the pattern is repeated throughout the house for a modern 1950s bungalow feel. Without the panelling I wouldn't have been as comfortable with the blue; the white and blue complement each other really well."

This house is bright, high contrast and it makes Traci happy. Without fail, every time she walks in the front door Traci smiles. Most people comment on the blue hallway and the orange fridge as their favourites. As Traci says "I find it hard to choose because I love every room."

Fridge, laundry wall	Playroom, kitchen, laundry	Ceiling, trims
Resene Trinidad	Resene Double White Pointer	Resene Black White
Daughter's room	Son's room walls	Hall and stairs
Resene Scooter	Resene Caper	Resene Endorphin

Thanks to Traci.

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