style Nature is wise. It gives us abundant inspiration for the right colours and combinations to use in our homes. Hot Toddy and Resene Chelsea Gem. The other direction is subtle and soothing, with soft sage greens, hempy browns and barely-there peach. Think Resene Bud, Resene Castaway, Resene Egg Sour and Resene Quarter Spanish White. Put your preconceptions aside You may think that using leaves or trees as inspiration for a fresh green scheme makes sense but the true colour of many types of ‘green’ foliage is much muddier and muted than you would think. There are few very clean, clear greens in nature, which is why those who think that painting their fence a grass green will help it blend with the garden can get a rude shock. The same can be said of many of nature’s colours natural-born O ne of the big colour trends this season has its origins firmly rooted in nature. The earth, greenery, sea and sky have often inspired the colours we use inside our homes. They are, after all, colours we are innately familiar with and are such easy colours to live with. Using natural colour provides a digital detox after a day spent looking at screens, being bombarded with bright advertising messages and working in sometimes windowless spaces. The colours invented by nature ground us and calm us. This year, those colours flow in two directions. One family of natural colours is home to shades of boldness and depth with sharp greens, spicy ochres and untamed terracottas. Think Resene Green Leaf, Resene Above: Embrace nature head-on with a vine pattern as a bedhead. This one is painted freehand using Resene testpots in Resene Feijoa, Resene Summer Green and Resene Ottoman onto a wall in Resene Leap Year. With a floor painted in Resene Aquamarine and sideboard drawers in Resene Surf Crest, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping in a forest. Resene Aquamarine Resene Summer Green Resene Leap Year Resene Feijoa Resene Ottoman Resene Surf Crest 35 colour trends