Colour cues

The visual impact of colour in our living environment has been well documented. So it's not surprising that colour's ability to affect our sense of well-being is a key determining factor in the collation of new colour ranges.

Resene has just launched The Range 2004, a collection of 160 classic and contemporary shades based on international colour predictions that are tailored to suit New Zealanders' lifestyles and our environment.

Marketing manager Karen Warman says many of the colours reflect a desire for quiet, reflective surroundings that are an antidote to busy and stressful lifestyles. Bathroom colours in particular are often chosen to create a quiet and serene retreat and The Range 2004 offers many such shades.

"The new collection includes muted, smoky tones, such as Resene Rivendell, Sorrento and Serendipity," says Warman. "But there are also many brighter shades associated with reassuring pomp and ceremony, including traditional reds and more subdued hues of plum, purple, brown and blue. These colours can work very well in small powder rooms."

Glittery metallic shades and a full range of greens, from soft neutrals to dark olive and citrus tones are other new directions in the range.

To simplify paint selection for your home, Resene has introduced a free tool on its website - Resene TechSpec. This programme makes it easy to choose the paint system that best suits your needs. You can also preview a colour scheme on your computer with Resene EzyPaint virtual painting software. This is free to download, or you can purchase or borrow a CD-ROM copy from your local Resene ColorShop.

The range fandeck is available from Resene ColorShops.