From habitat magazine - issue 22, editorial
Do those colour choices change year by year, or are they buried deep into our psyche?
Are you a blue person, someone who just loves anything yellow, or perhaps black is the only colour for you? What turns us on, individually, to different colours is intriguing. Why is it that I often gravitate towards shades of green when planning any interior decorating? I don’t particularly identify myself as a nature baby or an eco-queen but I just can’t resist the sense of calm that green seems to give me.
Do those colour choices change year by year, or are they buried deep into our psyche? Fashion colours come and go but did you know that red is one of Resene’s top non-neutral sellers? We asked a couple of designers about their favourite colours from the Resene The Range fashion colours 16 this issue (see "i love it") – one was influenced by a memorable trip while the other by his work as a heritage architect.
Our two feature homes this issue are both very colourful but in quite different ways, influenced of course by their owner’s distinct tastes. Did Maggie Robertson (see "her forever home") choose more traditional muted colours purely because she lives in a bungalow, and did Jan Warburton (see "off the wall") go for bright bold colours because her home is newer, or because she has an adventurous soul?
Then there are always those people who find inspiration in other ways. As an author and gardener, it should be no surprise that Lynda Hallinan often chooses colours by their names. Resene Gumboot, for example – see "knee-deep in nature".
So turn the page, and find the colour that makes you happy!
Sharon Newey editor
It seems almost every day we hear from a happy decorator who has been adventurous with paint colour. Their friends and family had been nervous of their choices, but once the decorating is done, those same friends and family love the look so much that they are lining up to get colour advice for their own homes!
While many see neutrals as a safe choice, surprisingly it’s often harder to create a neutral colour scheme than something braver. When you start considering deeper colour choices, you tend to be drawn to a specific colour so find it easier to refine your choices. Off-whites, however, can look so similar that you can end up confused about which one you really like. Also, these colours tend to be more of a chameleon, taking on the colours of your lighting and other accessories.
Very few decorators dive straight into a rainbow of colour, but work their way up, one splash of colour at a time. So next time you’re eyeing up your favourite colour, take the plunge. Even if it’s just a litre for a feature area – you’ll be amazed at the difference that makes. And if worse comes to worse and you find you don’t like it, it’s quick and easy to paint over with another favourite. Once you have gained confidence on a small area you can then be more adventurous and tackle a larger area. In a few small steps, your home will reflect more of you. When you’re on the colour journey, remember Resene testpots are your friend – let them help you with your choices.
Happy decorating!
The Resene team
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Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.
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