Pastels for today

From the Resene decorating blog

Pastels are back in the contemporary interior design palette in a big way, but the modern evolution of pastels is all about complex, slightly muted and grown-up colours.

These pastels aren’t the sweet and child-like shades often kept to nurseries or bathrooms. As Resene Colour Expert Jackie Nicholls says, “think more calming sorbet than sickly sweet”.

A living room painted with delicate pastels

Delicate pastels are anchored in this living area by a deeper aqua, but by keeping it to certain areas the darker shade never overwhelms the pastels but allows them to sing.

Lower wall and dado rail painted in Resene Undercover, upper wall in Resene Ashanti with mouldings in Resene Heritage, skirting and floor are painted in Resene Sea Fog, vases in Resene Undercover and Resene Ashanti and ball ornament in Resene Hermitage. Throw from Niche Homestore, ottoman from Indie Home Collection, sofa, pouffe, lamp from Maytime, cushions from Atelier. Project by Tracey Strange, image by Belinda Merrie.

A living area with layers of soft blues and creamy neutrals

Layers of soft blues and creamy neutrals create a simple, calming living area that feels light-filled and soothing.

The rear wall is painted in Resene Casper, with front and side walls in Resene Half Spanish White. The floor is painted in Resene Spanish White. Bookshelf in Resene Casper and side table in Resene Lynchpin. On the shelves: boxes in Resene Casper and Resene Triple Spanish White, books painted in Resene Triple Spanish White, Resene Lynchpin and Resene Casper, cream vases in Resene Half Spanish White, blue vase and dish in Resene Lynchpin, wave dish and large white vase in Resene Alabaster and fluted bowl in Resene Triple Spanish White. Cushions from H&M Home, ottoman from Mocka. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.

“Gelato-inspired shades are perfect for spring and summer but pastel decor can be tricky to get right. Overdo it and your interior scheme can go from Florida South Beach chic to kid’s bedroom in an instant,” Jackie says.

Up-to-date

As a starting point on your pastel progression, Jackie suggests flicking through the Resene The Range Fashion Colour fandeck.

“There are some gorgeous pastel colours in there such as Resene Contented, a subtle and very sophisticated dusky pink, Resene Fluffy Duck which is a soft and earthy lime-tinged yellow and Resene Eau De Nil which is a beautiful duck egg shade.”

When it comes to using pastels in an up-to-date and contemporary way, Jackie suggests mixing and matching pastels with stronger accent colours.

“There are no rules,” Jackie says. “Pastel colours sit well in any style home from modern to mid-century inspired designs and classic villas. Experiment with contrasting accents, especially ‘in between’ colours like jewel toned blue-greens, grape and even hot pink.”

Try soft peach Resene Egg Sour with terracotta Resene Mai Tai, apple green Resene Kandinsky with jewelled green Resene Dell or delicate Resene Half Pale Rose with vibrant Resene Scrumptious.

“In France, they embrace beautiful, nature-inspired colours from moss, lichen and tree bark but often add touches of deep velvety pink, chartreuse or dark teal. These shocks of colour and intensity can be seen in fabrics and wallpapers as well as paint combinations, which is another way to add layers of interest,” Jackie says.

For unexpected combinations try the subtle green of Resene Coconut Cream with Resene Deep Teal or navy Resene Bunting.

“Consider mixing patterns and stripes in different scales to create drama and personality for a modern pastel mix.”

A sitting area with a rosy pastel glow

A warm, golden coloured couch works like an added ray of sunshine to the rosy pastel glow of this sitting area.

The walls and floor are painted in Resene Double Pearl Lusta with wall shelf in Resene Dust Storm. The table and lampshade are in Resene Half Putty, lamp base, table vase and DIY art in Resene Awaken, books on the shelf in Resene Twine and Resene Awaken, round tealight holder in Resene Dust Storm and pedestal bowl in Resene Double Pearl Lusta. Sofa from Danske Møbler, glass vase from Kmart, pink leaf stem from Adairs, cushions and throw from H&M Home.

Complex pastels complement bold Resene wallpaper

A mix of complex pastels provides the perfect complement to a bold Resene wallpaper with a busy pattern, keeping the look in balance.

The panelled wall is painted in Resene Pattens Blue, with floor painted in Resene Triple Black White and Resene Half Black White. The upper wall is papered with Resene Wallpaper Collection 456738. The table is painted in Resene Coast, with chairs in Resene Solitude and Resene Dream Big. Pepper mill in Resene Karaka, marble tray in Resene Rice Cake, candleholders in Resene Half Moonbeam, small pink case in Resene Inspire and table vase in Resene Springtime. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.

Add drama

One of the most common hesitancies around using pastels is the idea that they can look too washed out in some spaces. Jackie’s advice for avoiding this is to opt for pastels and subtle colours that have an earthy, or slightly blackened quality.

Not only do these colours have more presence than clearer, simpler colours, they’re also calming and can be very effective at anchoring a colour scheme. These types of pastels include shades like green Resene Mint Julep, grey-blue Resene Sorrento, taupe Resene Martini, dusky pink Resene Wafer and cream Resene Chamois.

“To complement your walls painted in these complex pastels, add layers of texture and variations of colour groups. A caramel toned pastel painted on the walls such as Resene Okey Dokey would look even better with furnishings in colours like Resene Summer Rose, Resene Savour and Resene Rebel,” Jackie says.

One of the strengths of using pastels in your interior colour palette is that they are easy on the eye, Jackie says. “Particularly the more complex ones, so they can be used for a whole room without dominating the space.”

Many pastels can make good alternatives to an all-neutral or white-one white palette, adding personality and layers of subtle colour, while keeping your space feeling clean and simple.

Instead of a classic minimalist white on white, pick a pastel in your favourite shade and use that as your base colour. If you’re a fan of sunset shades try the subtle peach of Resene Dust Storm or Resene Spring Wood as the main wall colour in your space. Add trim in creamy Resene Half Milk Punch or off-white Resene Sea Fog. Choose stained wood finishes in Resene Rock Salt for a relaxed beach feel or darker Resene Walnut for contrast. Layer in subtly darker sunset shades like Resene Cashmere or Resene Sakura for visual depth.

If you prefer blues and greens but want a pared back palette, try the airy tones of Resene Paris White or Resene Nebula, and layer with Resene Nebula and Resene Yucca for added impact.

Accent notes

The flip side to using pastels is adding them as accents and subtle contrasts to a classic black and white palette.

“Pick a couple of soft colours like the moody blue-green of Resene Envy and Resene Lemon Twist, a sharper green with a yellow undertone, and introduce them in different ways throughout your black and white interior,” Jackie suggests.

“Try one of these colours in a bedroom and a couple of walls of the other in another space, then echo them in cushions in living areas and other soft furnishings. Pieces of furniture can also be painted in slightly darker variants, such as Resene Permanent Green or Resene Harp. It will create a story and link throughout the house.”

One of the other advantages of pastels is that their subtle nature means you don’t get eye-watering colour clashes, even when trying a wide mix of shades together.

For a fun look against an all-neutral backdrop try working with a wide variety of pastel colours. Work with a versatile off-white like Resene Half Blanc as your main wall and trim colour, then add a range of decor pieces like vases, frames or even shelves painted in a collection of muted pastels, like Resene Pale Leaf, Resene Marionette, Resene Half Moonbeam and Resene Duck Egg Blue.

If a whole room feels like a step too far, upcycle an old dining suite by painting the table in your chosen neutral or stain wash it with Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and paint each chair in a different ‘clashing’ pastel shade. It’s a great idea for an outdoor dining area or for the bach.

As always, Jackie says, don’t be bound by what is on-trend or by what ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t work’, just experiment with the colours you love.

Colours mentioned in this blog...

Pastels for today

Up-to-date

Add drama

Accent notes

Resene Paints Ltd – www.resene.com