From habitat highlights - issue 41, inspired interiors
Sometimes the best place to start deciding on a new look for your home is looking at what others have done. It can be inspiring and exciting to see how and where colour can be used.
This contemporary ‘shaker-style’ kitchen is adorned in a sandy beige green, almost neutral.
Resene Half Grey Olive painted on the cabinetry is calming and showcases the clean lines and traditional craftsmanship. The earthy rug and oak floorboards add warmth and texture, grounding the space with their natural appeal and colour. The ceiling and window trims are painted in Resene Half Rice Cake, an ideal warm white to match the soothing, inviting shades. Project by Georgie Inglis, image by Stephen Goodenough.
We’ve put together some looks, from soothing to unexpected, so you can get inspired to start on your own home.
With our homes often being the place we spend most of our time and take solace from the chaotic world, it seems only fitting that we would choose calming and soothing colours. Greens and peachy pinks are two colours we are seeing a lot of at the moment and the more subtle, pastel versions of these turn out to be surprisingly comforting and peaceful. Try pairing quiet natured greens like Resene Haven, Resene Green Spring and Resene Rainee with warm pastels like Resene Vintage, Resene Coral Tree and Resene Soothe.
top tip Soften the look of interior timber walls and flooring with a Resene Colorwood Whitewash or stain wash finish.
The element of surprise often elevates a space from ordinary to extraordinary. Vibrant or bold hues don’t have to be feared; they can transform overlooked areas into captivating focal points. Sometimes all you need is a Resene testpot to add a touch of boldness. Truss plates or ceiling beams can be used not just as structural necessities, but as canvases for artistry creating a visual rhythm overhead. You could also consider the unexpected charm of a colourful staircase railing, where each baluster tells a different story or the playful contrast of bold drawers or cabinets in an otherwise neutral kitchen. These imaginative touches infuse spaces with personality, proving that Resene colour knows no bounds.
Neutrals have long been the unsung heroes of interior design, offering a timeless and versatile foundation for any space. The subtle sophistication and enduring appeal of the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection make these hues a favourite among homeowners and designers alike. Neutrals create a serene and harmonious atmosphere, effortlessly blending with various textures and accent colours. They provide a calming backdrop that allows for personal expression through décor and furnishings. Whether it’s the warm embrace of beige – Resene Quarter Joss – the cool elegance of grey – Resene Rakaia – or the classic purity of white – Resene Black White – neutrals offer a perfect canvas for crafting inviting and stylish interiors that stand the test of time.
Decorating your home can be an exciting journey of self-expression and creativity. By taking inspiration from these diverse and thoughtfully curated interiors, you can confidently embark on transforming your own living spaces into a true reflection of your personal style and lifestyle needs. Remember, the key to a beautiful home lies in the details and with the right palette and design elements, you can create a harmonious and inspiring environment that you and your family will cherish for years to come.
top tip Protect timber floors with Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K. To enhance the timber colour, apply Resene Colorwood first or use Resene Colour Enhance.
This colour palette is a vibrant reflection of the family's dynamic nature and the desire to create an exciting home.
The truss plates, a unique design feature, are adorned with pops of colour in Resene Bright Spark, Resene FOMO, Resene Havoc and Resene Picton Blue, adding personality to the main living area. The timber is stained in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt and finished in Resene Aquaclear. Aptly named Sandhill House, for its position atop a solitary sandhill in the coastal village of Waikuku Beach, this home offers space-efficient living, cost-effective materials and a vibrant aesthetic. Proving its wonderful design, Sandhill House won a Resene Total Colour Residential Interior Colour Maestro Award. Project by Max Warren of Max Warren Architect, image by Christopher Collie.
A simple feature wall in a bold contrast colour adds an element of surprise and delight to this interior.
This feature wall is painted in Resene Coast, with side walls and trim in Resene Double Sea Fog and ceiling in Resene Half Black White. Project by Box Build Ltd, image by Sophie Heyworth.
In our modern homes, versatility is key. One of the most effective yet often overlooked ways to define spaces is through the strategic use of Resene paint. By thoughtfully selecting and applying different shades, you can create distinct zones within a single room, transforming it into a multifunctional haven. A bold accent wall behind a desk can carve out a dedicated home office in a living room, offering a clear mental and visual distinction between work and relaxation. In a studio flat, a cosy seating area can be defined by a warm, inviting colour that contrasts with the rest of the space, making it feel like a separate, intimate nook.
Using paint to zone spaces isn't just about aesthetics – it's about enhancing the functionality of your home. With the right colour choices, you can guide the flow of movement, improve organisation and even influence the mood of each area. Whether you're working with an open-plan layout or looking to maximise a compact apartment, harnessing the power of paint can help you craft a home that effortlessly adapts to your needs.
top tip Keep your concrete floor looking its best with Resene Concrete Wax. It can even be tinted to a Resene ConcreteWash colour.
Filled with comfort and warmth, this welcoming entryway in Resene Half Milk White provides an ideal backdrop for art and other personal décor.
This creamy white pairs beautifully with the timber elements throughout the home, adding to the overall neutral scheme. Project by Lucy Furniss of Lucy Furniss Design.
This home, with walls painted in creamy and modest Resene Half Milk White from the Karen Walker Paints collection, is the perfect canvas for adding pops of other neutrals and warm tones.
In this bedroom, a feature headboard is painted in deliciously beige Resene Half Truffle. The earthy toned linen and long draping curtains add to the classic charm. Project by Lucy Furniss of Lucy Furniss Design, images by Someday Photography. See alternative looks for this bedroom.
top tip For more interior ideas, pick up a free habitat plus – interiors guide from your Resene ColorShop or reseller or view it online at www.resene.com/habitatplus.
Ceilings reflect less light than walls so the same colour on the ceiling and wall will look darker on the ceiling. If you’re choosing a lighter coloured ceiling, opt for a colour that is a half strength or less of your wall colour. If you use Resene Merino on the walls, opt for Resene Half Merino or Resene Quarter Merino on the ceiling and trims. The Resene Whites & Neutrals collection has up to six strengths of the most popular neutrals and off-whites so you can easily choose darker and lighter options.
Varying the gloss level of your paint also helps your colour scheme look more interesting. Most decorators choose Resene Zylone Sheen or more washable Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen on walls, Resene Ceiling Paint or more washable Resene SpaceCote Flat on ceilings, and Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or glossier Resene Enamacryl gloss on trim and joinery. The lower the sheen level the moodier and earthier the colour will look. A higher gloss will make the colour seem cleaner and brighter.
Once you have narrowed down your colour choices, use Resene testpots to confirm your colour scheme. Apply two coats onto a piece of A2 card, leaving an unpainted border around it so the colour isn’t influenced by anything else. When the paint is dry, pin your colour to the wall and view it in daylight and artificial light, moving it around different areas of the room and folding it into the corner of the room for a true feel of the finished effect.
Remember you can refresh your floor too. Satin finishes are popular for floors as they are easier to clean than flat finishes but not as slippery as high gloss finishes. For a painted finish use Resene Walk-on and Resene Concrete Wax or for a stained and clear finish, Resene Colorwood stain and Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K.
The painted feature wall in this living room helps to separate this space from the rest of the open-plan home.
The earthy green of Resene Kelp is a dense shade that shows more of its beauty when the sun hits it. The pops of terracotta and browns add to the overall theme, while the neutral walls painted in Resene Merino brighten the room and bring the scheme together. A great design – one that won the designers a Resene Total Colour Residential Award in the Resene Total Colour Awards. Project by Spacecraft Architects, image by David Straight.
A happy San Franciscan influenced blue, Resene Norwester, was chosen for this bedroom, creating depth and a separate space for a work desk.
The surrounding walls are painted in Resene Elderflower and the ceiling and trims in Resene Black White. Project by Box™ – The Architect Builder, image by Sophie Heyworth.
› Need help choosing colours? Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller, Ask a Resene Colour Expert free online or book a Resene Colour Consultation, free instore or virtually or paid home visits in selected areas.
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.
Words: Jessica Weale
Christine Hodges
I’ve kept the room simple and uncluttered with classic colours. The dark green walls and ceiling in Resene Exactly keep it cool and serene, while plantation shutters add luxury and are great for privacy. Scrumptious bedding to sink into is most important. The bed is the biggest piece of furniture and after a hard day there is nothing better than beautiful linen. It’s always the way to anyone’s heart! A small side table beside the bed creates space for a book, a lamp and a coaster for a glass of water. Add a woollen rug to sink your feet into, then a wooden fan to give good natural air flow on those hot summer nights.
Walls and ceiling painted in Resene Exactly with floor stained in Resene Colorwood English Walnut and window frames in Resene Sea Fog with shutters in Resene Black White. Picture frames in Resene Porsche topcoated in Resene FX Metallic Bullion. Shutters from Brightshine, headboard and duvet from Hus, folded bedspread from M.M Linen, lamps from Misterlamp, tables from Humble & Grand, fan from Early Settler, rug and cushion from Nood, mug from T2.
Katie Scott
This snug bedroom incorporates soft earthy tones and touches of luxury with full curtains and soft carpet while scalloped wall panelling adds layers of texture and tone. High windows above beds can be tricky to address. For this space I’ve added a custom curved low wall acting as a bedhead finished with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium in Resene Alamo. Pendant lights hang from the ceiling on each side of the bed to add light and depth to the space. I love the warmth and textures of this bedroom. It offers something unexpected but is also warm and inviting.
Walls painted in Resene Alpaca with ceiling in half strength Resene Alpaca. Upper bedhead in Resene Alamo mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium over half strength Resene Alpaca. Vase in Resene Rustic Red. Carpet and rug from Bremworth, lower headboard fabric from Airlie, bedlinen, throw and bolsters from Città, wall panelling from Laminex, side tables from Ornament, curtains from James Dunlop, lights from Nightworks.
Look by Christine Hodges
Walls and ceiling painted in Resene Exactly with floor stained in Resene Colorwood English Walnut and window frames in Resene Sea Fog with shutters in Resene Black White. Picture frames in Resene Porsche topcoated in Resene FX Metallic Bullion. Shutters from Brightshine, headboard and duvet from Hus, folded bedspread from M.M Linen, lamps from Misterlamp, tables from Humble & Grand, fan from Early Settler, rug and cushion from Nood, mug from T2.
Look by Katie Scott
Walls painted in Resene Alpaca with ceiling in half strength Resene Alpaca. Upper bedhead in Resene Alamo mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium over half strength Resene Alpaca. Vase in Resene Rustic Red. Carpet and rug from Bremworth, lower headboard fabric from Airlie, bedlinen, throw and bolsters from Città, wall panelling from Laminex, side tables from Ornament, curtains from James Dunlop, lights from Nightworks.
Colours mentioned in these alternative solutions
Products mentioned in these alternative solutions
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.
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.
Sign up for a DIY card and Save! Australia | New Zealand