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The simplicity of this room combines subtle neutrals and natural materials often seen in Scandinavian design styles. The wall is painted in Resene Triple Pearl Lusta, timber headboard finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, floor in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, cabinet in Resene Hemlock, tray in Resene Triple Bison Hide, mug in Resene Half Bison Hide, bowl in Resene Sour Dough and large vase in Resene Brown Bramble. Mug, body oil, throw and slides from Blackbird Goods, bedlinen from Foxtrot Home, cushion and rug from Citta, tray from Paper Plane. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.
In this simple but stunning colour palette, the wall and floor are painted in Resene Rice Cake, sideboard in Resene Frontier, table in Resene Eagle, tealight holder in Resene Eagle and vase in Resene Rice Cake. Sofa from Nood, cushions, dried flower arrangement and mug from Freedom, fringed cushion from Bed Bath & Beyond, green cushion from The Warehouse, throw from H&M Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Scandinavians take great pride in their furniture. Hero pieces feature clean lines and natural materials, often with a mid-century modern twist. Resene Wallpaper Collection IUM205, available from Resene ColorShops, features a tonal design that looks sensational with Scandinavian style furnishings. Try it with flooring in Resene Double Merino, skirting boards in Resene Rice Cake and a ceiling in Resene Half Merino.
This earthy toned space is simple and grounding. The floor is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, right wall in Resene Thorndon Cream, left feature wall in Resene Cobblestone, trims inResene Triple Thorndon Cream, chair in Resene Thunderstorm, table in Resene Half Lemon Grass, vase in Resene Credence and vases on shelf in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and Resene Cobblestone. Rug from Ivy House. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
This simple hallway with gorgeous white and ochre tones is minimal but with maximum appeal and beauty. The wall is painted in Resene Rice Cake, floor in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy, bench seat in Resene Gold Coast, frames in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy, Resene Colorwood Shore Thing, Resene Colorwood Rising Tide, Resene Colorwood Shade, wooden vase in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy and textured DIY art in Resene Spanish White. Cushions from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Scandi living: The art of cosy and functional interiors
Scandinavian design is a minimalist and functional approach to interior design that emerged in the mid-20th century in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. It emphasises simplicity, practicality and natural elements, and it has become increasingly popular worldwide. With the many Resene whites, neutrals and earthy tones, you can achieve this timeless, calming and welcoming look in your home with ease.
The simplicity of this room combines subtle neutrals and natural materials often seen in Scandinavian design styles. The wall is painted in Resene Triple Pearl Lusta, timber headboard finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, floor in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, cabinet in Resene Hemlock, tray in Resene Triple Bison Hide, mug in Resene Half Bison Hide, bowl in Resene Sour Dough and large vase in Resene Brown Bramble. Mug, body oil, throw and slides from Blackbird Goods, bedlinen from Foxtrot Home, cushion and rug from Citta, tray from Paper Plane. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Say ‘Scandinavian style’ and most of us visualise light, clean-lined spaces starkly adorned with white-on-white colour palettes and whitewashed timbers. But over the years pigmented wall colours and even darker, moody shades have steadily worked their way into Nordic homes. In this dreamy bedroom, both the whites and earthy hues live in gentle, approachable harmony in a manner that feels both quintessentially classic Scandi and of-the-moment.
While Resene Triple Pearl Lusta does have a distinct warmth to it, if white walls aren’t to your taste, this colour could easily be swapped with a soft apple green like Resene Pale Leaf or a silvery sage like Resene Secrets to subtly bring in a bit more pigment without overwhelming the more delicate elements. And if greens, browns or pinks aren’t your thing, this space could also be accented with terracotta, blue or gold instead such as Resene Hot August, Resene Navigate or Resene Pirate Gold.
Textured finishes in earthy neutrals beautifully replicate traditional techniques such as mudbrick building or limewashing. This wall is painted in Resene Biscotti topcoated in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, floor in Resene Biscotti, bedside cabinet and small bowl in Resene Colins Wicket, pendant light and vase with flowers in Resene Thorndon Cream and small vase in Resene Quarter Doeskin. Stonewash duvet, pillowcases and brown rectangle cushions from Adairs, blanket and square cushion from Freedom. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
While Scandi style is minimalistic, it is also known for its warmth and cosiness. This is achieved through the use of soft textures, such as linen and wool, and through the incorporation of natural light, candles and warming neutral tones. In this Scandi-style room, there is a gentle textured finish on wall. Textured finishes, whether achieved through a Resene paint effect or Resene wallpaper, soften the edges of a space and make it more comfortable and appealing to be in. In this bedroom the wall is painted in Resene Biscotti, a warm biscuit beige, then Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream has been applied on top for a limewashed chalky effect.
In this simple but stunning colour palette, the wall and floor are painted in Resene Rice Cake, sideboard in Resene Frontier, table in Resene Eagle, tealight holder in Resene Eagle and vase in Resene Rice Cake. Sofa from Nood, cushions, dried flower arrangement and mug from Freedom, fringed cushion from Bed Bath & Beyond, green cushion from The Warehouse, throw from H&M Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
The use of whites and light colours in Scandinavian design is influenced by the Nordic lifestyle, which emphasises simplicity and practicality. In Nordic countries, there is a tradition of using natural materials such as wood, stone and wool in design, and whites and light colours tend to complement these materials well. If you’re going for white walls, you can add in any other shade as your main accented colour, like gentle greens. Other shades to try are dusky reds like Resene Coral Tree, terracotta hues like Resene Tuscany and pastel greys like Resene Gull Grey.
Scandinavians take great pride in their furniture. Hero pieces feature clean lines and natural materials, often with a mid-century modern twist. Resene Wallpaper Collection IUM205, available from Resene ColorShops, features a tonal design that looks sensational with Scandinavian style furnishings. Try it with flooring in Resene Double Merino, skirting boards in Resene Rice Cake and a ceiling in Resene Half Merino.
Being the birthplace of Ikea, simple furniture plays a huge part in the Scandi aesthetic. Navigate towards clean lines and showcase pieces made from natural materials. If there’s a mid-century modern twist, even better. The key to replicating clean, clutter free spaces is to seek out multi-functional furniture and clever storage solutions This is especially useful for smaller homes and apartments.
This earthy toned space is simple and grounding. The floor is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, right wall in Resene Thorndon Cream, left feature wall in Resene Cobblestone, trims inResene Triple Thorndon Cream, chair in Resene Thunderstorm, table in Resene Half Lemon Grass, vase in Resene Credence and vases on shelf in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and Resene Cobblestone. Rug from Ivy House. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
Using soft shades of green, such as mint or sage, alongside a warm cream colour on walls imparts a refreshing and calming atmosphere. The combination of these nature-inspired hues brings the outdoors in, fostering a connection with nature - a key aspect of Scandi style. To enhance the aesthetic further, consider incorporating natural textures and materials like wood, ceramics, greenery and simple, functional furniture. Try other sage and pastoral greens like Resene Bud, Resene Flax or Resene Siam. These tones also pair well with wood stains like Resene Colorwood tinted to Resene Natural, Resene Oregon and Resene Teak.
This simple hallway with gorgeous white and ochre tones is minimal but with maximum appeal and beauty. The wall is painted in Resene Rice Cake, floor in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy, bench seat in Resene Gold Coast, frames in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy, Resene Colorwood Shore Thing, Resene Colorwood Rising Tide, Resene Colorwood Shade, wooden vase in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy and textured DIY art in Resene Spanish White. Cushions from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Simplicity, functionality, and minimalism play a big role in Scandi design. Keeping to a simple and cohesive colour palette like browns and whites will ensure your space won’t look too busy or cluttered. Making your own art boards or picture frames for the wall means you can co-ordinate the Resene colours you choose with whatever else you have going on in the room. There are so many Resene paint colours and wood stains available that you’ll always find something to co-ordinate with your furniture and cushions or to create the look you’re after.
Wooden features play a big part in Scandi design, and with wood stains you have many options to go as dark or light as you want to suit your style. Explore the Resene Colorwood wood stain range at www.resene.com/colorwood.
Published: 08 Aug 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Triple Bison Hide
Resene Triple Bison Hide
Resene Brown Bramble
Resene Brown Bramble
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
the look
If you're stuck on what
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Half Bison Hide
Resene Triple Bison Hide
Resene Triple Bison Hide
Resene Brown Bramble
Resene Brown Bramble
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Triple Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Spanish White
Resene Spanish White
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
