Brighter days ahead

The rich warmth of the sun on our skin, the silkiness of butter melting on toast, the appeal of yellow is so strongly tied to the senses.

One glance at this uplifting hue and we’re transported to a happier place, with whispers of holidays and sandy beaches in hazy delight. With the right shades that remind us of places we’ve been on holiday in or would like to one day visit, we can create the same setting in our homes from summer to winter. We don’t have to leave those dreamy destinations for another visit in the future, but rather embrace them now by creating a setting that allows you to use Resene paints and your creativity to capture the soul of these places. Let yourself to be carried off to a faraway destination of your dreams, where the sun shines warmly and the clay-like shades of the earth ground you as much as they bring a sense of joy.

Resene yellows are a no-brainer when it comes to decorating living rooms. Typically, the space in the home where we like to enjoy the company of others or relax with a book on the couch, a yellow living room setting evokes a sunny disposition during the day, yet at night we can enjoy the happy glow of the chosen Resene palette accompanied by lamps and overhead lighting. What better hue to capture a sunny, inviting feeling in your living room?

The beauty of yellow is not only the optimism it exudes, but the array of shades it comes in from the palest, softest tone to a more cheery version of yellow. When two variations of yellow come together, they can provide enough contrast to create a warming and interesting space that invites joyful neutrals in. The result is a scheme that sends the message of summer, but not in a loud, over the top way, more a laid-back, easy fashion.

Resene Pale Prim sets the scene in this space, its pure pale tone imbuing the feel of a holiday at home all-year round. A happy Palm-Springs-like feel runs through this space, and it is this Resene yellow that initiates this sensory experience. A pale but cheery yellow, its glow on the left- and right-facing walls is cheery and happy, but its gentle nature means we don’t have to worry about it overpowering the living room.

We’ve captured a tonal yellow scheme by adopting a bolder variation of yellow, which comes through into this space, in the form of Resene Corn Field. Coating the back wall and shelves, it sends a message of ‘let’s take it up a notch’ adding a touch of fun and excitement with its slightly more intense pastel tones. Imbue your interior with this sense of comfort and joy, taking a palette of delightful yellows from our natural environment.

Gentle, uncomplicated and childlike in nature and innocence, Resene Corn Field makes an energising, petal-hued partner to other warming hues which are used in harmony to bring the eye to décor elements within the living room. Its pale lemon tones might immediately make you think its suited to a child’s room due to its gentle nature, for which this would be perfect, but its versatility is wide, suiting it to almost any room in the house. Adding to this tonal approach, we’ve brought in a vase in Resene Pale Prim and a plant holder, plate and bowl in Resene Corn Field with bowls in white Resene Double Alabaster for a fresh contrast.

To ground these dreamy yellows, the role of earthy pinks has taken centre stage, in the candleholders painted in the muted tones of Resene Summer Rose and the horseshoe shape on top shelf, bowl and plant holder in the pinky terracotta of Resene Prairie Sand.

A buffet in Resene Awaken celebrates the soulful terracotta tones with a touch of mango and apricot for depth. Just as yellow takes its inspiration from the sun, look to the natural world for your accent colours too, as we have with these earthy tones reminiscent of clay landscapes that offer richness and depth. Dot Resene Awaken in décor items around the room, allowing it to gently ground the Resene yellows that are celebrated in this space. These rosy, rich reds have a hint of dustiness about them which prevents them from being too crisp. They contrast with our yellow palette, but they bring a level of warmth that is on par with our yellows.

To bring definition to this yellow setting we’ve painted skirting in Resene Alabaster, its fresh white a clear contrast that defines the yellow cleanly. Next to this Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy coats the floorboards, bringing a softness to the space that a white or neutral floor paint doesn’t always achieve. This colour wash wood stain continues with the nature-inspired feel.

Happy, and speaking of summer, these joyful yellows and soulful neutrals anchor this living room and bring a smile to our faces.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Melle Van Sambeek. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024