Now home to a couple and their menagerie of animals, a gracious old farmhouse in Auckland’s rural outskirts has shed the beige and embraced gem-like colour
At a glance
Who lives here? Kim Brebner, 44 (art director for Bed Bath & Beyond NZ), Isaac Khasawneh, 30 (healthcare assistant at Mt Eden Prison), Ted the ginger cat, Nelson the black cat, Lightning McQueen the miniature pony, Frank the rabbit & Henny the rooster with his harem of 30-odd hens.
Style tips from this farmhouse
- When choosing colour for your walls, remember that a darker wall colour will bring it towards you, whereas a lighter colour creates the illusion it is further away.
- If you don’t have high ceilings like Kim and Isaac, using the same colour on skirtings, walls and cornices will make the walls appear taller.
- Don’t be fearful of using bright colours in the bedroom – they can look fantastic. If you’re not ready to commit then try a feature wall behind the bed and apply a softer, more calming hue to the rest of the room.
- Give your bathroom a quick and inexpensive makeover by customising the outside of your bath with a lick of colourful paint.
Words by: Annick Larkin. Photography by: Emma MacDonald.
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The master bedroom showcases Kim’s love of fabrics and her ability to expertly mix pattern, colour and texture. Photo by Emma MacDonald.
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The guest bedroom is still a work in progress. Although the walls are white, colour is still a big feature through the artwork, bedlinen and wall hangings.
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Vibrant art and layers of print and pattern bring interest, texture and fun to the substantial dining space. The room’s warm timber flooring is offset by the punchy aqua tones of Resene ‘Surfie Green’ on the walls.
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“I love looking through one colour and into another in the next room,” says Kim. “I find myself doing that often and I get a good feeling from it. It always lifts my mood.”
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The original claw-foot bath in the main bathroom has been updated with Resene ‘Eastern Blue’ paint.
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The farmhouse-style kitchen is situated on the southern side of the house, so the space is naturally darker than the north-facing living areas.
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Kim painted the kitchen black to give the traditional farmhouse space a contemporary lift, with colour making an appearance via the stained glass and kitchenware.
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The lavender walls (Resene ‘Prelude’) of the living room deliberately contrast with the turquoise sofa.
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Although it is on the fringes of Auckland and there are neighbours close by, the one-hectare property offers all the charms of country life. Animal-lovers Kim and Isaac keep a flock of about 30 chickens (plus Henny the rooster) and a miniature pony, as well as cats and a rabbit.
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