In association with Resene.
Hue knows
– Selecting the right white paint for your walls begins with working out whether your space requires a warm or cool hue. To understand undertones, remember that whites with yellow, orange, red and brown bases lend themselves to rooms wanting warmth, whereas blue- and grey-toned whites help them keep their cool. Being a blend of yellow and blue, green-based whites can read as warm or cool, depending on the light and other aspects of the room, such as the furnishings or outlook.
– Consider your proposed colours in context. White picks up on other hues, so get A4 drawdowns or testpots from your local Resene ColorShop or online, then tape them to your walls to assess. Comparing whites side by side can be misleading, so when you’re using Resene testpots, paint pieces of cardboard with two coats of colour, leaving an unpainted border around the edges. This negative space will help you gain a clearer picture.
– As a rule, cool whites like Resene Black White do well in spaces with lots of light, while warmer whites like Resene Bianca are suited to those with less. What do the colours on your mood board look like as the light changes throughout the day? Observe the effect of both natural and artificial lighting.
– Using more than one white can be a winner, if they share the same undertones. You can also use different strengths of the same white to ensure a uniform look from ceiling to walls. See the Resene Whites & Neutrals collection for up to six strength variations of the most popular hues.
MAIN IMAGE: BACKDROP Walls in Resene SpaceCote Flat White; left swatch Resene SpaceCote Flat Half Concrete; right swatch Resene SpaceCote Flat White Pointer, resene.co.nz. Cavalier fabric in Blush (used as curtain), POA, jamesdunloptextiles.co.nz. DECORATIVE ITEMS, FROM LEFT Column table, $1190, cittadesign.com. Feather vase, $350, monmouthglassstudio.com. Nouveau incense holder by Walk in the Park, $89, tessuti.co.nz. Japanese incense sticks by Studio Milligram, $25/set of 37, goodthing.co.nz. Mini Bobby candle by Marloe Marloe, $350, slowstore.co.nz. Lennox armchair, $1000, achomestore.co.nz. Firth cushion cover, $109, cittadesign.com. Foliage (throughout) stylist’s own. ABOVE: BACKDROP Left plinth and wall in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Half Concrete; corrugated pillar in Resene Enamacryl Half Concrete; right plinth in Resene SpaceCote Flat Half Concrete, resene.co.nz. DECORATIVE ITEMS, FROM LEFT Motueka fabric, $65/m, marthas.co.nz. Stone candle holder by Ferm Living, $35, slowstore.co.nz. Feather bowl, $300, monmouthglassstudio.com.
Photo finishes
– Contemplate what paint finish you want as well, as it’ll determine how light reflects off your colour and therefore the overall outcome. Adaptable and durable Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen and Resene SpaceCote Flat (tinted with our chosen shades) appear in the photo below, guided not only by aesthetics, but also lifestyle. Low-sheen finishes such as these are versatile as their lack of shine doesn’t highlight dings — although you wouldn’t want to use them for a pale door, say, as they’re not so forgiving of dirty fingerprints. Love a more matte finish, like Resene Karen Walker Chalk Colour? It’ll diffuse even more light to conceal imperfections. The main image on this web page incorporates the gloss finish of Resene Enamacryl, or go for semi-gloss Resene Lustacryl. Both reflect lots of light and are stain-resistant and easy-clean — a plus when you’re working with whites.
ABOVE: BACKDROP Left pillar in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen White Pointer, flat surface in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Half White Pointer, slats in (from front) Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Half White Pointer, Resene SpaceCote Flat Quarter Truffle and Resene SpaceCote Flat Half Cloud, resene.co.nz. Zepel Rhyme fabric in Pure (used as curtain), POA, jamesdunloptextiles.co.nz. DECORATIVE ITEMS, FROM LEFT Geo marble sphere, $80, cittadesign.com. Curvature hook by Ferm Living, $95; Lully vase by Marloe Marloe, $340, slowstore.co.nz.
SWATCHES FROM LEFT Resene White, Resene Half Concrete, Resene White Pointer, Resene Quarter Truffle, Resene Half Cloud, resene.co.nz.
Styling Sam van Kan
Photography Wendy Fenwick at Flash Studios
