Monthly Archives: April 2015

How can you bring out the Tuscany in your home?

If you've ever dreamt about living in Italy, but never had the means to do so, have no fear: There are ways to bring out the Tuscan elements of your home.  

Before deciding how to turn your living area, dining room or bedroom into a place reminiscent of the Tuscan region, you need to think about the area's characteristics – the food, geography, culture and so forth.   

Geography, drink and colours  

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What is white good for anyway?

Purity, wholesomeness and innocence are the emotions people typically feel when they see the colour white. 

However, there are times when it can seem a little 'loud' or 'obnoxious'. Ever get a headache when you walk into a room adorned with white furnishings and walls that look as if they were washed with bleach?  

That being said, bleach white is only one rendition of this colour. Between Resene Albescent White and Resene Half Whiteout, a variety of hues are available for selection.  

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The many shades of black

Black is probably one of the most intimidating colours out there. It's a paint colour that's usually used with a lighter colour so that the look doesn't end up too dark and gloomy. 

When do-it-yourself home decorators think of the colour, some of them assume there's only one shade. In reality, there are a huge range of blacks to choose from.  

So, what is black good for? Which rooms does it work best in?

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3 colours for a loud yellow

When a room is painted yellow, a feeling of positivity and confidence will likely brew within you. Depending on what other colours accompany it, these emotions can either be subdued or accentuated.

With such a strong, psychological hue , you may be wondering which paints work well with yellow. Listed below are three shades that won't clash with your sun-coloured room. 

1. Resene Hot Purple

Purple often inspires thoughts of regality, and Resene Hot Purple certainly possesses an element of royalty. Used as a secondary paint, it can accompany your optimism with spirituality, allowing you to think inward with a cheerful attitude. 

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Do the curtains match the colours?

Ever walk into a friend's living room and feel immediate discomfort? You can't figure out what's causing it, but it's there, pulling you away from your discussion. 

Don't worry: You're not going crazy. Chances are, the living room in adorned with a curtain that simply does not complement the colour of the walls. As a person with a sense of style, this may drive you to insanity.  

So, we're going to tackle this issue: Should the curtains match the colour?  

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Yes, the colour of your bedroom is affecting your sleep

Between the cat pawing at your bedroom door and the glare of the street lights, there are plenty of things preventing you from getting a good night's rest. But what about the colour of your room? 

Travelodge recently conducted a survey of 2,000 Britons, and discovered that people with blue-painted bedrooms sleep, on average, seven hours and fifty-two minutes per night. That's right within the seven to nine-hour window the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends adults aged 26-64 should receive on a nightly basis. 

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What colours can inspire a startup culture?

Whether you're piloting a new type of service or creating the next million-dollar app, working at a startup can be quite intense.  

Believe it or not, atmosphere can have a profound effect on how you and your colleagues find the motivation to put in a 14-hour day. Electing to foster this unique environment by painting your walls Resene Clementine Orange or Resene Violet is just the beginning. Before inspiring creativity and a sense of purpose, you need to know what kind of culture you're participating in.   

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How should you paint your rural retreat?

After saving up for so long, you managed to buy yourself that idyllic cabin in the woods.    

Thankfully, it's not the type of residency that attracts the type of demonic creatures you'd see in a teenage horror film. It's nestled among the mountains, offering you a perfect getaway for the upcoming skiing season, or is deep in nature surrounded by trees so you can escape city life.

As it turns out, it needs a little cosmetic work. While the foundation and essential components are still intact, the wallpaper and paint have grown a little tarnished. Before getting to work, you need to figure out what colours will create that rustic home atmosphere you're looking to create.   

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Choosing the right white for your walls

While it may seem far-fetched to some, there are many different types of white. Each variation can have a striking effect on your decor, so it's important that you choose the best shade to suit your interior design.

From warm tones to stark styles, white has a huge range of potential uses, and selecting the right white in your home can be difficult. With so many subtle shades and different temperatures to choose from, knowing which paint will best suit your walls takes an educated eye.

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