From Habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2019
At the moment, I'm in love with the moody strength of inky blues like Resene Indian Ink and Resene King Tide as they create the perfect contrasting backdrop for greenery and natural woods. Together with splashes of soft pinks like Resene Crowdpleaser or Resene Despacito, and smoky greens like Resene Green Smoke and Resene Nourish, they produce a sense of depth and richness.
I’ve drawn some inspiration from a recent trip to California where I was particularly impressed with the use of bold colour on the bungalows and Victorian houses in San Francisco and Sacramento. I also found that the house interiors used stronger colours throughout, making them more intimate and moody.
My favourite exterior combo from the new fandeck would include Resene Grey Area, Resene Shabby Chic and Resene Moccasin.
My favourite interior combo would include Resene Grey Olive, Resene Sixth Sense and Resene Artemis. I also like Resene Stonewashed with Resene Grey Olive and Resene Half Dusted Blue.
I'm a fan of neutrals from way back, but beige doesn’t have to be boring. I am loving Resene Colins Wicket, Resene Napa, Resene Grey Olive and Resene Swiss Caramel – an understated palette that's muted and muddied, but refined and smooth. I am enjoying building texture that complements these tones, using elements like wood, linen slub, paper shades, cork tiles and terracotta.
My current favourite colours for laid-back yet sophisticated spaces are the pairing of crisp white with almost-purple greys – the new colours Resene Whimsical and Resene Slipstream are perfect for this look. Deep, dark blue-greens continue to entice me and I can’t wait to try Resene Bewitched, Resene Fast Forward or Resene King Tide to define a space. For an unlikely combination, but one I love having fun with, try pink and blue – Resene Submerge with Resene Mozart or Resene Eye Candy with Resene Indian Ink.
The first thing I noticed about the new The Range fashion colours is the saturation of the colours. For a long while neutrals have been in vogue; the theory is that we are spending so much time in front of screens with their saturated colour so when we step away we are looking for balance and no colour. But saturated colour may be the new normal.
I’m loving the deep inky blues and teals like Resene Wishing Well, Resene Indian Ink and Resene Bewitched.
It’s great to see pale greyed blues like Resene Mystery, Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Half Duck Egg that sit so well with dark velvet greens, petrel blue and whites.
I can’t help but be drawn to the beautiful grey-blues in the latest fandeck, especially Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Mystery and Resene Raindance. Use these dreamy, dusky blues on your walls in the lounge or bedroom and complement with soft beiges such as Resene Half Spanish White and Resene Quarter Tea. Add accents in a deep green-blue such as Resene Artemis (my favourite colour from the new fandeck). Decorate with on-trend cane or rattan furniture and light pendants, art prints with crashing waves, and charcoal and white textured cushions and throws, for a chic look that will always remind you of your favourite coastal holiday.
I am still a lover of the blush tones, especially the mix of Resene Just Dance with the more terracotta tones of Resene Sunbaked and a hint of Resene Virtuoso.
Secondly, I’m crushing on lilacs with grey undertones, so think the mix of Resene Purple Rain, Resene Memory Lane and Resene Alaska is a winner.
Hazy green combos are also catching my eye – Resene Safehaven, Resene Raindance and Resene Lazy River.
I like the combo of Resene Sorbet or Resene Despacito, Resene Virtuoso and Resene Dreamtime and can't wait to use them somewhere in my styling. It's a bit of an unexpected colour combo but I love the two soft pastel colours teamed with a deep burgundy. It almost could be an amazing sunset colour palette. Pale lilac, like Resene Dreamtime, is a very big colour coming through both homewares and fashion. The other combo I like is Resene Influential, Resene Elderflower and Resene Moonlight. The colour mustard has been strong but it is now going slightly softer. I see this as a very soothing scheme that would work in with neutrals and pale woods.
I’m a monochrome lover, so when a new Resene fandeck comes out the first thing I search for are the blacks, whites and greys. I’m loving Resene Poured Milk and Resene Colorwood Pitch Black.
But as much as I like a monochrome palette, I have to admit I have a crush on dusky pink tones, so I’m super excited there’s such a great selection to mix and match. My top picks are Resene Just Dance, Resene Sorbet, Resene Despacito and Resene Soulful. These beautiful colours remind me of old worn plastered buildings in Morocco and the dusty canyons in the American south west. These colours have a very earthy natural feel to them, and beautifully melt into one another, almost giving them a tactile feel. I love how Resene Poured Milk and Resene Colorwood Pitch Black pair with these dusky shades as accent colours.
What I like about these colours the most is that they sit perfectly with all my favourite elements such as fresh foliage, textured linens and organic baskets.
As a big advocate for colour what I love about the new fandeck is that there really is something for everyone!
I’m currently drawn to more nature inspired colours, which means those with muddier, less intense bases, but leaving room for pops of vibrancy in accent areas, or in painted accessories such as a piece of furniture. Shades of pink are still top of my list – think inspiration from pared-back blush blooms through to deep pomegranate. Greens are getting my attention, and pops of mustardy tones too. I’m sure we will see more of these nature colours in the near future.
Search habitat plus articles
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 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.
View all habitat plus booklets
› View seasonal colour trends
› Choose colour with confidence and creativity
› View all habitat magazine issues + Feature homes | Feature gardens | Kitchens | Bathrooms