Swirling statement

This cosy lounge combines today’s trending taupes and greens into a gorgeous tonal package.

After two decades of cool greys and whites being the preferred neutrals, there has been a sharp shift. Today, it’s warmer taupes and greiges such as Resene Double Thorndon Cream, Resene Cougar and Resene Craigieburn that have skyrocketed in popularity as the base hues of choice for grounding colour schemes. And it’s understandable; as our lives become increasingly complicated and people have been forced to spend more time at home, it’s natural for us to seek out colours that we find comforting and soothing. Taupe and greige are undeniably cosy and thus fit the bill perfectly.

Green is another colour that has become overwhelming popularity in the past few years. It was a cool minty version that first re-emerged as a decorating trend – a variation which was then replaced by soft, silvery sage. But just like neutrals, the most vogue versions are warmer ones, especially those with an olive, army or cargo green character to them such as Resene Quarter Karaka, Resene Half Karaka and Resene Evolution.

This cosy lounge combines today’s trending taupes and greens into a gorgeous tonal package. The stage – and colour palette – are set by the show-stealing mural, which is inspired by a swirly marble. But rather than painting it all taupes or all greens, a tide-line approach has been taken across the centre of the wall, where the top half has been kept neutral on a background of Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and the bottom half features deeper, greener tones backed by Resene Double Thorndon Cream – an effect that not only creates more interest but also visually grounds the space. The timber floorboards, which have been finished with Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, bring subtle warmth and texture with a casual appeal.

The best parts about a mural like this one is that it takes the place of artwork, filling the expansive wall to define the room, and it also makes it easier to get the colours right when you accessorise the space. You already know the exact Resene colours that will match it – it’s simply a matter of picking up some Resene testpots in those same hues and using them to decorate vases, bowls, picture frames, candleholders and other accent items. Just about anything can be painted, so long as you put in the proper prep work, so this allows you to concentrate on picking items that you love the shape of instead of having to worry about whether it’s the correct colour. However, adding a touch of leafier greens and coral pinks such as Resene Clover, Resene Half Rivergum and Resene Apple Blossom also make excellent additional accent colours by acting as a point of difference. Pick your favourite and use them on three spots that you want to really pop, such as a strikingly shaped vase, a floating shelf and a throw cushion.

While soft blacks like Resene Zeus are easy picks for using on furniture like coffee tables, side tables and shelves to add some contrast, the greens in the mural also make it easy to bring fresh plants into your space and have them blend harmoniously with the colour palette. Try a mix of large and small plants and paint their pots in your boldest accent colour to accentuate them more or go for Resene Greige if you want them to recede into the background.

When choosing furniture and accessories to go with this look, you can’t go wrong with pieces that are round or feature circles to connect with the shape of the mural and create repetition – a key principle of design. Opt for round coffee tables over square or rectangular ones, bring in a round ottoman, round cushions and a lamp with a rounded shade. It’s details like these that will help make your space cohesive and take your design to the next level.

Styling by Annick Larkin. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2022