Ombre effects have become popular for their soft melting effect. Take it a step further by using Resene Sandtex on the wall before painting.

Paint effects specialist Greer Clayton used this technique for her outdoor courtyard, finishing it with an ombre effect using Resene Sambuca, Resene Papier Mache and Resene Martini... it looks stunning.  

For a contemporary two-tone look, use the roller vertically when painting, as Greer did for the walls of this kid's bedroom.  

The walls are painted in a base coat of Resene Point Break (use two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen). Then, using a roller sleeve, Resene Ruby Tuesday was rolled onto the walls from the bottom up. Get the scumbled look by releasing the pressure and pull the roller off the wall at the desired height – this is called ‘laying off’. Give it a couple more coats until you're happy.

There are as many techniques for marbling as there are varieties of natural marble, often using a combination of ragging, dry-brushing and 'painting' with a feather. Did you know that you can create this marble effect by mixing Resene Lusta-Glo and water? Click here for the full DIY instructions. 

Stencils are a hugely flexible and diverse way of adding pattern to virtually anything. You can make your own stencils, or buy them online. Or you can use something unexpected, like a cake stencil or a doily, as a stencil.

Use low-tack masking to keep your stencil in place. Use a sponge for stencilling, not a brush, and make sure you don't overload it, or the paint will bleed underneath the edge of the stencil. Greer stencilled this bedside cabinet using Resene Spritzer and Resene Alabaster.

There are a number of ways you can age furniture. For this nightstand stylist Gem Adams smeared petroleum jelly on areas of the furniture that would normally wear, such as sharper edges or corners. She then painted it with Resene Lustacryl, a waterborne enamel, in Resene Twizel.

Once fully dry, she then wiped away the petroleum jelly to expose the raw timber underneath. It was finished in Resene Aquaclear to protect the paint and bare timber.