From Habitat magazine - issue 26, autumn/winter 2017
A designer sister-in-law steps in to help with a major renovation.
If you were living a busy, inner-city life, about to go on maternity leave with a toddler in tow, what would ‘nesting’ look like to you? For Julia and Jordan Rogers, it was nothing short of relocation and an interior design makeover, using a bold colour scheme of Resene paints.
Moving to leafy Mosman on Sydney’s north shore meant living closer to extended family, yet Julia wondered if they made a mistake buying a house in need of work. “I couldn’t see the potential of the house as there was so much furniture in it, but we were nine months pregnant, and just lobbed an offer in.” The front part of the home was used as a chiropractic centre at the time. It was damp, heavy curtains blanketed the windows and the colours were drab. The Rogers wanted their home to feel fresh yet be in keeping with its 1900s Federation-style heritage.
While on maternity leave, Julia wanted to update the existing kitchen cabinets by painting them a muted mint green. Her sister-in-law Denise Barnett of Yellow Cow Interiors suggested using Resene Half Ash instead, a cool yet character neutral with a green edge. Julia then asked Denise to design the entire house. “I was given a lot of freedom and they were brave enough to use dark colours,” says Denise.
The open-plan kitchen and dining area at the back of the house are filled with light, so Denise suggested a bold, charismatic colour for the walls – Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey. The trims and picture rails were then painted with Resene Black White as a crisp counterpoint.
Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey walls give the couple the bold edgy feel they were after, and look great in this sunny, light-filled space.
Alternative solutions: › Outside in › Classic with a twist
Julie and Jordan with Oscar and Belle, enjoying their new-look kitchen.
While the style of the kitchen is classic, a wallmounted industrial-style light gives Julia the edginess she wanted. “We added dark colours for boldness. I wanted everything cool and grey, and now you don’t even notice the flecks of yellow and orange in the floorboards.”
Interior designer and sister-in-law Denise Barnett talked Julia out of mint green for the kitchen cabinets. instead, a soft grey-green which contrasts nicely against the Resene Quarter Fuscous Grey walls.
Resene Half Ash was also used in the hallway, Belle’s nursery and the study, and appears slightly different in each depending on the light and aspect. In the hall, it’s calming and in the nursery it’s light and fresh, complemented by accessories Julia has painted in Resene Always.
Left: Julia used Resene Always to paint accessories in baby Belle’s room, like the dollhouse shelf, toy box and stool. The walls are Resene Half Ash. The rug is from Temple and Webster.
Right: Resene Rhino walls add character and cosiness to Oscar’s room. A contrasting fireplace wall is painted in Resene Neutral Bay while the fireplace is in Resene Black White. Each accessory in the room was chosen to reinforce the confident colour scheme.
In their son Oscar’s bedroom, Julia and Jordan wanted bolder colour, so Denise chose rich Resene Rhino on the walls. She chose Resene Neutral Bay for the angled fireplace wall, as a contrast, and Resene Black White for the fireplace itself. She then repeated the Resene Rhino on the inside of the fireplace.
Built-in cabinetry in the study was picked out in Resene Gauntlet to contrast with the Resene Half Ash walls. The timber cabinet and clock are family heirlooms.
Interior design: Denise Barnett, Yellow Cow Interiors. Barstools: Bisque Interiors. Pouf from Country Road
The couple’s furniture includes family heirlooms that beautifully fit with the style of the century-old house. In the study, an old grandmother clock, cabinet and desk are from Jordan’s parents. The cabinet was used by Jordan’s father in his eye surgery, during his early days of practice. There’s a lamp stand in Oscar’s room, and a couple of dining chairs that have been reupholstered in fabric chosen by Denise.
The study also features an existing piece of characterful built-in cabinetry which was originally painted the same colour as the walls. Says Denise: “It was such a shame because it is so beautiful. So we painted it using Resene Gauntlet, which brings out the knobs so well. You didn’t even notice the piece before.” She used Resene Lustacryl, a tough semi-gloss waterborne enamel.
Jordan has been learning how to garden from Julia’s mother and says that without Denise’s help with the interiors, “we wouldn’t have had the discipline to keep going and get all the pieces done.” Adds Julia: “I crammed a lot into maternity leave and Denise made it efficient. Her shortlist of furniture and colour options was amazing. It was a great range to pick from.”
The Rogers plan to paint the house exterior within the year. They want to rip up the carpet on the stairway leading to an attic they eventually plan to renovate, and would like to update the bathrooms. Julia notes she’d like to paint the tiles herself, and will keep doing more DIY projects around the house. “Really?” questions Denise. “We’ll talk about it.”
The hall has character features like picture rails and high ceilings, picked out in Resene Black White against Resene Half Ash walls.
Words: Kylie Terraluna
Pictures: Tristan Todd
Natural elements inspire this warm scheme
Designer Terry Loeb suggests this alternative scheme:
The gold-green of Resene Native is used for the main walls with Resene Atlas above the picture rail and Resene Half Black White for the trims and ceiling. Other products featured include Hilton Dining Chairs from David Shaw, a Seville Dining Table from Designers Collection, a rug made from Cavalier Blameworthy Levant in ColdFusion Simon, oak flooring from James Henry, Entice fabric from Warwick Fabrics and candlesticks by Rachael Garland.
Bottom image: before
The mature trees that surround this traditional renovated home inspired my ColdFusion scheme and furniture choices. I felt a need to bring the outside in. The main wall ColdFusion is Resene Native, a warm, mid-tone green that has been teamed with Resene Atlas. These ColdFusion work well together, they enhance the detailing on the ceiling and are a perfect backdrop for the strong lines of the buffet and mirror.
I have chosen mostly classic pieces of furniture to give the room a timeless look then added a more contemporary dining table. The custom-made rug fits under the table giving plenty of room to push chairs in and out. It also acts as an acoustic absorber. I wanted the fabrics on the chairs to give a tactile experience. The unlined glazed linen drapes give a semi-sheer look and soften the room visually at night. A suspended circular light adds a touch of contemporary elegance.
Top tip: Dark walls look particularly good with the velvety finish achieved by using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene SpaceCote Flat.
Web: www.terrylobb.nz
Opulence with a contemporary edge for dining drama
Karla Scanlan of Design For The Inside suggests this alternative look:
Blending modern with traditional, this room has walls in Resene Rascal, trims and wall panels in Resene Double Alabaster and an oak floor in Resene Colorwood Natural wood stain. Products featured include Ascot wall panels by Easy Craft, Paris Dining Chairs and Savannah Table from Maison Living, Yoshino Cherry Blossom art from Great Big Canvas, and napkins made from Rivoli in Envy fabric from Warwick Fabrics.
Bottom image: before
I wanted to retain the charm and ornate finishes of this room, but accentuate them with striking colour and additional detailing. Adding a traditional mantelpiece and wall mouldings, all painted in crisp white Resene Double Alabaster, gives the room a focal point, while the walls in Resene Rascal add opulence.
Even through a traditional style is reinforced with the grand parquet table, upholstered chairs and rug, the room has a sense of modernity with an up-to-date chandelier and splashes of soft greens and fresh blues.
The dining table is placed in the bay window to take advantage of the view to the garden, with oak timber flooring finished in Resene Colorwood Natural wood stain to further highlight the blend of modern and traditional.
Top tip: The best paint for lower wall panels such as this is Resene Enamacryl (gloss) or Resene Lustacryl (semi-gloss). Both are tough waterborne enamels perfect for trims, panels and doors.
Web: designfortheinside.com.au
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