Designs that don’t date

Tackling a home renovation can be daunting, particularly if you’re new to the process and have a limited budget.

We all want the most bang for our design buck and part of that is giving your finessed interiors the best chance at a long life, with looks you’ll continue to love for years without needing to re-do them in a short space of time; or, you might be redecorating to make your space attractive to as many potential big-spending buyers as possible.

All of that calls for classic styles that will stand the test of time, while also letting your individuality shine through. It might sound like a tall order, but with a little planning, the right Resene products and good advice, you’ll be on your way to an elegant and ageless finish.

Nice and neutral

Resene colour consultant Meryl Southey says one of the simplest ways to start building a timeless look that’s versatile with wide appeal is to start with a neutral base, which needn’t mean going for white-on-white.

“Neutrals have an inherently classic quality that doesn’t go in and out of style as some colours do. They help to ground schemes and evoke a timeless feel, but you can still introduce accents via muted or dark shades in current colours to create a cohesive look or a particular planned style.”

Mutedearthy tones add richness and personality to a timeless look. Adding them indecor and furnishings means the look can be refreshed easily over time. Upperwall and built-in cabinet painted in Half Tea, floor stain colour washedin Colorwood Whitewash, vase in Quarter Tea and book in Milk Chocolate. Bedding from Bed, Bath & Beyond, pale linen cushion coverfrom H&M, ottoman from Mocka, mirror from Kmart. Project by Amber Armitage,image by Wendy Fenwick.

To get started Meryl suggests working with Resene’s range of warm mid-toned neutrals, which work well as a backdrop for a wide range of colour palettes. The versatility of beige tones means they can change in appearance based on the colours and light conditions around them.

“Resene’s collection of beiges and off-whites ranges from pink-based shades like Resene Solitaire and yellow-based tones like Resene Haystack to those with greyer or even greenish notes like Resene Truffle and Resene Ash. That gives you a broad spectrum of neutrals to experiment with as the base of your classic look.”

Sandy-toned off-white Resene Fossil is a beautiful, warm base for a classic Hamptons style coastal look paired with crisper Resene Alabaster on trims, accents in deep blue Resene Coast and wood stained in Resene Colorwood Natural.

When working with warm neutrals like Resene Half Tea or Resene Quarter Tea, subtle shifts in the undertone of your neutrals, and the colours you pair them with - as well as the light conditions in your room can make a big difference to the feel of a finished room, Meryl says.

Top tip: To keep your look cohesive, match cool and warm undertones in your look and think about whether you want your finished room to feel cool and fresh or warm and luxurious.

Beyond beiges and creams, Meryl says other versatile neutrals to try for a timeless finish are warm greys like Resene Quarter Friar Greystone and Resene Eighth Stonehenge, or deeper earthy tones like Resene Gravel or Resene Bison Hide.

Pairingmuted botanical greens with fresh neutrals creates an ageless, airy space thatfeels connected to nature. Back wall, floor, lamp base and vase painted in Bubble White, front wall in Bud and table in Siam. Artworkstylist’s own. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.

If you want to keep your finished look to a classic all-neutral look to break it up with texture rather than colour, Meryl suggests you “introduce pattern and texture to create interest. Keep to classic shapes and forms with a simple botanical wallpaper design like Resene Wallpaper Collection 37363-5 for example. You could also experiment with a textured paint finish using Resene Sandtex. It creates a Mediterranean effect that works beautifully with wood stained in a neutral shade like Colorwood Dark Rimu.”

“A key part of creating a timeless design is to work with good quality materials and products that will stand the test of time,” she says.

Other ways to add texture and visual impact to an all-neutral space are wainscoting or wall panelling, and sponged or weathered finishes using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium, Resene FX Faux Rust Effect and FX Crackle

Classic colours

If you want to dip your toe into coloured interiors while keeping your look classic, rather than trendy, a good place to start is what’s already around you, Meryl suggests.

“Colours inspired by nature will almost always feel timeless. Think deep muted blues like Cello, leafy greens like Smashed Avocado, earthy browns like Colins Wicket, and rustic reds like Incarnadine. These colours can sit beautifully alongside neutrals like taupe and off-whites for an ageless look, punctuate the look with finishing flair using accents of FX Metallic paint or a brighter, sharper colour.

Muted blues andearthy neutrals combine to create a classic coastal look. Wall painted in Quarter Powder Blue, floor stain colour washed in ColorwoodBreathe Easy, bench in Clouded Blue, door and shelf in PowderBlue, planter in Periglacial Blue and Powder Blue, footed dish in Quarter Powder Blue, small plant pot in Quarter Periglacial Blueand coral in Alabaster. Faux plant from Adairs, cushion covers fromH&M Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

Top tip: If you’re focusing on two colours, don’t use them in equal amounts; they’ll end up competing. Choose one as your main colour and use the other as secondary highlights. The simplest combo to work with is often three colours - using your main colour in 60% of the space, a second colour in 30% with an accent colour in 10%.

Another approach when shopping around for colours that add timeless elegance to your space is to think about classic colour combinations. Try groups of typically two or three colours known to work well together, usually because of their position in relation to each other on the colour wheel.

Some ideas to get you started are:

Black and white: The ultimate classic colour combo. Keep to the basics with Black or White or add a nuanced spin with deep navy Tangaroa and creamy Cararra.

Red, blue and yellow: A bolder pop of primary colours creates a creative yet timeless look. Try Bright Red, Cobalt and Turbo as accents against classic Mondrian-style black All Black and off-white Black White. For a softer effect, go for muted versions of the classic primaries in Pohutukawa, Putty and Bali Hai.

Green and yellow: To keep it from going too sporty opt for khaki tones such as Flax with pale golds such as Butter.

Fauxwood panels and a textured finish bring timeless style to this dining room.Walls painted in a base of Contented with topcoats in Ebb and Albescent White mixed with FX Paint Effects Medium, floor stainedin Colorwood Bleached Riverstone, console table in Contented,planter in Half Sauvignon, table in Albescent White, table vasein Half Blanc, console vase in Twisted Sister and scalloped bowlin Black White. Chairs from Dansk Møbler.Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carlton.

Pink and green: This delightful combination has so many possibilities, but for a classic look try dusty pink tones in Resene Soothe and muted botanical hues like Resene Spanish Green that won’t age.

Top tip: Pick up a copy of the Resene The Classics Collection colour chart to see a curated range of popular Resene colours that are timeless colour choices for homes.

Ultimately what will really create a lasting look for your home that feels sophisticated and inviting, Meryl says, is choosing a palette that reflects your individual style, taste and lifestyle, rather than one based on what someone else thinks is cool or on trend.

If you need help with ideas to decorate your home, come in and visit your local Resene ColorShop, Ask a Resene Colour Expert free online, www.resene.com/colourexpert or book a Resene Colour Consultation free instore or virtually or a paid home visit in selected areas, www.resene.com/colourconsult.