Softly does it

NZ House & Garden, Resene / Colour expert

For stylist Amber Armitage, soft and organic is the way to go.

Art director and stylist Amber Armitage says it’s all about harmony when she works with colour. “My favourite colour combinations are always about finding the right balance between softer muted tones and darker deeper shades that bring the palette to life. This might be through a monochromatic palette, a mix of light soft greens and rich dirty greens, or in a palette such as the one used for this mural where the soft pink and ochre of Resene Soothe and Resene Haystack have enough space to breathe and are complemented by the depth of Resene Noir.

What projects are you enjoying right now?

I work with my clients from initial concept and mood board, through to sourcing product and creating artworks. The final package might be an interior room set for a magazine or brand imagery that will be used to tell the story of the homeware or fashion brand. Resene has been amazing to work with. As colour trends evolve I create new ideas and colour combos to show these off in larger interior shoots and also work with Resene building and developing the @resenecolour Instagram page to give people a huge amount of colour inspiration.

Why do you love working with colour?

Whatever the project, colour really sets the tone. It is the easiest and most effective way to evoke a mood or emotion, and is the foundation of how I develop my ideas. If you start with a strong colour palette that reflects your concept, you are already half way to pulling the project together.