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On this creamy, dreamy mood board, the main star is Resene Eden Wallpaper Collection M37302. With this as the main focus, other warm neutrals have been chosen to be used on walls and accessories to create a cohesive design. The background is painted in Resene Quarter Sisal, drawdowns in Resene Triple Sisal, Resene Double Rice Cake, Resene Double Sisal, Resene Quarter Sisal, Resene Sisal, knot in Resene Double Sisal, ribbed bowl in Resene Double Rice Cake, palm tree hook in Resene Triple Sisal, DIY arch mini artworks in Resene Triple Sisal and Resene Quarter Sisal. Pillowcase in Oatmeal from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Use your favourite artwork as a start for choosing an interior scheme. Or you can paint a piece that will tie into your favourite colours that you want to use. Here, the hand-painted art is painted in the same colours as the drawdowns in Resene Conch, Resene Tiara, Resene Green Meets Blue, Resene Zumthor and Resene Quarter Wan White. The vases are in Resene Conch and Resene Zumthor and table in Resene Quarter Taupe Grey. Project by Annick Larkin, art by Hannah Tapner, image by Bryce Carleton.
If you’re a fan of slightly darker, modern design, then greys paired with burnt orange accents make for a stunning colour scheme. Here, the background is painted in Resene Silver Chalice, A4 drawdowns in (left to right) Resene Desperado, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Surrender, Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Half Stack, Resene Double Stack, Resene Grey Friars, small ball in Resene Blackjack, vase (top) in Resene Surrender, vase (bottom) in Resene Half Stack, coaster in Resene Cape Palliser. Linen from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
This bright, spacious mid-century inspired living room is painted in the dark green shade of Resene Jurassic, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding bush. The ceiling is painted in Resene Half Merino and trims in Resene Sea Fog. Project by Felicity Brenchley, image by Jamie Cobel.
In this 1920s villa, the kitchen provides a playful, modern touch with an island in Resene Gull Grey, adding an almost violet hue against the walls in Resene Albescent White. The trims are painted in Resene Thorndon Cream and ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. Project by Jess Driver and Thomas Ward from I Am Developer, image by Taylor Wilson.
This design is contemporary and screams of comfort with its warm grounding hues. The dark schist tones contrast beautifully with the walls painted in Resene Rice Cake and ceiling in Resene Quarter Rice Cake. Lighting by Desejo. Project by Priyanka Sareen from Home Factor, image by Sampford Cathie.
First time homeowner? Here's how to choose your style
Becoming a homeowner comes with a million little decisions, and one of the biggest can be figuring out what your style actually is. Perhaps you’ve moved into an old 1920s bungalow, or maybe you’ve built from scratch and have blank white walls, whatever you choose, knowing how you want your space to feel can sometimes feel like the last battle. Searching for different styles online can help for inspiration, but your dream home also doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. Here’s how to find your personal style and bring it to life with Resene.
Start with what you love
Before you pick up that paintbrush, take a moment to think about what you’re drawn to. In fashion, travel, nature, or even in your favourite café. Do you love the calm of a minimalist space, or are you energised by bold colours and eclectic furniture? Vintage villa, or Japandi cool?
Create a mood board with colours, textures and rooms that speak to you. You can do this digitally, or in person. Look for patterns – are there lots of soft neutrals, or rich jewel tones? Does everything feel coastal, or more urban-industrial? The goal here isn’t to fit into a trend, but to gather insights into what feels right for YOU.
Take a look at these three mood boards to see how the colours and textures fit together:
On this creamy, dreamy mood board, the main star is Resene Eden Wallpaper Collection M37302. With this as the main focus, other warm neutrals have been chosen to be used on walls and accessories to create a cohesive design. The background is painted in Resene Quarter Sisal, drawdowns in Resene Triple Sisal, Resene Double Rice Cake, Resene Double Sisal, Resene Quarter Sisal, Resene Sisal, knot in Resene Double Sisal, ribbed bowl in Resene Double Rice Cake, palm tree hook in Resene Triple Sisal, DIY arch mini artworks in Resene Triple Sisal and Resene Quarter Sisal. Pillowcase in Oatmeal from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Use your favourite artwork as a start for choosing an interior scheme. Or you can paint a piece that will tie into your favourite colours that you want to use. Here, the hand-painted art is painted in the same colours as the drawdowns in Resene Conch, Resene Tiara, Resene Green Meets Blue, Resene Zumthor and Resene Quarter Wan White. The vases are in Resene Conch and Resene Zumthor and table in Resene Quarter Taupe Grey. Project by Annick Larkin, art by Hannah Tapner, image by Bryce Carleton.
If you’re a fan of slightly darker, modern design, then greys paired with burnt orange accents make for a stunning colour scheme. Here, the background is painted in Resene Silver Chalice, A4 drawdowns in (left to right) Resene Desperado, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Surrender, Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Half Stack, Resene Double Stack, Resene Grey Friars, small ball in Resene Blackjack, vase (top) in Resene Surrender, vase (bottom) in Resene Half Stack, coaster in Resene Cape Palliser. Linen from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Choose colours that reflect your mood
Home should always feel like a place you want to be, and colour plays a huge part in that. Resene has thousands of colours to choose from and narrowing it down gets easier once you think about the mood you want to create.
For calm and cosy feels, try warm whites, muted greens and clay tones like Resene Spanish White, Resene Norway or Resene Teak.
If you’re after fresh and bright, look at breezy blues, soft citrus shades and sun washed neutrals like Resene Breeze, Resene Shalimar and Resene Half Rice Cake.
Bold and expressive? Go for deeper hues or statement shades like Resene Koru, Resene Hot August and Resene Nero.
Top tip:Test out your colours with Resene testpots or A4 drawdowns in your actual space, colours look completely different depending on lighting, time of day and room size.
Let the architecture guide you
Your home’s bones can offer great style clues. A 60s brick home might suit mid-century-inspired colours and clean lines, while a villa might shine with heritage tones, panelled walls and painted trims.
That said, don’t feel like you have to decorate a certain way just because of your home’s era or curves. It’s your house now, mix it up if it makes you happy! A classic home with a splash of modern colour can feel fresh and unexpected.
This bright, spacious mid-century inspired living room is painted in the dark green shade of Resene Jurassic, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding bush. The ceiling is painted in Resene Half Merino and trims in Resene Sea Fog. Project by Felicity Brenchley, image by Jamie Cobel.
In this 1920s villa, the kitchen provides a playful, modern touch with an island in Resene Gull Grey, adding an almost violet hue against the walls in Resene Albescent White. The trims are painted in Resene Thorndon Cream and ceiling in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. Project by Jess Driver and Thomas Ward from I Am Developer, image by Taylor Wilson.
This design is contemporary and screams of comfort with its warm grounding hues. The dark schist tones contrast beautifully with the walls painted in Resene Rice Cake and ceiling in Resene Quarter Rice Cake. Lighting by Desejo. Project by Priyanka Sareen from Home Factor, image by Sampford Cathie.
Start small and build confidence
If diving straight into a full-home palette feels intimidating, start with a single space. Maybe the bedroom or lounge gets a feature wall, the powder room gets a tropical wallpaper, or the hallway gets a fresh coat in a warm white to brighten it up.
Painted furniture and doors are also great ways to introduce colour without committing to the whole room. Try Resene Lustacryl for a durable, semi-gloss finish on trims and cabinetry.
Once you start, you’ll quickly get a feel for what you like and how colour changes the way you experience a space.
Don’t forget finishes and textures
Paint isn’t just about colour, it’s also about the finish. If you want something matte and velvety try Resene SpaceCote Flat. If you’re after easy-clean with a low sheen try Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. Or perhaps a hardwearing and glossy finish in Resene Enamacryl.
And think beyond walls too, such as painted floors Resene Walk-on, coloured ceilings, textured effects using Resene FX Paint Effects, or even murals and patterns with Resene testpots can completely change the vibe of a space.
At the end of the day, your style doesn’t have to be one thing. It can evolve, mix eras, clash colours and tell your story. The best homes are the ones that feel lived in, loved, and uniquely you.
If you want to check out your favourite dark colours in person head to your local Resene ColorShop or reseller today, or for more advice book a consultation with a Resene Colour Expert or Ask a Resene Colour Expert online for free. And don’t forget to follow us on habitat by Resene on Instagram for fresh inspiration!
Published: 19 Aug 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Green Meets Blue
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Cape Palliser
Resene Spanish White
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Albescent White
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Quarter Sisal
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Green Meets Blue
Resene Quarter Wan White
Resene Quarter Taupe Grey
Resene Silver Chalice
Resene Cape Palliser
Resene Spanish White
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Albescent White
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
