A nurturing nook
Resene shows us that when you create a little corner to read and relax in, the ‘rest’ will follow.
When it comes to creating a relaxing reading nook, think about the things that make you feel happy and soothed, then bring those elements in. Here, this soft chaise is an open invitation for imagination and daydreaming, but it’s the casual vibe of its surrounding colour palette that makes it a spot you want to sink into.
This blend of delicate greys, taupes and a deep dusty blue has a calming influence. The grey blue shade of Resene Atomic seen on the floor and several of this room’s accents is hugely grounding. Warm taupe like Resene Perfect Quarter Taupe is used for the rounded wall design, and Resene Oilskin, seen on the left wall and tray, works well as a base for highlighting the other colours.
To some, grey can be seen as dull, boring or cold, but the right shades of grey, such as Resene Half Athens Grey (used as the main wall background colour) and Resene Quarter Delta (seen on the floor), can actually be very calming and relaxing. They work well with almost any colour or palette and can seamlessly blend into the rest of your décor outside of your self-care corner.
Background in Resene Quarter Delta with circle in Resene Atomic, A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from left to right) Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe, Resene Half Athens Grey and Resene Oilskin, tray and stone in Resene Oilskin and bud vase and DIY artwork in Resene Atomic.
Creating both tactile and visual texture is also very important for your reading nook. Choose fabrics and finishes that are both pleasant to the touch and beautiful to look at to add to the physical and emotional cosiness of the space. The wavy timber ‘headboard’ has been finished in Resene Colorwood Riverstone, a warmed neutral stain that allows the beauty of the wood’s natural grain to show through. Bringing reminders of nature into the home like this can create a ‘biophilic’ response that soothes.
As a playful nod to the organic, curved shapes of the headboard, wall and floor designs, testpots in Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe, Resene Atomic, Resene Oilskin and Resene Quarter Delta have been used to create DIY artwork that echo their forms. A few small accessories have also been painted, such as the stone and tray in Resene Oilskin, the stool top and shelf in Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe and the bud vase in Resene Atomic to keep the eye moving about the space – without interrupting it with anything too jarring for a truly relaxing space.
