From BlackWhite magazine - issue 09, neutral ground
Not ready to say goodbye to grey? Try blending these versatile Resene neutrals with today’s top trends.
For clients who love the look of neutrals, it can feel intimidating to settle on their final selections given the plethora of choices available – many of which have incredibly subtle variations in tone. In the face of ever-evolving colour trends, the task is made even trickier. While warm options such as beige, taupe, greige, cream and brown are among the hottest trending neutral paint colours, the timeless elegance of grey continues to entice. Although many of us may have moved on from using grey extensively throughout our projects, your client could still be keen to incorporate this once must-have hue as part of their colour scheme. For those clients, warm grey paint colours offer an ideal solution.
Warm grey paint colours such as Resene Masala, Resene Half Jumbo, Resene Tino Pai, Resene Flotsam and Resene Invincible are optimal choices for professional designers and clients seeking to balance contemporary colour trends with the enduring appeal of grey.
These hues offer a versatile, sophisticated and inviting alternative to other neutrals that might feel too creamy, too acidic or too sweet for your project’s particular lighting circumstances. Walls and doorway painted in Resene Masala with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Greige applied on top, flooring in Resene Half Jumbo with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Greige applied on top, sideboard and vase in Resene Invincible, stool in Resene Tino Pai, fruit bowl in Resene Flotsam and fluted bowl in Resene Tua Tua. Dining table and chairs from Soren Liv, lamp, glassware and books from A&C Homestore.
While cool greys are less popular than they once were, using warm greys such as Resene Flotsam, Resene Half Jumbo and Resene Invincible to form the base of your colour palette not only fits well with current colour trends but it also anticipates the nuanced needs of clients, ensuring spaces that are both timeless and on trend.
Walls painted in Resene Flotsam, window frame in Resene Invincible, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Shade, stool in Resene Half Jumbo with Resene FX Pearl Shimmer applied on top, vases in Resene Tua Tua and Resene White Thunder and hand-painted artwork in Resene White Thunder, Resene Greige, Resene Flotsam and Resene Invincible. Sofa and coffee table from Soren Liv, cushion from A&C Homestore.
Warm greys are distinguished by rich or creamy beige, brown or taupe undertones that can be further characterised with subtle hints of red, yellow, green or violet. Options such as Resene Tino Pai, Resene Flotsam, Resene White Thunder, Resene Half Jumbo, Resene Masala and Resene Invincible effectively marry the sophisticated neutrality of grey with the inviting warmth of contemporary neutral hues. These nuanced hues bridge the gap between the cool and warm tones, offering a versatile backdrop that can harmonise with a variety of design elements.
The flexibility that warm Resene greys bring to projects is particularly beneficial for creating spaces that feel both modern and cosy. Unlike cooler shades of grey, which can sometimes appear stark or impersonal, warm greys exude a welcoming ambiance – making them an excellent choice for residential and hospitality settings where comfort and homeliness are paramount. In professional environments, warm greys maintain a sophisticated and professional aura while mitigating the austerity that can be associated with starker selections. In commercial office spaces, where the balance between formality and comfort is crucial, warm greys can help create an atmosphere that is both productive and pleasant. These neutrals pair seamlessly with both contemporary furnishings and traditional timber accents, making them a versatile choice for a diverse range of architectural styles.
Warm light greys excel in reflecting and enhancing natural light, which is a critical consideration in architectural and interior design.
The ability of colours like Resene Flotsam to shift subtly with changing light conditions throughout the day adds further depth and dimension to a space. This dynamic quality can be particularly striking in areas with ample natural light, providing a soft, inviting glow in the morning and a richer, more intimate tone in the evening. Wall painted in Resene White Thunder, hallway wall in Resene Flotsam, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Becalm, skirting boards in Resene Alabaster, plant pot and vase in Resene Tua Tua, candleholder in Resene Half Jumbo, small vase in Resene Greige and tray in Resene Invincible. Console, sofa, lamp and ottoman from Soren Liv, artwork and cup from A&C Homestore, rug from Baya.
A key advantage of warm greys when compared with cooler grey paint colours is that these hues blend beautifully with today’s popular nature-inspired tones.
Since many earthy tones tend to be warm in nature, the warmth of colours like Resene Half Jumbo, Resene Flotsam and Resene Masala make them ideal companions for toasty terracotta, oily brown and olive greens such as Resene Tuscany, Resene Woodrush or Resene Saratoga. Walls and shelf painted in Resene Flotsam, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Shade, vase in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect and bowl finished in Resene Colorwood Bask. Chair from Soren Liv, lamp, cup and book from A&C Homestore.
Not only do warm grey paint colours sit stunningly with today’s popular warm neutrals, but they also serve as a beautiful backdrop to many accent colours. Mid-range colours like Resene Tino Pai and Resene Half Jumbo excel at anchoring stronger accent hues like navy, mustard or terracotta such as Resene Bunting, Resene Pirate Gold or Resene Ayers Rock without competing for attention. Conversely, they are just as effective at complementing softer palettes and gentle pastels like Resene Timeless, Resene Cashmere and Resene Lemon Twist, ensuring that spaces remain cohesive and serene.
From a colour psychology perspective, warm greys provide a sense of stability and reliability – qualities which are increasingly valued in today’s fast-paced world. This stability, coupled with warmth, can contribute to an environment that champions mental wellbeing and relaxation, which are crucial aspects in spaces where occupants spend a lot of time such as bedrooms, lounges, workspaces, hotels and restaurants.
To demonstrate just how flexible these colours can be, get inspired by these spaces and mood boards which are all painted in the same selection of hues, used in different ratios, and complemented by other popular warm neutrals like Resene Tua Tua and Resene Greige, timber flooring and furniture finished in Resene Colorwood Becalm and Resene Colorwood Shade plus details in specialty finishes like Resene FX Faux Rust Effect and Resene FX Pearl Shimmer.
Timber background finished in Resene Colorwood Shade, testpots in Resene White Thunder (left) and Resene Flotsam (right), jewellery dish in Resene Half Jumbo with Resene FX Pearl Shimmer applied on top, book in Resene Tino Pai, tealight holder in Resene White Thunder and timber sample finished in Resene Aquaclear satin mixed with Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black. Cup from A&C Homestore, drawer pull from Archant, fabric from Mokum, marble from European Ceramics.
Background painted in Resene Masala with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Greige applied on top, testpots in Resene Invincible (top) and Resene Greige (bottom), tray in Resene Invincible, vase in Resene Jumbo, decorative fruit bowl finished in Resene Colorwood Bask and timber sample finished in Resene Aquaclear mixed with Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black. Grey marble from Italian Stone, black knob from Archant, natural rug from Nodi, sculpt fabric from Kirk by Design.
Background painted in Resene White Thunder, wavy tray in Resene Flotsam, fluted bowl in Resene Tua Tua, testpots in Resene White Thunder (left) and Resene Flotsam (right), candleholder in Resene Half Jumbo, vase in Resene Greige and timber sample finished in Resene Colorwood Bask. Calcutta marble from Italian Stone, drawer pull from Archant, carpet from Artisan, fabric from Zinz Textile.
Colours mentioned in this article...
Products mentioned in this article...
Products marked as "coming soon" or "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, they can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.
Projects: Amber Armitage
Images: Wendy Fenwick
This is a magazine created for the industry, by the industry and with the industry – and a publication like this is only possible because of New Zealand and Australia's remarkably talented and loyal Resene specifiers and users.
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