Warming up to apricot

From the Resene decorating blog

With the ‘20s upon us, people are moving away from the cooler colours that have dominated the decorating world in the new millennium thus far and are making way in their hearts and homes for warmer hues.

While this warming is a trend that can be witnessed across the entire spectrum, there is no colour that has got through a more evident transformation than pink. However, it’s not a journey that’s taken place overnight.

Formerly the ‘it’ colour, we got used to seeing the aptly named shade we've come to know as ‘millennial pink’ everywhere from home interiors to company branding over the past two decades. A delicate true pastel that offers a balanced tone, it was easy to understand why its popularity was so pervasive. While the demand for this particular tint has waned, the colour is still being used widely, especially in homewares and apparel.

Fast forward a few years and we saw ‘desert pink’ take its place among the top trending hues, bringing with it much more warmth. This sunset shade, thanks to its dusted nature, made it the ideal fit for other hot earthy hues like terracotta red-browns and silvery sage greens such as Resene Desperado and Resene Haven. But it also pairs just as nicely with powder blues and warm beiges such as Resene Half Sail and Resene Rodeo Drive.

We also saw millennial pink morph into something completely different when it started taking on a purple tinge. With this new divergence, lavender and lilac began springing up over the past year – though in small ways, mostly, in accent cushions and other minor accessories. More vibrant Resene Sonique and Resene Divine have been among the most vogue versions, but dustier Resene Lola and Resene I Do are great options for building a tonal look due to their ability to blend so well with both warm and cool greys.

While none of these variations have vanished, we've begun to see another trend diverging during pink’s long-standing prevalence with apricot starting to make its way onto the décor scene.

Incorporating warm apricots into your interior colour scheme is easier in some ways than truer pinks. While more understated, it still provides a splash of colour and fun energy to a room but carries an added benefit: it’s easier to pair with a wider range of colours, and a little goes a long way when it comes to your home. Try these ideas for bringing this warm and welcoming winner inside.

Walls

The anchors of a room, walls are arguably the most important element for setting a colour palette and achieving an emotional impact. To incorporate warm apricots like Resene Sandy Beach, Resene Romantic, Resene Beethoven or Resene Tacao, consider using them as an accent paired with walls in darker pinks like Resene Coral Tree or pink-reds like Resene Crail, Resene Sunglo and Resene Hot August to create a warming, desert vibe.

Warm apricots also work incredibly well with the 2020 Pantone Colour of the Year – Classic Blue. Try Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Space Cadet or Resene Aviator for the best examples of the trend. The combination of these two contrasting colours can create a calming space that reflects some palettes commonly used in Mediterranean and Spanish interiors.

Furniture

Major pieces of furniture in warm apricots are a hit. You can easily transform items you already own or look for new or second-hand furniture that can be quickly sanded back to make way for a fresh lick of paint. Simply wipe them down with a clean, dry cloth to remove the dust, prime shiny surfaces with Resene Smooth Surface Sealer to give the topcoats something to grip onto, then apply two top coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel or Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Wax Flower, Resene Cornflower or Resene Japonica to get the look.

Items like coffee tables or dining tables can inject some necessary life into a living space and statement chairs in shades like Resene Romantic or Resene Tacao will be an eye-catching addition to any lounge. Alternatively, if you have warm apricot walls in tints like Resene Tuft Bush or Resene Karry, add furniture like side tables, buffets and sofas in mid blues like Resene Jordy Blue, Resene Subzero or Resene Delta Blue, blue-greys like Resene Midwinter Mist, Resene Half Gull Grey or Resene Casper and creamy whites like Resene Eighth Spanish White, Resene Quarter Spanish White or Resene Quarter Solitaire for a soft and cheerful scheme.

Décor and accessories

Accessories and decorative elements are an easy and accessible way to incorporate pops of warm apricot hues in your home. Items like cushions, throws, vases, bowls and picture frames are affordable and easily changeable depending on your commitment to the colour palette. Try pairing a greyed white sofa or duvet in Resene Triple Sea Fog with cushions in Resene Romantic, or a console table in Resene Soothe with a large vase in Resene Tacao and some smaller elements painted in Resene Rose Gold metallic for an elegant, feminine look.

The beauty of warm apricot walls is that they bring cosiness and levity to your space, so adding some darker accent colours to contrast and anchor the room will really make your apricot walls pop. Dark warm browns also pair well with apricot, and shades like Resene Hairy Heath, Resene Digeridoo and Resene Espresso suit small accessories particularly well when layered over peachy hues. Photo frames in dark wood stained in Resene Colorwood Bark or Resene Colorwood Tamarind timber stains complement warm apricot walls nicely. Frame artwork that has a bold, warm colour palette to echo the warmth on your walls or go for striking achromatic pieces in Resene Nero and Resene Alabaster to bring some real drama to your living room.

February 28, 2020

Visit your local Resene ColorShop for more colour ideas and all the expert advice and products you need for a superb finish on all your decorating projects.

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