Timber is a popular material for many exterior spaces, offering durability, natural texture and surprising warmth – and not just on a classic deck. Weatherboards finished in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil Egmont lend a rich glow to an outdoor area while remaining neutral and versatile. Opting for layers of different shades of wood stain or oil adds interesting texture and colour variances like this side trellis finished in Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil Aorangi. A planter box finished with Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil Mount Aspiring adds a darker touch. If you’re working with a concrete patio area, refresh it by painting it in durable Resene Walk-on in a classic off-white like Resene Merino to complement the golden wood tones or try a paint effects finish or stencilled design to help hide marks. Planters and accessories in chalky neutrals like Resene White Pointer add layers of interest while keeping a clean, uncluttered finish that works beautifully against greenery.
Top tip: The colour of wood finishes will depend on the type of timber you are staining. Always test your chosen colour on a timber sample before making your final colour choice.
Other warm wood tones to try are deep mahoganies, subtle reds and glowing neutrals.
A relaxed finish in layers of warm and textured neutrals nods to warm weather and easy living. Limewashed effects or deliberately weathered looking finishes on walls and furniture lends them an air of Mediterranean living and balmy temperatures particularly when using subtle, soft sunset shades. Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with lightly yellowed Resene Villa White, painted over a base shade of soft gold Resene Manuka Honey gives a delightfully warm limewashed effect that is perfectly imperfect and leaves this space feeling airy, but warm. Experiment first with different application methods like sponging, rag rolling or freeform brushstrokes to create the imperfect look that’s perfect for your space and the appearance you want. Make the walls the focus of the room and keep other elements simple. The floor painted in Resene Villa White helps accentuate the feature wall. Layer up soft, peach and apricot textiles. A rattan headboard and accents of bronze in hues like Resene Brown Sugar in the drawer pulls and the DIY artwork with line detail in Resene Villa White punctuate the space without interrupting its serenity and sense of easy living.
Top tip: Experiment with your Resene FX Paint Effects Medium finish mixed with Resene testpots. Changing from light over dark to dark over light can give very different effects.
Other subtle sunset shades to try are soft terracotta, warm peaches and delicate roses.
Blue and gold have always been a smart colour combination that, in the right shades, is both chic and joyous. Keeping the colour palette delicate and muted will allow your blues and golds to sing without overpowering your space. Try the sky blue of Resene French Pass with a turmeric-toned Resene Fuel Yellow painted chair. Anchor the look with deep wood accents stained in Resene Colorwood Bark for an earth-meets-sky finish. Let the colour combination sing by keeping to neutral tones and textures elsewhere, like a floor painted in Resene Dust Storm, a shade with just enough sunset pink and brown edge to pull the look together. Accessories that repeat the same blue and gold hues add visual interest and layers to the palette without distracting from it. When using a restrained palette of just two or three shades repeated, look for areas like built-in seats, shelving or wooden slats where both natural and artificial light will play differently over your main colours. It’s an easy way to add variation to a simple colour combination, while keeping it simple, pared back and sophisticated.
Top tip: Varying the sheen levels of your paint finish from flat or low sheen to semi-gloss and high gloss can be an effective way to work with light and bring in variation in a simple colour scheme.
Accent shades to try with sky blue and gold are blackened reds, violet blues and mushroom browns.
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