Maximalism
Matchy matchy
Installing wallpaper in the same pattern as your curtains or blinds adds impact to a room. “It’s particularly effective in a small room where it creates a sense of cosiness and being enveloped, but also works well in larger rooms,” says Andrea Bradley of Décor et Tissu. If you’re unsure whether a fully wallpapered room is your style, test-drive it in a bathroom or laundry first. “It makes a lovely change from seeing wall to wall tiling and adds a bit of glamour to otherwise utilitarian spaces, although it definitely requires excellent ventilation.” Tamzyn Adding agrees: “In powder rooms, people are choosing to wallpaper all four sides – and in some cases, we’ve had clients include the ceiling.” When it comes to paint, Davina Harper says there’s definitely a growing confidence in colour – especially in rooms like laundries, studies, bedrooms and bathrooms. “Colour is a great way to add interest to a space, to help define a room and evoke a certain mood and atmosphere. We are seeing beautiful combinations of wallpaper and paint that break with tradition to inspire living spaces that explore a new bespoke feel,” she says.
Metallic glamour
Wallpapers with Great Gatsby-esque pearl, matt and metallic finishes also create standout interiors. “It’s an opportunity to bring art to your home, but rather than framed on a wall, it is the wall itself,” says Dale Bygrave, who favours environmentally friendly company Omexco for sophisticated printing and embossing techniques. Another example is Kerrie Brown’s Broken Marble in Cassata, made to order in Australia. “There has been a rise in orderly yet elegant motifs that echo art deco and art nouveau styles,” says Resene’s Karen Warman. “Art deco revival offers a new opportunity to bring an abundance of opulent elegance. If you dare to bring the drama of the roaring 20s into your interior, a stylish and swanky wallpaper is the perfect place to start. Colourwise, bold use of red, black and white together
balanced with softer, mid-range neutrals is the way to go."
That 70s show
Lovers of maximalism rejoice: “It’s all about glamour, luxury and juxtaposed materials,” says Tricia Dunlop of Lahood, adding that maximalism works best when there is a common theme. “It’s still colourful, busy and exciting but it’s cohesive and makes sense.” Current themes include animal prints and rich ochres, rusts and red tones which hint at the 70s design influence, a key take away from the recent Milan Furniture Fair. Pair with spiced oranges, such as Resene Bi Hoki and weathered mustard golds, such as Resene Thumbs Up.
DIY murals
Create a wall mural of your favourite place, memory or picture, perfectly sized to fit whatever space you have available, using Resene WallPrint. Or discover your inner artist and get creative with paint. “Rather than the traditional way of having an entire wall as a mural homeowners are creating mini murals to decorate small areas of their home in place of full feature walls,” says Karen Warman. “This is a handy way to add a touch of colour and personality without overwhelming a space. And by keeping the design simple, you don’t need to be an artist to achieve an Instagram-worthy result.”
Refresh for less
If you’re looking for an easy way to transform your kitchen, bathroom or laundry walls without the cost of a full-blown renovation, the new Dulux Renovation Range can revitalise tiles, cabinets and benchtops. All you need to do is clean your surface, apply your chosen colour and add any finishing touches such as a clear coat or grout. “An architectural shape made with paint adds additional interest to any room,” says Davina Harper.