Special effects

Many designers and homeowners are looking to add visual interest and texture to surfaces with Resene Metallics and Sandtex paints.

As with any trend, paint finishes wax and wane in popularity, but there is one trend that looks like it's here for the long haul. Metallic finishes, which came to prominence in the '90s, have swept through the car, textile and paint industries and can now even be found in laminates and other decorating materials.

Precious-metal hues, such as gold, silver and aluminium, have proven particularly popular, which is why Resene has released a new Metallics and Special Effects paint chart. This features a broad range of precious-metal finishes and a kaleidoscope of new coloured metallic finishes.

Resene Metallics and Special Effects can be used to transform and add an extra dimension to virtually any surface, says Resene marketing manager Karen Warman.

"Subtle pearlescent finishes, such as Resene Pearl Shimmer and new Resene Pixie Dust, enable designers to achieve a soft, shimmering effect," she says. "This is more dynamic than a plain solid colour but less dazzling than a full metallic finish."

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there has also been a strong move towards sandstone finishes, says Warman.

"The time-worn look and mellow patina of sandstone has been re-created in Resene Sandtex," she says. "This finish is ideal for beautifying and protecting concrete and can be used to reproduce a variety of finishes, from aged render effects through to natural limestone and sandstone finishes. The fine sandstone texture adds an extra dimension to the coating and effectively disguises minor surface blemishes without changing the basic architectural concept."

The Resene Paint Effects brochure is another source of inspiration for special paint finishes. Many of these ideas can be viewed online.

Resene has also developed a product that ensures a smooth, high-quality finish on paper-faced plasterboard. Resene Broadwall Surface Prep is a surface preparation product well suited to renovation projects as it is also designed to hide small wall imperfections, which are often present in older homes.

To help you work out what type of paint will work best for your project, you can check out the TechSpec software on the Resene website.

All Resene paints are available from Resene ColorShops.

Textured surfaces are increasingly used to enhance architectural styling. Metallic finishes, such as Resene Atlantis can provide a bold, contemporary look as shown here in the Celia Kennedy Gallery in Queenstown.

This dining room by Rachael Buxton of Interiors etc features Resene Elephant in a low sheen, with metallic stripes in Resene Klingon.

Resene Enamacryl Metallic Aluminium features on the renovated McWhirters building in Brisbane.

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