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Decorating drizzled in caramel

From the Resene decorating blog

There’s something about specific colours that just make everything feel better. They seem to wash away your cares and bring about a sweet effect to an interior.

Walking into a room with walls wrapped in caramel-coloured paint sets a soothing comfort vibe. It pleases the senses, just as it does biting into freshly baked toffee slice or caramel pudding. Sweetness has never looked so good!

A relaxing bedroom with caramel accessories

This easy, relaxing bedroom has a carefree vibe, and its touches of caramel in the pillowcases, bedlinen and floor mat add extra warmth to the gentle neutrals of this delicate scheme.

Wall painted in Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay, floor in Resene Eighth Joss, large pot in Resene Quarter Bison Hide, bedhead in Resene Eighth Joss, tall vase in Resene Beethoven and DIY artwork in Resene Sour Dough, Resene Wax Flower, Resene Tuscany and Resene Beethoven. Bedlinen, rug, artwork, cushions and purse from Mood Store. Project by Melle van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

A caramel and apricot lounge

Square lines collide with caramel and deep apricot in this lounge where layers of spicy hues evoke warm seductive sunsets.

Walls painted in Resene Wild West with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Sante Fe. Floor painted in Resene Sante Fe, bench base in Resene Korma, plinth in Resene Korma and front/left wall in Resene Bitter. Green glass and cushions from Citta, fabric (covering cushion) from The Fabric Store, bedlinen from Foxtrot Home, book from Paper Plane. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.

As a result, this colour invites you in, evoking a feeling of warmth. To create this in your own home, take your pick from all kinds of delicious caramel Resene paint colours and accompanying partners for an interior that is a genuinely enveloping treat.

Why not take this visual, culinary cue and create a decadent, rich space with caramels and chocolate-brown paint shades? Think cocoa colours such as deep brown Resene Cioccolato and coffee-toned Resene Brown Bramble on shelves, lamp bases and side tables.

Pair them with caramel walls in sweet Resene Toffee, coppery Resene Cinnamon or sugary Resene Chelsea Gem. Add a soft light layer of colour with Resene Manhattan, in its gorgeous pale whiskey gold, in the form of a feature wall or painted furniture.

From dark to light, these variations of warm browns and tans celebrate tinges of gold, their earthy elements oozing comfort and pleasure.

By blending these with refined materials such as an elegant brass mobile, textured finishes in an upholstered chair or the organic curves of sculptural ceramics, you’re creating an interior fit for the senses.

But caramels don’t have to feel at home with earthy colours only. Feel the force of colour by honing in on a playful approach to your interior with a chic edge. Combine the fun nature of bright purple with pastel green, met with smooth caramel. Mix Resene Toffee with feminine violet Resene Biloba Flower and the crisp celery green of Resene Hypnotic, or a bit of turquoise in Resene Aquarius. This carefree and relaxed combination has just the right feel-good flavour, its unexpected combination exuding creativity and confidence.

Other caramels that are trending now include Resene Swiss Caramel, and Resene Dark Buff, Resene Colour Consultant Brooke Calvert says. “Beautiful, rich and inviting caramel tones have been very popular for home accessories like cushions and throws, so it’s no wonder we are now seeing the popularity with colour on walls,” she says. “This trend works well alone as a bold feature wall or all walls for a dramatic cosy look!”

“Caramel is a very earthy warm shade,” she says. “There are lots of colours that mix well with it in a scheme. Try blush pinks, whites, oranges, tanned and espresso browns.”

A headboard with interlocking colours

Interlocking colours reveal an impressive display of personality within this pale bedroom, where cooling blue and pale yellow entertain vivacious warm brown.

Wall painted in Resene Triple Merino, floor in Resene Merino, headboard in (from left to right) Resene Tussock, Resene Tide, Resene Americano and Resene Nepal, vases in Resene Blank Canvas (small round flat), bedside tables in Resene Nepal (large) and Resene Tide (small), ball ornament in Resene Americano and dome pendant in Resene Smooth Operator. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Melanie Jenkins.

A pale bedroom with a caramel throw on the bed

This caramel throw switches on a statement within this pale setting which lights up with rose and milky neutrals that offer a feel-good, pick-me-up freshness.

Wall in Resene Triple Pearl Lusta, timber headboard finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, front/left wall in Resene Half Pearl Lusta, floor in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta and accessories in Resene Triple Bison Hide, Resene Half Bison Hide, Resene Grey Olive, Resene Brown Bramble and Resene Hemlock. Candle and holder, book and throw from Blackbird Goods, bedlinen from Foxtrot Home, pink cushion from Citta, book from Paper Plane. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Look through rose-coloured glasses and choose from pink partners such as dusty Resene Soothe, pinky terracotta Resene Florentine Pink or warm apricot Resene Beethoven. Suitable browns to elevate your space include the tan tones of sun-baked clay Resene Wild West or brick terracotta Resene Crail. Or use the rich espressos of sumptuous Resene Espresso or hearty warm brown of Resene Digeridoo.

Colours and emotions are closely linked,” says Brooke. “Caramel falls into the ‘browns’ family, which is earthy and comforting and offers stability and a solid approach. Emotions related to caramel include warmth, longevity, strength, comfort and security.”

“Caramel is a very warm shade, which is great if you are in need of warming up a space! If you prefer a bold cosy feel to your space, paint all walls. Or add a small pop by way of painting a side table or feature wall.”

We all know that caramel is a perfect winter colour; it is cosy, enveloping those within it. There’s nothing better than getting comfortable with a soothing caramel interior, curling up with a book on a sheepskin rug or chunky knit throw in winter.

But in the warmer months, caramel walls will partner up just as artfully with sheer curtains and white paint trims, with accents in blush and yellow.

As we go into summer, caramel is adept at creating tranquil, light-filled interiors that are ideal for soaking up the sunny days. Against fresh white walls, caramel will suit your interior in the form of accents on lamps, wooden bed bases and dining chairs – try the ochre-based tan Resene Alert Tan or pale whisky tones of Resene Manhattan.

A tranquil setting of white walls, white carpet and white linen textiles create a dreamy combination when blended with caramel accents, scattered throughout a room in the simplest way. Far from fussy, it has a Scandinavian influence in which you can’t help but feel at ease.

Paint some coat hooks – an odd number always looks best – in the warm ochre, brown and orange mix of Resene Whisky Sour. Add to the serenity by painting a bookshelf or set of drawers in the feminine almond peach of Resene Pink Lady. Partnered with blush shades, such as flamingo orange Resene Sunglo and touches of burgundy in Resene Tall Poppy or bright pink in Resene Lipstick, the colours unite to create a soft impact. White and timber furniture, plush throws and soft rugs are thoughtful embellishments that will add to the comfort levels.

For a true boho look in your bedroom, paint your walls in a light-toned caramel, paired beautifully with warm-hued timber floorboards. The ultimate boho accessories to add here would be plenty of textural elements by way of soft linen bedding and quilts with pom-pom fringing and tropical, large-leaf plants.

To continue this in your kitchen, hang rattan light pendants above your dining table, soft organic shapes in your vessels and furniture and marble-look surfaces with a touch of caramel in their pattern to create in interest without dominating the room.

Blue is a winning element for caramel paint schemes, offsetting it most refreshingly. Achieve this with a regal navy, or something lighter. A dreamy combination of colour is seen in the orange-yellow of Resene Caramel, paired beautifully with the mid-tone gold of Resene Meteor or mustard yellow of Resene Casablanca – freshened up with the fresh breezy blue of Resene Sail.

Or embrace your caramels by going tonal, varying your tones throughout your home, leading you through from room to room. Start with a dark shade such as Resene Cape Palliser in your entryway through to mid-tones such as Resene Pendragon, ending in a lighter version of the colour at the other end of your home – think Resene Porsche. Or vice versa, starting with a light shade at your entranceway. The pale apricot crème of Resene Island Spice is a perfect colour to finish your interior on the skirtings, doors and window trims.

With such a soft, warming aesthetic in your chosen paint colour, accentuate this fluidity with curved edges in your furniture and décor items. Think circular pendants, curved bathroom sinks and tapware that follows gentle round lines.

Spicing up the tempo might be your preference, in which case look to Resene Korma, Resene Wild West and Resene Sante Fe, with a calming touch of Resene Half Spanish White to anchor it.

Ultimately, you want a setting where you, your family and friends feel at ease and comfortable. Caramel, be it light, mid or dark-toned, shows the ability colour has to shape and transform an interior into something truly swoon-worthy.


Resene Swiss Caramel

Resene Bitter

October 27, 2021

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