Draw on neutrals for ultimate elegance

Nothing adds elegance and glamour to a room like a neutral colour palette.

Hues like Resene Half Blanc, Resene Spanish White and Resene White Pointer are just as soothing as they are luxurious and sophisticated. The key to a successful neutral colour scheme is a layered composition of muted hues. Adding subtle contrast with colour ensures there is enough interest for the eye and keeps a room from looking too flat.

Use creamy tones like Resene Pearl Lusta and Resene Rice Cake to add layers of luxury to any space. They are the ideal backdrop for restoration and rejuvenation. Neutrals will also allow your furnishings, art and accessories to shine. This living space’s luxurious use of creamy hues like Resene Half Blanc on the walls and Resene Eighth Blanc on the floor make the space feel both warm and elegant. Shades of Resene Blanc take on a subtle rosy tone in natural light, which is ideal for spaces that need a hint of warmth without feeling too beige.

Monochromatic rooms are also one of the best ways to heighten a feeling of cohesiveness and sophistication, so don’t stop at the walls and floor. Why not paint vases in Resene Triple Blanc and any frames on the wall in Resene Double Blanc. Use a sponge when applying the paint to create a dreamy, dappled effect on any accessories or furnishings.

Create layers of intrigue when you are decorating. Layers of closely-related neutral shades and a variety of textures in a room are what is going to keep the space interesting. Just as you could try varying shades of Resene Blanc, try various strengths of Resene Pearl Lusta, Resene Spanish White, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Truffle or Resene Merino. Layers of these serene colours are timeless, sophisticated and especially cosy for spaces like living rooms and bedrooms.

Contrast is also your best friend when it comes to heightening a neutral room and ensuring the space feels elegant. Add patterns and contrast tones to lift a room – Resene neutral hues like Resene Half Blanc and Resene Eighth Blanc buddy up beautifully with suede taupe tones like Resene Sandstone and Resene Antidote. You could paint vases or a bookshelf in greys like Resene Tapa or Resene Double Gravel, or for the bold, paint frames or a table in a glossy black accent like Resene Enamacryl tinted to Resene Blackjack. Plants are a great way to add a splash of colour in a neutral space too, or you could even try a floor in timber finished in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash to break up the neutral scheme. Highlight architectural details in a room with a semi-gloss finish like Resene Lustacryl or Resene Lusta-Glo.

Don’t forget you can give neutral tones a boost by adding artwork. For added opulence in a living or bedroom space, nothing says elegance like a pearl wall feature. The ‘pearl-core’ trend has been embraced across the interior and fashion world – a symbol of serenity, protection and longevity. Add an iridescent accent in your home by painting a picture frame in Resene Double Blanc and its background in Resene Black White. Cut polystyrene balls in half (find them at a craft shop) and use Resene Double Alabaster and Resene FX Pearl Shimmer to create your pearls. Use a glue gun to stick them in place on the frame once the paint has dried, then hang on your wall.

For a cohesive and luxurious feel throughout your home, carry the same neutral tones from room to room. Repeat a neutral hue like Resene Blanc across an open living space and on kitchen cabinets, for example. Always consider your lighting – if your space is flooded with natural light, a darker neutral can be used like Resene Merino or Resene Quarter Truffle. If you are lacking in light, go for lighter and brighter neutrals with hues like Resene Half Pearl Lusta, Resene Black White or Resene Bianca.

For elegant spaces, keep Resene neutrals at the forefront, buddy them up with similar hues, add layering and contrast and in no time your space will feel transformed.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Melle Van Sambeek. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2022