soft touch

I like to call my time on The Block NZ a ‘DIY bootcamp’. I was trying to create glamorous, high-contrast spaces on the show, and we used a lot of bold colours, such as Resene El Paso. Off the show, when we moved into our second house, I went with a softer palette and focused on making it more homely for future buyers. My style has changed from hard, edgy looks to softer everything.

How have you found your most recent home renovation in comparison with The Block NZ?

The experience on The Block NZ was fast paced. We finished an entire room in a week, but we could really lend ourselves to it as it was like our full-time job. Now that Adam and I are both working, we’ve taken our time doing up our house in our spare time. It will take eight weeks in total, which is the time for a standard renovation, but that’s quite a slow pace for us.

Resene Half Linen is such a calming colour, and we have it on the tongue-and-groove doors and panels in the master bedroom of our latest renovation. The texture of the panels makes the colour pop. We’ve paired it with Resene Quarter Black White, which is a fresh but subtle look. I also love Resene Double Thorndon Cream. We’ve recently painted our kitchen this colour, and we’re so happy with it – it’s now a much more relaxed space. I wanted our new home to have a bit more colour and be slightly less grey, and Resene Double Thorndon Cream is a nice balance between grey and beige.

How have your feelings towards colour changed over time?

At the start, I was very sceptical and scared to play with colour. I was going off small swatches and holding them up, which is an easy mistake for beginners as light can change the way a colour looks. Now I use Resene testpots or order Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches to see clearly how the colours interact with daylight. The more I develop my skill set, the more I’m willing to play with colour.

Do you have any advice for those wanting to get creative with colour?

Paint large-scale swatches on a piece of card and put them in the space. Gather all your remaining room elements together to create a visual mood board. This will help you to coordinate and create a cohesive space. The more you play with colour, the more you can bring out your personality and add a special touch.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

My family – Adam and our two puppies, Boki and Toddy. (They quite literally get me out of bed in the morning.) Also, my job. I love interior design – the balance between computer work and physical involvement, being onsite around interesting people. I get to pick up tips and tricks from tradespeople on the job. Their talent is second to none, and I am constantly expanding my knowledge.

To see more of Stacy’s work, visit www.studioreno.co.nz.

Order Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches online at www.resene.com/drawdowns or from a Resene ColorShop.

Words: Sarah Kolver

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