VERSATILITY WRAPPED IN WHITE
Whether your taste aligns with minimalism, rustic, coastal or country cottage, white will always play a role in your desired look. Evoking freshness and elegance, whites are versatile, working with almost any other hue.
I
t’s a colour that always feels at calming, relaxing and never goes out of fashion. No wonder whites are such a popular choice among homeowners; the beautiful thing about whites is that there will be a white for you with the multitude of types available. White can be just as hard, though, if not harder to choose, than a bold colour. The impact of the wrong white can be big, so it’s worth the effort finding one that doesn’t make your home feel sterile or lack in personality. Resene colour consultant Jackie Nicholls celebrates white as a popular trend that is clean and fresh. “Just add your accessories - it sounds simple doesn’t it? However, so many people fall into the trap of using what seems modern and current, only to find it looks cold and unfriendly in their own place." "It’s worth having a careful look at the various undertones in the huge range of white shades available,” she says. “They're hard to spot at a glance, but they become obvious when you sit them next to each other. Resene have colour specialists and staff that can help you with this." The first step is to look at where you want to paint your white. What will it sit beside? White’s nuances are subtle, it is a colour that can change dramatically with the light and
For over 15 years we’ve been proudly building Kiwi homes for Kiwis using all the best stuff from right here in good ol’ NZ. Over the last 15 years the Kiwi dream has come a long way since the elusive quarter acre. That’s why we’re proud to still be able to provide a Kiwi solution for your first home, second home, a home where you need a bit more home, or even your home away from home. We offer a range of plans from 60 to 250 square metres. These can be built straight from the plans, or we can use them as inspiration to create your own Kiwi dream.
30 | SAVVY
the colours surrounding it, be it in furniture, flooring or paint on existing walls. There are elements of colour in your furniture, décor and lighting that can impact the way your swatches appear. A golden wooden floor will warm up a cool white wall with its warm hue during the day. However, at night, the artificial light that comes from the ceiling will make it appear quite different. "A kitchen is a good place to start when selecting a white," says Jackie, "once you’ve chosen your fittings and surfaces and cabinetry. What undertones exist in these surfaces? Is there greenery outside? What's reflecting into the room? These can all impact the colour of a white room." The lighter the white the more changeable it is and the more effected it is by these factors especially light, Jackie adds. “If you painted a deep, blue green it won’t change much with the time of day. There is more depth in it, it holds its own.” Other points to remember, she says, with white is that everyone sees colour differently. “We all have emotional associations with colour. Light has a massive difference, changing at different times of the day - even the corners of a room can differ. Context – what it is sitting next to - and properties – whether it will cover a large or small area - also matters."
