Work of art

A room with heart is a room that features art.

This trend isn't just about decoration – it's about infusing spaces with plenty of personality and adding depth. In this bedroom, bold green hues like Resene Crusoe, Resene Kaitoke Green and Resene Midnight Moss are anchored by an Alice Berry piece, Out For A Walk. When a bold piece of art is the main attraction, ensuring all elements in a room work in harmony is a tricky balancing act. But fear not – thinking about what aspects of an art piece you love, and what aspects of a room you love will reveal how they can complement each other.

Designing a room around a piece of artwork may feel daring and like a hefty commitment, but the choice offers plenty of benefits. By incorporating artwork you love, you can draw inspiration from its colours, textures or themes. This approach creates a unified aesthetic that will naturally resonate with your own style and preferences. Creativity knows no bounds when it comes to adding artwork into room design – from selecting complementary colours and textures to pulling motifs for headboards or fabric, there are endless possibilities to explore.

Interior designers have embraced this trend with fervour, often playing matchmaker between their clients and artists. American designer Nate Berkus, for example, recently designed a bathroom in muted earth tones around a mid-century abstract by painter Thom Leyland. Be it a dining room, bathroom, living space or bedroom, art packs a punch personality-wise; it elevates ambiance and creates a great focal point that will often prompt conversation if in a communal area.

Perhaps most importantly, art will add interest to otherwise flat spaces. By anchoring a room’s design around a captivating artwork, a mundane space becomes a captivating sanctuary. We embraced bold Alice Berry artwork in this bedroom, the bed cocooned by dreamy greens and blues. Reminiscent of rolling hills and deep blue skies, Alice Berry’s Out For A Walk sets a tranquil scene packed with character.

The second star of the room, complementary to Alice’s artwork, is the bedhead. A dreamy palette of Resene Crusoe, Resene Kaitoke Green, Resene Midnight Moss, Resene Citrus and Resene Japanese Laurel forms an abstract headboard. We painted each colour in bold curves, alternating colours to achieve a dynamic effect. Resene Ming, a ceramic blue-green, adds plenty of contrast on the walls, offering a rich and balanced backdrop that complements the greens and blues of the artwork and furnishings. On the floors, Resene Shade provides further subtle contrast and depth, grounding the room's design without overpowering the space.

Blue and green colour schemes have long been celebrated for their ability to create tranquil spaces. Pairing the bold Resene Ming with various shades of green like Resene Crusoe, Resene Kaitoke Green and Resene Midnight Moss creates a balanced aesthetic that feels fresh and brings the outdoors in. Blue hues are known for their ability to evoke feelings of serenity, which naturally, makes them ideal for creating a soothing environment conducive to restful sleep. When paired with greens inspired by lush foliage, the bedroom feels retreat-like.

Accessories play a pivotal role in shaping this bedroom's vibe. We focused on layering multiple shades of green to add plenty of character to the room, but keep the vibe calm and put-together. When using multiple bold tones in a room, it pays to maintain a cohesive palette and balance your darkest colours with subtle tones. For example, lampshades in Resene Green Leaf with bases in Resene Colorwood Whitewash are a little more muted, while small storage boxes and vases in Resene Citrus and Resene Kaitoke Green inject brighter pops of colour.

The bedside table and cabinet in Resene Midnight Moss offer a grounding element, adding sophistication to the space. For a unique touch, abstract sculptures in Resene Kaitoke Green and Resene Crusoe adorn the bedside table. Pendant lights in Resene Japanese Laurel and Resene Crusoe illuminate the space with a warm glow, enhancing the bedroom's inviting ambiance. Soft furnishings are just as crucial to this look – cushions adorned with Alice’s rolling hills link back to the headboard and her art, a soft grey-olive duvet their backdrop.

The various strengths and tones of green are magic when layered together.

When combining and layering them, think about:

• The undertones. Some greens may have blue undertones, while others may lean more towards yellow or brown. By selecting shades with complementary undertones, you can ensure that they harmonise well together. Pairing a cool, blue-toned green like Resene Kaitoke Green with a warmer, yellow-toned green like Resene Crusoe can create a balanced and cohesive palette.

• Incorporating a mix of light, medium and dark green shades adds depth and dimension to the space. Lighter greens like Resene Kaitoke Green can help to brighten and open up the room, while darker greens, like Resene Midnight Moss, will add richness and drama.

Designing a room around a piece of bold artwork really is a transformative experience, as ideas will come to mind that you may not have considered in a room before. Looking to art pushes us to be a little more daring, which is never a bad thing when it comes to design at home.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Megan Harrison-Turner. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024