TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
From feature wallpapers to the latest looks in floors, these handy tips and trend updates from some of our leading homeware brands will help you dress your home from top to toe
SCANDI
Scandi design is a strong and flexible trend that can work well in a number of environments. Palettes are muted or washed out but still hold a hint of colour. Fabrics and furnishings are textured and layered using a subtle balance of two or three colours or a single hue in different strengths.
Flooring reflects a ‘less is more’ approach, favouring wide boards in pale wood. Rugs, rather than carpet, bring softness and warmth to rooms – a great tip is to get carpet cut to size and overlocked; that way you save yourself a few dollars and have a rug that’s custom-made for your space. Use a carpet that has a lovely texture underfoot such as a loop-pile type like Natural Formations ‘Hanging Rock’ or any Rhino carpet.
This is a wonderful interior style for openplan living and apartments where you want to maximise the feeling of space.
MID CENTURY MODERN
Pattern plays an important role in this style era. The mid-century modern design movement was born out of the post-war period when people lived with less and good design was required for both form and function. Loved for its simple lines, mid-century style has stood the test of time, and its clean shapes also work well with other design periods.
Its mix of metal, wood, texture and pattern is particularly suited to interiors with an industrial feel. Vinyl plank flooring is a fabulous choice for this style and comes in a multitude of colour, pattern, texture and size options, in addition to being highly durable and cost-effective.
Carpet with texture, colour, a mixed weave and a long pile length is another excellent fit.
HERITAGE
Buildings with a rich design history will need care and attention as well as a carefully considered design treatment. Our old villas and Californian-style bungalows require a softer approach with warmer colours and gentle textures and patterns that complement their age.
Flooring plays a large part in the overall feel of an older home, grounding the interior scheme and allowing you to build and layer your look. Floorboards in these houses are typically narrow and coloured in honey tones. If you’re laying new flooring, look at a board with a rustic grade finish so it shows some character, and keep the colour somewhere between lighter blond and warm chestnut. Alternatively, wider boards can also make a fabulous design statement. Rugs and carpet are ideal for bedrooms, hallways and stairs. A carpet runner for the stairs is a great way of adding an extra design detail.
Choose carpet in warm mule tones or stony taupes, and add a loop-pile cut if you desire further texture and layering. If your floors are honey-toned, stick with a beige colourway
– this may sound boring but it works! Try to find one that is not too yellow; go for sand tones instead. If you have a good light source, chocolate and richer browns can also work well.
When it comes to painting, most of us spend a lot of time choosing the colour. But it’s just as important to choose the product that best suits your home.
Painting over mould will likely just postpone the day when it grows back through the paint so pretreat the wall with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Bathrooms and other wet areas such as kitchens and laundries are especially prone to mould and need an enamel finish – the Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range with anti-bacterial silver and MoulDefender is ideal.
If you’re house-proud and like to wipe your ceilings, use a waterborne enamel such as Resene SpaceCote Flat, which you can easily wipe clean (standard ceiling paints aren’t designed for wiping so you’ll end up with shiny patches). As ceilings get less light than walls, your ceiling paint colour will appear darker. Choose a half or quarter strength of your Resene wall colour if you want it to look the same or lighter than your walls.
If you’re opting for a dark colour on walls, use matte Resene SpaceCote Flat to bring out the moodiness. In a more neutral scheme it’s best to go for a darker colour on doors to help hide fingermarks. Doors are one of the most touched surfaces in a house so make them easy to clean with a waterborne enamel such as Resene Lustacryl. And a washable paint, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, is the best choice for houses with pets and kids.
Finally, always choose your Resene paint colour last, after flooring, cabinetry… and the kitchen sink!