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Summer storms: Beachy looks with an edge

From the Resene decorating blog

When we think of summer interior design, we naturally think of easy, breezy colours schemes in airy neutrals and washed blues – or perhaps a more formal Hamptons-style look with navy and white.

Using sunrise shades for a unique beachy look

Sunrise shades in red and gold are softened against a grey neutral exterior.

 
 
The interior wall is painted in Resene Silver Chalice. Exterior wall in Resene Chicago with trim in Resene Half Sea Fog, light and interior skirting in Resene Double Sea Fog. Deck stained in Resene Woodsman Natural. Interior floor and middle chair stain washed in Resene Shade. Other chairs in, from left, Resene Tulip Tree, and Resene Whero. Side table in Resene Chicago, largest planter in Resene Silver Chalice, right planter in Resene Possessed, front planter in Resene Double Sea Fog, carafe in Resene Red Red Red, small vases in Resene Chicago and Resene Tulip Tree and tumbler in Resene Tulip Tree, Sofa chair from Derlook.co.nz. Project by Moneuan Ryan, image by Bryce Carleton.

These are classic looks for a reason. They perfectly evoke the feeling of easy summer holiday-style living by the sea. If you want to step outside that summery landscape for something a little different and perhaps more dramatic there are other elements and memories of summer or tropical holidays to take design inspiration from. That might be beach bonfires under a starry night sky, dramatic warm-weather thunderstorms, beautiful coastal sunrises and sunsets, exotic sunbaked earth and tropical rainforest walks.

Resene Colour Expert Amy Watkins says adding edgier, stormier notes to a summer-inspired colour palette might be as simple as going for deeper bolder colours – and even when you want to step away from a classic beachy colour palette, using nature as your inspiration is always a good place to start.

“Using nature to inspire your colour choices means you can still add depth with your colour choices. For example, using terracotta shades like Resene Dawn Glow and Resene Summer Rose still relates back to sandy beaches and can be easily paired with several other colour hues like soft gold Resene Moondance or deep green Resene Rolling Hills.

“Another way to go is darker, particularly with the blues. Try using Resene Indian Ink or Resene Ocean Waves to create a moody, yet calming space,” Amy says. Try pairing these stormy blues with burnt sunset shades like Resene Thunderbird or Resene I Dare You.

Amy’s top tip for going for bolder summer shades, while keeping your look balanced is to use the classic interior design rule of: 60, 30, 10. “That means making sure you have one dominant colour over about 60% of your space.”

“Then with your second and third colours, which you use over the remaining 30% and 10% of your space respectively, look for colours that are either darker or lighter than your dominant colour. This ensures the space feels balanced,” she says.

An example of these if you wanted to go for quite a monochrome summery look would be to work with a deep bush green like Resene Seaweed, then add fresher Resene Nirvana as your secondary colour and sandy beige Resene Foundation. The result is a colour palette that steps away from the beach to evoke feelings of a relaxing summertime bush walk.

Beyond the beach

Aside from sea blues, sandy beiges and the whites of puffy clouds, you can find plenty of inspiration for summery interiors in other places. It might be the abundance of summer gardens whether they are awash in the rich greenery of growing herbs and veggies, or whether they’re alive with the jewel colours of dahlias, roses and marigolds.

A lounge using sunbaked terracotta shades

Sun-baked terracotta shades are given a cool finish with soft charcoal blues and natural textures for a slightly more daring approach to coastal or summer style. Tongue-and-groove wall painted in Resene Sante Fe with central feature and coffee table in Resene Twizel. Floor stain washed in Resene Colorwood Shade. Cabinet, clamshell and plant pot in Resene Cashmere, planter base and tall vase in Resene Twizel, bowl in Resene Nocturnal and beaded ornament in Resene Black. Sofa from Nood, light fitting from Kmart, cushions from H&M Home and Città. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

To emulate a flower garden in your summer design-scape work with a palette of rich, and colour-saturated floral shades like Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Very Berry, Resene Guardsman Red and Resene Cream Can. Use these in small bursts as repeat accent notes in your space. It might be a set of chairs, plant pots, picture frames or shelves. Then to keep the look moodier and muted, put them against a pared-back neutral like rich cream Resene Half Spanish White, rather than a starker, crisp white. For even more drama and moodiness, pair your summer-themed florals with a deep charcoal like Resene Gunmetal or for outdoor areas try these bold colours against a deep wood stain like Resene Woodsman Sheer Black. Add notes of paler green Resene Wild Willow and add lots of plants to your space for that fresh edge.

Resene Colour Expert Jackie Nicholls recommends working with sunshine yellows as an obvious way to evoke summer. “It can be as simple as adding an accent colour on part of a wall or in a corner of your space. You can change cushions and throws to suit the seasons, but the warmth of a good colour contrast remains.”

She suggests trying bronzed gold Resene Noosa for a sophisticated sunset shade, layered with a softer shade like Resene Buttermilk. For a complex, sophisticated finish try adding notes of luxurious Resene Half Aubergine, the colour of sun-ripened grapes.

Beyond the borders

Looking to the climate and lifestyles of other countries can be another effective way to bring the warmth and easy-living of summer into your spaces while opening up your colour palette options.

Entertaining space - exotic summer nights

A textured finish on the upper walls of this dining and entertaining space lends it its own warm glow that speaks of exotic summer nights.

Wall painted in Resene Apple Blossom with upper wall smudged-effect topcoat in Resene Quarter Solitaire mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium. Lower wall star pattern and dado rail in Resene Solitaire, tabletop stained in Resene Colorwood Bark with star border pattern in Resene Manhattan, breeze block table legs in Resene Mocha, pots in Resene Cinnamon, lanterns in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect, decking stained in Resene Woodsman Tiri and tray in Resene Cinnamon. Cushions from Yuva. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

Saturated blue dining room

This dining room setting takes classic summery shades like blue, green, white and red and gives them a deeper, more colour-saturated, contrasting spin.

Wall and trellis painted in Resene Licorice and deck stained in Resene Woodsman Natural. Chair in Resene Envy, trolley in Resene Summer Green, table in Resene Solitaire, vase and tealight holder in Resene Rose Of Sharon, planter and bowl in Resene Blue Chalk and bowl on lower trolley shelf in Resene Palm Green. Tablecloth from H&M Home, glassware from Nood. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

As well as vibrant Mediterranean blues like Resene Half Resolution Blue or Resene Mariner, think about the deep, earthy reds and oranges reminiscent of places such as Morocco, with colours like Resene Moroccan Spice, Resene Mocha and Resene Cinnamon. Pair with acid-edged green Resene Bush or burnt ochre Resene Rusty Nail.

You could put a spicy spin on some of these exotic hues by working with the colours of a spice market from turmeric golds like Resene Fuel Yellow, to dry chilli red Resene Lusty and Resene Cumin, cooled off with refreshing Resene Rum Swizzle.

You might not think of these as classic ‘summer’ shades but if by ‘summer’ you’re looking for warmth mixed with relaxation and interest, they are an interesting alternative to breezier shades.

A nod to neutrals

If you are committed to keeping a neutral colour palette you can still add stormier or moodier nods to a summer look. Work with a deeper, edgier sandy off-white such as Resene Triple Parchment as your main shade, then add accents of a rich brown like Resene Caffeine and pale Resene Umber White. For added sunshine add a single accent of joyous Resene Ipanema.

Alternatively use a subtle sunset tone like pale peach Resene Sazerac as your neutral and layer with other beige-apricots for a warm glow. Try Resene Manhattan and Resene Whiskey Sour. For a similar look that leans more into pink-toned neutrals try Resene Cest La Vie with Resene Pearl Bush, Resene Alpaca and Resene Gold Coast.

Colours mentioned in this blog...

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Resene Shade

Coming soon

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Resene Whero

Coming soon

Products mentioned in this blog...

Products marked as "coming soon" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, they can be purchased in-store at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.

September 11, 2024

If you need help getting starting or deciding on the colours that best suit your home, come in and visit your local Resene ColorShop, Ask a Resene Colour Expert free online or book a Resene Colour Consultation free instore or virtually or a paid home visit in selected areas.

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