A Dunedin home gets a revamp with an artistic touch

The front door, painted in Resene ‘Billy T’, pops against the white exterior and creates a welcoming entrance.

“The vibrant glow of yellow brings me joy and stops things being too serious,” says Shelley.

Coat hooks provide a handy place to store bags and coats.

The wide central hallway was painted in a neutral tone to allow Shelley and Doug’s artworks and sculptures to be the main attraction.

“I am drawn to objects that are playful, a little cheeky, clever and quite fun,” says Shelley.

“It has a really lovely feel and, with open shelving, clutter simply isn’t an option,” Shelley says.

A clever mix of texture, contrast, colour and art fills this weatherboard beauty.

In the kitchen and dining area the original timber floorboards have been painted white to contrast with other wooden and industrial elements.

Shelley also put her creative talents to good use designing the stunning macrocarpa kitchen island bench.

All the shelving in the kitchen is open and none of the cabinetry is fixed, meaning the layout can be altered if and when the whim arises.

Much like their mum, Oscar and Eli have a strong visual sense. In their bedrooms they have each chosen their own bedlinen, lightshades, artwork and some of the furniture.

“The children have been brought up with artwork and have been encouraged to make art their whole lives,” says Shelley.

In Oscar’s room Shelley has introduced a splash of colour by painting the wardrobe door in green Resene blackboard paint.

Photo by Emma MacDonald.

A cork board makes for a great spot to display mementos.

Shelley’s background as a designer and artist meant she had the perfect credentials for giving the entire interior and exterior a facelift.

With Shelley being an artist, the art on the walls plays a big role in the ambience of the home.

In the family bathroom white Muuto ‘Dots’ (handy for hanging towels) soften the look and add interest to the simple scheme.

It’s quickly apparent that these creative homeowners don’t conform to design rules.

Industrial cabinetry makes for organised storage in the master bedroom.

The neutral tones in the master bedroom are brought to life with colourful bedlinen, indoor plants and art.

In the course of the renovation, the couple made some happy discoveries, the greatest find being the beautiful stained glass-windows that had been boarded up at the top of the entranceway.

Although the property is steep and buildings span several levels, splashes of Resene ‘Billy T’ cleverly link the garage, house and detached office for Doug, who works from home.  

Little bursts of yellow erupt around the property. It’s a colour Shelley has loved since she was a child.