Through the meadows

Spring is the season for new beginnings as we turn toward fresh interiors in sweet and soft tones.

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

STYLIST TIP

To create a calming space, you need to have a focal point within the room. This gives the eye somewhere to land when entering a space and gives the room a hierarchy, so nothing is competing. An oversized artwork is perfect for this. To help lead your eye to the focal point, the artwork should be well lit (with natural light or a lamp/spotlight), have "supporting" pieces to ground it (like a sideboard underneath) and the layout of the other furniture needs to "speak" to it. This could be by facing the focal point or by creating space to view it.

OPPOSITE Walls painted in Resene Soul Searcher, trims in Resene Double Alabaster and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Round textured vase painted in Resene Foundation and shell vase painted in Resene Inspire. Milan 2 Seater Sofa, $2399, Milan Armchair, $1499, Orcus side table, $999, from Danske Mobler. Original painting in Oak frame, $8900, from Rachael THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE Wall painted in Resene Triple Concrete with Resene Half Concrete mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects. Floor painted in Resene Mayne. Visioni A rug by CC-Tapis, $POA from Good Form. Sintra Entertainment Unit, $329.95, from Mocka. Large rounded planter Concrete. Agnes wooden side table $119.95, finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, Eve pillar side table $119.95, base painted in Resene Concrete, both from Mocka pot, $149.95 from Kings Plant Barn. Paper collective framed print, $269; Pompeii candles, $56 each; orange mug with clear handle, . Beth occasional chair in Velvet Taupe $999, from Danske Mobler. Mackenzie Fallow rug, 160x230 $1,299, Eaton cushion $209, and Featherston Bracken $14.90; Nonnas Grocer orange candle, $95; from Father Rabbit. All else stylists own.100% NZ wool throw $380, all from Baya. Karimoku Case Study sofa $6,710, Karimoku Case Study coffee table $6,290, both from Good Form. Large Soapstone dish $229 from Asili. Broste small brown vase $49 from Green with Envy. Hotel Magique Black Apple A2 framed print $245, Arena white vase $79, Kinfolk Travel book $85, The Land Gardeners by Bridget Elworthy and Henrietta Courtald $55, Beldi wine glass $15.99, all from Father Rabbit.

THIS PAGE Bedroom wall painted in Resene Summer Rose, walk-in-wardrobe painted in Resene Soul Searcher, and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Round textured vase painted in Resene Foundation and small vase painted in Resene Summer Rose. Eclipse Four Drawer $369.95 from Mocka. Pink Candymen by Simon Lewis-Wards $210 from The Poi Room. Braided sandal from La Tribe. Framed Bouquet print in Sage $439, orange mug with clear handle $14.90, Cultiver linen euro covers $155/pair, Bonnie and Neil marigold cushion 60 x 40 $225, tiny checkers pillowcase $185/pair, Dandy quilt $489, all from Father Rabbit. Blush pink linen duvet cover $239/king from Foxtrot Home.

STYLIST TIP

Mix and match prints and patterns, and play with shades of colour to create depth. We love the interplay of Resene Summer Rose and Resene Soul Searcher.

ABOVE Wall painted in Resene Soul Searcher and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Large rounded planter pot $149.95 from Kings Plant Barn. Visioni A rug by CC-Tapis $POA from Good Form. Paper collective framed print $269 from Father Rabbit. Rattan bench seat $249.95 from Mocka.

RIGHT Test pots (from top) in Resene Soul Searcher, Resene Summer Rose and Resene Double Alabaster. A4 drawdown paint swatches (from left) in Resene Soul Searcher, Resene Double Alabaster and Resene Summer Rose.