Chocolate chic: The bold return of brown

Rich, chocolatey hues are set to have a major comeback.

Brown is an unsung hero in the interior design world, and while fashion has already embraced the hue, we’re now witnessing its triumphant return to interiors. From mocha-rich tones like Resene Toffee to smokier browns like Resene Double Masala and Resene Mondo, the resurgence of these chocolatey tones brings with it a new era of richness in our interiors.

Brown has played a pivotal role in interior design throughout history, often associated with warmth, comfort and earthiness. From the rich wood panelling of Tudor-era manors to the opulent leather upholstery of Victorian parlours, brown has been a staple colour choice for creating sophisticated yet cosy environments. Its versatility allows it to seamlessly blend with a range of styles, from traditional to modern and everywhere in between – although it may not be the first colour we naturally gravitate towards.

Trends come and go with lightning speed in the world of fashion, but brown has emerged as a steadfast favourite among designers recently. European fashion houses like Brunello Cucinelli, Hermès and Max Mara have all featured chocolate brown as a staple colour in their designs. Its resurgence could be attributed to a collective desire for warmth, comfort and nostalgia – qualities that brown effortlessly embodies. With uncertainty in the world, brown consistently offers a sense of stability and grounding.

In terms of interior design, brown has the ability to evoke a sense of luxury and sophistication. Deep browns add richness and warmth to any space, creating a cocoon-like atmosphere that invites relaxation and indulgence. Whether used as a wall colour or accent piece, browns infuse a sense of timelessness into your space. They may feel intimidating to dive into if you’ve traditionally stuck to lighter colour palettes, but the result is worth it.

A deep and dark colour palette in a bedroom might seem an unlikely choice, but its cosy cocoon-like qualities make it a great choice for creating a soothing space with a hint of drama. Cocooning browns reign supreme in this bedroom. The back wall, painted in Resene Double Masala, exudes warmth and intimacy, while its skirting in Resene Bokara Grey adds some subtle contrast.

The stained wood feature wall is the star in this bedroom and keeps the space from feeling too flat or dark. We paired Resene Half Bokara Grey with three Resene Colorwood We Speak Beach stain variations: Resene Breathe Easy, Resene Bask and Resene Shade. The grid (very Mondrian-like) creates a captivating focal point that draws the eye and adds depth to the space. To create a stained wall, measure the height and width of your desired grid pattern, then use masking tape and a ruler to tape up your grid edge lines. Paint them in your chosen colour. Allocate a stain colour to each panel and apply each colour with a speed brush for a visually interesting effect.

Creating a feature wall in a small bedroom can be a delicate balance between adding something a little different and avoiding overwhelming the space.

The key to an effective wall is:

• Opt for a wall that serves as a focal point but doesn't dominate the entire space. Typically, this would be the wall behind the bed or the one directly opposite the entrance to the room. By concentrating the feature on one wall, you can maintain a sense of openness in the rest of the room. This look with Resene Breathe Easy, Resene Bask and Resene Shade would be far less effective if repeated across the room.

• Limit clutter. Go for carefully chosen pieces that complement the feature wall without competing for attention. Consider incorporating minimalist artwork, a statement mirror or light to enhance the visual impact of the feature wall without overwhelming the room. We added a low-hanging pendant lamp and a wooden-look side table painted in Resene Triple Masala and Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

• Make the most of natural light to enhance the sense of openness in a small bedroom.

To complete the brown-infused bedroom oasis, accessories play a crucial role in adding texture and personality. We painted Resene Teak, a tea-stain brown, onto our hanging pendant lights, mugs and vases. Coasters in Resene Scrub and pot plants in Resene Flax add a pop of earthy green that harmonise with the earthy palette. Glass vases in Resene Triple Thorndon Cream and Resene Biscotti add subtle, lighter contrast and sophistication.

For a touch of whimsy, we created a bedside table resembling a tree stump by applying Resene Triple Masala. We sketched out wood grain patterns and circular tree-like rings with a pencil, then painted them using an art brush and Resene Half Thorndon Cream for a rustic yet refined finish.

Incorporating deep chocolate brown in your home will infuse rooms with richness and sophistication, creating a stylish sanctuary. Be daring, and dive into browns.

How to create the stained wall paint project:

1. Measure the height of your bed from floor to top to work out the height you would like the lower panels to be to create a ‘headboard’ effect. Measure the width you would like your grid ‘window wall’ to be. We made our gird line width 4cm wide and calculated our panels to fit our space.

2. Use masking tape and a ruler to tape up your grid edge lines and paint the grid lines in your chosen colour, we used Resene Half Bokara Grey as a nice soft black. Apply two coats and allow to touch dry before removing the tape.

3. Allocate a stain colour to each of your ‘panes’ or panels. We chose the same colour for all of the longer rectangular panels behind the bed to create a ‘headboard’ effect.

4. We chose an irregular placement for the stain colours above the bed, to create a visually interesting effect that added a feeling of depth to the space. Use a speed brush to evenly apply your stain to a panel at a time inside the painted grid lines.

How to create the log beside paint project:

1. Apply a primer or sealer to your circular plinth. Use Resene Laminate and Melamine if it is melamine or laminate or Resene Waterborne Sureseal if is already varnished.

2. Apply two coats of Resene Triple Masala, allowing dry time between coats. Allow to dry.

3. Use a pencil to sketch out wood grain patterns on the sides of the plinth and circular tree like rings to the top. Paint these in using an art brush and Resene Half Thorndon Cream.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Moneuan Ryan. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024