From habitat highlights - issue 41, colour trends
Nothing evokes the dreamy days of summer better than interiors that feel like a natural expression of the people who live in them.
Off-whites, fresh blues and natural touches give this airy bedroom the cool calm of a coastal look with subtlety and sophistication.
Lower wall, bench seat and vase painted in Resene Casper with upper wall and bedside table in Resene Parchment, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and ornamental knot in Resene Triple Parchment. Euro pillows and quilt from Kmart, duvet and pillowcases from Foxtrot Home, cushions from H&M Home.
Interior styles that summon the holiday vibes and easy living of summer combine softened shades with crisp contrast, a nod to nature and finished looks that feel authentic, and even a little weathered around the edges.
For interiors that feel lived in, a mix of colour and texture is vital, says Resene Colour Expert Amy Watkins. “Including some colour whether it’s a feature wall or a single cushion helps create depth in what could otherwise be a cold, impersonal space.
“Adding colour doesn’t have to mean going bold. It can even be a deeper version of a main neutral already in use.”
A reliable, summery formula, which is easy to personalise, is to look for sandy, off-white neutrals like Resene Spanish White paired with muted mid-tones in blues like Resene Lakeside or greens like Resene Smashed Avocado layered with similar, lighter tones and contrasting accents in sharper shades.
Botanical greens are almost a given when it comes to creating modern relaxed and connected interiors, and even when you’re recreating the feeling of summer days, there’s room for cosiness and comfort.
Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey says “natural textures and colours that create a snug or soothing atmosphere, combined with the use of plants, are known to elevate our mood and reduce our stress.”
For a cosy look that doesn’t feel dark or too wintery, try forest and pasture greens with a blackened edge like Resene Paddock or Resene Clover and punctuate the look with brighter shades reminiscent of fruit and flowers, like Resene Chelsea Gem and Resene Contented. Finish with a subtle beige neutral like Resene Quarter Blanc.
The classic beachy look of blues and neutrals is evolving into a surprisingly sophisticated style that sits between high-end Hamptons and casual beach cottage.
To bring the coastal look into your home, Meryl suggests choosing light and airy yet earthy tones like Resene Blanc for walls and larger design features of a room.
“Use accents of colour for accessorising but keep your colour palette minimal and instead play with texture for added interest. Try introducing a Resene wallpaper design or wall panelling to break up an expanse of wall and enhance your coastal colours.”
For a relaxed and lived-in finish, look to washes on timber like Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy or a limewashed effect with Resene pastel and neutral hues mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.
Citrus orange and layers of verdant green help this cosy kitchen retain brightness and light.
Walls painted in Resene Paddock, shelves and bench seat in Resene Green Spring and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Table in Resene Spanish White, chairs in Resene Cabbage Pont, table vase and top shelf plant pot in Resene Sunrise, books in Resene Spanish White and shelf vases and ornaments in Resene Lemon Twist, Resene Cabbage Pont, Resene Secrets, Resene Spanish White, Resene Sunrise, Resene Iko Iko, Resene Paddock and Resene Japonica. Napkins and candle from Kmart, cushions from The Warehouse, artwork from Etsy.
The textural finish on this wall gives it a softer, weathered and vintage look against the modern curves of the furniture.
The wall is painted in Resene Bitter, with topcoats in Resene Celeste, Resene Miso and Resene Gimblet mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium. Floor stained in Resene Colorwood Natural. Wall light painted in Resene Celeste, table in Resene Half Barely There, teapot in Resene Rhino, cups and saucers in Resene Bitter, milk bottle in Resene Celeste, jug and plate in Resene Gimblet, dish with lemons in Resene Cobblestone, large planter in Resene Celeste, watering can in Resene Miso, small planter in Resene Triple Tana and lipped plant pot in Resene Half Barely There. Chair from Derlook, plinths from Danske Møbler.
top tip “When you are taking inspiration from something, look closely at it and break down what it is you really like. Is it the wall colour? A decor piece? Once you have those answers you will have a more personalised design.” Amy Watkins, Resene Colour Expert.
Add personal style and flair with an intentional ‘undone’ finish in an all-neutral space by layering a variety of different off-whites and beige tones, paired with the rougher edges of natural fibres and textures.
Texture is a key part of this kind of bohemian vibe and that means visual texture as well as tactile finishes. Look to linen-look wallpapers in oaty neutrals, or subtle designs and motifs drawn from nature like Resene Wallpaper Collection M37302. Add cushions and decor pieces with fringed or raw edges and layer with textiles in wool and linen.
Experiment with blending different patterns, as well as textures and colours for a finished room that feels as though it’s been thrown together, but a little artfully and with some thought. Finish with burnished brass touches and plenty of leafy green pot plants.
The tonal layers and textures of this living room give strong luxury tropical hotel vibes, balanced by elegant French colonial style.
Wall papered in Resene Wallpaper Collection M37302. Skirting and floor painted in Resene Quarter Sisal, coffee table and clamshell bowl in Resene Triple Sisal, console table and basket in Resene Sisal and DIY arch art in Resene Triple Sisal and Resene Quarter Sisal. Light pendant from Kmart.
Contrasting lines add a crisp edge and complexity to this gelato-toned room.
Rear wall, side wall and contrast trim painted in Resene Haven, side wall in Resene Ebb with trim and skirting in Resene Soothe, floorboards in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, sideboard in Resene Neutral Bay and table in Resene Half Sour Dough with book in Resene Half Halcyon, plate in Resene Quarter Blanc, mug in Resene Half Sauvignon, sideboard vases, left to right, in Resene Quarter Blanc, Resene Sante Fe and Resene Half Halcyon, book in Resene Ebb, small bowl in Resene Half Halcyon and triangular vase in Resene Haven. Couch and cushions from Danske Møbler, rug from The Ivy House.
top tip Summer is the perfect season to embrace botanic motifs like palms, leaves and flowers. Pick a few favourite Resene testpot colours and let your biophilic creativity flow!
Pairing the elegance and polish of modern design with the burnished wear of older surfaces and styles elevates both looks.
It’s a combination that sits well with today’s sensibility for reusing and repurposing materials, while adding touches of flair with newer pieces. To get the balance right, Amy suggests a combination of good planning and creating a mood board.
“Design rules are made to be broken, so don’t be afraid to mix old and new.”
If you’re repurposing items or want to age-up newer items to suit your space, try products like Resene FX Faux Rust Effect to recreate weathered steel, Resene FX Crackle for an antiqued finish or, for a weathered paint look, Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.
Crisp lines, lots of neutrals and bolder colour bursts can help balance and calm gelato shades and prevent them from becoming too sweet, Meryl says, as can earthy shades like sage green Resene Xanadu, which works particularly well with lilac and lavender pastels like Resene Half Fog. Add crisp brighter whites such as Resene Black White to keep the look fresh.
The great advantage of working with these soft mid-tones is that they tend not to clash, so it can be a fun way to experiment with a range of different Resene colours without the finished space looking too busy. It can be a particularly fun palette to try in children’s bedrooms where a range of colours has a better chance of still appealing as they grow.
Colours mentioned in this article
Products mentioned in this article
Products marked as "coming soon" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, they can be purchased in-store at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.
Projects: Vanessa Nouwens, Moneuan Ryan, Hannah Tapner
Images: Bryce Carleton
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