Versatility wrapped in white

Whether your taste aligns with minimalism, rustic, coastal VERSATILITY VERSATILITY or countr always pl y cottage, white ay a role in your will desired look. Evoking freshness

WRAPPED WRAPPED and elegance, whites are versatile, working with al any other hue. most

IN WHITE IN WHITE It’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 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 about whites is that there will be a white for you appear. A golden wooden floor will warm up a with the multitude of types available. cool white wall with its warm hue during the White can be just as hard, though, if not day. However, at night, the artificial light that harder to choose, than a bold colour. The comes from the ceiling will make it appear impact of the wrong white can be big, so it’s quite different. worth the effort finding one that doesn’t make "A kitchen is a good place to start when your home feel sterile or lack in personality. selecting a white," says Jackie, "once you’ve Resene colour consultant Jackie Nicholls chosen your fittings and surfaces and cabinetry. celebrates white as a popular trend that is What undertones exist in these surfaces? Is there clean and fresh. “Just add your accessories - it greenery outside? What's reflecting into the room? sounds simple doesn’t it? However, so many These can all impact the colour of a white room." people fall into the trap of using what seems The lighter the white the more changeable modern and current, only to find it looks cold it is and the more effected it is by these factors and unfriendly in their own place." especially light, Jackie adds. “If you painted a "It’s worth having a careful look at the deep, blue green it won’t change much with various undertones in the huge range of white the time of day. There is more depth in it, it shades available,” she says. “They're hard to holds its own.” spot at a glance, but they become obvious Other points to remember, she says, with when you sit them next to each other. Resene white is that everyone sees colour differently. “We have colour specialists and staff that can help all have emotional associations with colour. Light you with this." has a massive difference, changing at different The first step is to look at where you want times of the day - even the corners of a room can to paint your white. What will it sit beside? differ. Context – what it is sitting next to - and White’s nuances are subtle, it is a colour that properties – whether it will cover a large or small can change dramatically with the light and area - also matters."

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.

It's still important to try and find a white that makes your heart sing. Look at Resene colour swatches and select what you’re attracted to straight away. Paint your Resene testpot onto a large piece of cardboard (A2 size is ideal) leaving an unpainted border around the edge. Once dry, move your samples around your home and analyse how the natural light and surroundings effect the colour.

“Don’t place your swatches side by side, Jackie says, as they can fight with each other and you won’t like any of them.” For the same reason don’t paint your test colour directly onto the wall as the existing colour will affect the new colour. Place them in isolation, hold them next to something staying in the room such as a trim, door frame, artwork or curtain. Carry it around and try it in different aspects.” "Don’t be afraid to have more than one shade in your home, colder rooms will benefit from warmer shades like Resene Cararra or Resene Rice Cake, while a large, sunny space can look good in Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Quarter White Pointer." "A clever way to add interest with white is to consider painting the doors throughout in a soft shade such as Resene Eighth Stonehenge. To give the whole scheme an edge, add in a dark moody feature wall that could be repeated in a bathroom or powder room perhaps, like Resene Half Fuscous Grey from the Karen Walker Paints collection."

The paint finish can also make a difference, Jackie says. "Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is normally used on walls, but you could consider Resene SpaceCote Flat for a sophisticated finish, especially in a media room or around a fireplace. Resene Enamacyl is a full-gloss option for doors and trims, providing a sharp contrast."

Pattern and texture bring interest to a white interior. In a kitchen, blend a marble benchtop and wood stained flooring in Resene Colorwood. In a home with a country cottage feel, vertical tongue-and-groove panelling on the wall can look beautiful with a creamy chalky white for a warm heritage feel.

If you’d like to bring in some subtle colour, there are ways without it popping too much and dominating your white scheme. In an all-white kitchen for instance, in a countertop cabinet that houses your breakfast items, paint the background wall of your cabinet in a gentle hue such as the smoky grey-green of Resene Ash. Coordinate with cabinetry painted in Resene Half Thorndon Cream or Resene Quarter Joanna. Or in an all-white kitchen, bring in a sophisticated grey navy or dark olive green on the cabinet doors or on your kitchen-island panels.

Décor has its place in softening a white scheme and creating depth. By bringing in luscious textiles, such as sheepskin or thickpile rugs with fringing or tassels, soft throws to snuggle up against and velvet cushions, you’ll create an inviting setting. Flowing curtains will add comfort to your fresh, clean aesthetic too.

When bringing in colour, go slowly and gently. Bring in soft colours that won’t appear too harsh on the eye. Try sunset hues – pinks, corals and taupes for a warming effect, such as Resene Soothe and Resene Soulful. For a more Mediterranean feel go for turquoise, greens and coastal blues, such as Resene Breathless and Resene St Kilda.

Beautiful lighting is key to adding another dimension. Table and pendant lights in textured shades or a beachy look or glass, brass shades for a sophisticated feel will add another layer of interest especially if the bulbs reflect a soft, warm glow.

Don’t forget your flooring – a pale Scandi-style option is ideal in a white setting if you’re laying down new flooring. If you’re repurposing existing floorboards, why not paint the floors white or use Resene Colorwood Whitewash for a soft wash of white while still allowing the timber grain to show through? A light-coloured carpet will bring a sense of luxury to a white interior too, adding softness and comfort.

Whether you are looking to decorate just one room or your entire home, we know you want top quality, real choice and inspiration, as well as expert advice so it’s done right the first time. The team at Guthrie Bowron Whangarei are ready to help, so pop in and let’s chat!

Ashley Wilde Montana Collection from Charles Parsons.

GUTHRIE BOWRON WHANGAREI

34 Porowini Ave, Morningside, Whangarei 0110 09 438 2519 | sales.whangarei@guthriebowron.co.nz

Top: Feltex, Salisbury. Above: Dulux Kohukohunui. Photographer: Mike Baker. Stylist: Bree Leech. Artwork: Claire Kirkup 'Gathered and Spun' 2018. Image supplied by Dulux.