Like any other part of the colour spectrum, when it comes to neutrals, there is a fashion.
For years, warm biscuit tones and dark smoky browns have been popular, but now it’s time for grey. Along with green-toned creams, it’s now an ‘in’ neutral and synonymous with style, glamour and a certain urbane sophistication – whether it’s a silvery off-white or a deep, grunty charcoal.
Tones such as Resene Half Surrender appear luminous in a well-lit space. They are serene and whimsical. If you want to heighten the effect, look at the various silvers available in the Resene Metallics and special effects range. Have a look at the pewter shades too, like Resene Pure Pewter, as softer bronzes and pewters become more popular.
Resene Half Rakaia kitchen.
This hue has a calming effect. True grey can be too cool for many people’s liking, so adding a smidge of another colour will change its character. You can go ‘greige’ (grey-beige), by adding a bit of brown to achieve a colour like Resene Quarter Taupe Grey. This still has the appearance of grey but with an added touch of warmth.
There’s a big move towards greys with a touch of blue or teal, like Resene Lynch. While blue is also a ‘cool’ colour, these slatey tones in their darker forms are smoky and moody. In paler forms, they are beachy and casual. A warmer twist to this palette is the purple-greys which are rich and warm.
Elegant and restful, charcoals like Resene Mine Shaft look superb with creamy whites and shots of vivid colors.
An extreme colour such as black often calls for an extreme finish – choose an absolute matt finish to appear velvety and luscious. A high-gloss finish gives a feeling of glamour and helps reflect light.
Left: Resene Gravel garden walls. Right: Resene Curtain Collection Ripple in colour Stone with Resene Tuna walls.
Resene Shady Lady bedroom.
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