deep blue see

Need a space to chill? Try going tonal. Monochromatic or tonal colour palettes are harmonious by nature and are ideal for decorating a space intended for reading or relaxing.

Start by choosing a wall colour and then build layers of tone with painted accessories. Furniture, vases, bowls, plant pots, candleholders… you name it, all can be painted. (Op-shops are a great source of interesting objects.) Or, if you are feeling artistic, create your own DIY tonal art.

The Resene Multi-finish colour collection comes with palette cards based on colour themes to make picking a scheme easy.

Resene testpots are an effortless – and cost-effective – way of using many different paint shades. Glass or slick surfaces may require prepping with Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, while Resene Quick Dry is the best mate for wooden furniture. If you are unsure what’s best for your ornament, bring it into your local Resene ColorShop for expert advice.

When choosing colours, look for those with a similar undertone. In this case the main wall colour – Resene Coast – a lovely bold blue, has a grey undertone.

Texture and shape become important in monochromatic palettes as they create character and dimension. These DIY artworks were made by gluing children’s building blocks onto two small framed canvases. The results were then painted in Resene Casper (on the design left) and Resene Dusted Blue and Resene Shadowy Blue (below). You can either paint your blocks before you glue them to the canvas – or after. If using many colours it may be easier to paint before you glue.

More colour, shape and texture are introduced via the side table in Resene Dusted Blue and the vases and ornaments in various sizes in Resene Casper, Resene Shadowy Blue and Resene Indian Ink.

While blue is a great place to get started on a tonal scheme, don’t feel restricted to the colours of the sea and sky. Whether you can’t see the forest for the trees in your tonal green retreat, or you love a dreamy creamy scheme, tonal palettes are an easy way to add layers of comfort.

Project: Vanessa Nouwens
Image: Wendy Fenwick

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

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If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

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