Flying colours

Decorating articles and inspiration from TrendsIdeas

Understated interior colours were chosen for this community trust centre, in order to help its users focus on the lessons provided within, while outdoors, paints are selected for their hard-wearing properties.

In a space that is predominantly used for learning, colours should be pleasant, but also subtle enough to aid concentration.

This was the aim of Resene colour consultant Angela Fell when choosing interior colours for the Eastgate Community Trust – a centre that provides life skills training to individuals with intellectual and physical needs, with the goal of encouraging semi-independance and community participation. For internal walls, both Resene Quarter Napa and Resene Half Napa were used.

“The trust coordinators requested a neutral palette to reduce hyperactivity from the students. Resene Quarter Napa is a greyish neutral used in the hallway, meeting room, office, laundry, storeroom and toilet. It is an understated tone, so allows for the colours in the artwork to take precedence,” says Fell. For the walls of the main building, a slightly darker Resene Half Napa is used. The ceilings are painted in a warm Resene Half Tea, and the doors are Resene Double Napa. The external weatherboards were painted in Resene Lumbersider tinted to Ironsand, an all purpose water-borne satin that can withstand exposure to dust and dirt from the nearby main road. The soffits are painted Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Thorndon Cream, and the timber fascias are stained in Resene Cedar.