Habitat plus - nature or nurture?

While our bedrooms are primarily places of rest, they’re also a very private spot...

So when you’re choosing a decorative scheme you can go one of two ways. You can choose paints in the soft colours of nature for a space that’s cosy and enveloping. Or, since guests generally don’t see our bedrooms, it can also be a place to have fun, with bright, bold colours – but not so bright they keep you awake!

Top tip: Once everyone painted their ceilings white. These days many opt for neutrals and the new trend is to use colour on your ceiling. Continue your wall colour onto the ceiling or be brave and pick a bold feature to attract attention.

1.For a calming, restful space, the inscrutable yellow green of Resene Zen will soothe your senses and lull you to sleep. Fresh yet tranquil, it gives this room a neutral feel without resorting to off-white. In a contemporary touch, it has also been extended up the walls and across the ceiling for a cocooning feel.

2.Resene Judge Grey is a serious mid-tone brown yet it’s far from forbidding in this contemporary scheme. Instead, it has a heart of chocolatey warmth and would be especially cocooning in winter. This scheme exudes a smart sense of sophistication and while it could be regarded as a very manly sort of bedroom, the linen and accessories soften it significantly. The ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream continues the natural scheme with a hint of green undertone.

3.Black is the new black and in one form or another it regularly pops up in homes throughout the country as owners realise its potential in terms of impact. While 50 years ago a black-painted wall would have been frowned upon, today it’s completely acceptable. Resene Foundry is the black you have when you don’t want to plunge right in. It’s a shadowy charcoal full of igneous warmth. Crisp and cool Resene Black White is a perfect choice for the ceiling.

It’s rich red tones are complemented beautifully with the green bedlinen

4.Calling to mind our country’s huge success in the wine-making world, the deep warmth of Resene Vanquish provides a fitting tribute, used on the walls in this bedroom. It’s rich red tones are complemented beautifully with the green bedlinen. With many possible partners available, Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta was chosen for the ceiling where its creaminess serves to gently tone down the drama of the deep red walls.

Resene Zen

Resene Judge Grey

Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream

Resene Foundry

Resene Black White

Resene Vanquish

Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta

› Return to Habitat plus 03 - interior colour schemes

Updated 2/17

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