Colour your thinking

When you want to inject a little spice into your décor, but are unsure where to start, take a colour cue from Resene.

Using colour successfully in your home isn't difficult. But it can be helpful to look at case studies and undertake a little research of your own. Resene has already taken a lot of the hard work out of colour selection by formulating colour charts and a fandeck of swatches that tells you what works with what. The Range 2004 fandeck, for example, features more than 150 different shades that reflect local and international trends. For each colour on the fandeck, there are three suggestions of complementary shades that will work well together. And these are just starting ideas, says Resene marketing manager Karen Warman.

Resene paint on a feature wall remains a popular way to use colour to help define a room

Resene Bunting and Resene Tea brighten the living areas of this new house designed by John Mills Architects. A corner of the master ensuite opens directly to the bedroom, mimicking a design feature on the outside of the house. The bathroom also features Resene Vermont. The master bedroom in the same house features Resene Revolver, Resene Vermont and Resene Tea. The lime green of Resene Vermont highlights niches in the wall.

"Most people have their own preferences, but it can be fun to experiment. Different areas of the home require different uses of colour - for example, rooms can be made to appear larger or smaller depending on the colours used."

Warman says feature walls remain a popular way to use colour to help define a room. Similarly, high traffic areas, such as passageways and stairwells can benefit from a bold splash of colour.

Resene paint as a feature wall remains a popular way to use colour to help define a room

Lounge: Colour choices were influenced by the functions of the various rooms. Bedroom: Colour also features in the guest suite. Here, a red wall in Resene Raspberry provides a bright touch and also helps with privacy – the dark shade making it less easy to view silhouettes from outside.

"These are areas people pass through, rather than spend a lot of time in, so they can handle a brighter shade," she says. "Dining rooms can also benefit from bold colour on the walls. Red can stimulate conversation and darker shades can add make a dining setting look particularly beautiful by candlelight."

Warman says Resene's Metallics and Special Effects paint chart offers other alternatives, with a broad range of precious-metal finishes and a kaleidoscope of new, coloured metallic finishes.

"These can add another dimension to virtually any surface," she says. 'There are also subtle pearlescent finishes that achieve a soft, shimmering effect that is more dynamic than a plain colour, but less dazzling than a full metallic finish."

Resene's website offers advice on different ways to use colour. It also provides case studies that illustrate how homeowners and designers have used colour successfully.

"The Resene Inspiration Gallery showcases everything from bedrooms to exteriors, and is an ideal way to get decorating ideas," says Warman. "We also welcome new submissions from decorators with finished projects."

Another easy way to choose colours is by using the Resene EzyPaint virtual painting software. This program gives you the opportunity to preview and change colour schemes on your computer. The software is free to download, or you can purchase or borrow a copy on CD from your local Resene ColorShop. Also online, TechSpec can help you choose the right type of paint.

All Resene paints are available from Resene ColorShops.

Find out more home design, landscaping and decorating ideas at www.trendsideas.com.

Resene Paints Ltd – www.resene.com