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inspiring interiors

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.

A contemporary ‘shaker-style’ kitchen

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.

Cool, calm and coloured

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.

Colour me surprised

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.

A nursery painted with pastel hues

A childs bedroom painted with pastel hues

Two gorgeous pastel hues were chosen for the feature walls of these adjacent children’s rooms. The delicious pink biscuit shade, Resene Wafer, was chosen for the girl’s nursery, creating a warm and calming atmosphere. This ‘not so pink’ hue is a great option as children get older and also works well in general living spaces and adult bedrooms. It’s closer to a neutral than a bold pink. The soft grey-green of Resene Half Washed Green was chosen for the three-year-old boy’s room, pairing well with the earthy tones in other décor. In both rooms the ceilings are painted in Resene Alabaster, with trim in Resene Half Milk White. Project by Lucy Furniss Design, images by Someday Photography.

A nod to neutrals

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.

An exciting interior colour palette

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 bedroom with a dark blue feature wall

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 the zone

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.

A welcoming entryway

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.

A cream bedroom with pops of other neutrals

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.

Top tips

An earthy green feature wall

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

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

Swatch
Resene Elderflower

Coming soon

Swatch
Resene FOMO

Coming soon

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

 

Katie Scott

Architectural designer

Sticks and Stones Design www.sticksstonesdesign.co.nz

Katie Scott
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.

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.

Look by Christine Hodges

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

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

Swatch
Resene Exactly

Buy testpot

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.

 

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