all that glitters...

From Habitat magazine - issue 13

This jewel of a house is a reflection of its owners’ love of colour.

Artist and colour consultant Angela Pietkiewicz Williams is certainly not afraid to make a bold statement. The property she and husband Shayne Williams recently sold in Eastbourne, Wellington, is resplendent in deep and dramatic hues. It opposes any idea that only pale colours should be used in smaller rooms, and that, in order to sell a property, the decor should remain ‘safe’.

With not a neutral wall in sight, the couple had no trouble attracting buyers and Ange puts this down to the balance of colour being exactly right. “As soon as I walk into a room,” she says, “I can tell if that balance is out and what needs to be done to correct it – it’s usually something simple but can make a huge difference.”

The couple had asked Robyn de la Haye, from Essence Architectural Design, to design changes that allowed the house to be opened up and have better connection to the outdoors. The lounge had no windows other than at the single door leading to the deck, and a galley kitchen and separate dining room meant there was no natural congregation point for guests as they arrived. Says Ange: “The place lacked a heart and Robyn worked with our vision to create one.”

The collaboration between architectural designer (Robyn is a member of the ADNZ) and client was clearly a successful one. Without changing the footprint, Robyn transformed the internal spaces, replacing bedroom windows with ranch sliders onto a new deck and opening up the separate kitchen, dining and living rooms into one glorious, welcoming space. The kitchen was moved to take advantage of the views across Wellington harbour, with stairs added for internal access to the studio and pool room downstairs. Once the building work was complete, Ange set about embellishing the property with colour.

The original cream weatherboard exterior was covered with Resene Diesel, to give the house depth and allow it to blend visually into the bush-clad hill it nestles against.

The same respect for the property’s surroundings is apparent throughout the interior, too. On the upper level, the open plan kitchen, living and dining area is painted in Resene Awol. The green theme is continued in the master bedroom, but with the darker Resene Green Leaf chosen for its more restful appearance.

The downstairs games room reflects the colour of the outdoor swimming pool, with the walls and ceiling all in Resene Lochmara. The ceiling was originally white but was always stained with the dust of blue chalk used for the pool cues. Says Ange: “Guests love it, likening it to an exclusive, intimate cocktail bar.”

Ange says opening up rooms to the new deck and the strategic use of colour gives the house an outward-looking yet welcoming feel. By day, the property sits gently in its setting. By night, with its expansive use of glass, dramatic colour and clever lighting, it becomes a jewel set within Eastbourne’s dramatic landscape.

Did you know...

That Resene CoolColour technology reflects more of the sun’s energy so dark colours such as Resene Diesel used outdoors won’t heat up as much as usual.

words: Kim Slessor
oictures: Kevin Hussey

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

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