The tides are changing
Like many of today’s top trending hues, blues, too, are evolving
WITH MANY TRENDING colours getting toastier, it may come as little surprise that today’s popular blue tones are warming up, too. What may be surprising to some though, is just how versatile these warmer blues are. These hues can be anything you want them to be — exciting and decadent or restful and easy to live with — depending on which on-trend Resene shade of blue you choose and what you pair it with.
There are two important factors to consider when choosing the right blue. Firstly, examine the amount of light in your space — especially direct sunlight. For rooms with little or no sunlight, opt for deep warm blues with red undertones such as Resene Cobalt, Resene Biscay or Resene Madison.
The other important factor is the type of room. Is it a transitional space or is it a living space, bedroom or office?
“For transitional spaces, the blue can be sharper and stronger than in a high-use area such as a kitchen or living room,” explains interior designer Megan Harrison-Turner.
It is also important to note that even a little blue pigment can go a long way, so don’t just look at strictly shades of
blue alone. In some spaces, greys with blue undertones like Resene
Longitude, Resene Half Gull Grey, Resene Freestyling and Resene
Neutral Bay will read as blue once painted on the walls.
“A grey paint with blue pigment or ‘undertone’ can make a great base for a subtle and elegant colour scheme,” says Resene colour expert Brenda Ngatai.
If you are wanting a sophisticated interior, navy and teal blues such as Resene Coast, Resene Tarawera and Resene Cello are all warmer ways of embracing the dark hue trend.
Painting your walls in the deeper inky tones of Resene Indian Ink, Resene Tangaroa or Resene Avalanche are bold ways to build a look that feels cosy and cocooning. However, balance is key in avoiding the space feeling sombre.
Megan recommends keeping ceilings, trims and window frames light, using warmer off-whites such as Resene Rice Cake, Resene Half Villa White or neutral white Resene Sea Fog.
By contrast, sea blue and duck egg blues like Resene Linkwater, Resene Breathless, Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue and Resene Oxygen evoke a feeling of calm and serenity. Pair with soft neutral colours such as Resene Merino, Resene Quarter Bison Hide or Resene Half Spanish White.
If you’re still not convinced that warmer blue hues are for you, there are a lot of paler cool blues — such as Resene Casper, Resene Spindle, Resene Quarter Frozen and Resene Dusted Blue — that work well with the popular Scandi aesthetic and the Coastal Californian look.
Stonewashed blues like Resene Bounty, Resene Smokescreen and Resene Bluff are the perfect foundation for a more classic style of home such as villas and bungalows.
“The muted, dustier blues are much easier to live with than bright, vibrant blues. These classical tones work best with timber flooring and with the many greys — such as Resene Double Black White, Resene Hint Of Grey and Resene Mountain Mist — that have been so popular during recent years.”
Blues of any description pair easily with Resene’s vast collection of greens — the trick is using two colours that are not of equal depth. For those who want a more eclectic, contrasting colour scheme — say, pairing with blue and orange — the same rules apply.
Visit your local Resene ColorShop to find the best blue for your project or use the blue filter on www.habitatbyresene.co.nz to view blue projects.