Liz is passionate about colour and absolutely needs colour around her! So, five years ago when she downsized and purchased her two storeyed 70s townhouse which was in various tones of weathered cream and a faded yellowy cream on the outside, Liz immediately rushed to the Resene colour charts!
Being one street from the beach Liz decided to use various blues with Resene Black White, and as her lounge furniture was in citrusy greens, she used Resene Lemon Ginger for WOW factor. Liz wanted a simple palette throughout to create a greater sense of space and coordination.
She had always admired a friend's warm mid/deep blue walls so asked Resene to custom made that blue which she used on three walls of my lounge doing the fourth wall in Resene Black White. The tilt-up bed, which is installed downstairs in the lounge in case Liz cannot use the stairs in the future, is cleverly camouflaged in the deep blue paint with a bright painting hanging on it!
The dining and new kitchen flow from the lounge so were treated to the same palette. On two walls of the kitchen Liz used ply cabinetry stained to match the deep blue with white cabinets on the remainder. The long southern wall of the kitchen/dining is painted in Resene Lemon Ginger giving the whole space a real zing and warmth and contrasting magnificently with the lightly marbled white Infinity bench and blue stained ply. stainless steel handles and trims around the white bookcases add a sharp contrast.
The new downstairs bathroom is papered in Resene Wallpaper Collection Y6200802 with white trims and vanity plus blue stained ply cupboards and shiny chrome fittings.
The front door is also in Resene Lemon Ginger giving a real pop to the Resene Quarter Evolution exterior paintwork with white windows. The deeper grey/green exterior helps to blend this somewhat bulky looking duplex into the green hills behind.
The hallway and stair walls are a combination of Resene Black White and Resene Raglan which leads elegantly through opaque glass doors into the deeper blue kitchen and bathroom. The vinyl and carpet are a slightly greenish-stone colour creating a sense of greater space.
Liz has also used Resene Raglan in bedroom one and has have a feature wall of Resene Swamp in the guest room. Otherwise the upstairs walls are Resene Quarter Parchment. Liz also painted the original seven ugly dark timber doors on the landing in Resene Quarter Parchment creating a visibly increased sense of space.
All light fittings are new LED and been installed for good general lighting plus many spotlights to highlight artwork. Liz managed to acquire two ex Eastbourne Borough Council metal light shades which she has installed in the kitchen and hallway adding a bit of history and interest!
In addition, Liz has installed some highlighter LEDs over the splashback, under the toe spaces, and in the dresser type cabinetry facing into the dining. The deep blue hue creates a lighter 'floating effect'.
Liz is delighted with the greater sense of space and 'crisp, yet relaxed beachy feeling'. The colours have created a coordinated flow through this small house and into the garden while enabling existing furnishings and artworks to fit in well.
Thanks to Liz.
Decorating inspiration gallery 2020
Decorating inspiration gallery
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