Find a colour that is pleasing:  My choice is Resene Regatta. A pleasing colour should be used in rooms in which we spend a lot of time. Resene Regatta is a classic navy, and is fresh when teamed up with soft whites and with a touch of green. It reminds me of a wonderful sailing holiday I had last year.

The next colour should be inspiring:  Resene Kakapo does it for me. It is a colour we should use when creative thinking is required. This green is like a new shoot, new beginnings, new ideas.

Lastly, look for a relaxing colour:  Resene Ragamuffin has caught my eye. It’s a chalky rather than stark white and can be easily combined with my two more saturated colour choices. See www.debbieabercrombie.co.nz.

---

Spoilt for choice, he selected the following three:

• Resene Pioneer Red – this colour in high-gloss enamel on a feature door or window sash is a classic! Against other reds, it’s clearly on the muddy brown side, but on its own against contrasting colours, there’s no mistaking its identity.

• Resene Dusted Blue – it’s not a bird, it’s not a plane! It’s a crossover SUV in the world of paint colours! Blue, green and grey rolled into one and equally at home on weatherboards or in a living room.

• Resene Quarter Alabaster – the perfect Robin to Batman, or Watson to Holmes, this colour is well suited in high-gloss enamel as a trim colour to complement almost any colour it’s partnered with. It works both inside and outside. See www.salmondreed.co.nz.