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Embrace the senses

From the Resene decorating blog

Finding that perfect combination of paint colours that you find uplifting every time you walk into a room in your home is one of the great joys of home decorating.

A soothing and uplifting space

Design that is stimulating and uplifting doesn’t need to be too bright or overly dramatic. It’s about using colour, texture and light to create a sensory response like this soothing space, perfect for relaxation and pottering about.

 
 
Walls painted in Resene Neutral Bay with floorboards stain washed in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Dining table in Resene Half New Denim Blue and chair in Resene Quarter New Denim Blue. On table, jug in Resene Toorak, tumbler in Resene Hot August and bowl in Resene Green Spring. Pendant light in Resene Half Mischka, plinth table in Resene Green Spring and books in Resene Hot August, Resene Rob Roy and Resene Rakaia. Trolley, top shelf from left, pots in Resene Rakaia, Resene Neutral Bay, Resene Half New Denim Blue, Resene Rob Roy, Resene Enigma and Resene Hot August. Bottom shelf from left in Resene Rhino, Resene Toorak, Resene Half Mischka and Resene Green Spring. DIY artwork in Resene Neutral Bay, Resene Enigma, Resene Rakaia, Resene Rob Roy, Resene Hot August, Resene Toorak, Resene Rhino, Resene Half New Denim Blue and Resene Green Spring with frame in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Project by Moneuan Ryan, image by Bryce Carleton.

It doesn’t have to come just from colour. It might be the curve of a certain furniture piece or the way natural light hits a favourite decor item. These simple sweet spots are often what we’re all chasing when we put some consideration and thoughtfulness into our interior designs.

What if we took that idea a little further and combined these different design elements like colour, texture and light to create whole rooms that are not only uplifting but are stimulating to the senses on every level?

This idea of a more all-encompassing design can be as simple as being more maximalist in your approach, to include a broad range of colours, patterns and textures that you find stimulating and exciting to be in. You can also approach your rooms from an ‘immersive’ perspective, working with every surface and item in the room to create a story or a feel that you step into every time you enter the room.

The point might be to escape, focus, relax, sleep or simply watch a movie. By working with colour, light and texture you can create rooms that feel as though you are stepping into a different world suited to a specific feeling or purpose.

“Often we think of virtual reality headsets as the only means of providing an immersion experience, but this same feeling can be created in a room,” says Resene Colour Expert Jackie Nicholls.

As quick guide to how you want your room to feel, Jackie suggests starting with adjusting the light levels. Just simply changing the amount of light in a room, whether that’s through brighter or warmer bulbs, dimmer switches or different window coverings, can radically alter how cosy or invigorating a room feels.

“As an example, minimising the light will draw you inwards to a room, while deepening the walls and especially the ceiling to a moodier shade like Resene Masala or Resene Deep Teal, will create a sense of cocooning.”

Rooms to try

Not all rooms may work for a total immersion-style design. Practical, high use spaces like kitchens and dining rooms, for example. But others, such as spaces where you want to set a particular mood or tone, can work beautifully. This might include media rooms, offices, play rooms or creative studio and work spaces.

A media room, if you have one, is really the perfect space to try for a total immersion design so you can enjoy family movie nights with little distraction. Go for a bold black on black look using Resene Black or slightly earthier Resene Element. Add texture for the eyes, by opting for a suede-like flat finish on the walls and ceiling in Resene SpaceCote Flat or Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, then try the same black in high gloss Resene Enamacryl on trim door frames, skirting and other trim areas.

Opt for a black floor as well, which you can achieve by painting or staining the floorboards then adding a plush dark rug designed for sprawling on.

Colour drenching with a rich jewel tone

Colour drenching with a rich jewel tone is one way to feel as though you're fully submerged in a room. These walls and skirting are painted in Resene Stromboli with floorboards stain washed in Resene Breathe Easy. Bench seat and planter in Resene Deep Teal, basket in Resene Bastille and dining table legs in Resene Teak with top in Resene Putty. On table from left, plate in Resene Casal, bowl in Resene Popcorn, bottle in Resene Deep Teal, plate in Resene Tuscany and fruit bowl in Resene Bastille. Cushions and chair from Danske Møbler. Project by Moneuan Ryan, image by Bryce Carleton.

Break up the black with subtle accent notes but keep to just one or two colours if you can, or a selection of tonally very similar shades, so you get the impact and visual relief but don’t break up the feeling of being immersed in the black. Try a milk off-white like Resene Half Merino rather than a bright white, for a softer contrast, or a beige-toned neutral like Resene Half Spanish White and Resene Quarter Spanish White.

For more dramatic contrast try accent features in a rich jewel tone like magenta Resene Scrumptious or aqua Resene Maestro.

Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey says the sheen level can have quite a big impact on the feel of a total immersion-type space. "If you go with a flat finish, that's going to absorb the light and sit quietly in the background. That's the sort of vibe that you want in a calming environment."

A matt finish on darker colours also helps the walls and ceilings to recede which can make smaller spaces feel taller and wider.

If all black is not for you or you’re designing a focused space like an office rather than a media room, sub in a complex navy like Resene True Blue, with a botanical beige like Resene Caraway and an accent of brick red Resene Dynamite.

Standalone powder rooms are fun places to experiment with this kind of ‘all in’ immersive design.

Transform a small powder room with a simple, plain deep green with Resene Wallpaper Collection 39655-5, even on the ceiling, then paint skirting in either a similar shade like Resene Goblin or eye-catching Resene FX Metallic Gold. Finish the room with crisp white bathroom fittings, an extravagant light fitting and brass tapware for a little private luxury.

Bold jungle wallpaper prints like Resene Wallpaper Collection 2536V-11 or sculptural patterns like Resene Wallpaper Collection 2538M-13 are also dramatic when used in a small space like a powder room. The effect of walking into a whole different world is given extra impact if the space outside the powder room, whether it’s a hallway or guest bedroom, is kept quite neutral and minimalist.

Into the light

Creating a space that you can get lost in, doesn’t need to mean always using bold, sensory sparking colours. You may want to create a spa-like space where you can soothe your senses and escape the world for a little while.

A maximalist clash of colours and patterns - sensory spark

A maximalist clash of colours and patterns is another way to create a sensory spark in your interiors.

This wall is painted in Resene Half Sauvignon with stripes in Resene Valentine and Resene Vibe. Skirting in Resene Rice Cake with floor stain washed in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Bedside table in Resene Juniper, vase in Resene Half Sauvignon with book in Resene Wax Flower, tall vase in Resene London Hue, flower vase in Resene Fandango and large planter in Resene Divine. Pink linen duvet from Foxtrot Home, other bedding and cushions from Small Acorns. Painted stripes by Sarah Beedell, project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.

A Japanese-inspired outdoor dining area

A mix of textures and colours immerse you in this Japanese-inspired outdoor dining area.

Walls stained in Resene Woodsman Charred Black, stools and table centre in Resene Burgundy and tabletop in Resene Cobblestone. Decking stained in Resene Woodsman Tiri with planter in Resene Bullwhip. Lanterns from Look Sharp. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

For this type of feeling Jackie suggests turning to nature. “Biophilic design is a movement that places emphasis on the natural environment and helps us to feel more connected to nature. It can help with everything from productivity to recovery from illness or injury, or simply relaxation.

“It’s an approach you see a lot in Scandinavian and Japanese design philosophies with simple, gentle colour palettes, natural textures and fibres and natural light.”

Try immersing yourself in complex greens like Resene Green Days, Resene Field Day and Resene Vantage Point to evoke a feeling of calm and relaxation in a bathroom, conservatory or any relaxation space. Pair them with pale weathered washes such as Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and Resene Colorwood Whitewash for a soft-look finish.

If you want a little more impact and luxury, Jackie suggests trying nature-inspired wallpaper designs like Resene Wallpaper Collection 33304 and Resene Wallpaper Collection 39647-2.

“Echo these stunning colours and patterns in your soft furnishings and accents to bring it all together.”

All the senses

Colour choice is often the centre of attention when we’re planning any space, whether you want it to be immersive or not, but sight isn’t the only sense to play with.

When planning a stimulating space, think about how you can use textures, scents and sounds to embrace a particular vibe in your rooms.

It can be as simple as a textured anaglypta wallpaper like Resene Wallpaper Collection RD124 or rough finish tiles, lush carpets and different wood finishes; anything that makes you want to reach out and touch surfaces. The suede-like finish of a flat finish paint like Resene SpaceCote Flat can also help with this.

You can also give a sense of texture, by experimenting with limewash or plaster-look finishes using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with your favourite colours. Try a neutral base of Resene Anglaise then topcoat with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Calico for a washed terracotta look that will take you straight to the Mediterranean.

Pattern is another visual way to draw you into a room and give it a sensory-appealing feel. It might be as simple as vivid stripes of burnt orange Resene Fire with crisp white Resene Eighth Rice Cake on a bathroom wall, bold primary-coloured flowers painted on to a child’s bedroom wall or complex maximalist clashes of patterns.

Think about how you can add scent to a room, with candles, plants – or even just open windows to connect you with the outside. It needn’t be a strong scent, just a hint of salty air or subtle lavender will help engage your senses.

top tip  Don’t forget about lighting. Being able to adjust or adapt lighting to change the mood of a room will also help you enhance the space. Ultimately engaging your senses in your interior design simply means thinking beyond a purely functional or practical colour. Before you start your decorating projects, think about how you want the room to feel when you walk into it, and start from there.

Add in the warmth of a fire if possible and consider a clever sound system, especially with speakers dotted around. Subtle scents from candles or fresh herbs and flowers will also add to the feeling.

Colours mentioned in this blog...

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Resene Breathe Easy

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Resene Charred Black

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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.

December 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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