b'over the rainbow10 questions withKaren Resene ReseneTriple Merino Eighth Black WhiteBrunetti ReseneHalf CararraThe designer looks back at what shaped her first25 years in interior decorating and colour analysis.A fter investing years of time and energy into one career path, it takes a lot of bravery to make a change. Before pursuing a career in design, Karen Brunetti spent more than a decade working in childcare, rising through the ranks to a supervisory role. When the opportunity for voluntary redundancy arose at the daycare where she worked, she decided to take it. But rather than looking for another job in the same field, Karen investigated other optionsand one really stood out.In those days, Melbournes Centre for Adult Education would advertise their courses and one title caught my eye: Be Your Own Decorator, which was a two-day course on the weekend. When my husband came to pick me up at the end of the first day, he asked how it was. I told him I knew it was what I wanted to do. I enquired where I could take a comprehensive course, and the rest is history.Aside from an uncle who was a bricklayer, no one else in Karens family worked in design or construction, but she says her mums passion for decorating and visiting open houses played a role in her decision to switch gears. My mother had a strong liking for new homes, so we had a few moves during my younger life. I remember going with her and one of my brothers to walk through homes being built that were still in the framing stage and walking on the floor joists from room to right: Karen Brunetti spent the early years of her interior design career voraciously upskilling so that she could offer her clients well-rounded experience that extends into many specialised areas of design, like paint selection, colour psychology, carpeting, fabrics and more. In addition to running her own practice, she took on a lecturing role at the school where she studied so that she could share her extensive knowledge with aspiring designers. This project by Karen features walls painted in Resene Triple Merino and architraves in Resene Eighth Black White. Build by Warrington Homes, www.warringtonhomes.com.au. Painting by Spencer Paint and Design. Images by Holly Hawkins, www.hollyhawkins.com.blackwhitemag.com 61'