Close Give Feedback
Resene Paints - home page
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Instagram Follow us on YouTube

new horizons

From habitat magazine - issue 37, testpots

This season's new colours will rejuvenate your home and send your spirits to new heights.

There’s energy in the air. Like spring growth peeping through the earth after a bitter winter, the world is waking up after a period of dormancy. The borders are open, travel plans are in action and those working from home have mainly returned to the office, at least some of the time. New shipments have rejuvenated the design world, and fashion and architecture shows have brought fresh ideas.

There is no better time for the arrival of the Resene The Range fashion colours. With colours such as Resene Awaken, Resene Upside, Resene New Day and weekend favourite Resene Smashed Avocado, Resene's new collection is sure to add uplifting colour to your home. Like the brand-new hues, this season's colour trends promote growth while putting down solid roots.

A colourful mountainscape mural

There are many remarkable colours in the latest Resene The Range fashion collection, so it's fitting to explore the new heights of the collection with a Remarkables-inspired mountainscape.

Mountain mural in Resene White Noise, Resene Illuminate, Resene Salted Caramel, Resene Times Square, Resene Comfortably Numb, Resene Scoria, Resene Tenor, Resene Vantage Point, Resene Ted, Resene Wayfarer, Resene Tarzan, Resene Green Days, Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Soul Searcher and Resene Tua Tua. Round side table in Resene White Noise and Resene Tua Tua and flooring in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Chair from Danske Møbler, cushions, throws and rug from Città.

A charcoal exterior wall in a deck/patio area

When it comes to exteriors, charcoals are the new black. Dark colours recede and can make deck areas seem larger. Resene Nocturnal on the weatherboards is a smoky grey hue that sits quieter on the landscape than pure black, tying in with the greens of trees and foliage.

Decking stained in Resene Woodsman Uluru, large planter in Resene Nocturnal with bubble sculpture in Resene Alabaster and Resene FX Faux Rust Effect, small plant pots in Resene Pale Slate and Resene Mercury, table and bowl in Resene Waiouru and light in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect. Chairs from Danske Møbler, outdoor radio, cushion, jug and glass from Good Thing.

Down to earth

Mother Nature continues to be the ultimate trendsetting ‘It Girl’ of the design scene, with colours, materials and furnishings inspired by the outdoors leading the way. ‘Biophilic’ is a term familiar to the architectural world since the 1970s, referring to the sense of comfort humans feel when in natural spaces. Now interior designers are joining architects in their love of all things natural.

“Biophilia can be introduced with colour, shape, texture and the use of natural materials,” says Resene Senior Architectural Representative, Rebecca Long.

“Wood is a great way to bring the outside world indoors. Wood provides comfort, warmth and a connection to nature.” Adding a natural touch to your home could be as simple as enhancing wooden flooring with Resene Colorwood – try Resene Breathe Easy, a soft colourwash from the Resene We Speak Beach range. Painting walls in soothing greens and blues will also bring in relaxed charm – try Resene Vantage Point, Resene Green Days and Resene Tarzan from the Resene fashion fandeck.

Dark arts

Black has been trendy for home exteriors for the past decade, but now softer natural blacks that sit more gently in the landscape are coming into play. Consider Resene Nocturnal and Resene Foundry and brown-infused black wood stains such as Resene Crowshead when changing your exterior colours. Opt for Resene CoolColour formulas when choosing dark exterior paints and stains, made with heat-reflective technology that helps keep dark colours cooler – so there’s no need to race across a hot deck barefoot.

“Whether it’s in the interior or on the exterior, we’re seeing people step out of their comfort zones by using stronger colours,” says Resene Colour Consultant Amy Watkins. “The key to using richer colours is to choose ones with dusty or chalky natures as they are easier to live with.”

A Hamptons style interior - stormy blue walls

Stormy blue Resene Watermark on the back wall is a fresh take on the classic Hamptons look.

The front wall painted in Resene Baring Head with outline in Resene Double Alabaster creates dimension while the flooring in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy brightens up the space. 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.

A steely charcoal interior

Resene Invincible, a steely charcoal from the latest Resene The Range fashion collection, is the perfect backdrop for accessories in on-trend toffee colours and Resene FX Faux Rust Effect.

Floor in Resene Friar Greystone, cabinet in Resene Black Sand, coffee table and tall vase in Resene Stepping Stone, plant pot in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect, U-shaped ornament in Resene Yogi and DIY dowel artwork in Resene Black Sand, Resene Yogi, Resene Stepping Stone and Resene Courtyard. Sofa from Target Furniture, toffee cushion from Freedom, charcoal cushion and throw from H&M Home.

Warm it up

While the Y2K era is often synonymous with Scandinavian-inspired stark cool-white interiors, neutrals have shifted towards warmer whites. Put the change down to comfort. As many of us discovered during lockdown, cooler whites are not as soothing as their warmer counterparts. Creamy whites with yellow, brown or green undertones imbue comforting tradition and stability. Try Resene Half Blanc, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta or Resene Half Spanish White.

“Resene Half Blanc is my new favourite white,” says interior designer Melle van Sambeek. “I like its warmth, and it has a beautiful creamy softness. Use varying strengths of the same neutral throughout a home to create cohesion and depth.”

Resene FX Paint Effects Medium is a way to create the two-tone look of limestone or other natural materials such as cob. Try combining Resene Caraway and Resene Half Nomad for a soft, earthy look. “Paint effects are easier than they look,” says interior designer Kate Alexander. “Start with a base colour in a darker shade and then use a rag to dab on a lighter colour, working in a circular motion. Paint effects are intuitive, so it takes a bit of experimenting to get the colour balance. Avoid starting in the centre of the wall – work from a corner, where it’s less noticeable, while building the colour.”

A bedroom with a limewash look

Create the look of limewash with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium. 

Back wall painted in a basecoat of Resene Half Caraway topcoated in Resene Half Nomad mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium and trees painted in Resene Craigieburn. Front wall in Resene Barely There with arch in Resene Half Caraway, floor in Resene French Grey and bench in Resene Half Breathless.

A touch of sparkle

'Pearlcore' is a nature-inspired trend straight from the fashion runway. While pearls were once the emblem of tradition, they are now a youthful trend, with pearly or iridescent accents appearing on clothes, makeup and even glowing, doughnut-glaze nails.

At home, this trend translates to shimmery wallpapers and painted gloss and shimmer finishes. Use Resene FX Pearl Shimmer pearlescent glaze over the top of your desired Resene colour to add an iridescent sheen. “The Resene FX Pearl Shimmer product is awesome to use. It’s easy to apply, and you can see the pearl shimmer immediately,” says Melle.

Reinvented heritage

People often turn to the past for guidance during times of instability. In the entertainment world, lockdowns kicked off a craze for historical documentaries, Jane Austen adaptations and a slew of other period dramas. In interiors, there are multiple eras seeing revivals. Grandmillennial style is a traditional maximalist aesthetic now popular with millennials and Gen Z.

Victorian-inspired floral and botanical wallpapers are a crucial part of this trend; wainscoting and collections of books and art complete the more-is-more look. Grandmilliennial is a reaction to minimalism and the disposable culture millennials grew up with. An extension of this trend is the rise of a vintage beach aesthetic, with classic Hamptons and Victorian-era safari-inspired interiors having a moment. Think tongue-and-groove walls, rattan furniture, stormy blues such as Resene Watermark paired with crisp Resene Double Alabaster and canvas colours such as Resene Epitome and Resene Rice Cake.

A Pearlcote interior style in this lounge

Pearlcore is an interior trend that's come straight from the fashion runway. Create iridescent accents using Resene FX Pearl Shimmer with warm white walls in Resene Half Blanc.

Floor in Resene Eighth Blanc, plinth in Resene Eighth Blanc and Resene Double Blanc, DIY artwork in Resene Eighth Blanc with polystyrene balls glazed in Resene FX Pearl Shimmer and frame in Resene Double Blanc. Vases in Resene Double Blanc and Resene Triple Blanc. Echelon Curtain from the Resene Curtain Collection, coffee table from Soren Liv, chair and rug from Danske Møbler, lamp from Lightingplus.

A bedroom with lemon curd yellow accents

On-trend lemon curd yellows such as Resene Illuminate reflect the optimism of the current climate.

Wall and shelf painted in Resene Meringue, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, round table in Resene Illuminate and vases in Resene Creme De La Creme, Resene Coconut Cream and Resene Lemon Twist. DIY artwork created with plaster of Paris applied by spatula on canvas then painted in Resene Creme De La Creme. White duvet and pillows from Foxtrot Home, other pillows from Adairs, Freedom, Mocka and The Warehouse.

That 70s trend

Although often maligned for questionable options, such as carpeted bathrooms and plastic couches, there's much to love about the 70s. The 70s colour palette features earthy browns, olive greens, spice hues and rustic décor, reflecting a resurgence of cottage industries, such as pottery and woodwork. The 70s look dovetails nicely into mid-century style and lends itself to mixing and matching.

"Mid-century colours tend to be vibrant and bold with some earthy tones thrown in the mix," says interior designer Annick Larkin. "Try mixing rich caramels such as Resene Yogi, burnt brick such as Resene Arriba and edgy orange such as Resene Thunderbird as they work harmoniously together thanks to their warmth. Deep aubergine and soft feminine pinks will balance this palette."

Playtime

When life gets too serious, fashion and our home décor choices become opportunities to have a little fun. The rise of neotenic design is the idea of interiors with child-like qualities. In nature, neoteny is defined by adult animals that retain juvenile features. In design, neoteny includes round-shaped furniture and pastel colours such as lilac, candy pink and buttercup yellow. “This is such a fun trend,” says Kate. “An easy idea to try is painting a scalloped shape around door architraves or curved shapes on feature walls. When picking colours, opt for chalky pastel lilacs and yellows with a touch of zesty citrus edge, so any shapes are clearly visible.” Try Resene Hawkes Blue, Resene Illuminate or Resene London Hue.

Embrace your curves adds Amy. “I’m seeing lots of curves in designs at the moment and a movement away from sharp edges. Curves create the feeling of movement and can be welcoming and soft.”

Whichever way the wind blows – whether your decorating is inspired by the fresh greens of spring or the deep oaks of tradition – there’s style on the horizon.

Embrace your inner child with playful sherbet hues

Embrace your inner child with playful sherbet hues such as Resene Hawkes Blue, used for the fun squiggly design on the wall.

Back wall in Resene Snow Drift, flooring in Resene Half Milk Punch with a subtle squiggle in Resene Tuft Bush, side table side in Resene Alabaster with top in Resene Quarter Moonbeam and vases in Resene Half Milk Punch, Resene Egg Sour, Resene Tuft Bush, Resene Quarter Moonbeam, Resene Hawkes Blue and Resene Blue Chalk.

A lounge with a mural - red arches, circles and curves

Arches, circles and curves are design motifs that combine both the nostalgia trend and the neoteny child-like design craze.

Wall painted in Resene Rice Cake with centre circle painted with Resene FX Magnetic Magic for a magnetic feature wall then topcoated in Resene Thunderbird. Additional mural colours in Resene Arriba, Resene Yogi, Resene Contented, Resene Transition and Resene Valentine. Flooring in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, side table and console in Resene Very Berry, coffee table in Resene Inspire and vases and ornaments in Resene Dawn Glow, Resene Summer Rose, Resene Inspire, Resene Wayfarer, Resene Eau De Nil and Resene Forty Six. Sofa from Danske Møbler, cushions from Città.

Note Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is designed to bring enamel-style toughness to broadwall areas such as bedrooms and living rooms. It will also transform any wall into a chalkboard, making it ideal for children’s bedrooms.

 

Resene Aoraki

Resene New Day

Resene Comfortably Numb

Resene Inspire

Resene Valentine

Resene Awaken

Resene White Noise

Resene Meringue

Resene Creme De La Creme

Resene Tua Tua

Resene Contented

Resene Soul Searcher

Resene Friar Greystone

Resene Ted

Resene Stepping Stone

Resene Epitome

Resene Courtyard

Resene Vantage Point

Resene Tenor

Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy

Resene Salted Caramel

Resene Eau De Nil

Resene Illuminate

Resene Green Days

Resene Smashed Avocado

Resene Dawn Glow

Resene Summer Rose

Resene Very Berry

Resene Arriba

Resene Baring Head

Resene Upside

Resene Wayfarer

Resene Watermark

Resene Forty Six

Resene Times Square

Resene Tarzan

Resene Yogi

Resene Transition

Resene Invincible

Resene Black Sand

Project: Kate Alexander, Annick Larkin, Shani Luckman, Vanessa Nouwens, Melle van Sambeek
Images: Bryce Carleton

 

Search habitat magazine stories

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.

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.

Sign up for a DIY card and Save! Australia | New Zealand

Return to habitat 37

 

Order online now:
Testpots | Paints | Primers and Sealers | Stains | Clears | Accessories

Get inspired Get inspired ! Subscribe      Get saving Get saving ! Apply for a DIY card

Resene Paints Ltd

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us!

Resene Paints Ltd   – www.resene.com

Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Instagram Follow us on YouTube
Videos on how to paint and stain your house
 

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.

What's new | Specifiers | Painters | DIYers | Artists | Kids | Sitemap | Home | TOP ⇧