Waves of blue

Swirled to sleep. Swirly waves of colour inspired by the lapping sea create a calm and peaceful environment for sleeping in this soothing bedroom. The easy-to-create pattern is a stunning headboard feature wall.

Simply use a wide speedbrush, available from Resene ColorShops, and paint wavy lines across the wall. Map out your pattern first so you get a general plan but this type of design can be a bit random and still work well. If you’re particularly nervous about the outcome have a play on some plain paper first, even if it’s at a smaller scale.

Moodboard: Background in Resene White Island, jug in Resene Grey Area, candlesticks in Resene Dapper, bowl in Resene Crowdpleaser and A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from top) Resene Mystery, Resene Bewitched, Resene Grey Seal and Resene Grey Area. Accessories: Everett bedside table from Freedom Furniture, washed linen duvet cover and standard pillowcases from Foxtrot Home NZ, washed linen quilted blanket in Citron and Sove Euro pillowcases in Ash, and Vitra L’Oiseau Bird from Citta Design. Crusoe Teak Root Side Table from Indie Home Collective.

The wall itself is painted in Resene Grey Seal with painted swirls in Resene Mystery and Resene Remember Me.

Add washed linen bedding in palest blue, a golden sand coloured throw and a seafoam floor in Resene White Island for a beachy, summery feel. To give the room a little punch and stop it become all to dreamy, a bold blue benchseat is placed at the end of the bed, painted in Resene Bewitched. The chest of drawers is in Resene Remember Me, the gridded vase is in Resene Unwind, the jug is Resene Grey Area and the slim vase is Resene Slipstream.

In this room the design works almost like a bedhead, or an anchor to the room, but you could also think of ways to use a similar idea to show off say a bay window, or a piece of furniture. Note how the use of bare wood grain accentuates the flow of the patterns and works with the brighter blue to anchor the room.

Wall and accessory details

You could adapt this idea with other colour palettes:

Opt for sunset-themed subtle pinks and peaches.
Cool greens would also work well to create a refreshing retreat.
Try deep ochres or terracotta against a warm white wall for a tribal vibe.
For a kid’s room go with punchy brights against a crisp white background or opt for swirls in black and white stripes, or polka dots.

Paint colours: Wall in Resene Grey Seal with painted swirls in Resene Mystery and Resene Remember Me, Floor in Resene White Island, Benchseat in Resene Bewitched, Chest of drawers in Resene Remember Me, Slim vase in Resene Slipstream, Jug in Resene Grey Area, Gridded vase in Resene Unwind, Candlesticks in Resene Dapper.