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This outdoor patio has a crazy tile effect on the floor paired with a feature wall using Resene FX Paint Effects medium. Stone flooring look created using Resene Midwinter Mist with painted ‘grout’ in Resene Stack. Wall in Resene FX Paint Effects medium coloured with Resene Half Alabaster over Resene Arrowroot. The skirting board is in Resene Half Alabaster. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
This room has been given a soft and subtle finish with Resene Colorwood Whitewash on the walls, complementing the earth-toned accessories and cabinet in Resene Colins Wicket. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Dusky pastels add soft elegance to this hallway. The table is painted in Karen Walker Paints Chalk Colour tinted to Resene Grain Brown and finished in Karen Walker Paints Vintage Wax. The wall is painted in Resene Half Washed Green and the floor is Resene Powder Blue. Project by Leigh Stockton, image by Bryce Carleton
This pastel watercolour wall is painted in dreamy Resene Castaway (try Resene Doeskin for a current alternative), Resene Gunsmoke,Resene Martini,Resene Silver Chalice and Resene Double Alabaster and is created by dipping a large thick brush in water to blend each layer of colour into the next. Floor and skirting in Resene Double Alabaster. Project by Greer Clayton, image by Melanie Jenkins.
This room has been completely transformed with a bold paint look that plays a trick on the eyes. The 3D effect has been created with Resene Essence (try Resene Poet for a current alternative), Resene Melodic (try Resene De Janeiro for a current alternative for a current alternative), Resene Whirlwind (try Resene Gothic for a current alternative), Resene Reflection (try Resene Seagull for a current alternative), Resene Steam Roller (try Resene Half New Denim Blue for a current alternative), Resene Castaway (try Resene Doeskin for a current alternative), Resene Nauti (try Resene Shakespeare for a current alternative), Resene Cruising (try Resene Panorama for a current alternative), Resene Mozart and Resene Half Raven. Project by Megan Harrison Turner, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Become a special effects artist in your home: A beginner’s guide to limewashing, chalk paint and Resene FX Paint Effects medium
You’d be surprised at the range of completely unique looks you can achieve with paint, from watercolour walls to faux stone finishes. It’s all possible with the Resene FX Paint Effects range. If you’re looking for something to give a room a fresh look, one of these ideas could be for you. The only limit is your imagination!
Why paint effects?
Paint effects give you the freedom to capture a mood, create an ambience and transform the mundane into something quite special. A freshly painted wall looks beautiful but what if you’re after something just a little different? Or maybe you’re keen to upcycle some furniture and a straight paint finish might be a little too plain. Some techniques also have the practical benefit of disguising less-than-perfect surfaces. In fact, imperfections in the surface can add to the overall impact of the effect.
The right products
There are plenty of specialty Resene products to help you create beautiful surfaces. We’ve compiled some of our favourites here:
- For a modern metallic look: Metallic paints from the Resene Metallics and Special Effects range from classics such as pewter and gold, through to brightly coloured hues.
- For dreamy, whitewashed walls:Resene Colorwood Whitewash and Resene Colorwood Greywash for an easy-to-achieve and durable washed effect.
- For creative freedom: Resene FX Paint Effects medium is a tintable acrylic medium that allows you to easily create unique paint effects such as ragging, sponging and limewash effect.
- For a vintage look:Resene FX Crackle gives an antique looking finish.
A faux finish
This outdoor patio has a crazy tile effect on the floor paired with a feature wall using Resene FX Paint Effects medium. Stone flooring look created using Resene Midwinter Mist with painted ‘grout’ in Resene Stack. Wall in Resene FX Paint Effects medium coloured with Resene Half Alabaster over Resene Arrowroot. The skirting board is in Resene Half Alabaster. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
Who said you need real stones or concrete to create the looks you want? When it comes to floors, we often forget that a paintbrush is a great option for giving them a colourful refresh. The beauty of paint is that it can be used to mimic virtually anything – a stone or tiled floor, a concrete wall, even a terrazzo surface. Floors are a perfect canvas for creating new looks without breaking the bank. The real beauty lies in knowing that, whichever pattern and technique you choose, it can easily be changed when your tastes or style shifts.
Achieve tiled or stone looks with stencils or masking tape, or go for a free-form approach. If you’re unsure of your artistic talents, practice on cardboard first. After limewash-look floors or walls? Try Resene FX Paint Effects.
Top tip: A painted floor can be the ideal stopgap measure while you save up for a whole new floor. In a large room, bringing some visual interest in through painted patterns on the floor is also a great way to break up the space and delineate zones.
Washed out
This room has been given a soft and subtle finish with Resene Colorwood Whitewash on the walls, complementing the earth-toned accessories and cabinet in Resene Colins Wicket. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Go for an on-trend ethereal effect that adds both dimension and a dreamy quality to a home. Colourwash your walls and achieve either a moody and dramatic look with darker hues, or a fresh and light effect with lighter tones. Even washing one accent wall or a statement piece of furniture can have a huge impact on a space.
Resene has developed a series of products that give the appeal and look of washes already mixed for you. Resene Colorwood Whitewash is part of the Resene Colorwood collection, and gives a whitewashed look when applied direct to timber. It can be used on floors, walls, furniture or accessories, and in combination with stencilling and other colour-blocking. White not the look you’re after? Resene Colorwood Greywash is similar to whitewash but with a greyed effect for a more antiqued look. It comes in two strengths – light and mid – and can also be used on wooden floors, walls and furniture. Or choose from the Resene We Speak Beach series of colourwash colours for a range of washed hues inspired by beach tones.
Top tip: Different brushstrokes and tools will create different looks on your walls. Paintbrushes will offer a more defined look, and a sponge or rag will result in a softer finish.
Chalk it up
Dusky pastels add soft elegance to this hallway. The table is painted in Karen Walker Paints Chalk Colour tinted to Resene Grain Brown and finished in Karen Walker Paints Vintage Wax. The wall is painted in Resene Half Washed Green and the floor is Resene Powder Blue. Project by Leigh Stockton, image by Bryce Carleton
Don’t let your creativity stop at painting the four walls in your home, experiment with your furniture! Nothing refreshes an old table that’s been sitting in a hallway neglected for years like a lick of paint. Likewise, if you’ve found a gem at an op shop, a fresh coat of a Resene hue will do just the trick to bring it back to life.
If you’re looking for something unique, Karen Walker Paints Chalk Colour from Resene ColorShops creates a beautiful velvety matte finish when applied to furniture and other surfaces, even small decorative items. For most surfaces, just wipe down and start painting – no priming, sanding or sealing needed. Depending on the look you want to create, apply one or two coats of Karen Walker Paints Chalk Colour and finish with Karen Walker Soft Wax or for a more ‘aged’ French provincial look, use Karen Walker Vintage Wax.
Watercolour magic
This pastel watercolour wall is painted in dreamy Resene Castaway (try Resene Doeskin for a current alternative), Resene Gunsmoke,Resene Martini,Resene Silver Chalice and Resene Double Alabaster and is created by dipping a large thick brush in water to blend each layer of colour into the next. Floor and skirting in Resene Double Alabaster. Project by Greer Clayton, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Maybe as a child you had a watercolour set and loved creating scenes with different splashes of colour. Now the technique has taken the interiors world by storm – watercolour’s gentle change in tones can be applied straight to your walls at home.
A watercolour wall is a more dramatic interpretation of a wash effect, where the paint is applied in strips of colour over a basecoat, then overbrushed with a large wet paint or wallpaper brush so that one colour runs into the one below. To get the look, start from the top or bottom of the wall, and brush on stripes of the different colours, one at a time in uneven widths for an organic, softer look. The finished look is incredibly peaceful, and looks like a giant art piece on your wall.
Create a soothing, nature-inspired mood with colours like Resene Kombi, Resene Pacifika and Resene Nirvana. Or go pink and pretty with shades like Resene Paper Doll, Resene Ebb and Resene Soothe. Try adding Resene FX Pearl Shimmer for a soft shimmery sparkle with any paint colour.
It’s all an illusion
This room has been completely transformed with a bold paint look that plays a trick on the eyes. The 3D effect has been created with Resene Essence (try Resene Poet for a current alternative), Resene Melodic (try Resene De Janeiro for a current alternative for a current alternative), Resene Whirlwind (try Resene Gothic for a current alternative), Resene Reflection (try Resene Seagull for a current alternative), Resene Steam Roller (try Resene Half New Denim Blue for a current alternative), Resene Castaway (try Resene Doeskin for a current alternative), Resene Nauti (try Resene Shakespeare for a current alternative), Resene Cruising (try Resene Panorama for a current alternative), Resene Mozart and Resene Half Raven. Project by Megan Harrison Turner, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Create special effects looks that trick the eye with paint, it’s easier than you think! Simple and effective, colour-blocking can transform a wall or a piece of furniture like a bookcase. You can use sections of a wall, use your blocks of colour in a random way or apply a repeating pattern based on simple shapes such as triangles, rectangles or squares. Or you can create more dramatic walls using 3D geometric effects. A bold feature wall with a special effect on it will draw the eye to it and centre the room.
For an energising bundle of colours for a kid’s room, try creating a look with hues like Resene Wild Thing, Resene Half Turbo, Resene Paua and Resene Limeade.
Top tip: Decorating kids’ rooms? Try Resene FX Blackboard Paint or Resene FX Chalkboard Paint for a chalkboard finish, ideal for noticeboards. Or to add some delicate shimmer to a painted wall or object, use Resene FX Pearl Shimmer. It’s great for rooms where a little moon dust or fairy dust is needed. Reach for the stars with a night time scene painted in Resene FX Nightlght glow-in-the-dark paint.
What are you waiting for? There’s a special effect perfect for any home, it just takes a little creativity. Visit your local Resene ColorShop for advice on the best products and colours to use to help you achieve your creative idea. For more creative ideas, see the habitat plus – paint effects book, available free in-store or view online www.resene.com/habitatplus.
Published: 11 Aug 2022
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New Denim Blue
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Half Alabaster
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Half New Denim Blue
Resene Half New Denim Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
