Habitat plus - mid-toned neutrals

They are colours that we often see in nature. Simply put, we’re used to them, and they resonate with our basic instinct to be anchored to the earth.

These colours are calming, subtle and hugely versatile. You can dress them up or down, and change their look and style according to the accent colours or accessories you put with them.

These mid-range colours are so popular that Resene Tea – a complex, grown-up beige with hints of grey and green – has spent a decade in Resene’s top 10 most popular paint colours list. It has many cosy neighbours in the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection: Resene Napa, Resene Akaroa, Resene Ash and Resene Pavlova, just for starters.

As with any colour, these mid-toned neutrals are subject to fashion and whim. At the turn of the century, warm shades of latte and parchment were more prevalent. Nowadays, greyer shades are popular (dubbed griege), like Resene Truffle and Resene Quarter Friar Grey. Both are stony greys with a deep twist of warmth.

And the true greys like Resene Concrete or Resene Quarter Silver Chalice have come to the fore.

Top left: Resene Quarter Stack walls and Resene Stack shelf; styled by Gem Adams. Right: The Architects fabric collection from James Dunlop, with Resene Half Friar Grey walls. Left: Resene Sandspit Brown in a project by Trinity Interior Design.

The many faces of mid-tone

As you look through the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection, you’ll notice how the neutrals, especially those in the mid range, vary.

Shades of grey: crisp and urban, clean and cool – Resene Double Concrete, Resene Quarter Stack and Resene Surrender.

Greige, the in-betweener: for those who like their greys more subtle, see Resene Cloudy, Resene Half Taupe Grey, Resene Truffle and Resene Quarter Friar Grey.

Biscuit brown: warm and earthy, like having tea and toast, see Resene Bison Hide, Resene Napa and Resene Drought.

A hint of green: cool, yet not cold, see Resene Ash, Resene Tana and Resene Triple Thorndon Cream.

Golden hues: from deep creams to dusky ochre tones, see Resene Canterbury Clay, Resene Pavlova and Resene Haystack.

› Return to Habitat plus 6 - whites and neutrals

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