Character features
Architectural features such as cornices or mouldings can add character, but homes without these can be just as alluring. Resene shows us how to add interest and amplify walls with colour and design features.
In this room, wide borders that run across the tops and at the corners of each wall are painted in Resene Eighth Spanish White and stand out from the main colour blocks that cover the remainder of each wall in Resene Double Spanish White. These complex, creamy whites, while classic, are trending for their ability to bring warmth to your home and their flexibility – blending beautifully with a whole range of accent colours and design styles.
To get the look, first paint the entire room in two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to the lighter of your two chosen hues. Then, use a pencil, ruler and a level to lightly mark an equal distance down from the ceiling and out from the corners so that you will have lines to follow when you apply your masking. Be sure to use high quality ‘washi-style’ painter’s masking tape, such as those available from Resene ColorShops, and press down the edges of your tape firmly to ensure you get a sharp, clean line once it’s removed. Then, paint the inside of your masked area in two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to your darker chosen hue.
Artwork is another great way to create character in a space, but it doesn’t always need to be on canvas or paper. If you, a family member, or a friend are handy with a jigsaw, try cutting out some interesting shapes from a sheet of 5mm thick plywood. Here a couple of circles and semi-circles balance out the formal, straight lines of the painted wall feature and the vertical cabinet. Resene Colorwood Meranti has been alternated with Resene Colorwood Dark Oak to stain the four shapes. Whether you choose to paint or stain them, be sure to sand them smooth and wipe your shapes down with a clean damp rag before you go to dip your brush. And for additional protection with minimal sheen, use Resene Aquaclear Satin as a topcoat or choose Resene Aquaclear Gloss for a shinier finish.
To bring a touch of the red from these stains out into the room, paint one or two small accessories and a key piece of furniture such as a side table in Resene Pioneer Red. Balance this with other accent items in Resene Clay Creek, which works as the perfect counterpoint to the ruddy reds.
Background in Resene Quarter Spanish White with A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from top to bottom) Resene Clay Creek, Resene Pioneer Red, Resene Bokara Grey, Resene Double Spanish White, Resene Eighth Spanish White.
Resene Double Spanish White
Resene Clay Creek
Resene Pioneer Red
