My Way Home

We just got back from the (mostly) sunny Gold Coast over the weekend. Our accommodation in Broadbeach was fabulous! Check out the panoramic views from the kitchen.😍

Speaking of which...while in Oz, I signed a contract to work at MasterCraft Kitchens as a Project Administrator starting in June. Working in the industry during the week is a long-time dream come true. I'll still be doing my Colour gig at the weekends. 🏡. What a month!

I had an old friend reach out from Spain recently, needing a quick colour solution for his interior before the painters came in. It made me think about my time on the retail floor when people would come to see me in a frenzy, needing a quick solution as their painters were locked in. If I were in the same situation, here's what I would do. 🧐

It's feedback Friday! Boy, do I feel good about this one!! 😍

I went on a little shopping spree yesterday with all the Easter sales. I picked up these gorgeous towels at Adairs for Mum's bathroom upgrade. I'm just loving all the pretty colours on the shelf at the moment. 💜

Hello and Happy Easter! 🐣

I hope you all are having a glorious holiday weekend. If by now the chocolate rush is over and you are examining your wall colour with your partner and need help figuring out where to start or are having a colour standoff. I can offer you some assistance. In today's post, I'm sharing my five steps on how I negotiate colour with my other half.

https://mywayhome.co.nz/colour-who-has-the-final-say-in-your-house/

Here is Paul, painting our dining wall for the second time because (in our early days) we couldn't decide on a connecting colour either.

I’ve got my Dulux tee on for the last time this season. I’ve had an absolute blast helping customers find colour solutions for their home projects. But if you have been sitting on the fence about a project, it’s not too late to get free colour advice. I’m at Bunnings, Petone, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. See you soon! 🙂🙂

It's just a thrill to know you can help someone re-imagine their home. 😍

It was so dreamy up on the Mckenzie trail in Eastbourne today.

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon... 😍😍

I can't help myself...

I'm thrilled with how our Kitchen remodel turned out, but as a Colour Consultant, I'm always playing the what-if game.‍

BUT WHAT-IF I could change my cabinet colour to: 🤷‍♀️

1. Dark Forrest Green - design by Steve Cordony
2. Warm Neutral - design by Studio McGee Design
3. Blue silvered with grey - Pinterest Photo (design unknown)
3. Mint - Photo from the Dulux website
5. Blue - (I love blue) 😍 Photo from the Dulux website

Do these colours give you inspiration for your kitchen makeover?

Please note these Dulux colours are not the exact colours (except the last two) used for the cabinets only a similar representation matched from my screen. 😉

I swear Mum will lock the door next time she sees me! 🔒

On my last Sunday visit, I told her we need to tweak your bathroom - the room needs some colour!! 🌺🌸🌼

Poor Mum (literally!) So, I managed to twist her rubber arm, and now we will zhoosh this little white room with hints of rose pink and ivory. It's going to be fabulous!

I often wondered if this creative career would ever happen, especially after hitting 50! 😍 So, I'm so chuffed to get this feedback from a recent customer.

My Cousin, who is the same age as me, said in a recent job interview, "I’m in the prime of my life." I couldn't agree more! 🌟🙌🤸‍♀️

"It's a crime not to Prime" is one of my favourite paint quotes from Mana - our Dulux trainer. 😍

One of the most repeated questions on my Colour shifts is how do I prep my walls for painting?

Here are three steps from my partner Paul, who I've observed over many years prepping our walls.

STEP 1: 🛋️
*Cover your furniture with a drop sheet, or even better move it out of the room!
*Protect your carpet and floors with a drop sheet, too.
We were lucky in this bedroom shot, as the room would be re-carpeted.

STEP 2:🧼
*Remove any flakey loose paint from the previous painted surface with a scraper.
*Wash down the surface with Selley's sugar soap to remove any dirt or dust.
*Fill any holes or cracks with filler. We recommend Builders Bog. Sand down your patches with 180 sandpaper until they have a smooth finish. Paul likes to finish with a 220 grit paper (the higher the number the finer the sandpaper). Dust all surfaces down.
*Use masking tape to protect any areas you don't want to paint, such as trim, window area, and light switches. With masking tape, you pay for what you get. We love Frog tape for its variety of product and quality.

STEP 3: 🏁
*Your walls are ready to be painted in a prep coat. I recommend 1 Step by Dulux (which is a primer, sealer and undercoat all in one!)
*Remember to hang on to a damp rag in case of any spillage. 👍

If you need any advice for choosing the best colour for your topcoat, drop me a line. 📧

Win a luxury escape for two to beautiful Cardrona in Central Otago when you purchase four litres of any Dulux paint between March 1 and April 30, 2024. ❄️

Your prize includes:
*Return airfares from the winner's nearest airport to Queenstown airport
*Three nights' accommodation at Stone Ridge Estate for two people
*Car hire for three days
*Breakfast daily and a five-course fine dining experience
*Choice of one of five activities for two
*NZD $2,000 cash spending money provided in the form of a Prezzy Card.

Enter the draw by uploading your receipt on the Dulux website.

Good Luck! 🍀

Are you tired of your white bathroom and feel like an Autumn refresh? 🍁

Here are my TOP FIVE bathroom colours from Dulux NZ range. 😍

1. Baylys Beach - photo source, pixels.com
2. Wood Creek - photo source, Dulux website
3. Champagne Springs (Half) - photo source, DaysInspired.Com
4. Oriental Bay - photo source, Meganmakes.com
5. Wi******er Half - photo source, Styleyoursenses.com

I’m back in beautiful Lyall Bay for another Dulux Shift at Bunnings from 10.00 am -2.00 pm. If you are considering a paint project over Easter, come and talk it over with the team. We will help you find the right colour and tools to finish the job!

It was one of those mornings when I wished I owned a jet ski! The Harbour was flat as an ice rink. If this is Autumn weather, please bring us more! 🍂😊

😍 One of the reasons I love my job is that I get to see some of the most beautiful houses in my community. Recently, I visited a home perched on a hill in Eastbourne, and from every room, you could see the harbour. It was beyond breathtaking!

The Homeowner wanted to create a blue bedroom oasis like this one designed by Emily Henderson.💙

You can read all about the colour journey here: https://mywayhome.co.nz/a-blue-grey-bedroom-oasis/

Colours of paradise 🏝️ ❤️.
I’m at Bunnings, Lyall Bay from 10am -2pm if you need colour help with your home project.

The painters have already set it up, but I've been called in to see if there are any other options than repainting a White House white. Fortunately, there are 😉. I ran the first picture through the Dulux online Colour generator just as a starting point.

I love how the white windows and trim pop against a darker colour. The couple is going to test a lighter-silvered blue and green, and I can't wait to see what they decide!! 🙌

I have another exciting exterior project on the go at the moment. What makes this job interesting is the homeowners are divided between choosing a blue-grey or a crisp white for their traditional styled home by the sea. Navigating colour choices with your partner is challenging. For sure, I've been there! 😉

As a colour consultant, my goal is to present to you the best possible options and why this colour or neutral will be a good fit for your house.

One of the options I presented to the Homeowners was Grey Lynn (a blue-grey) from the Dulux range. It has enough body in the grey to contrast nicely with the white trim and enough blue to keep it from looking too grey and dull. I love paring greys with mid-tone brown stained wood (think front doors and fences) to introduce warmth into the colour scheme.

White or grey, what will it be? TBC....🤷‍♀️

Photo source: Dulux website

I usually tell clients that paint can only do so much heavy lifting, but in this case, the moody green colour, has totally transformed the outside area.

Dulux - Marine Parade in Weathersheild.

I'm helping a homeowner down the road update their 1940s house. They wanted a green for the exterior. Three options were presented, and I can wait to see what they select after testing. The first option was a deep and moody green from Dulux called Pencarrow.

Follow-up photos to come 😊...

One of our renovation goals for 2024 is to complete a new outside study/colour consultation room for me. Paul is going to fit it out with a powder room and a tea station - I can't wait! 🙌

The room will be clad in James Harvey Groove. I love the mix of thick and thin wood paneling, which gives it a traditional yet fresh feel.

You can read about the Design Plan here:
https://mywayhome.co.nz/the-old-paint-room-becomes-the-new-study-room/

Photo source: jamesharvey.co.nz

Now that we have finished renovating the inside of our house, we are jumping outside to turn the old paint room into a new study/consult room for me.

We didn't think we could add a powder room, but with some reworking of measurements over the weekend, we can squeeze it in! 🙌 Here is a mock-up of our Hamptons Glam look. 🥰

Today, it's the birthday of one of Mum's closest friends, Kathy. Happy Birthday Kathy!! 🥳

It's usually Mum hiding behind a paint can taking photos of me (she is a proud Mumma 😊), but this time I snapped her. The photo was taken last Winter, hence the puffy jackets.

And today is also my first shift back on the Bunnings Floor at Petone for 2024!! I'll be here from 10 am - 2 pm if you have a Summer project you want to tackle.

I've learned a new word this year - Colour Drenching, which means painting your room head to toe in the same colour. Painting your walls, ceilings, trims, and even furniture in the same shade can make your rooms feel larger or cosier depending on if you choose a light or dark colour. 🩵🖤

I recommend choosing a matt finish for your paint. Personally, I think I could only handle this unique look in one or two rooms. I'm considering painting my new outside study room in a similar Dulux blue-purple to the first photo. 🥰

Photo source: Pinterest.