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Channel a relaxed coastal feeling this Christmas with a palette awash with uplifting blues. Paint rooms and accessories in dark and bright shades of Resene paint to refine the look. In our Christmas setting, the floor and the tongue-and-groove wall are painted in Resene Cut Glass. The tree decorations, presents and present gift tags are painted in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat, Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue, Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat. The star on the tree is Resene Scandal. The bench seat is Resene Teal Blue and the reindeer are Resene Ziggurat and Resene Scandal.
The large tray coffee table is Resene Teal Blue and the small tray table is Resene Foam. The reindeer is Resene Ziggurat and the flat bowl is Resene Wishless. Shell garland in Resene Kumutoto and Resene Teal Blue and Resene White for the lettering. Wall painted in Resene Cut Glass, cabinet in Resene Kumutoto. On the cabinet from left to right: tTall vase in Resene Teal Blue, ceramic Christmas tree in Resene Scandal, tea light holder in Resene Dauntless, small bowl in Resene Wishlist (on book stack), mid-size vase in Resene Wishlist and smalllest round vase in Resene Hippie Blue. The tree decorations, presents and present gift tags are painted in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat, Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue, Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat. The star on the tree is Resene Scandal. The Freedom Furniture sofa is from Freedom Furniture painted in Resene Teal Blue and the linen cushions and throw are from Adairs.
The curved shapes of the painted scallop shells paired with round baubles bring the beach indoors. The tree decorations are painted in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat, Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue, Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat. Wall colour Resene Cut Glass, cabinet Resene Kumutoto. Wooden Christmas trees in; Resene Teal Blue (large) and Resene Ziggurat (small), reindeer in Resene Ziggurat, presents in Resene Teal Blue and, Resene Retreat.
Wall painted in Resene Cut Glass, cabinet in Resene Kumutoto. On the cabinet from left to right: Reindeer in Resene Scandal, tall vase in Resene Teal Blue, tea light holder in Resene Dauntless, faux books in Resene Teal Blue and Resene Scandal, small bowl in Resene Wishlist (on book stack). Shell garland in Resene Kumutoto and Resene Teal Blue and Resene White for the lettering.
Background in Resene Cut Glass with A4 drawdown paint swatches (from left to right) in Resene Foam, Resene Cut Glass, Resene Half Kumutoto, Resene Reservoir, Resene Retreat,Resene Wishlist, Resene Ziggurat, Resene Hippie Blue, and Resene Teal Blue, Reindeer painted in Resene Scandal, shell garland in Resene Kumutoto and Resene Teal Blue and gift box in Resene Retreat.
Place mats and shell painted in Resene Teal Blue. Lettering on shell Resene White. Jouet champagne flutes, series dinner and side plates from Freedom, cutlery and tablecloth stylist’s own.
Present boxes and shell gift tags painted in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat,Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue,Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat.
Create peaceful and relaxed festive flair with beach-themed Christmas decorations
For many of us, Christmas at the beach resonates more than festive scenes with snowflakes and snowmen. This year has been quite a year. Make the festive season as relaxing as possible by embracing the blue tones associated with the ocean and clear skies.
December is one of the busiest months of the year. Decorating your home in calming, tranquil blues will create a serene environment – an antidote for hustle and bustle. A blue theme ties in with relaxing beach days, sand between the toes and long hours of sunshine (fingers crossed).
- More Christmas ideas:
A jolly and warm holiday look with Resene Merlot
A green-on-green festive theme
Make a fun advent calendar
Get into the festive spirit with this DIY paper box colour wreath
The large tray coffee table is Resene Teal Blue and the small tray table is Resene Foam. The reindeer is Resene Ziggurat and the flat bowl is Resene Wishless. Shell garland in Resene Kumutoto and Resene Teal Blue and Resene White for the lettering. Wall painted in Resene Cut Glass, cabinet in Resene Kumutoto. On the cabinet from left to right: tTall vase in Resene Teal Blue, ceramic Christmas tree in Resene Scandal, tea light holder in Resene Dauntless, small bowl in Resene Wishlist (on book stack), mid-size vase in Resene Wishlist and smalllest round vase in Resene Hippie Blue. The tree decorations, presents and present gift tags are painted in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat, Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue, Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat. The star on the tree is Resene Scandal. The Freedom Furniture sofa is from Freedom Furniture painted in Resene Teal Blue and the linen cushions and throw are from Adairs.
While red and green are the traditional colours of Christmas, there are a lot of reasons to embrace the colour blue for family gatherings in the festive season. In a piece for Psychology Today, Dr Marc Nemiroff writes that while blue is the colour of uplifting blue skies, positivity and in Christianity the colour of Mary, it’s also a symbol of pain and sadness, think singing the blues. This range of associated feelings makes blue one of the most empathetic hues, good for the soul and in the Christmas spirit. “Emotionally blue is the most accepting of colours and the most inclusive,” he says.
Explore all of the blue tones on offer – from bright aquas such as Resene Freelance, to the energetic Resene She’ll Be Right or the duskier mid blue Resene Moby.
Resene Cut Glass is a crisp, upbeat hue which will boost the energy in the room, refreshing and uplifting like a swim in the sea. In our Christmas scene, Resene Cut Glass coats the floor and tongue-and-groove wall, ensuring a light, serene base from which the blue Christmas theme colours are layered.
The curved shapes of the painted scallop shells paired with round baubles bring the beach indoors. The tree decorations are painted in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat, Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue, Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat. Wall colour Resene Cut Glass, cabinet Resene Kumutoto. Wooden Christmas trees in; Resene Teal Blue (large) and Resene Ziggurat (small), reindeer in Resene Ziggurat, presents in Resene Teal Blue and, Resene Retreat.
Scatter the blue tones across furniture and create colour accents with paintable accessories such as vases, bowls, throws and cushions. Keep building layers of blue hues to achieve a refined look.
A cabinet can store presents and games on Christmas Day, and any cutlery or crockery that you’ll use for your festive meal. This cabinet is painted in Resene Kumutoto, a deep aqua full of personality. The beauty of furniture is that you can bring in multiple tones. Try using a darker tone on the front doors with a lighter shade on the sides and top.
Wall painted in Resene Cut Glass, cabinet in Resene Kumutoto. On the cabinet from left to right: Reindeer in Resene Scandal, tall vase in Resene Teal Blue, tea light holder in Resene Dauntless, faux books in Resene Teal Blue and Resene Scandal, small bowl in Resene Wishlist (on book stack). Shell garland in Resene Kumutoto and Resene Teal Blue and Resene White for the lettering.
Beachy decorations
Your homemade decorations start with a peaceful walk on the beach to collect shells or you can look to driftwood or other options. Alternatively, shells are available from craft and homeware stores. The natural curves of the seashells are ideal for Christmas tree decorations as they sit pretty alongside traditional baubles.
Let the tonal blues flow further onto your gift wrapping, with present boxes painted in bold and beautiful blues. Finish with bonny ribbons and homemade shell gift tags. To create a festive garland, take more shells and paint a letter on each, spelling out a festive word.
For the Christmas table setting, paint the guest's name on the shell and use it as a name placeholder. Touches of glistening gold in the cutlery and rustic twine bring the scheme down to earth.
Layering your tones from light to dark blues ground your festive space. The result is a chilled out setting which will soak up the festive fun.
Background in Resene Cut Glass with A4 drawdown paint swatches (from left to right) in Resene Foam, Resene Cut Glass, Resene Half Kumutoto, Resene Reservoir, Resene Retreat,Resene Wishlist, Resene Ziggurat, Resene Hippie Blue, and Resene Teal Blue, reindeer painted in Resene Scandal, shell garland in Resene Kumutoto and Resene Teal Blue and gift box in Resene Retreat.
Create a shell garland
You will need:
4 large shells and 4 small shells
2 Resene testpots in your choice of colours plus white for lettering. Vanessa used Resene Teal Blue,Resene Kumutoto and Resene White
Resene testpot brush
String or twine
Hot-glue gun and glue
Artist’s paint brush
Step 1
Paint the four large shells in the same colour (Vanessa painted hers in Resene Teal Blue).
Step 2
Paint the four small shells in the same colour (Vanessa used Resene Kumutoto).
Step 3
Paint the letters ‘Noel’ onto the large shells in Resene White paint using an artist’s paint brush.
Step 4
Cut a piece of string which is approximately 140cm in length.
Step 5
Lay out the shells onto the string. The first and last shell should be 20cm in from the end of the string. Shells should be approximately 15cm apart.
Step 6
Once you have worked out the spacing, glue the shells to the string using a hot-glue gun.
Step 7
Leave the shells to set for an hour before hanging the garland up.
Place mats and shell painted in Resene Teal Blue. Lettering on shell Resene White. Jouet champagne flutes, series dinner and side plates from Freedom, cutlery and tablecloth stylist’s own.
Shell name place setting
You will need:
Large smooth shells
Resene testpots in your desired colour and white for lettering. Vanessa used Resene Teal Blue.
Resene testpot brush
Artist’s paint brush
Step 1
Paint your smooth shells in your desired colour and leave to dry.
Step 2
Using an artist’s paint brush, paint the person’s name onto the shell using a testpot of Resene White and leave to dry.
Step 3
Place the named shell onto your table setting.
Shell Christmas tree decorations
You will need:
A mix of sizes in shells
Resene testpots in your desired colours (Vanessa used Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue,Resene Retreat, Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro,Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue, Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat).
Resene testpot brushes
Hot-glue gun and glue
String (to make tree hangers)
Step 1
Wash all shells and dry to get rid of excess sand and grit.
Step 2
Paint all the shells in a range of colours using the Resene testpots.
Step 3
Cut your string into 15cm lengths and tie a knot to create a loop.
Step 4
Glue the string loops to the back of each shell using a hot-glue gun.
Step 5
Hang on tree.
Present boxes and shell gift tags painted in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat,Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue,Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat.
Shell gift tags
You will need:
White cardboard
Scissors
Hole punch
String or twine
Ruler and pencil
Hot-glue gun and glue
Resene testpot brushes
Resene testpots in your favourite colours (we used in Resene Cut Glass, Resene Kumutoto, Resene Dauntless, Resene Wishlist, Resene Teal Blue, Resene Retreat, Resene Scandal, Resene Maestro, Resene Foam, Resene Reservoir, Resene Hippie Blue, Resene Norwester and Resene Ziggurat).
Step 1
Take a ruler and pencil and create a tag shape which is approximately 12cm in length and 6.5cm wide (use our image as a guide).
Step 2
Cut the tag shape out with scissors and use as template to draw more tags onto your cardboard.
Step 3
Cut out the tags and hole punch the end.
Step 4
Paint small shells in desired colours using Resene testpots.
Step 5
Cut some twine which is 20cm in length, fold in half and loop through punched hole.
Step 6
Using a hot-glue gun glue the small shells onto the ends of the tags and leave to dry before tying to the present.
styling Vanessa Nouwens
images Bryce Carleton
Published: 02 Dec 2020
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
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colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
