Avoid paint paralysis with our handy 8-step colour guide. Colour is a truly magical property. It can transform an environment, create a style, set a mood and alter perceptions. Colour is very personal and an expression of our creativity. Resene offers all customers a selection of valuable aids to enable you to choose the right colours for you. And of course, Resene ColorShops and resellers are available to provide helpful and professional advice on colour selection. 1Get inspired Even if you already know what colours and styles you like, start a file of photos that catch your eye. Don’t over-think it, just collect what appeals. When you have a decent-sized collection, look for common elements.You could also collect photos of things you really dislike to help you avoid those in your new scheme. Visit your local Resene ColorShop and pick out the cards from the Multi- finish andWhites & Neutrals collections that you’re instinctively drawn to. Together with your collected images, you’ll soon see a pattern emerge. It might be that your choices are all light and casual, or all luxe and moody. You need to love it. There’s no point painting your home in jewel tones if no-one in the family likes jade, ruby or amethyst. The best homes are decorated with the owner’s personality in mind. Use a grey paint colour viewfinder (get one free from your Resene ColorShop) to isolate colour on the paint chart you are viewing. If you look at all the colours together, the colours will affect one another and you won’t get a true feeling of each individual colour. Top tip: With all the decorating styles and choices available it’s easy to be overwhelmed and lose direction.A simple but effective way to stay on course is to choose a few words that describe how you want your home to be and feel. Emotive words, like welcoming, decadent or casual. Use five words maximum.Then with every decision and purchase, ask yourself if it fits the words.That way, you won’t end up with ‘orphans’ in your scheme. Select colours that reflect the mood you are trying to create. For example, if you want to develop a calm atmosphere consider using greens and blues and steer clear of bold high energy reds. If high energy is what you desire, a palette of reds, oranges and yellows will brighten your room and encourage activity. 2Use a starting point A starting point can mean a few things. The first is to start with the most limited or most expensive material. So in a kitchen, choose the benchtop first, then the flooring. Finally, choose the Resene paint colour for the cabinetry and walls that best ties together all these elements. Few of us have the luxury of starting from scratch, so figure out what will be staying – the flooring, the sofa, the kitchen? Or outside, it may be the roof and joinery. Left: Does a rich, luxe look appeal? Try jewel colours like Resene Altas (green), Resene Zinzan (blue; try Resene Bunting for another option) and Resene Avenger (purple; try Resene Blackcurrant for another option).The floor is Resene Colorwood Greywash, and the art is made of wallpaper – design 358000 from the Resene Wallpaper Collection. | 3