Raspberry shades for all tastes

Just like its fruit namesake, the colour raspberry is juicy, sweet and sumptuous. The perfect blend of red, a touch of coral and pink – think summer desserts – it’s ultimately mouth-watering and delicious! And as winter sets in, it’s the ideal hue to evoke joy and happiness and warmth, lighting up any room.

This warming hue has the ability to excite, catch the eye and embrace boldness, and is surprisingly versatile. What’s even better about this colour is how relaxing and soothing it is, while being so joyful.

With many of us still spending much of our working week at home, it’s a fitting tone to make our setting as attractive and appealing as possible. This means being surrounded by a colour that has a positive emotional impact on us.

While it might feel girly to some, its flexibility means it can be paired with richer, cooler colours for a more sophisticated feel.

So which Resene raspberries to choose from? Use Resene Red Berry, evoking delectable ripe fruits, pairing beautifully with the rich navy of Resene Midnight Express, the soft pale blue of Resene Echo Blue or the soft cream of Resene China Ivory. Walls painted in Resene Echo Blue will create a sumptuous, cocoon-like setting while delicious bursts of Resene Red Berry on a cabinet or lampshade will add flair and really get the party started! China Ivory on the trims and ceiling will add a crisp freshness that balances the two.

Get creative and use multi tones and shades to keep your space interesting, pairing both feminine and masculine colours.

Bring the strong personality of raspberry into a hallway – an ideal method is if you have vintage hall doors closing off one half of the house from the other. By painting these a beautiful raspberry, such as Resene Sensual Red, you allow a burst of personality to exist in an often-overlooked space. There’s no need to worry about the colour being too overwhelming if the doors are often open and it’s partially visible.

Resene Spanish White makes for a flawless partner, as does the grounding nature of Resene Half Perfect Taupe.

Pink has made its way into this palette of earthy tones and raspberry. Earthy pinks add interest in the softest form. Think pinks bordering on taupe such as dusky Resene Coral Tree, the gentle velvet of Resene Merlot or the muted umber of Resene Soothe.

The key to pairing colours with raspberry is to ensure there is enough contrast between each hue, otherwise the colours will look lost, blending into one another too closely.

Resene colour consultant Amy Watkins suggests pairing it with a neutral: “This is a nice safe colour, you can use charcoal and lighter grey tones too such as Resene Foundry or Resene Silver Chalice, they balance raspberry’s warmth. If pairing with a white, choose a white within the warmer family, ensuring it is a clear, light colour, such as Resene Alabaster or Resene Bianca.”

You’ll find a winning way to bring in raspberry as an accent colour by coating the underside of architectural features in a home; be it a curved ceiling in a hallway or the inside walls of a pantry.

To create an impactful entrance, coat your hallway or foyer walls in this bold berry hue, creating drama and playfulness to those who enter your home. Take Resene Sensual Red paired with Resene Spanish White, or Resene Very Berry – a touch on the bright side but with its sweet pink undertone – paired with the pale terracotta of Resene Awaken.

Amy says we’re seeing more of raspberry as it is what graced the catwalk in recent months; “Its popularity stems from fashion,” she says. “This sets the trend and last year’s fashion week showed pinks coming into clothes. Interiors follow suit.”

She suggests applying your raspberry colour by way of hints and pockets in your home. “Because it’s a rich colour tone it depends on the space as to how will be used. If it’s used in more of a community area adopt it as a hint of colour on a table or around a frame.”

It’s best to take a leap with this delightful colour, rather than start in small low-key versions of it. “You’re better to own it and keep in with its rich tone, having it as an accent or soften it and dilute it into two even tones of Resene FX Paint Effects Medium instead of looking for a pale version of raspberry.”

If you want a youthful, uplifting version of this berry hue, adopt one with more of a pink tone. Such hues are ideal for kitchens where there is usually a lot of activity, chatter and busyness.

If you want a more sumptuous version, adopt a darker, redder version. This is well suited to a bedroom or lounge, where the key is relaxation and creating a sanctuary.

In a modern setting, a muted mustard is an ideal partner for raspberry tones too, such as Resene Fuel Yellow on cabinets and furniture with a backdrop of Resene Geronimo walls. Or separate the colours by dividing a wall in half horizontally, and coating one plane in mustard and one in a bold berry hue.

By mixing bold bright raspberry with slightly more muted ones you add vibrancy without it becoming overpowering. If you are willing to embrace a bold, complementary colour, bring in a touch of burnt-orange with Resene Gold Drop next to Resene Irresistible.

Your tastes may lean more towards the traditional, if so pair with pale dusky pinks and warm greige accents. If you’re decorating a bedroom, coat the door in Resene Shiraz, walls in the pink biscuit of Resene Wafer and trims in the gentle pink of Resene Paper Doll. Vintage florals and pale wooden tones will add the finishing touches.

An overlooked corner or a hidden desk nook will also becoming instantly more appealing when coated in this vibrant berry shade, transforming an underwhelming space into an area with positive energy and rich luxurious feel.

May 15, 2023

For help choosing just the right raspberry for your project, visit your local Resene ColorShop, ask a Resene Colour Expert online or book a Resene Colour Consultation.

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