Home with a hue

EASY AS ONE TWO THREE

Choosing colour palettes for your home can be tricky so here are three formulas to keep it simple.

STYLING AMBER ARMITAGE PHOTOS WENDY FENWICK / FLASH STUDIOS WALL COLOURS RESENE PAINTS

Stylist tip

When using minimal colour contrast or a tonal look, add loads of texture in your material choices to keep the space rich and interesting.

One tone

Tonal looks can be achieved by layering multiple strengths of a single paint colour (eg half, double, triple) or similar colours but at varying depths, creating a modern pared-back aesthetic.

Walls painted in Resene Sakura (far left) and Resene Wafer (main wall). Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt. Pillar and mirror painted in Resene Brandy Rose. Ercol room divider (shelf) $4,350 and Karimoku lounge chair, $2,590, both from Good Form. Artis floor lamp, $289.90, Lighting Plus. Ria 3 Seater Sofa, $1,499, Lotus Side Table with Storage, $299, both from Danske Mobler. Leland Natural rug, $1,139, Spencer ivory cuchion, $109, Meru Blush Pink fur, $259, all from Mulberi. Still Waiting poster club print, 70x100, $265, Slow Store. Asili soapstone dish, $229, Talo coffee cups, set of 4, $99.60 from Citta. Nevada round mirror, $129.95 (painted in Resene Brandy Rose) from Mocka. Books stylist’s own.

Two tone

Create a strong dual colour combo by choosing a contrast of warm and cool colours (pink vs. blue) – one that is a soft and the other very strong and punchy, so there’s a nice push and pull between the two. This is great way to visually define multiple areas withinin an open plan layout or highlight a space or favourite artwork.

Walls painted in Resene Half Resolution Blue (front) and Resene Wafer (back). Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt. Ercol room divider (shelf) $4350, CC-Tapis stroke rug, $11,575 and Warm Nordic Dwell lounge chair, $3,225 all from Good Form. Oakley Hall Table, $1,999, Danske Mobler. Hasami porcelain mug in grey, $48, Simon James. Original artwork, $POA by Claire Stapleton. Asili soapstone dish, $229, Talo coffee cups in pink, set of 4, $99.60 from Citta. Vintage lamp and books stylist’s own.

Triple threat

Adding a third colour to the palette creates grounding when you combine tones that balance each other out – use one deep, one mid and one soft tone. Make sure two of the colours harmonise eg the Resene Wafer and Resene Crail are a tint and tone of each other, with the bright blue adding contrast.

Wall painted in Resene Wafer and headboard in Resene Crail, round vase painted in Resene Sakura. Floor finished in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt. Warm Nordic Dwell lounge chair, $3,225 from Good Form. Barn side table, $249 from Danske Mobler. Agros rug in Straw, $679, from Mulberi. Rattan Woven pendant, $55, Kmart. Rosewood King duvet, $229, pillowcases, $30 each, from Foxtrot Home. Original artwork, $POA by Claire Stapleton. Moon table lamp, $359, Otto vase, $119, Velvet quilted throw, $189, Juno throw (blue), $249, Alba cushion cover in Cobalt, $74.90, Maggie cushion cover (back right), $89.90, Cabin cushion cover (front), $84.90, Talo coffee cups, set of 4, $99.60 all from Citta. Books stylist’s own.

Testpots and A4 drawdowns from top in Resene Wafer, Sakura and Resene Brandy Rose. Testpots and A4 drawdowns from top in Resene Wafer and Resene Half Resolution Blue. Testpots and A4 drawdowns from top in Resene Wafer, Resene Crail and Resene Half Resolution Blue.

Tonal Contrast Triple