Left: The Essentials wallpaper collection (218020), available from Resene ColorShops. Right: Resene Colorwood Greywash floor. Paint gloss levels Texture and visual relief isn’t just about the furnishings. The gloss or sheen level of the paint you choose can also affect the way the colour looks. A flat paint will make the colour look muddier and denser, while a gloss finish will make it look cleaner and brighter. You can use this to your advantage by varying the gloss level to make a neutral colour palette more interesting and to highlight specific areas of the room. There’s a trend for chalky, more matte finishes with paint. It’s a look easily achieved with Resene SpaceCote Flat. Flat paints have a rich velvety look and will hide minor imperfections in your walls. Flat finishes tend to show the marks more than higher sheen finishes, however, so if you have a busy household with children or pets, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen may be a better option. An easy approach is to use your favourite Resene white in a flat or low sheen finish (Resene SpaceCote Flat, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Zylone Sheen) on your walls, teamed with trims in the same colour but in a semi- gloss finish (use Resene Lustacryl) and a flat finish for your ceiling (Resene SpaceCote Flat). It’s subtle and elegant. Resene Concrete 18 |