Bathed in colour

The vibrant colours and airy feeling of this Wellington kitchen have well and truly met the client’s original brief for a space that was open plan with a nod to mid-century style and a bright, fresh vibe.

Designer Joneen Rodgers of Hello Home Interiors Ltd says the client originally came to her with a sample of sunny yellow Resene Ipanema and that set the tone, in more ways than one, for the whole makeover of what was a penthouse apartment in an older building.

The colour now takes pride of place in the sleek modern kitchen along a window-filled wall.

“The main colour in the kitchen and living room is bright and bold but is broken up by a lot of windows, and joinery with natural light spilling into the space,” Joneen says. She followed a similar concept throughout the house, using different bold Resene shades on areas like doors and in smaller rooms, including cork flooring, and more neutral shades.

The Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range was used in the kitchen; Resene Ipanema is partnered with shelving backs in Weathered Orange, and a side wall in deep green Lichen. The bold colours are all cooled and brought together with a ceiling in Albescent White and the natural timber tones of ply cabinetry and cork flooring.

Joneen says the biggest challenge of designing the kitchen, and in fact the whole home, was that it sat within an old apartment building, which meant they were unable to relocate services.

“That meant we had to work with what was available and create a functional small kitchen for two people.”

The solution was to open up the existing kitchen and living spaces and create a more fluid connection between the rooms.

The key to a successful kitchen design, Joneen says, is to think carefully about your, or your client’s, wishlist and needs. “The kitchen needs to function ergonomically but there are so many opportunities to allow the colour and texture to reflect the people who live in the home.

“We were also fortunate to have trusting repeat clients, who were willing to take risks and develop a unique interior for their new kitchen and apartment.”

IN JONEEN’S WORDS

How would you describe your cooking style?

We love to cook and bake and entertain our family and grandkids, creating hearty, homely meals.

What is your favourite part of this kitchen?

I love the layers of texture and colour and how much character it has. The island, which was a must-have for the client, is a highlight as it not only functions as a work/prep area but is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Which recipe from this issue of dish would you like to cook and why?

The Sticky Date, Banana and Walnut Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce (page 108). I’d love to cook this in winter with the fire blazing. It sounds like such a delicious, comforting dessert.

Fresh yellow Resene Ipanema paired with Weathered Orange and Lichen, a ceiling in Albescent White and bare timber combine for a fresh, airy, mid-century finish to this apartment kitchen. To protect and bring out the best in plywood and timber cabinetry and walls, use a clearcoat like Resene Aquaclear. For your decorating needs, visit your Resene ColorShop or our online ColorShop at shop.resene.co.nz