The ultimate at-home zen zones champion the interplay of light and shadow through natural, lamp and candlelight, comfortable furniture on which to unwind, textural furnishings to appeal to your sense of touch, ample storage to eliminate clutter and the sound of only the breeze and birdsong to tune into while you tune out.
Left wall in Resene Oilskin, back wall in Resene Half Athens Grey with shape in Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe, floor in Resene Quarter Delta with shape in Resene Atomic. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
Work with a neutral palette
Resene colour consultant Amy Watkins says, “When creating a zen space, neutral, natural and earth tones come into their own. Colours like peppermint off-white Resene Ottoman, cream-beige Resene Blank Canvas and yellow-green Resene Zen are light with the same dusty undertones that create a calm feeling. Paint your trims the same colour as your walls for a minimalist effect or pair these wall colours with a soft, warm off-white, such as Resene Bianca or Resene Rice Cake.”
The ultimate neutral, white, is known for its relaxing qualities, and variations of the same shade will stop it seeming cold and clinical while producing a unified result. Steer towards warm and away from washed out in your zen zone by pairing a neutral wall colour like pale yellow cream Resene Creme De La Creme with a cream-based white such as starchy-white-with-a-touch-of-yellow Resene Half Rice Cake or almost-white, nearly-cream Resene Quarter Bianca, to maintain depth while preventing your hero hue from looking too strong.
Wall and ledge in Resene Copyrite, floor in Resene Colorwood Natural. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Bryce Carleton.
Combine other soothing colours
Earth, fire, water, wood and metal – the five elements of zen collaborate to balance an environment and can be incorporated into your relaxation room. Beyond neutral and earth tones, how about using colour to trigger the blue mind – the semi-meditative mental state the brain falls into when we’re in the presence of water? Described as ‘a walk in water or mist’, Resene Half Escape could be a key contender, as could tidal Resene Retreat or coastal Resene Half Kumutoto.
Green too is ripe for the picking when it comes to keeping the peace. Mirror the plants outside your window with paints reminiscent of native bush, such as mild olive Resene Highball, earthy neutral Resene Gingko and mustard green Resene Iko Iko. Ample indoor greenery will further bring the outside in, as will textiles made from natural materials like cotton, linen, wool, rattan and timber. Amy also suggests introducing a pop of fiery colour for balance.
Wall in Resene Breathless (top) and Resene Duck Egg Blue, skirting board in Resene Breathless, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
Be bold to keep things cosy
Deeper hues can set a cocooning, introspective mood. “Dining rooms and formal living rooms are great spaces in which to go bold,” says Amy. “Resene Dawn Glow, a warm orange with a hint of morning sun, Resene See The Light, a mild mustard gold, Resene Incarnadine, dying embers meet pinot noir, Resene Grape Escape, ashen red violet, Resene Wabi Sabi, a mid-toned green and Resene Forty Six, a warm, shaded green, are all from our latest Resene The Range fashion colour collection and are great examples of richer tones that can create a restful atmosphere.” These colours could be used on a single feature wall or all four for an immersive experience.
Bursts of brighter colour against a neutral background can also be atmospheric. Including them in the form of organic shapes is ideal in a zen zone, as the gentle curves feel welcoming while adding interest to an otherwise plain palette.
Wall in Resene Wan White, mandala in Resene Thor, floor in Resene Colorwood Greywash. Project by Annick Larkin, art by Hannah Tapner, image by Bryce Carleton.
For help choosing colours to suit your projects, visit your local Resene ColorShop, ask a Resene Colour Expert online, www.resene.co.nz/colourexpert or book a Resene Colour Consultation, www.resene.co.nz/colourconsult.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
