Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the common questions.

From choosing the right white to working with a partner who has different ideas, these are the questions we get asked most often.

Don’t see yours? Get in touch, we’ll be happy to help.

About colour consultations

  • A colour consultation helps you cut through the overwhelm of endless paint samples. We assess your space(s), light, existing finishes and the mood you want to create, then deliver a clear, cohesive paint schedule so you can move from indecision to confidence.

  • An interior designer can oversee an entire renovation or build — from spatial planning and joinery through to furniture and styling. Pigment focuses on one thing: colour. That means you get expert, independent advice tailored to your home, without the scale, commitment, or cost of a full design service.

  • Colour selection might seem like a small decision but it sets the tone for everything else. Paint is often the first and last thing you notice in a room. It shifts with light, interacts with materials and influences how a space makes you feel. For all its impact, colour is often underestimated; that’s where a consultant helps you get it right.

  • Yes. Often architects and interior designers come to Pigment for an independent review of their colour schemes. Sometimes it’s about refining undertones or sequencing, other times making sure the palette flows with furniture and finishes. We can also provide cross-brand options, sheen guidance and a clear paint schedule that’s client ready. A second set of eyes saves time and gives confidence that your palette feels resolved.

Paint and colour choices

  • Choosing white is often harder than people expect, check out how many whites Resene, Dulux or Aalto offer and you’ll see why. The right white depends on light (both natural and artificial), surroundings and the feeling you want to create.

  • No. We’re brand-agnostic, meaning we work across all major paint brands in New Zealand to find the best fit for your project.

  • Absolutely. We create cohesive interior and exterior schemes so your home feels consistent and considered from the inside out.

  • It’s more common than you’d expect. We start by listening to both perspectives and goals, explore different options, then find common ground. Creating a palette you’ll both enjoy living with.

  • Yes. During a consultation we’ll take into account any fixed elements that are staying —like flooring, benchtops or key furniture pieces—so your colour scheme feels intentional and connected.

  • When Resene has over 100 whites (that’s just whites, not neutrals) and Dulux has 24 “most loved” whites. It’s easy to see what starts as a safe, simple choice quickly becomes overwhelming without expert guidance.

Process and practicalities

  • It’s always helpful if you’ve got any inspirational images, a Pinterest board, a sense of your likes/dislikes, and any non-negotiables (like a sofa or flooring that’s staying). Not sure where to start? That’s fine— our pre-consultation questionnaire will help guide you.

  • The In-home Consultation is a 90 minute session. The Project Colour Direction is an extended session of up to 2.5 hours.

  • Yes—you’ll receive a detailed paint specification showing exactly where each colour is used, so you can get started straight away or pass onto your painter.

  • Both services are available virtually, giving you the same expert guidance and full colour specification as in-person session.

    Pigment also makes regular visits to Central Otago and Christchurch and occasionally further afield. So if you’d prefer us onsite, just let us know and we’ll share upcoming availability.

After your consultation

  • Following your consultation you’ll receive brushout paint samples for your full scheme. We recommend living with them for a few days before making final decisions. If you’d like to revisit anything, our follow up sessions are design for exactly that.

  • If a key material changes after your specification has been delivered, the colours that were chosen around it may need revisiting. We offer a Colour Review session for exactly this situation — a focused session of up to an hour to reassess and update your palette.

    $210

  • Not always. When a colour is matched across paint brands, the result can look subtly different on the wall, undertones shift, depth changes and what looked perfect in your specification can feel slightly off once painted. A Paint Brand Review is a focused 30 minute session where we assess the matched colours and recommend adjustments to get the result back on track.

    $130

  • If your project scope grows — whether during or after the consultation — we'll flag it before your specification is prepared. Any additional time beyond the original brief is agreed with you before we proceed.

Cost and value

  • It’s a fair question and one we hear often. Paint store advice is a sales tool—the ultimate goal is to sell that brand’s paint, not explore all your options. Pigment’s advice is brand agnostic, design-led and tailored to your home and lifestyle.

  • Painters are experts at their craft but colour selection is a different process it’s about considering the architecture, lifestyle and the mood you want to create. A consultation means your colours are designed around you, while your painter can focus on delivering the best finish.

  • If any of these sound familiar, the answer is yes:

    • I’ve spent more on test pots than on actual paint.

    • I live with swatches on my walls for longer than I’d like.

    • My partner and I can’t agree on a palette.

    • I’m never 100% sure colours work together.

    • I’ve made a rushed choice and the painter is booked.

    • Choosing paint colours makes me feel anxious.

    • I’ve spent more time debating colours than actually enjoying my home.

  • An In-Home Colour Consultation is $395 and the Project Colour Direction is $995. Both prices are GST inclusive.

    Unsure which is the right option for your project? Get in touch and we’ll happily answer any questions.

Special considerations

  • Yes. Colour is one of the simplest tools to enhance mood and wellbeing. A fresh coat of paint can change how a space looks and more importantly how it feels.

  • Homeowners, renovators, painters and industry professionals who want expert, independent paint colour advice without a full interior design service.