While the palette and textures in this space may have a strong nod to nostalgia, they've been spun in a way that feels much more contemporary than retro. Pale pinks and blues featured heavily in the dining rooms of the 80s and were often combined together in a single scheme. These popular pastels of yesteryear have now been updated with muddier tones. This wall in Resene Duck Egg Blue has also been given a soft 80s-esque texture using Resene FX Paint Effects tinted to Resene Rolling Stone while the sideboard in Resene Inside Back both coordinates and contrasts. The 80s revival chairs combined with furniture forms that are unquestionably contemporary seal the look – but it's the crisp Resene Half Orchid White lamp, Resene Half Villa White floor and accessories in Resene Kalgoorie Sands and Resene Wedgewood that make this room work.
For durable painted floors, use Resene Walk-on tinted to your favourite Resene colour
Other colours to try with duck egg blue – misty mauves, clear off-whites or deep slate blues
A warm, soft space to relax in after a long day, this lounge strikes an ideal balance between trendy and timeless, with the lower half of the wall grounded in deep and dark Resene Karaka while the top half has been painted in classic Resene Pewter. But what really makes it work is the assortment of furniture, vases, bowls and candleholders that have been painted Resene Karaka, Resene Pewter, Resene Soothe, Resene Bud and Resene Just Dance to directly connect them to the artwork. The outside of the bookcase is painted soft Resene Soothe while the inside is painted Resene Eagle and the table is in Resene Pewter. To echo the visual texture of the brushstrokes in the painting, plenty of tactile textures have also been brought in, including the velvet chaise and cushions, a knotted rug and fresh plants. The result is a unified space that feels calming in its cohesiveness.
Use the free online Resene Colour Palette Generator, to create a colour palette inspired by your artwork
Other colours to try with pewter greens – French grey blues, starchy off-whites or muddy greens
This relaxed reading nook with its grown-up English country vibe shows how powerful the colours you choose and how you use them impact the energy of a space. Restful, receding hues were used to create an inviting room to wind down with a book, including a main wall in soft Resene Lola and a side wall in moody Resene Jurassic. These serene shades are punctuated by pops of Resene Porsche and Resene Citron on the small plant pot and tiny vase, which inject an element of cheeriness and play off the colours within the two original artworks, which were also created using Resene paints. A stripe of Resene Jurassic follows the shape of the Resene Concrete floorplate and takes the colour off the wall and out into the room. It also helps move the eyes around the room, forcing them to take their time and soak it all in – just as a painting does.
Use matte finishes to create more softness in relaxation spaces such as bedrooms, reading nooks or studies
Other colours to try with atmospheric lilac – moody blues, steeped beiges and creamy whites
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Habitat – colour trends with Resene
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