From habitat highlights - issue 41, pick a palette
Create functional outdoor spaces that speak to your mood as well as your staycation style.
Whether you have a large back garden, a cosy courtyard or a tiny terrace you can still instil plenty of personality in your outdoor spaces while recreating the spirit of holidays at home. To help get the ideas flowing we’ve decorated this outdoor space in four ways, each inspired by a different holiday destination.
Be excited in the Hamptons:
Decking stained in Resene Woodsman Natural with side wall painted in Resene Halcyon and rear wall in Resene Bluff. Concrete paver design painted in Resene Walk-on paving paint in Resene Halcyon and Resene Bluff, sideboard in Resene Hammerhead, table in Resene Quarter Blanc, planters in Resene Pale Prim, light in Resene Solitude and small pot in Resene Halcyon. Chair, cushions and pots from French Country Collections.
Be creative in the Med:
Patio floor painted in Resene Triple Concrete with sponged layers of Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Double Stack and Resene Eighth Black White. Wall in Resene Lumbersider Matt in Resene Eighth Black White and zig-zag arch in Resene Resolution Blue, with a top layer in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Polo Blue. Shutter in Resene Polo Blue with layers of Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Zircon and Resene Half Resolution Blue. Pots in Resene Resolution Blue with top layer in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Zircon, table and chairs in Resene Polo Blue, light in Resene Element and tray in Resene Zircon.
No matter what kind of theme or mood you want to create in your outdoor space, the key to a successful design that is authentic and true to you, is to start with how you want the space to feel, rather than how it will look, says Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey.
“Just as you would in an indoor room, think about how the space will be used, then use basic design principles like keeping to all cool or warm colours and being mindful of proportions to start bringing together the feel you want. Use unifying motifs, like repeated patterns or colours to keep everything cohesive and work with the colours and pieces you love. That’s how you start to create your own unique design style.”
For an energising, fun outdoor space look at ways to incorporate shapes and patterns that seem to clash, but, with unifying Resene colours, neutral touches and soft, draped finishes they will actually complement each other. For an ‘excite’ space reinvent a classic Hamptons look using an almost-shimmering, bright sea blue such as Resene Halcyon with contrasts in bolts of citrus yellow. Then soothe things down with inkier blues, greys and lush climbing plants.
Nothing inspires creativity quite as well as joy and being in an uplifting environment. For a ‘create’ space, use vibrant contrasts in a selection of fresh Resene whites and sea or sky blues that evoke the sun-drenched glamour of the Mediterranean. Let your creativity sing by making your own DIY art or design feature using Resene testpots as a conversation starter and consider a textured finish with a washed or ragged effect with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium for a relaxed look. Add natural tones with plenty of greenery for softness.
did you know? The Resene FX range includes a variety of products offering different textured and visually interesting effects, from weathered-looking limewashed effects to metallics, rust, crackle and stipple effects.
Even when the sun is shining and temperatures are rising, an outdoor entertaining area needs some sense of cosiness and connection for successful entertaining. For a simple, elegant ‘entertain’ space, perfectly suited to smaller areas, look to Japanese style for inspiration with informal wood finishes using a range of Resene wood and decking stain colours, dark contrasted against light, and, for that personal flair, add unexpected warm tones in burnt orange or deep red, such as Resene Burgundy.
Entertain in Japan:
Deck stained in Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain Tiri with walls stained in Resene Woodsman Charred Black. Tabletop painted in Resene Cobblestone, stools in Resene Burgundy, tall planter in Resene Bullwhip and planter box in Resene Dark Rum. Bamboo screen lightly ragged with Resene Woodsman Bark. Lanterns from Look Sharp Store, bowls from Hospice shop.
Relax in Morocco:
Upper wall painted in Resene Apple Blossom with a top layer of Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Quarter Solitaire. Dado rail and stars in Resene Solitaire, tabletop in Resene Woodsman Bark with star border in Resene Manhattan, large planters in Resene Cinnamon and Resene Mocha, lanterns in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect and decking stained in Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain Tiri. Fruit bowl in Resene Cinnamon. Cushions from Yuva.
For an outdoor ‘relax’ space that is both comforting and eye-catching, work with layers of texture and textiles in Resene’s soothing desert-kissed shades, recalling the laid-back comforts of Morocco. Choose brown-toned brick reds such as Resene Apple Blossom, with fresher neutrals, Resene Woodsman stains on timber to enhance the colour and touches of luxury with muted jewel tones and soft fabrics. For the finishing touch, add a layer of natural fibres and hand-crafted detail.
top tip If you’re choosing a dark paint or stain colour outside, choose the Resene CoolColour version to help reflect more heat.
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: Melle Van Sambeek
Images: Bryce Carleton
Search habitat magazine stories
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.
Specifiers:
If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.
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