The ‘chop chop’ of homegrown fruit and vegetables being sliced and diced into delicious creations is a familiar sound in Jo Patterson’s country kitchen. But when her architect suggested putting the floor plan of her 1905 heritage home on the chopping block for a massive renovation, she was a bit apprehensive. She quickly came around to the idea when she saw the plans moved the kitchen to the centre of the Edwardian Arts and Crafts-style home – besides it wasn’t the first time the grand old home had been under the knife. Twenty years ago it was cut into three pieces and moved from the Cashmere Hills in Christchurch to its current location in rural North Canterbury.

The renovations saw the kitchen move from its original spot on the southern side of the house to the sunnier northern end. A small room originally built as a maid’s bedroom was converted to a scullery with walls painted in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss tinted to Resene Forest Green, a dark green with old world charm.

“The light and shadows Resene Forest Green throws are amazing. In daylight it has lovely natural tones and at night it has a cosy-yet-sophisticated vibe. It works just as well in our scullery as it does in the main living room,”says Jo.

For the main kitchen, Jo worked with Rachel from Appletree Designs in Wellington and the Gourmet Kitchen Company. The design included three-metre high cupboards, brass tapware, a stone benchtop and a Falcon oven from Kitchen Things. The kitchen island base and the bevelled glass cabinetry are an oak-style timber while the walls are Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom tinted to Resene Thorndon Cream and the cupboards are the same colour in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss. The trims and architraves are also in Resene Lustacryl tinted in the lighter Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and the ceiling is brighter still in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream.

“Resene Thorndon Cream is the most beautiful neutral. It tends to throw a little green and this works so well with our dark oak furniture, dark flooring and the Resene Forest Green,” says Jo.

For more colour ideas and inspiration, visit your local Resene ColorShop, resene.co.nz/colorshops, or view the Resene decorating inspiration gallery online, resene.co.nz/inspirationgallery.