words Vicki Holder images Tim Whittaker Resene Rice Cake paint it right Choose the right Resene colours and paints for the job. turn the page for an alternative look for this garden... Resene Crowdpleaser Above: Stone steps bridge the gap between the upper levels of the garden and the lower patio, which served as an extra area for guests to mingle during the Ainsworth’s son’s wedding. The home and pergola are finished in Resene Double Black White. Left: A selection of subtropical plants cosied up to the timber decking, which has been stained with Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in Resene Heartwood. In the background, you can see the original deck furniture colour. A similar look could be achieved with Resene Cedar wood stain. get some serious curb appeal Make a statement with your front door. This is a chance to indulge your favourite colour. Paint it using Resene Enamacryl gloss to really make the colour pop. Enjoy a bold red front door with Resene Jalapeno from the new Resene The Range fashion fandeck. lock in protection Natural wood is a stunning material to use for exterior cladding, but it needs to be properly protected to keep it looking its best. If you prefer to use a wood stain, Resene Waterborne Woodsman wood stain is penetrating and can be easily recoated in future years. See the Resene Exterior woodcare colour chart for options. Now that the summer heat is waning, it’s the perfect time to use a few coats of Resene Kwila Timber Stain to bring the life back to aged and greying hardwood decks or use Resene Woodsman. For deeper stains, consider opting for the Resene CoolColour formula, which reflects more heat than a standard colour – making it more comfortable to walk in barefoot when the summer sun returns. For safer paths, especially those on a slope, use Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. It has a light gritted texture for extra grip and slip resistance. darker, more intense Resene Thunder Road of the house’s joinery, Flint stained the timber decking with Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in Resene Heartwood. On the western side of the house, a deck in the same stain extends from the living area and takes in the views. It’s protected by light sliding louvres in Resene Double Black White. Celia and Flint also decided to soften the solid concrete boundary with portions of slatted vertical cedar fence finished in Wood-X Traverse to marry into the texture of the cedar weatherboards that wrap around the south-eastern side of the house. To complement the solid block walls, natural stone pavers form a practical hard wearing surface throughout the garden as pathways and under the pergola. While there is a lot going on in this relatively small garden, the selection of calming natural colours and materials that blend with the interior and contrast with the greenery of the planting is a cohesive result. The combination reflects the shared passions of the owners, architect and landscape designer. “It was great having keen gardeners as clients who appreciate interesting plants,” says Blair. “And,” says Nick, “it was refreshing to work with an owner who was also the builder because it informed our discussions during the design process as we explored pricing and options with a commitment to materials and strategies. It was such an enjoyable process.” Paths and driveways trap dirt and contaminants. Keep them clean by spraying them with Resene Deep Clean. Simply spray it on and leave Resene Deep Clean to work with the weather to clean up these areas. northern views of the ocean, it is also exposed to strong winds, so creating structure to provide shelter around the planting was crucial. Blair drew the elevation plans and worked together with Flint to determine the heights of the walls, which translated into Flint’s final design. The proportions were important, says Blair, “because everything had to withstand the swirling wind. Raised plaster garden areas, finished in Resene Double Black White to match the house soffits, highlight the plants at a level where you see them. It makes them shine a bit more. It’s nice to have those level changes rather than a flat platform. The solid structure in white gives interest and balance. Then, we softened it with landscaping.” Some of the plants were specifically chosen to withstand the wind, such as the agaves, bonsai, giant bird of paradise and the unusual South African cabbage tree. Flint and Celia brought their own cycads from a previous garden and a number of other special plants were sourced from Auckland, including the monkey-no-climb tree (Ceiba speciosa). “There is an emphasis on subtropicals – bromeliads and echeveria around the pond with a few low natives, like the tractor seat plant. Most of the colour is in the foliage rather than relying on flowers and the only structural colours are white and natural.” However, a Scarlet O’Hara bougainvillea will eventually provide a dazzling display of crimson flowers along with star jasmine weaving through the Resene Double Black White slats of the pergola, designed to deflect the wind. To provide a warm natural contrast to the cool whites of the structural elements and the Above top: A bird’s eye view shows the artistic repetition of the rectangular forms that block out different areas of the backyard. The deck has been stained with Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in Resene Heartwood and the pergola structure has been finished with Resene Double Black White. Above bottom: Flint and Celia went with Resene Double Black White for the pergola, which, in a few years’ time, will support a canopy of greenery. They recently finished their outdoor furniture, which was originally rimu-toned wood, with Resene Woodsman Whitewash to brighten it up. Resene Double Black White Resene Heartwood Resene Woodsman Whitewash Resene Jalapeno Resene Poured Milk Resene Quarter Baltic Sea 77 76