From Habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2020
Dark and dramatic colours have captured the imaginations of courageous colour lovers seeking a refreshingly different look to bring into their interiors.
Moody navy blues in particular, such as Resene Indian Ink and Resene Wishing Well, are making some serious waves – especially when paired up with stormy greys like Resene Porter and Resene Suits. These shades are ideal for building up a deeply layered cocoon-worthy look – especially in a space where you would want to linger, such as a bedroom or lounge. They are also ideally suited to pops of gold, mustard and butterscotch such as Resene Influential, Resene Cleopatra and Resene Bi Hoki.
The oft-quoted ‘rule’ that dark colours shouldn’t be used in small spaces unless you want the space to feel claustrophobic simply isn’t true – so feel free to break it. Look for colours with a cool base, which will visually recede, and pay attention to your lighting as it may need to be adjusted to suit your new paint colour palette.
Deep dark blue Resene Colorwood Woody Bay waterborne stain was used to colour the plywood wall of this wintery lounge. The floor and pendant lamp are painted Resene Sea Fog, the sideboard and coasters are in Resene Casper, while the coffee table was first painted Resene Indian Ink and then was wiped with a rag dipped in Resene Sea Fog for a washed look. The bowl, woven baskets and cork tealight holder are painted Resene Felix, the tall vase is in Resene Indian Ink, the small vase is in Resene Sea Fog and the screen has been given a weathered look with a coat of Resene Sea Fog wiped over Resene Felix.
Trend: timber, see "inspired exteriors"
Sophisticated yet cosy, soft yet dramatic, this lounge seems like the perfect place to tuck in with a book and a beverage and wait for colder weather to run its course. Layers of cognac-coloured accessories in Resene Route 66 and Resene Barnstorm with hints of Resene Poured Milk balance out the near black walls and timber floor in Resene Suits. The smoky side table and basket in Resene Thunder Road and Resene Rebel layered alongside highly-textured soft furnishings in leather, toasted marshmallow and toffee tones creates a rich look that is steeped in depth.
This colour scheme – inspired by the wrapping paper featured in the frame – takes a traditional tropical theme for a more sophisticated spin. The key textures and motifs that you’d expect have been anchored in the deep smouldering tones of Resene Quarter Bokara Grey, exemplifying a space that’s chic rather than shabby. We’ve doubled down on the moody grey with Resene Eighth Bokara Grey on the floor and layers of smoky-coloured bed linens, cushions and rugs.
The room’s deep base makes the vivacious Resene Virtuoso on the bedhead and table bloom like a tropical flower. The whole look is kept fresh with notes of barely pink Resene Ethereal on the lightshade and ladder, dusky Resene Rebel on the tealight holder and crisp notes of Resene Dreamtime on the bedside vase.
Other colours to try with charcoal greys – just about any vibrant colour you please, such as a bold blue like Resene She'll Be Right, spring green like Resene Away We Go or turmeric yellow like Resene Thumbs Up.
Other on-trend darks to try:
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