Decorating advice with Resene
Whether your taste aligns with minimalist, rustic, coastal or country cottage, white will always play a role in your desired look. Evoking freshness and elegance, whites are versatile, working with almost any other hue.
It’s a colour that always feels calming and relaxing and never goes out of fashion. No wonder whites are such a popular choice among homeowners; the beautiful thing about whites is that there will be a white perfect for you with the multitude of types available.
Something so simple …
The fresh white walls of this reading corner allow the complementary colours to pop crisply. Wall in Resene Half Alabaster, floor in Resene Rakaia.
White can be just as hard, though, if not harder to choose, than a bold colour. The impact of the wrong white can be big, so it’s worth the effort finding one that doesn’t make your home feel sterile or lacking in personality.
Resene Colour Consultant Jackie Nicholls celebrates white as a popular trend that is clean and fresh. “Just add your accessories – it sounds simple, doesn’t it? However, so many people fall into the trap of using what seems modern and current, only to find it looks cold and unfriendly in their own place.”
“It’s worth having a careful look at the various undertones in the huge range of white shades available,” she says. “They’re hard to spot at a glance, but they become obvious when you sit them next to each other. Resene have colour specialists and staff that can help you with this.”
Tips for choosing the perfect white
The first step is to look at where you want to paint your white. What will it sit beside? White’s nuances are subtle – it’s a colour that can change dramatically with the light and the colours surrounding it, be it in furniture, flooring or paint on existing walls.
There are elements of colour in your furniture, décor, and lighting that can impact the way your swatches appear. A golden wooden floor will warm up a cool white wall with its warm hue during the day. However, at night, the artificial light that comes from the ceiling will make it appear quite different.
Make your heart sing
It’s still important to try and find a white that makes your heart sing. Look at Resene colour swatches and select what you’re attracted to straight away. Paint your Resene testpot onto a large piece of cardboard (A2 size is ideal) leaving an unpainted border around the edge. Once dry, move your samples around your home and analyse how the natural light and surroundings effect the colour.
“Don’t place your swatches side by side, Jackie says, as they can fight with each other and you won’t like any of them.” For the same reason don’t paint your test colour directly onto the wall as the existing colour will affect the new colour. Place them in isolation, hold them next to something staying in the room such as a trim, door frame, artwork or curtain. Carry it around and try it in different aspects.”
“Don’t be afraid to have more than one shade in your home, colder rooms will benefit from warmer shades like Resene Cararra or Resene Rice Cake, while a large, sunny space can look good in Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Quarter White Pointer.”
Adding interest
“A clever way to add interest with white is to consider painting the doors throughout in a soft shade such as Resene Eighth Stonehenge. To give the whole scheme an edge, add in a dark moody feature wall that could be repeated in a bathroom or powder room perhaps, like Resene Half Fuscous Grey from the Karen Walker Paints collection.”
The paint finish can also make a difference, Jackie says. “Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is normally used on walls, but you could consider Resene SpaceCote Flat for a sophisticated finish, especially in a media room or around a fireplace. Resene Enamacyl is a full-gloss option for doors and trims, providing a sharp contrast.”
Complete the look
Pattern and texture bring interest to a white interior. In a kitchen, blend a marble benchtop and wood-stained flooring in Resene Colorwood. In a home with a country cottage feel, vertical tongue-and-groove panelling on the wall can look beautiful with a creamy chalky white for a warm heritage feel.
Bring in a two-toned effect, using white and a neutral, for subtle interest into this conservatory. The addition of a mural provides a sense of movement and texture into such a relaxing scheme.
Décor has its place in softening a white scheme and creating depth. By bringing in luscious textiles, such as sheepskin or thick-pile rugs with fringing or tassels, soft throws to snuggle up against and velvet cushions, you’ll create an inviting setting. Flowing curtains will add comfort to your fresh, clean aesthetic too.
When bringing in colour, go slowly and gently with soft colours that won’t appear too harsh on the eye.
Beautiful lighting is key to adding another dimension and don’t forget your flooring – a pale Scandi-style option is ideal in a white setting if you’re laying down new flooring.
If you’re repurposing existing floorboards, why not paint the floors white or use Resene Colorwood Whitewash for a soft wash of white while still allowing the timber grain to show through? A light-coloured carpet will bring a sense of luxury to a white interior too, adding softness and comfort.
For more colour ideas and inspiration, view the latest looks online and visit your local Resene ColorShop.
Main image credit: Whites That Work – How To Choose The Perfect White | Home & Decor | Kidspot
Article supplied by Resene.co.nz. Read the full article here.
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