There’s plenty of action happening for walls this year, including exciting paint effects.
The two-colour scumble
This striking scumble paint technique can be as bold or subtle as you like. Paint the wall with two coats of one of your chosen Resene colours, using a normal sleeve roller. Then, using a fluffier No.3 roller sleeve, load your second colour and work from the bottom up releasing pressure and pulling the roller off at the height you want. This is called laying off. The wall’s base (left) is Resene Point Break and the secondary colour is Resene Ruby Tuesday.
Dark and interesting
Try painting your bedroom a dark shade. You’ll create a restful retreat, conducive to sleep. A soft off-black, such as Resene Nocturnal, cosies up beautifully with a floor painted in Resene Viktor.
Blue period
Be daring in areas you pass through, rather than over-colouring your living area. This entrance (left) is a great example of the power of paint. The bottom part of the wall is painted Resene Biscay, the top half Resene Half Dusted Blue, and the floor is Resene Chalk Dust. Tonally they work together but there’s a crispness and sense of drama at play.
French provincial
Paint effects can be subtle too. To get an aged European country look on walls or even furniture, you’ll need two paint colours – one light and one darker. Try Resene Double Alabaster and Resene Silver Chalice. Apply two base coats of Resene Double Alabaster. Then, using Resene Silver Chalice, dilute the paint with Resene Paint Effects Medium, and add Resene Hot Weather Additive to slow drying. Work quickly and brush the darker colour over the base in a criss-cross pattern. Immediately, wipe off with a soft cloth, using a downwards motion to reveal some of the base colour. For furniture or areas that need extra protection coat with Resene Aquaclear.
The console (right) is Resene Blast Grey 1 metallic. The pots are textured with Resene Sandtex, then given an ombre effect by blending Resene Gravel and Resene Alabaster. The upper wall is Resene Triple Sea Fog and the floor, trims and shelves are Resene Double Alabaster.
