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Liam Messam’s family home refresh

Former All Black blindside flanker and Waikato Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam has renovated his Hamilton home with the help of MasterStroke by Resene. He’s now an athlete development coach for the Chiefs and lives with wife Monique and sons Jai and Bodie.

Liam says it was a case of love at first sight when they first saw the property. “We came to the open home and just fell in love with it. I’ve always loved old character homes.”

The location was another drawcard as the Chiefs’ home ground, FMG Stadium, is only a short drive away, as is Waikato Hospital where Monique works as a clinical psychologist.

Although the bungalow was brimming with classic character and had great bones, it became apparent over time that more space was going to be required.

“What inspired me to do the reno was that my children were growing up very quickly and sharing one bathroom with my wife. So we needed a bigger place – we needed to make sure we had enough room for everybody,” Liam says. “I have a lot of family and friends over for food, so we thought we might as well do it properly and make a big area where everybody can come and enjoy.”

Liam and his wife Monique loved the all white look and called on a Resene Colour Consultant to help them finetune the new colour scheme.

Resene Alabaster was the winning colour choice, and the couple loves the way it looks throughout the modernised spaces of their home.

It’s all white

The major transformation was undertaken in two parts, which involved expanding the footprint with a new kitchen and bathrooms, and finishing these beautiful spaces with a fresh Resene colour scheme.

The couple had a Resene Colour Consultant recommend a colour scheme and help them hone their choices for the clean and crisp look.

“What made us choose Resene paint was that we wanted to do it properly,” says Liam. “Resene is the best and we wanted Resene Alabaster. It came out really well and we really love the colour. And the darker roof colour, which is Resene Slate, is just really going to make the house stand out and give it that fresh look.”

Home-grown heroes

The family loves their new abode and it’s working beautifully for them. “I love the new kitchen – not that I cook often, but I do love cooking – and the new appliances will give me the opportunity to make some flash dishes.”

For the various interior surfaces of their home, Liam and Monique used Resene Alabaster in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, Resene Zylone Sheen and Resene Lustacryl. Liam says that using Resene was a no brainer. “I’m a big fan of always supporting local brands and obviously Resene with this proud history where they’ve come from – starting off in the garage, you know that really pulls my heartstrings. Here in Aotearoa we have the best products, the best everything, so I’m more than happy to be helping and promoting New Zealand brands.”

“If rugby coaching doesn’t pan out I truly believe I could be the next best Resene painter,” he laughs.