Contemporary classics

The on-trend tones of a deep blue tongue-and-groove wall in Resene Watermark brings the classic blue, white and wood of the Hamptons look right up to date. The front wall adds tonal depth painted in Resene Baring Head, while the flooring in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and touches of white keep things fresh.

Shelves in Resene Double Alabaster, ginger jar in Resene Double Alabaster with painted design in Resene Watermark and small vases in Resene Ted and Resene Aoraki. Desk and chair from Danske Møbler, rug from Adairs, side tables from French Country Collections, lamps from Mitre10, mirror from H&M Home.

This living room embraces the classic natural fibres and neutral tones of a beach look, but is given sharper impact with brighter battened walls painted in Resene Black White. The look is anchored by a darker floor in Resene Colorwood Dark Ebony.

Console and coffee tables in Resene Merino, mirror and tray in Resene Cloudy and painted accessories in Resene Cloudy, Resene Ash, Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Black White, Resene Half Tuna and Resene Tea. Sofa, lamp, lantern and select cushions from Johnston Imports, seagull and lighthouse and other cushions from Bed Bath & Beyond and The French Villa, rug from Freedom.

Creamy hues and organic shapes bring fresh dimension to a traditional monochrome colour palette.

Rear wall painted in Resene Snow Drift, left wall in Resene Half Cougar and ombre floor in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Eighth Truffle, Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Half Truffle, Resene Truffle, Resene Double Truffle and Resene Triple Truffle. DIY artwork painted in Resene Travertine and Resene Eighth Black White, lampshade in Resene Blackjack, hand ornament and vase in Resene Travertine and candlesticks in Resene Blackjack and Resene Eighth Black White. Chair from David Shaw, spotted vase from Formantics, shelf from Urban Outfitters.

The dado rail dividing the walls painted in Resene Half Thorndon Cream (upper) and Resene Double Thorndon Cream (lower) teamed with the wooden floor stained in Resene Colorwood Natural lends classic country style to a sleek modern room.

Coffee table, side table and picture frame in Resene Domino, bowl in Resene Half Doeskin, large vase in Resene Dusty Road and bulb vase in Resene Half Thorndon Cream. On the side table, painted book in Resene Middle Earth and low dish in Resene Sugar Loaf. DIY artwork painted in Resene Periglacial Blue, Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Lemon Ginger, Resene Middle Earth, Resene Half Doeskin, Resene Domino, Resene Midnight Moss, Resene Soothe and Resene Digeridoo. Sofa from Danske Møbler, cushion from Cittá.

Clean lines and fresh colours make this room delightfully retro and beachy, yet still feel current.

Wall, chairs and jug vase painted in Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue, floor, pendant lamp and dado rail in Resene Wan White, bench seat base in Resene Periglacial Blue, coat rack in Resene Sandspit Brown and large plant pot, tray and small vase in Resene Powder Blue. DIY artworks painted in Resene Periglacial Blue, Resene Quarter Black White and Resene Energy Yellow. Table and rug from Leopold Hall, bag from H&M Home.

Adopting a minimalist look is another way to keep a relaxed beachy style feeling contemporary and suitably low-maintenance.

Walls and floor painted in Resene In The Mauve, table vase in Resene Dust Storm. Lamp, table and chairs from Good Form, rug from Mulberi.

Textiles and soft, muted shades warm up a beachy look so it works year-round.

Walls, floor and mantle painted in Resene Half Ash with larger arch shape in Resene Double Ash, smaller shape in Resene Eighth Arrowtown and crossover section in Resene Half Arrowtown. Basket planter in Resene Sugar Loaf, tray in Resene Caraway with vases and painted books in Resene Raptor, Resene Double Ash, Resene Half Doeskin, Resene Quarter Delta, Resene Half Ash, Resene Eighth Arrowtown, Resene Half Arrowtown, Resene Alpaca, Resene Caraway, Resene Double Thorndon Cream and Resene Half Thorndon Cream. Sofa from Danske Møbler, coffee table, cushions and throw from Cittá.

Parched tan shades and textured charcoals add personality and drama to a classic neutral space. This room is anchored by the dark floor finished in Resene Colorwood Shade.

Walls painted in Resene Concrete, cabinet and pendant in Resene Nocturnal, coffee table in Resene Triple Concrete, side stump stool in Resene Colorwood Bask and vase on coffee table and bowl with wooden handle in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Sofa, wall hanging and square linen cushion from Freedom, tobacco coloured linen cushion and throw from Adairs, charcoal linen square and rectangle cushion covers from H&M Home, jute cushion from Mocka, tealight holder from Indie Home Collective.

Deep red touches catch the eye in a room that otherwise embraces natural neutrals.

Walls painted in Resene Athena with border in Resene Pioneer Red. Shelf and large floor vase in Resene Savour, candleholder and tray in Resene Pioneer Red and small vase (on shelf) and napkin holder in Resene Athena. Chair and cabinet from Cane Collective, table from Nood, lamp from Sailor and Scout, napkins from Father Rabbit.

Tonal layers of similar shades and a mix of textures keep this colour scheme neutral while ensuring it is never dull.

Wall painted in Resene Triple Spanish White with wood battens and shelf in Resene Half Spanish White. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, coffee table and vase (on shelf) in Resene Stonewashed, footed bowl (on shelf) and coffee table vases in Resene Stonewashed and Resene Ironsand and DIY artwork painted in Resene Tea with lines in Resene Ironsand. Sofa from Target Furniture, cushions from Nood, Freedom and H&M Home.