Hey friends and welcome to my blog! If you're building or renovating and considering Taj Mahal Quartzite for your kitchen benchtops — you're in the right place. This beautiful natural stone is incredibly popular across Pinterest and Instagram, but it's also one of the most misused when it comes to colour selection.

I'm Bozica, a qualified interior designer and colour specialist with over 15 years' experience helping homeowners get their colour schemes right. In today’s post, I’ll show you exactly how to work with Taj Mahal Quartzite — how to test undertones, select the right white paint, pair your neutrals, and build a cohesive kitchen colour scheme that flows into your entire home.

🎓 Want help choosing all your colours step-by-step? Check out my Online Colour Scheme Course — it’s cheaper than a tap and will save you thousands in costly colour mistakes.

Step 1: Test the Stone and Identify Undertones

The first thing you need to do when creating your kitchen colour scheme is start with your stone — in this case, Taj Mahal Quartzite. Never guess. Always test. This stone has two dominant undertones:

• Taupe with a violet undertone

• Grey with a green undertone

Both undertones are visible, and both can be used successfully in your colour scheme — but only if you know how to identify them. I used my professional neutral samples to match them exactly. Taupe with violet adds warmth and elegance. Grey green offers a cooler, grounded feel.

Step 2: How to Choose White Paint

If you don’t see white in your stone, you shouldn’t use a crisp white paint like Dulux Lexicon Quarter. It clashes. The key is to find a white paint that reflects the undertones in the stone.

After testing, I found a warm white with a green undertone that blends beautifully. It’s not the bright white you might expect — but it works like magic. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see online: people using whites that are too stark and don’t harmonise with the stone.

Need help choosing the right white? My White Paint Course shows you exactly how to test whites against fixed elements like benchtops, splashbacks, and tiles.

Step 3: Build a Cohesive Mood Board

Once you’ve nailed your undertones and white, it’s time to build your kitchen mood board. Here’s what I used:

• Taj Mahal stone sample

• Warm white paint swatch (with a green undertone)

• Cabinet colour (taupe or grey green — both work!)

• Matching splashback tile from Burmont Tiles

• Timber or wood flooring with the same undertone

• Optional: brushed gold or nickel fixtures

Everything must speak the same colour language — undertones are everything.

Step 4: Repeat Colours Across Your Open Plan Living

If you’re working in an open-plan home, your kitchen colours must flow through your living and dining areas. That means:

• Your wall colour, trims, and ceilings should be painted in the same white that matches your stone.

• If you have black or charcoal window frames, repeat that colour somewhere in your space — in furniture, picture frames, or a pendant light.

One of the most common mistakes I see is forgetting to repeat the colour of window frames, leaving them standing out like a sore thumb. In interior design, every colour should be repeated at least twice.

Step 5: Extend the Colour Scheme to Furniture and Fabrics

Once your fixed elements are sorted, it’s time to bring in your soft furnishings:

• For a taupe/violet-based scheme, choose curtains, sofas, and cushions in the same undertone — lighter and darker shades.

• For a grey/green-based scheme, do the same — match your curtains and fabrics to that exact undertone.

You can also blend both undertones in one space if done carefully. I always test everything — 15 years later, and I still don’t guess.

Want to learn how to test undertones like a pro? My online course gives you the neutral categories and tools to do it all yourself. Check it here: https://www.interiorsbystyle.online/colorscheme

Final Thoughts

Creating a kitchen colour scheme with Taj Mahal Quartzite doesn’t have to be overwhelming — you just need the right system. Start with the stone, identify its undertones, choose your white paint carefully, and test everything.

It’s not about opinions. It’s about what your fixed elements are telling you.

I hope this blog post helped you understand the process. If you want to take the guesswork out of your renovation, check out my Online Colour Scheme Course — it includes all my templates, test guides, and undertone matching system that has helped hundreds of Aussie homeowners create beautiful, timeless homes.

Designing your dream kitchen? Start with the star of the show—Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo™ (5131). This marble-look quartz benchtop is one of the most popular Caesarstone colours in Australia, and a favourite among renovators for good reason. With its soft grey veining and warm white base, it’s the perfect starting point for your DIY colour selection.

🎨 Step 1: How to Choose White Paint That Actually Works

If you’ve ever Googled how to choose white paint and ended up more confused than before—you’re not alone. The key is to understand undertones. Calacatta Nuvo has a warm white base, which means you’ll need a warm white paint like Dulux Vivid White rather than cooler whites like Lexicon Quarter. The wrong white can completely throw off your entire kitchen colour scheme.

💡 Tip: This is exactly what I teach inside my White Paint Course — so you can choose with confidence, not guesswork.

🧱 Step 2: Choose Neutral Colours That Match

Choosing neutral colours for your home can be just as tricky as whites. When working with Calacatta Nuvo, I always test against a full set of neutrals—like taupe, grey-green, and warm greys. For this stone, a grey with a green undertone works beautifully across cabinetry, flooring, and furnishings.

This step is essential if you want a cohesive open-plan living space. Your colour scheme for renovation should start here—by working with the fixed element (your benchtop), not against it.

🪟 Step 3: Don’t Forget Your Windows, Floors & Fixtures

So many people forget to factor in the colour of their windows or flooring! If you’re using black windows, make sure black appears elsewhere in your kitchen. If not, white window frames will blend better with Calacatta Nuvo’s palette.

Floor tiles or timber floors? Make sure they share the same undertone. This is the kind of thing that homeowners miss when they try to select paint colours without a designer—but you can absolutely do it yourself if you test correctly.

🖼️ Step 4: Build a Mood Board to Pull It All Together

As I show in the video, the best way to get your colours right is to build a physical mood board. Lay out your Caesarstone sample, tile, paint swatches, cabinet options, and even fabrics. Testing them together is the only way to avoid costly regrets. This is the same system I teach inside my course.

🎥 Watch the Full Video Tutorial:
See the undertone test, white paint comparison, and full kitchen mood board in action.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Scheme Help for Renovation?

Join my online course and learn the full system for choosing paint colours, tiles, cabinetry and flooring — even if you don’t have a design background.

👉 Check Out the Course Here https://www.interiorsbystyle.online/colorscheme

It’s helped hundreds of Aussie homeowners get their dream kitchen — and it costs less than a tap!

If you're building or renovating your home and looking for colour scheme help or ideas to maximise storage in a small laundry, this post is for you. Today I’m sharing a personal behind-the-scenes look at how I designed my own compact laundry using practical layout tips, smart cabinet planning, and one of my favourite neutral paint coloursfrom Dulux to create a warm and cohesive space.

As always, I’m Bozica—a qualified interior designer and colour specialist—and I'm here to help you confidently choose paint, finishes, and layouts without the overwhelm.

🧼 A Functional & Beautiful Small Laundry

Let’s start with the space. My laundry is compact, full of nooks and crannies, and located on the ground floor, where storage is limited. So I had to be smart—every centimetre mattered.

Even though I don’t often use 3D programs, in this case I used SketchUp to sketch out the room. If your layout is more straightforward, you can easily plan your laundry in 2D by hand, or your cabinet maker can draw it for you.

🗂 What I Included & Why

Every cabinet and drawer had to be purposeful. Here's how I planned it:

• Pull-out laundry drawers: One for whites, one for darks

• Built-in washing machine & dryer: Positioned side-by-side for an easy flow

• Overhead shelving: For storing laundry powder and supplies

• Dedicated tall cupboard: For charging my vacuum and mop (with a PowerPoint!)

• Side cupboard: Holds my gardening tools

• Extra storage: Cat supplies and decorative vases up top

• Cupboards for the kids: Their school shoes, bags, sports gear and water bottles all go in here

🎯 Tip: Start by writing down exactly what you need to store. Then assign each item a home.

🎨 Matching Paint to Tiles: Why It Matters

In this space, I used a tile that wraps around the corner and continues into the splashback. To keep it cohesive, I matched the paint colour on the adjacent walls perfectly to the tile using Dulux ACC Cord.

I see so many bathrooms and laundries where the paint doesn’t match the tile, and it really throws the whole space off. You have two choices:

1. Match the paint to the tile (like I did)

2. Choose a white that works with your tile’s undertone

That’s why testing your paint is critical, especially with neutral colours.

🪟 Paint Testing Tip

Always:

• Use Dulux Vivid White as your comparison base

• Test your colours vertically on A4-sized samples

• Avoid testing on the floor—it distorts undertones

Neutrals are complex. A tile with a blue undertone, for example, will need to be paired with a white that balances that, not one that competes.

✅ My Quick Tips for Small Space Planning

• Plan for how you'll use the space before you design it

• Allocate storage zones based on real items: shoes, sports gear, pet supplies, etc.

• Include PowerPoints inside cupboards for vacuums and cleaning tools

• Use vertical storage—shelves are your best friend in a tight laundry

• Match your paint to tiles or select the perfect white based on undertone

🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White

Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:

📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?

If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.

👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.

If you're building or renovating and wondering how to choose the right neutral paint colours for your home, let me show you how I transformed my own open-plan living space—including my kitchen, living room, and dining area—into a warm, inviting and functional space using Dulux neutrals and timeless design principles.

I’m Bozica, a qualified interior designer and colour specialist. My goal is to help homeowners like you create a colour scheme with confidence—even without a designer. Here's how I did it in my own home.

🏡 Before & After: Open Plan Living Transformation

This space had zero storage and no clear zoning. It included:

• Kitchen

• Dining area

• Living room

• A little nook under the stairs

After my renovation, the space now feels warm, functional, and beautifully connected. I used colour repetition, texture, and neutral layering to create a sense of calm and cohesion.

🎯 Where I Started: Finding the Inspiration

The whole colour scheme started with four beautiful framed artworks featuring:

• Soft greys with green undertones

• Warm charcoal blacks

• Natural wood tones

• Subtle earthy greens

This artwork guided every decision I made. From there, I built a mood board—something I always recommend before starting a renovation.

🧱 Step One: Choose the Kitchen Stone First

This is rule number one in my online colour course and one I follow myself. Your kitchen stone is your foundation—it usually contains multiple neutral tones that will dictate:

• Wall colour

• Cabinet colour

• Skirtings and architraves

• Flooring

• Feature accents

I chose a grey stone with a green undertone, which became my core neutral across the entire open space.

🪵 Step Two: Repeat the Neutrals & Undertones

From there, I repeated my neutrals thoughtfully:

• Grey with green undertone (walls and stone)

• Black accents (handles, pendant lighting, art frames)

• Timber tones (cabinetry, furniture, decor)

• Pops of green velvet (upcoming chairs) for contrast and energy

✨ Tip: Always repeat your key colours 2–3 times throughout the space for cohesion.

🧪 Matching Paint to Your Materials

My paint colour was selected based on the undertone of the stone. This is where most homeowners go wrong. If your stone has a green undertone, your wall colour needs to match—not fight it.

I used Dulux neutrals and tested all paint colours vertically on A4-size samples next to my fixed materials, using Dulux Vivid White as a background to properly detect undertones.

🛋 Furnishing for Function

The layout was planned with zoning and function in mind. Under the staircase, I added a small dresser with drawers—perfect for extra storage. In my dining nook, I reused beautiful chairs from a hotel renovation and reupholstered them until my velvet green chairs arrive.

🪟 Flooring & Renovation Timing

One of the best lessons I’ve learned is: you don’t have to renovate everything at once.

Right now, I still have white floor tiles. They don’t match the scheme—but I’m okay with that because we’re replacing all the windows first. Once the windows are in, the flooring will follow.

I’ve already chosen my new timber flooring, tested it against the cabinetry (both upright!) and confirmed the undertones match.

🌿 Creating a Home that Feels Good

The entire space now feels:

• Warm and welcoming

• Well-zoned and functional

• Calm but not boring (thanks to the green accents!)

• Layered in textures and complementary neutrals

And yes, I made sure it reflected my personal story. My dresser under the stairs holds a framed photo of Marilyn Monroe—my childhood inspiration, gifted to me by my mum. These little touches make a house a home.

🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White

Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:

📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?

If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.

👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.

Transforming a bedroom doesn't have to cost a fortune—it just takes knowledge, creativity, and the right colour strategy. In this blog post, I’ll show you exactly how I renovated our new bedroom using the 10 principles I teach in my online colour course. You'll learn how I worked with existing fixed elements like carpet and windows, selected a deep green wall colour, and built a full colour scheme using neutrals and soft accents.

Whether you're starting fresh or trying to work with what you already have, this post will show you that a beautiful, cohesive bedroom is totally achievable—even on a budget.

🎯 Step 1: Always Start with Fixed Elements

When we moved into this home, the walls were painted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter and the bedroom had dark carpet—a fixed element I knew I’d have to work with. The first thing I did was test the undertone of the carpet. With the help of a white background and a Dulux Vivid White sample, I discovered it was a grey with a green undertone.

✅ Pro tip: Always test colours vertically with a white background to clearly identify undertones. Never test them on the floor.

🎨 Step 2: Build a Colour Scheme Around Your Undertone

Once I confirmed the green-grey undertone in the carpet, I knew I had to repeat it elsewhere. I found a rug that perfectly reflected this undertone in varying strengths (light, mid, and dark) and added it to the room to help balance the space.

From there, I built my colour scheme using:

• A deep green wall colour (Porter’s Paints Islands)

• Custom cushions in mustard yellow and black-and-white stripe

• A mix of traditional and contemporary furniture

• Decorative accents in gold, cream, and green

Each colour was repeated at least twice in the space for a cohesive, designer finish.

🛏️ Step 3: Choose the Wall Colour Last

Inspired by the beautiful green trees outside my window and a botanical artwork from Etsy, I chose Porter’s Paints Islands for the feature wall. This deep green (LRV approx. 11–16) added elegance and depth.

💡 Darker colours like this need lots of light. If your room doesn’t get much natural sunlight, add artificial lighting—like side lamps, floor lamps, or picture lighting with dimmers.

🖼️ Step 4: Style With Purpose (and a Personal Touch)

I styled the space using:

• A makeup table from Facebook Marketplace (painted black)

• Custom lampshade with black-and-gold velvet ribbon

• Framed Etsy prints (with customised borders)

• Spotlight blockout curtains with DIY velvet stripe

• Handmade cushions and decor from affordable suppliers

I also added gold hardware, velvet textures, and botanical elements to reflect my personality—and tie into the overall green colour story.

🧵 Step 5: Mix Old and New With Intention

I love giving pieces a second life. From repurposed tables to a DIY lampshade, everything had purpose and meaning. Even the window dressing—instead of installing a sliding door to separate the bathroom, I used curtains for softness, privacy, and added elegance.

🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White

Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:

📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?

If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.

👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.

If you’re renovating your home or building new and wondering how to create an entryway that feels both functional and stylish, this post is for you. Today I’m sharing how I turned my once non-existent entry into a welcoming, character-filled space—using clever DIY design, inspiration from art, and a cohesive neutral colour scheme that ties in with the rest of my home.

I’m Bozica, a qualified interior designer and colour specialist. I teach homeowners how to choose the right colours and create intentional, flowing interiors using neutrals, undertones, and creative styling techniques—without the overwhelm.

🏡 Before: No Entryway, No Functionality

When you walked into our home originally, you stepped straight into the living room. There was:

• No clear entry zone

• Nowhere to sit and remove shoes

• No surface to drop your keys or bag

• No visual pause when entering the home

It always felt like something was missing—and I wanted a solution that was affordable, practical, and beautiful.

🛠 The Build: Creating the Entryway Structure

A few weeks ago, we built a new enclosed room next to the front door—now a quiet space for the kids to watch TV. That change created the perfect wall and space to build an actual entry.

Using picture rail mouldings from Bunnings (nothing fancy!), my husband and I installed three rails vertically to mimic panelling. This added character and visually grounded the space, especially under the towering 7-metre-high ceilings.

🎨 Colour Inspiration: From a Cherished Artwork

The true inspiration came from a gift—a framed icon of a white angel, gifted to us by my children’s godfather on our wedding day. I never displayed it before, but it felt right to make it the focal point of this new entryway.

From the artwork, I pulled colours to build the scheme:

• Gold – seen in the framing and repeated in accessories

• Terracotta brown – echoed in the door and decorative vase

• Green – brought in with a plant and ribbons

• Black – in the console table and picture frames

• Soft white – to brighten and balance the palette

🪑 Styling on a Budget (That Still Looks Luxe)

• Console table: $40 from Facebook Marketplace, repainted in black gloss

• Candlesticks: Found on Temu

• Plant stand: Also Facebook Marketplace, painted to match the console

• Stool: Handmade by my father-in-law, upholstered by me

• Framed photos: Ikea frames, personalised with hand-painted colour-matched inlays

• Terracotta-toned vase: From Kmart!

💡 The trick is repetition—repeating your colours 2–3 times across the room for a designer look.

🔍 Wall Colour Details

I used Porter's Paints – SC Islands in the entryway. The LRV is 15, making it a deep, moody colour perfect for feature areas. I also used this colour in the bedroom and repeated it here for consistency across the home.

⚠️ Never choose a leftover colour just because you have it. It must connect with your overall open-plan colour scheme.

🎯 Why This Space Works

✔ Defined entry space with storage and purpose
✔ Visually grounded walls through vertical panelling
✔ Cohesive colour scheme repeated from adjacent rooms
✔ A mix of budget and meaningful pieces
✔ Inspired by something personal and layered with intention

💡 Tips to Create Your Own Entryway Like a Designer

1. Start with inspiration – Artwork, a fabric, or even a rug

2. Choose your main neutral colour (test it with your fixed elements)

3. Select no more than 2 undertones in your scheme

4. Repeat those colours across walls, furniture, styling, and accessories

5. Don’t forget function – add seating, drop zones, and lighting

6. Personalise with meaningful pieces and texture

🖼 The Power of Colour Repetition

Even on the gallery wall, I hand-painted each photo mat in colours from the entry—gold, terracotta, green—to subtly reinforce the palette. This is a simple, budget-friendly way to create visual flow and make your space feel curated.

🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White

Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:

📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?

If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.

👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.