it's showtime

From habitat magazine - issue 38, media rooms

Whether you prefer action films or rom-coms, sci-fi or period dramas, create picture-perfect style with Resene.

With movies now at your fingertips thanks to a wide choice of streaming channels, you don’t have to leave the comfort of home to catch the latest release. To take your movie experience to the next level, dial up the cinematic style by creating ambience and colour with a few handy decorating tricks.

Keep it dark

Dark colours are the go-to for media rooms; they create a cosy, cocooning vibe, ideal for snuggling up with a bowl of popcorn. “Darker, moody colours can elevate the space and make it feel quite opulent,” says Resene Colour Consultant Jackie Nicholls. “You’ll find that furnishings pop against dark backgrounds, and it will not close the space in – it just makes it feel more special,” To minimise colour reflections from the screen completely, opt for one of Resene’s range of blacks, including the latest release Resene Blackest Black, which is even more intense than Resene Black.

“If black isn’t to your taste, some interesting colours to try are Resene Half Fuscous Grey, a sultry brown-grey with plum undertones, Resene Elephant, a dramatic blend of blue and green or Resene Cabbage Pont, a soft relaxing grey-green,” says Jackie.

For vintage theatrics, draw inspiration from historic buildings such as the Hastings Opera House and choose colours such as Resene Merlot or Resene Vanquish. Fancy a sparkling ceiling like the Auckland Civic Theatre? Consider painting stars in Resene FX Nightlight glow-in-the-dark paint. “A media room is a space where you could also consider a darker ceiling or even an anaglypta wallpaper such as one from the Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper Collection on the ceiling painted in Resene FX Metallic paint to give the impression of tin ceiling tiles,” adds Jackie.

All about the mood

Lighting – or lack of it – is one of the essential aspects of a cinema. When the lights dim, it’s the universal cue the show is about to start. If you want the full theatre experience, ceiling downlights tilted to the side of the room create a dramatic atmosphere. A dimmer switch is an easy and more affordable way to get the vibe if you’re working with a pre-existing space. Ensure the light will not bounce off the screen or into your eyes, and invest in blackout blinds or drapes to cover windows and block out natural light.

If you want to relax to the max, consider Resene SmartTouch conductive coating. Picture this: you’re comfy and snuggled up on the couch, popcorn in hand, opening credits rolling, only to realise the lights are still on… don’t panic! All it takes is a simple tap of the wall and, voilà, complete darkness. This conductive coating, applied under your chosen Resene topcoat, can be connected to an electrical circuit by a professional electrician.

Technically speaking, black is a colour perceived by the cones of the eye in the absence of light or very low luminance. Jet black is a shade of black named after the mineraloid jet and has a blue undertone, which the eye perceives as richer and deeper than other undertones. Dark black is often described as having a high ‘jetness’. Resene Blackest Black is Resene’s ‘jettest’ or darkest paint available.

To achieve this rich deep colour, Resene Group Technical Manager Mike Clowes and his team worked to bring the particle size of the black pigment down to achieve optimal ‘jetness’ in Resene Blackest Black. Resene Blackest Black is available in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen ideal for interior areas. But to achieve different levels of sheen, it can be topcoated with Resene Concrete Clear.

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.

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