Soothing sanctuary

From the Resene colour inspiration – latest looks gallery

Sticking to a single colour may seem like an easy way to decorate, but it can take a bit of finessing to really nail a tone-on-tone look.

Since these schemes are built on layering, the more you add, the more the whole scheme will hang together. The trick is to pick hues that complement with enough variation to keep things from becoming completely homogeneous.

Mood board: Background in Resene Alabaster, ribbed bud vase in Resene Grey Seal, tealight holder in Resene Helix and A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from top) Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Peace, Resene Alabaster and Resene Helix. View accessory list...

While this restful and romantic bedroom is certainly spilling over with similar shades of silvery green, it’s the clever use of repetition and contrast that makes it work. The expansive white walls and floors in Resene Alabaster have been grounded with a unique painted headboard feature in Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Peace and Resene Helix that echoes the rectilinear shapes of the pillows. The bedside table and vase in Resene Helix and the lamp in Resene Silver Chalice carry the tones of the colour blocks from the walls into the rest of the room while the dark charcoal cushion and velvet chair break things up visually and provide an anchor to this lofty look.

Other colours to try with soft silver-greens are dark jewel tones such as emeralds, sapphires and rubies such as Resene Atlas, Resene Indian Ink and Resene Courage.

Top tip: Use matte finishes, such as Resene SpaceCote Flat, to soften a tone-on-tone palette.

Paint: Floor: Resene Alabaster. Main wall colour: Resene Alabaster. Headboard block: Resene Silver Chalice (2.5m wide x 1.4m high). Green block: Resene Peace (1.10m wide x 1.8m high). Pale green/grey block: Resene Helix (0.6m wide x 1.8m high. Round cork tea lightholder: Resene Peace. Tall vase (with silver dollar): Resene Peace. Low vase: Resene Noir. Round tray: Resene Noir. Chest of drawers: Resene Peace. Bedside lamp painted: Resene Silver Chalice. Ribbed bud vase: Resene Grey Seal.

Accessories: Baksana Linen Duvet Set, Newbliss Stonewash Euro Pillowcases in Slate and Silver and Baksana Stonewash Throw in Duck Egg from Allium. Heavy Linen Cushion Cover in Slate Grey from Citta. Round Begonia Floor Rug, Faux Silver Dollar Eucalyptus from Freedom Furniture. Living & Co Arch Mirror from The Warehouse. Trim Armchair in Dark Grey Velvet from Me and My Trend. ‘Thirteen’ art print by Vee Speers from Pop Moti. Aura Lux Velvet Cushion in Eucalyptus from Shut the Front Door. Teal cushion cover from H&M. Magazines, books, and glasses are stylist’s own.