Steeped in drama

From habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2022

For a long time, dark and dramatic paint colours were thought to make homes feel claustrophobic.

But those who have taken the plunge with smouldering selections like Resene Double Foundry, Resene Dune, Resene Indian Ink and Resene Astronaut know the real power that these colours have to transform a space for the better. Off blacks, blue blacks and deep blue hues can bring a cocooning effect to a living space and create a sense of intimacy that can’t be replicated with lighter tones.

Bring some balance and levity to the space with lighter coloured furniture painted in Resene Snow Drift, Resene Black White and Resene Alabaster. Rather than choosing a lighter colour for your ceiling, keep it dark and instead go for lighter paint colours like Resene Smokescreen or timber stains such as Resene Colorwood Natural on the floor for an uplifting effect that doesn’t break the cocoon you’ve created.

Top tip:  When opting for dark and dramatic colours, keep in mind that you may need to adjust your lighting to suit. Use lamps, accent lighting and dimmer switches to help create the right mood.

Top tip:  It’s common to think of black as being straight black, but in fact, there are many variations to choose from with undertones of blue, red, green and yellow as well as variants slightly softened with white. Always test your black with the rest of your palette in natural daylight and also at night to ensure all your undertones harmonise well with each other.

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