new horizons

From habitat magazine - issue 37, testpots

This season's new colours will rejuvenate your home and send your spirits to new heights.

There’s energy in the air. Like spring growth peeping through the earth after a bitter winter, the world is waking up after a period of dormancy. The borders are open, travel plans are in action and those working from home have mainly returned to the office, at least some of the time. New shipments have rejuvenated the design world, and fashion and architecture shows have brought fresh ideas.

There is no better time for the arrival of the Resene The Range fashion colours. With colours such as Resene Awaken, Resene Upside, Resene New Day and weekend favourite Resene Smashed Avocado, Resene's new collection is sure to add uplifting colour to your home. Like the brand-new hues, this season's colour trends promote growth while putting down solid roots.

Down to earth

Mother Nature continues to be the ultimate trendsetting ‘It Girl’ of the design scene, with colours, materials and furnishings inspired by the outdoors leading the way. ‘Biophilic’ is a term familiar to the architectural world since the 1970s, referring to the sense of comfort humans feel when in natural spaces. Now interior designers are joining architects in their love of all things natural.

“Biophilia can be introduced with colour, shape, texture and the use of natural materials,” says Resene Senior Architectural Representative, Rebecca Long.

“Wood is a great way to bring the outside world indoors. Wood provides comfort, warmth and a connection to nature.” Adding a natural touch to your home could be as simple as enhancing wooden flooring with Resene Colorwood – try Resene Breathe Easy, a soft colourwash from the Resene We Speak Beach range. Painting walls in soothing greens and blues will also bring in relaxed charm – try Resene Vantage Point, Resene Green Days and Resene Tarzan from the Resene fashion fandeck.

Dark arts

Black has been trendy for home exteriors for the past decade, but now softer natural blacks that sit more gently in the landscape are coming into play. Consider Resene Nocturnal and Resene Foundry and brown-infused black wood stains such as Resene Crowshead when changing your exterior colours. Opt for Resene CoolColour formulas when choosing dark exterior paints and stains, made with heat-reflective technology that helps keep dark colours cooler – so there’s no need to race across a hot deck barefoot.

“Whether it’s in the interior or on the exterior, we’re seeing people step out of their comfort zones by using stronger colours,” says Resene Colour Consultant Amy Watkins. “The key to using richer colours is to choose ones with dusty or chalky natures as they are easier to live with.”

Warm it up

While the Y2K era is often synonymous with Scandinavian-inspired stark cool-white interiors, neutrals have shifted towards warmer whites. Put the change down to comfort. As many of us discovered during lockdown, cooler whites are not as soothing as their warmer counterparts. Creamy whites with yellow, brown or green undertones imbue comforting tradition and stability. Try Resene Half Blanc, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta or Resene Half Spanish White.

“Resene Half Blanc is my new favourite white,” says interior designer Melle van Sambeek. “I like its warmth, and it has a beautiful creamy softness. Use varying strengths of the same neutral throughout a home to create cohesion and depth.”

Resene FX Paint Effects Medium is a way to create the two-tone look of limestone or other natural materials such as cob. Try combining Resene Caraway and Resene Half Nomad for a soft, earthy look. “Paint effects are easier than they look,” says interior designer Kate Alexander. “Start with a base colour in a darker shade and then use a rag to dab on a lighter colour, working in a circular motion. Paint effects are intuitive, so it takes a bit of experimenting to get the colour balance. Avoid starting in the centre of the wall – work from a corner, where it’s less noticeable, while building the colour.”

A touch of sparkle

'Pearlcore' is a nature-inspired trend straight from the fashion runway. While pearls were once the emblem of tradition, they are now a youthful trend, with pearly or iridescent accents appearing on clothes, makeup and even glowing, doughnut-glaze nails.

At home, this trend translates to shimmery wallpapers and painted gloss and shimmer finishes. Use Resene FX Pearl Shimmer pearlescent glaze over the top of your desired Resene colour to add an iridescent sheen. “The Resene FX Pearl Shimmer product is awesome to use. It’s easy to apply, and you can see the pearl shimmer immediately,” says Melle.

Reinvented heritage

People often turn to the past for guidance during times of instability. In the entertainment world, lockdowns kicked off a craze for historical documentaries, Jane Austen adaptations and a slew of other period dramas. In interiors, there are multiple eras seeing revivals. Grandmillennial style is a traditional maximalist aesthetic now popular with millennials and Gen Z.

Victorian-inspired floral and botanical wallpapers are a crucial part of this trend; wainscoting and collections of books and art complete the more-is-more look. Grandmilliennial is a reaction to minimalism and the disposable culture millennials grew up with. An extension of this trend is the rise of a vintage beach aesthetic, with classic Hamptons and Victorian-era safari-inspired interiors having a moment. Think tongue-and-groove walls, rattan furniture, stormy blues such as Resene Watermark paired with crisp Resene Double Alabaster and canvas colours such as Resene Epitome and Resene Rice Cake.

That 70s trend

Although often maligned for questionable options, such as carpeted bathrooms and plastic couches, there's much to love about the 70s. The 70s colour palette features earthy browns, olive greens, spice hues and rustic décor, reflecting a resurgence of cottage industries, such as pottery and woodwork. The 70s look dovetails nicely into mid-century style and lends itself to mixing and matching.

"Mid-century colours tend to be vibrant and bold with some earthy tones thrown in the mix," says interior designer Annick Larkin. "Try mixing rich caramels such as Resene Yogi, burnt brick such as Resene Arriba and edgy orange such as Resene Thunderbird as they work harmoniously together thanks to their warmth. Deep aubergine and soft feminine pinks will balance this palette."

Playtime

When life gets too serious, fashion and our home décor choices become opportunities to have a little fun. The rise of neotenic design is the idea of interiors with child-like qualities. In nature, neoteny is defined by adult animals that retain juvenile features. In design, neoteny includes round-shaped furniture and pastel colours such as lilac, candy pink and buttercup yellow. “This is such a fun trend,” says Kate. “An easy idea to try is painting a scalloped shape around door architraves or curved shapes on feature walls. When picking colours, opt for chalky pastel lilacs and yellows with a touch of zesty citrus edge, so any shapes are clearly visible.” Try Resene Hawkes Blue, Resene Illuminate or Resene London Hue.

Embrace your curves adds Amy. “I’m seeing lots of curves in designs at the moment and a movement away from sharp edges. Curves create the feeling of movement and can be welcoming and soft.”

Whichever way the wind blows – whether your decorating is inspired by the fresh greens of spring or the deep oaks of tradition – there’s style on the horizon.

Project: Kate Alexander, Annick Larkin, Shani Luckman, Vanessa Nouwens, Melle van Sambeek
Images: Bryce Carleton

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

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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