Freshly-squeezed living

Green has been one of the most important colours within the interior decorating world during the past two years, and with good reason.

Comforting colours have been a key trend; and it’s one that will only continue to grow as we look for ways to combat our ever more complicated world. Given its strong ties to nature, relaxation and wellness, green is the embodiment of life. After many months of living through a global pandemic, people are looking to inject fresh vibrancy and energy into their home interiors and feel good colour palettes are an easy way to accomplish this. We want our rooms to exude positivity, a need which is only amplified by the amount of time we’ve been spending at home.

Giving that trending hues have been steadily warming across the spectrum, it might come as no surprise that the most popular greens that we’ll be seeing a lot of in the months ahead will be warmer than years past – and it’s yellowed gingko greens like Resene Clover, Resene Dingley and Resene Green Leaf that will be quickly replacing the dustier olive and army hues that have become such an engrained part of the decorating zeitgeist.

These lush greens are a fitting match for zesty citrus tones like bitter orange or lemon-lime, such as Resene Smoke Tree and Resene Chenin. Just a touch of these sharply acidic tones can go a long way when supported by a base built on grassy greens like Resene Clover, creamy yellowed whites like Resene Rice Cake and warm brown wood tones like Resene Colorwood Natural. Bring in a touch of powder pink like Resene Paper Doll and you’ll have what we expect will become one of the most of-the-moment colour palettes for trend lovers.

While there are a number of ways that you could execute this citrusy colour scheme, one idea is to team it up with another hot trend: cottagecore design. As the decorating world moves forward, it has also been looking back to draw inspiration from the modest character of folk craft and colours that extol the virtues of a simpler life. The concept supports an eclectic mix of both pure and humble hues that evoke the warmth, harmony and joy of a more innocent age while celebrating life today.

In cottagecore spaces, colours can be used in unusual ways to celebrate the principles of utility and honesty. Although it’s a trend, it embraces an ‘anti-trend’ approach that invites homeowners to choose what they love and create rooms filled with colours that reflect their personal style in a way that provides an uplift every time you enter. Don’t be afraid to experiment, either; after all, paint is the easiest low-commitment update you can make to a home so don't hold back from trying ideas you've wanted to see in situ for years. There’s never been a better time to test them out.

With its boldly striped upper walls in Resene Clover and Resene Rice Cake split by a dado rail in Resene Chenin, this living space has plenty of nods to one of the key inspirations of the cottagecore trend: English country chic. The floor has been painted in Resene Rice Cake to provide levity and balance to the eye-catching wall design, as does the understated natural linen sofa with its warm wooden frame. But it’s the bold accents in Resene Smoke Tree on the sideboard, pendant lamp, vase and coat peg – a colour which is echoed through a throw cushion – that adds the extra element the space needs for it all to hang together in harmony. To communicate the citrus theme more literally and increase the space’s tie to nature, we’ve included a fruit-filled artwork and have even used fresh cut branches, lemons and limes brought in from the garden. The result is fresh and buoyant, with exactly the kind of energy needed to shake us out of this dark spell.

Styling by Vanessa Nouwens. Photography by Wendy Fenwick. 2022