Inspiration

Stylists choose their favourite colour combos

We asked three creatives with different signature styles to theme rooms in their favourite colour combos

Alex chose Resene ‘Kermadec Green’.

Resene ‘Kermadec Green’ fetures on the wall.

Alex Walls, winner of The Block NZ 2014 and stylist

Alex, what was the inspiration for your colour story?
Recently I have been drawn to moody colour palettes that have a rich depth about them. I came across a beautiful image (through trusty Pinterest) of a living room with dark green walls. I haven’t seen this colour used a lot, and I like to take something unexpected and place it in an everyday setting in a way that will make your jaw drop. I wanted to use this colour as a backdrop and experiment with natural tones through soft furnishings to lift the mood and give the room warmth and life.

How did you choose your colours and why?
I chose Resene ‘Kermadec Green’ as the wall colour – but the colour palette couldn’t stop there! It’s important when using a colour like this not to create a lifeless and flat space. So I introduced brass and natural tones and textures.

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What kind of look were you trying to create?
A winter look that evoked a feeling of warmth and welcome. A bedroom should feel comfortable enough to stay in bed all day if you want. This room definitely has my name all over it, and I can just imagine sleeping in on a cold winter’s morning and enjoying the warmth that surrounds me.

How does this colour combo reflect you as a stylist?
I am definitely a minimalist when it comes to styling. I don’t like things to get too busy and uncomfortable for the eye. However, I do like to make a statement by working with colours and textures that you don’t see every day.

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Resene ‘Pot Pourri’ and Resene ‘Glamourpuss’ feature on this wall.

Tanya Wong, art director, Your Home and Garden

How did you choose your colours and why?
I wanted peach to be the star so I began with a peachy shade that caught my eye. I’m naturally drawn to the idea of two tonal colours working together – for me it creates a calm and restful feel – and I found this complementary pink by using a Resene colour chart. I still wanted something fresh and bright to add interest so yellow was the perfect fit.

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How did you create your chosen paint effect?
I wanted to create a strip of pink that continued from the wall onto the floor. Don’t forget about the floor when it comes to paint effects! I measured out the strip on the wall first, using a ruler and pencil, and masked it off with painter’s tape to create a thick strip that continued onto the floor at a slight angle. Having an asymmetrical strip frames the space beautifully and gives your setting a focal point that you can change up depending on where you put the furniture.

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Alex Fulton, interior designer and owner of AFD Store

How did you choose your colours and why?
For something to be colourful it does not have to be childish. I wanted the colours to be sophisticated, unexpected and interesting. I also wanted to create the entire space without using white as a mini challenge to myself – check!

What kind of look were you trying to create?
My space is a modern twist on an old-fashioned drawing room. I have a curious passion for ‘ye olde’ architecture, but reinvented in a modern way.

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How did you create the striped paint effect? I wanted to recreate the feeling of an elaborate trim without having to apply moulding to the wall to get the look of yesteryear. It’s an easy way to achieve a ‘reading den’ feel without the fuss. I measured the wall space and divided it up so that the two panels weren’t too big or small – they needed to complement the furniture proportions and not take over the room. I then used painter’s tape to map out the stripes and framing. Initially I measured out the dimensions, but as the wall was not straight I had to use my eye and adjust the widths by standing back and checking as I went.

Words by: Johanna Thornton. Photography by: Melanie Jenkins.

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