Habitat plus - middle earth

Whether it’s a washed sand tone, a pebble grey or stony taupe, these colours are calming, subtle and hugely versatile. You can dress them up or down, and change their look and style according to the accent colours or accessories you put with them.

These mid-range colours are so popular that Resene Tea – a complex, grown-up beige with hints of grey and green – has been in Resene’s top five most popular paint colours list since it started. It has many cosy neighbours in the Resene Whites & Neutrals range: Resene Napa, Resene Akaroa, Resene Ash and Resene Truffle, just for starters.

Left: Resene Foggy Grey walls; designed by Trinity Design.
Right: Resene Double Biscotti walls, vases from left Resene Quarter Lignite, Resene Double Drought, Resene Barely There, Resene Triple Truffle, Resene Desperado.

Easy harmony

A great use of these mid-toned neutrals is to form what’s called a monochromatic scheme, where one colour is used in varying strengths for a harmonious look. This is an almost-foolproof way of developing a scheme.

Here, the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection really comes into its own, as up to six strengths of the one colour are shown on the same card. So you could, for example, use Resene Half Drought for the main living area, Resene Double Drought for bedrooms or a second living room, and Resene Eighth Drought for the ceiling and trims. Then you could add cream or rich timber accents, furniture and accessories, or a bolder colour (red, orange, acid green) to make the colour scheme more interesting.

As you flick through the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection, you’ll notice how the neutrals, especially those in the mid range, vary:

Buttery hues: from creamy gold through to duskier wheaten tones, these colours include colours like Resene Canterbury Clay.

Biscuit brown: these have been hugely popular in the past decade for their warmth and earthiness, and include colours like Resene Napa and Resene Double Drought.

A hint of green: these colours are currently coming to the fore because they’re cool, yet not cold. Try Resene Triple Ash and Resene Tana.

Shades of grey: crisp and urban, clean and cool – Resene Double Concrete and Resene Foggy Grey.

Left: Resene Lodestar metallic; designed by architect Fleur Ford. Right: Resene Napa walls.

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

• Retail customers and homeowners: All Resene ColorShop and DIY Cardholders are sent a copy of each issue of Habitat. Sign up for your free card here - Australian residents - New Zealand residents.
• Specifiers: Sign up for Habitat here.

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

Habitat plus are not mailed directly. They are available free from Resene ColorShops and resellers while stocks last and available for viewing online.