Other trends

From Habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2019

Other looks to watch out for... from the warming of whites to the reinvention of furniture and accessories, today's decorating trends are diverse and exciting.

Botanicals

Our love of nature has overtaken our walls in glorious wallpaper patterns where palm leaves flourish, flowers bloom and vines clamber. The tropical vibe that steamed its way through our interiors is still strong but watch for more painterly and abstract styles as well as a gentler Eastern look with Japanese style florals. These wallpapers are Resene Wallpaper Collection designs 384502 (below) and FD23867, from Resene ColorShops.

Reinvention

As our desire to ditch single-use products grows and we turn our backs on mass-produced disposable items, upcycling the old has come to the fore. And what better way to bring new life to an old piece of furniture or ornament than with paint? It may be a matter of simply painting a second-hand piece, or giving it a two-tone drippy effect like these vases. Or get even more clever by converting an old bedside cabinet into a child’s play oven.

When painting furniture, ask for Resene Enamacryl, which is a tough hard-wearing gloss waterborne enamel perfect for the job. Or for a lower sheen finish, try Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or for a chalk style finish, use Resene SpaceCote Flat.

This play oven is painted in Resene Morning Glory, Resene Candy Floss and Resene Blackboard Paint, while the vases are in Resene Cosmos, Resene Tall Poppy, Resene Burnt Crimson and Resene Sunglo.

Freehand paint effects

As our search for individuality continues, we want to create an environment that’s a bit different, something unique. Not an artist? No problem. There are many fool-proof and forgiving looks to be created using paint. The easiest are by colour-blocking with shapes. But a more expressive approach like this (below) is created by layering and brushing a variety of paint colours onto planks. Or try it straight onto the wall.

This effect was created by painting wide plywood planks with Resene Inside Back and overbrushing with a range of sea-greens: Resene Gulf Stream, Resene Stromboli and Resene Half Opal. The floor is painted in Resene Inside Back, the coffee table top is Resene Bianca, the tall vase is Resene St Kilda, the bowl is Resene Wishlist and the basket planter is Resene Billabong.

Texture

Organic, natural elements and tactile experiences help keep us anchored and soothe our souls. Adding texture to interiors can come in many and varied forms, from knobbly rubs and rough woven rattan lights, to chamois soft linens and silken timbers. Visual texture is also important, and where Resene finishes like stains and polyurethanes come to the fore. Wood stains enhance the beauty of timber and allow the grain to show through. See the Resene Colorwood range for interior use, and Resene Woodsman range for exteriors. The finishes here are Resene Colorwood Greywash, Resene Colorwood Rock Salt and Resene Colorwood Pitch Black.

Metallics

Gloss levels of all types are adding interest to interiors, whether it’s the chalky character of matte paint surfaces, or the glossier depths of high gloss paint and metallics. Luxe these days isn’t blingy or in-your-face, but more subtle and sophisticated. Look for aged and burnished rather than shiny and bright. Also, opt for warm metallics like bronze, brass and copper rather than chromes and silvers. See the Resene Metallics & Special Effects colour range for more options.

Fun accents

In an earnest world full of concern, it’s easy to forget to have fun. Grab a colourful Resene testpot or two and bring a smile to your face. Whether it’s an unexpected flash of colour on a wall, a quirky pattern or something even more frivolous like painting the blades of a desk fan to create a whirring rainbow, when seriousness threatens to overtake us, colour is our friend. The fan blades here are painted in Resene Dizzy Lizzy, Resene Outrageous, Resene Paris Daisy, Resene Poppy, Resene Pursuit, Resene Seeker and Resene Smitten.

The vine wall pattern is in Resene Summer Green, Resene Feijoa, Resene Ottoman and Resene Surf Crest on a wall in Resene Deep Sea. The floor is in Resene Aquamarine.

Creamy whites

When you’re looking for the right white, make sure you see the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection, which is home to a host of whites as well as darker neutral colours. Look for whites with a code that starts with Y, which means yellow, therefore creamy.

This wall is in Resene Eighth Tea, the table in Resene Half Tea, wide planter in Resene Spanish White, pointed post cap in Resene Pearl Lusta and rounded post cap in Resene Half Bare There. For more whites and neutrals inspiration see the habitat plus – whites and neutrals booklet.

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