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colour confidence


From Habitat magazine - issue 13

Intense colour accents play off against restful neutrals.

Take the latest colour palette from Resene, The Range 2011/12, and team it with the popular The Range Whites & Neutrals and what do you get? Some stunning colour combinations that show you don't have to always play it safe to create a delicious colour scheme. Even the most neutral schemes can include strong splashes of intense accent colours in feature areas or accessories.

Resene testpotsTestpots
Resene testpotsTestpots

Colour has become an inseparable part of our lives and the way we view the world. Predictable and boring are bypassed. We have come to expect a world where everything is touched by colour.

As we remember to appreciate the things we have and those around us, we also become more creative in taking what we have and the best of the past, and using these to create modern memories and a fresh outlook on the future. Colour schemes are becoming increasingly more individual as we break out of specific eras, designated fashions and aesthetics and instead focus on creating more simple homely spaces inspired by memories and the pleasures of the everyday. Nostalgia comes through in feel-good colours like landscape greens, yellows and ochres, such as Resene Fleetwood. Yellows have a retro undertone with an underlying hint of green.

Upcycling and recycling are increasingly mainstream as we try to do more with less. Combine a complete new look with minimal environmental burden – rearrange artwork and cushions, mix and mingle accessories, rejuvenate furniture with a fresh lick of paint and add a splash of paint colour to walls for a completely new look.

Colours are evolving more slowly and colour trends are lasting longer, with a slow waxing and waning of favourites. There is a dichotomy between those seeking cheerful environments with optimistic brights and those wanting to play it safe with dark hues and neutrals.

Neutrals, browns and beiges tend towards warmer comforting variants, such as Resene Secret Road and Resene Fantail. There is a slow move from the grey family to browns, warm neutrals and mineral-inspired hues, including subtle flesh tones such as Resene Half Rickshaw. Off-whites are pure and uncomplicated, and there is a definite comeback of cool white, such as Resene Barely There, as a background neutral.

Pink diverges into many hues from soft to luscious, such as Resene Smitten and Resene Devoted, to suit a wider range of projects. Blues are also growing in number, with intense blues, such as Resene Magnum and Resene Nite Life, a viable neutral alternative to grey or black. Combine the simplicity of blue and silver, such as Resene Silver Streak, for a luxurious modern look.

 

Bright and breezy

Colours for 2011/12 are generally cleaner and less complicated with touches of uber bright reds, oranges, yellows and violets, such as Resene Switched On (yellow) and Resene Pukeko (purple), to draw in the eye like a flower. Perfect for playful spaces and kids' rooms, there are clear greens such as Resene Howzat and spicy oranges like Resene Outrageous. Saturated reds are in abundance and a definite feature of the new palette from deep rusty hues to those with a feminine pink twist such as Resene Knock Out. Use clean crisp neutrals such as Resene Half Alabaster (at the back) and Resene Blackjack to offset the strength of these bold tones.

Bright and breezy look

Accessories:

Alexander Girard wooden dolls, and Planet Robot, from Cite. Verner Panton Yellow Flowerpot table lamp, from Design Denmark. David Bromley tapestry 'Swing' painting, from Smyth Galleries. Toy drum, and orange lion, from Trade Aid. Vintage books, and truck, from Flotsam & Jetsam. Elm console table, from Republic Home. Orange ukulele, from The Garden Party. Jamie McLellan Twig coat stand, from Simon James Design. Esther Lamb purple long chunky chain scarf, from The Poi Room. Easton Pearson Flower Pool rug, POA, from Designer Rugs.

 

Of sea and sand

Nature continues its influence with fresh colours, rustic textures and the beauty of handcrafted pieces. Watery blues, such as Resene Awash are refreshing and optimistic while muddied greens such as Resene Gondwana (second left) are earthy and natural. Crossover hues that move from green to blue are a feature of The Range 2011/12 and remind us of the sea, such as Resene Calypso (third from left). Set these against washed, sandy and weathered neturals for timeless appeal – Resene Half Rickshaw (back left), Resene First Light (back right) and Resene Fantail (front right).

Of sea and change look

Accessories:

Side table, ceramic jug and canister, POA, from Acland Holdings. Vintage green chair, lantern, and Tsunami drawers, from Republic Home. Datsun Tran 'Birds' watercolour cube, from Smyth Galleries. Caroline Bensinger Kete, from The Poi Room. Kilim cushion, from Corso Dé Fiore.

 

Mono magic

Head to the city for a truly urban look with the growing range of coffee bean blacks and clean greys from The Range 2011/12. Use Resene Thriller (grey), Resene Blackout (rear) and Resene Black Sheep against the clean elegance of Resene Half Alabaster but have some fun with an eye-punching bright, such as Resene Grapevine (purple) to enliven the scheme.

Mono magic look

Accessories:

Ring chair, and Gacela side table, from Indice. Beocom 2 Complete telephone, from Bang & Olufsen. Lukeke Design black glass goblets, from One. White coral reef vase, from Corso Dé Fiore. Broncoman, from Macy Home. Black flock five-light pendant, and chrome sculpture, from Lightplan Design and Supply.

Stockists: Acland Holdings. Bang & Olufsen. Cite. Corso Dé Fiore. Design Denmark. Designer Rugs. Flotsam & Jetsam. Indice. Lightplan Design and Supply. Macy Home. One. Republic Home. Simon James Design. Studio Ceramics. Smyth Galleries. The Garden Party. The Poi Room. Trade Aid.

styling: Lianne Whorwood and Lisa Morton
pictures: Aaron McLean


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Colours shown on this website are a representation only. Please refer to the actual paint or product sample. Resene colour charts, testpots and samples are available for ordering online.   See measurements/conversions for more details on how electronic colour values are achieved.

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