Tranquil retreat

Clutter-free living creates a sanctuary in which we feel calm, rested and free from unnecessary distraction.

Keeping things minimally decorated and paring back furniture and décor to the essentials helps us focus on our most special pieces – not to mention the time it saves on cleaning! While a lack of excess decoration is a tenet of the less-is-more approach to minimalism, the style is further characterised by clean lines, functionality and a limited colour palette. But minimalism doesn’t need to mean white, there are many calming Resene colours that tie in with a paired back look.

Neutral, monochromatic colours are commonly used in minimalist interiors to create an environment which is clean, open and airy. However, accent colours can also be introduced to create a focal point within a room, such as a feature wall behind a bed. This is a great alternative to a bedhead which can take up a lot of space due to its bulkiness. We’ve chosen to use Resene Ravine – a cloudy, grey-toned green which is easy on the eye and creates a harmonious look and feel. Resene Ravine pairs extremely well with light greys and neutrals such as Resene Sea Fog, Resene Secrets and Resene Concrete, resulting in a look which is clean, crisp and modern. While you could add a simple piece of artwork to the wall, don’t be afraid to embrace negative space to avoid over-complicating the room. Alternatively, you could use one or two statement cushions in similar tones that serve as an art piece.

Muted or greyed-off greens are a great way to inject some colour into your space without overwhelming it and work well in any room of the house. This particular shade is restorative and calming and works well in restful areas such as bedrooms. Some other favourite neutral greens are Resene Yucca, Resene Spanish Green, Resene Terrain and Resene Norway.

If space permits, using an accent wall as a room divider is a great way to keep belongings out-of-sight as it allows the space behind to be used as a storage or a walk-in wardrobe. This design feature reduces the amount of extra furniture needed to store items, such as clothes and shoes, and in-turn creates a decluttered space. If you do choose to include multiple items of furniture, such as a lowboy or bedside table, try to choose pieces that are close to the ground as this creates the illusion of height in your room. Using a low stool as a bedside table, painted with Resene Sandtex tinted to Resene Concrete on the sides, helps to open up the above space and is a great way to showcase a modern hanging pendant.

Keeping your décor in the same colour family is important for achieving a look of cohesiveness and this can be easily accomplished with Resene paints. Try choosing a few of your favourite objects and paint them in the same tone as your wall, such as the simple vase we’ve displayed on the bedside stool. This has been painted with Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Ravine. Our large pot has been painted in Resene Enamacryl tinted to Resene Half Tasman, which keeps things looking sleek and simple and draws our eye to the plant itself. Including objects with purpose, such as pots and vases, underpin the minimalist aesthetic and are useful vessels for incorporating a touch of fresh greenery.

Another great way to add interest to your room without overpowering the space is to add texture. We’ve created a textured wall in a neutral colour using Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect, a tough acrylic texture which creates the look of natural sandstone. Resene Sandtex can be tinted to an array of Resene colours, or as a basecoat for Resene FX Paint Effects Medium to create a limewashed effect. The Resene Sandtex was applied with a brush using a loose sweeping motion to add further dimension to the wall. Additionally, letting the natural woodgrain texture shine through in your flooring adds another layer of interest to the room. Our sleek wooden floorboards have been finished with Resene Colorwood Whitewash which enables us to achieve a look that is light and fresh, without disguising the woodgrain completely.

The combination of texture, colour and paired back bedding, creates a calming space, perfect for unwinding at the end of a busy day.

Project by Kate Alexander. Photography by Bryce Carleton. June 2022