colour me neutral

However, our collective taste in neutrals is evolving, and our confidence in colour is growing too. Today’s new neutral trend goes beyond monochrome palettes to warmer, deeper shades that add colour and flair while keeping the versatility, style and sophistication we love about neutrals. Think dusky reds like Resene Coral Tree, muted ochres such as Resene Double Sisal, soft greens like Resene Pumice and yellow oxides such as Resene Tussock.

Whether you’re adding notes of a coloured neutral to an otherwise grey, white or cream colour palette, or going all-in with layers of analogous shades, these bolder neutrals can be a ‘safe’ way to begin experimenting with a touch of colour in your home.

Adding bolder neutrals to your palette brings the simple benefit of making spaces more inviting, says Resene Colour Expert Jackie Nicholls.

“Choosing neutrals with more depth to them can make a massive difference to the feeling of a space. More complex neutrals have interesting undertones that can help pull a scheme together.

“If you’re drawn to soft furnishings with a green slant for example, they will nestle best against neutrals with a similar undertone such as Resene Quarter Parchment. If you have dusky pinks, tan and chocolate-coloured furnishings, something like Resene Quarter Akaroa, with a taupe undertone, helps pull them all together.

“Always look at your Resene paint colours with your furnishings, flooring and accents to see how they work together.”

Jackie says bolder neutrals have a complexity and softness that can lend a room a more ‘high-end’ finish, and will often recede from the eye, making them ideal for smaller spaces or as a backdrop that allows key decor pieces to shine.

She suggests painting A2 sheets of card (leaving a 2cm wide unpainted border) with Resene testpots in different bolder neutral shades. Place them behind a favourite piece of furniture or artwork to see what really makes it pop. “More often than not, a deeper colour will create the best effect,” she says.

Get the best from bold neutrals

Paying attention to the undertones of any other traditional neutrals you’re using in your space will help you narrow down which bolder neutral colours to try, says Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey. Each Resene colour has a code starting with an R (red), O (orange), Y (yellow), G (green), B (blue), V (violet), BR (brown) or N (neutral) to help with this.

“Look to see if your traditional neutrals have hints of pink, green or yellow, for example. Noticing these variations allows you to play off that undertone with the other colours you layer on top. Try neighbouring colours on the Resene colour palette cards which have similar undertones but aren’t exactly the same variation of that neutral – this creates a more interesting palette,” Meryl says.

“Any colour can be subdued and appear neutral when combined with the basics such as greige, white or beige, and spreading the colour throughout the space with varying strengths, reduces the impact of a bolder colour, while still creating interest.”

If you want to create a monochrome effect with coloured neutrals, look to add visual interest with the use of texture, pattern and colour through Resene wallpapers, wood stains or paint effect finishes, Meryl suggests. And consider using your bolder colours in less expected places like the floor and ceiling, paired with wallpapers or painted walls in more traditional neutrals, to make a bold statement.

When combining different coloured neutrals, interior designer Megan Harrison-Turner says it’s best to keep to a similar colour profile or saturation.

If you’re opting for a muddy pink like Resene Cashmere, keep any other colours equally muddy or greyed off. Try pairing muted pink with smokier greens like Resene Staccato or greyed blues like Resene Duck Egg Blue, she says. “Putting a sharp clear shade next to a subtle, sophisticated ‘muddy’ colour is an instant colour killer.”

Colour combinations to try

Jackie suggests trying dusky or muddied pinks like Resene Wafer or Resene Martini with leathery browns or soft caramels such as Resene Cashmere and Resene Saddle. Bring everything together with a gentle, not-too-bright white, such as Resene Half Barely There.

For warm brown neutrals, Meryl suggests Resene Coral with an accent wall in Resene Gargoyle. Complete the look with trim in Resene Thorndon Cream or Resene Rice Cake and wood stain finishes in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt and Resene Colorwood Bark.

Yellows, both bold and muted, can work well as unexpected neutrals when you get the balance right. Meryl suggests walls in Resene Lime White for a fresh base, with trim in bolder Resene Hot Toddy. Pair with deeper accents in Resene Cafe Royale and Resene Keppel.

For a soft green neutral look, Megan recommends working with either cooler silvery greens like Resene Pumice and Resene Tasman or warmer tropical greens like Resene Pale Leaf and Resene Dingley.

Whatever colour combinations you choose, warm bolder neutrals may be just the way to start experimenting with more colour in your home.

Projects: Kate Alexander, Annick Larkin, Moneuan Ryan, Melle Van Sambeek
Words: Kerri Jackson
Images: Bryce Carleton

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