One Room, Three Ways: Duck Egg Blue

From the Resene colour inspiration – latest looks gallery

Since being made famous by Marie Antoinette nearly 300 years ago, we’re not sure there’s any colour that’s been quite as pervasive in the interior design world as duck egg blue.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to the ways in which you can incorporate this highly approachable tone into, or onto, your home. Much like a neutral, the shade lends itself well to a wide-variety of combinations and a tremendous range of styles. From elegant and sophisticated French rococo to country rustic or just about anywhere in between, it’s a classic colour that still manages to feel contemporary no matter where your tastes fall or how you use.

This peaceful shade works wonders in soothing spaces where you like to enjoy a little downtime, and we can’t think of any colour more perfect for a reading nook. Here, we’ve shown three different ways that you can use Resene Half Duck Egg Blue to bring a bit of the bach home with you and create a relaxing space to curl up with a cuppa and your favourite magazine.

Neo-nostalgic nest

With a strong nod to the ‘70s, the Resene Half Duck Egg Blue walls and Resene Colorwood Whitewash floor in this room have been warmed up with a retro palette of mustard, ochre, burnt orange and cognac. The leather armchair, velvet cushion, high pile rug and twig arrangement add a healthy dose of textural interest while copper and bronze accessories punctuate the space with a touch of glamour. A small side table, like this one in Resene Colins Wicket, is a must for any reading nook to ensure your cup of tea (or preferred Saturday night ‘reliever’) is always close at hand.

Hot tip: Layering retro colours over fresh, modern shapes will keep your space from looking anything but dated. Walls in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, floor in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, step shelf in Resene Yuma, side table in Resene Colins Wicket.

Into the wild blue yawn-der

It’s pretty easy to imagine nodding off in this calm and cool monochromatic lounge. Watery teals, like the Resene Fast Forward on the console and lamp shade, are a hot trend at the moment and look especially vogueish when mixed with baby blue Resene Mystery and steely Resene Artemis. The tui print and fish ornaments lend the space a fun bit of fauna flair, while the walnut accents and natural accessories bring warmth and balance out the cool tones.

Walls in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, floor in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, sideboard in Resene Fast Forward (outer frame) and Resene Mystery (doors), three-legged side table in Resene Artemis, lamp shade in Resene Fast Forward and fish ornaments in Resene Mystery.

True romance

With its mix of 1940s shapes and modern accessories, we’re head over heels for this eclectic book nook. There is something about the mix of dusty berry with balsamic browns and Resene Dreamtime lilac accents against Resene Half Duck Egg Blue that feels as charming as a vintage love letter. More importantly, it’s a great example of how it doesn’t take much room to eke out an at-home retreat that’s all your own. Just define the area with a cosy rug and surround it with a comfy chair, a great source of light, a low bookshelf to stack up the classics (like this one in Resene Rocky Mountain) and a surface to hold your beverage and you’ll have a stylish space for finding solace that you’re sure to fall for.

Walls in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, floor in Resene Whitewash, shelf in Resene Rocky Mountain, rope side table in Resene Dreamtime, small plant pot in Resene Dreamtime and trivet in Resene Sixth Sense.

Styled by Kate Alexander. Images by Bryce Carleton. 2019