Photography by: Tim Williams
Honouring the legacy of a home can take many different forms. For Carol and Steve Webster, it meant using Resene paint to tell the story of their century-old Nelson home. First, they tackled the gardens, then they slowly turned their attention towards what a thoughtful interior update would look like. “In the first year we observed, gained the feeling of the place and put lots of thought into how it would best work for us and the way we live,” says Carol.
The kitchen, dining room and what was originally a lounge and a reading room (now an open-plan lounge that flows into the rest of the space) were their first target. After soaking in the Nelson home for a year, Carol and Steve had decided on the specific aesthetic they wanted to introduce.
“We searched for Resene paint colours that would create an old-worldly feel and suit the amount of natural light coming into the rooms. We wanted something timeless and elegant, with almost a cigar
or cocktail bar vibe.”
Resene Zylone Sheen in Resene Mangrove, a sophisticated muddy green, was the powerful statement colour they decided to apply to their walls. For the kitchen cabinetry, they went with Resene Double Mangrove. They used Resene Mangrove on the skirting. Their contrasting neutral, which pops against the painted skirting, is Resene Zylone Low Sheen in Resene Quarter White Pointer, a sober, greyed white. “Resene Mangrove gives the rooms a rich, moody depth and Resene Quarter White Pointer lightly softens and complements,” says Carol.
As well as creating a rich and timeless atmosphere, the palette pays homage to the hills of native trees the rooms look out on. “The Resene paint colours that we chose really bring the outdoors in, which we love.”
“Colour creates feeling. It adds so much to how you live, relax and enjoy all moments of life. When you walk through your door and instantly love your surroundings, you know you have done the right thing.”
How to enter
Click through here to find out how you can enter the 2026 Resene Colour Home Awards.
