Resene Rice Cake earthy neutrals get Soft yet grounded, today’s neutrals are warmer After years of bedecking our homes in palest greys and hint-of-warmth greiges, the look for neutrals is heading back to those with a warm or brown base. Rather than the latte tones we saw in the 2000s, however, these new neutrals have a touch of earthiness and a slight yellow cast – the colours of soft clay, wheat, brown rice, bamboo and aged paper. The neutral palette of colours has always served us well. As the world goes mad around us we seek to create restorative spaces that soothe the senses and the mind. This colour palette also reinforces our growing environmental values but also the desire to be more carefree and less perfect. Today, warmer, deeper neutrals find natural partners in the texture and fibres found in jute rugs, rattan furniture, aged timbers and organic shaped and patterned accessories. It’s rough, but in a nice way. The textures in this living room (left) marry superbly with its zen-like undertones and style. Layers of warm tonal shades add depth and interest without clutter. Where not long ago our love of natural clean lines had us all embracing the Scandi look, this too has softened into something more comforting – a look dubbed Japandi as a mix of Japanese and Scandi styles. 20 |