Spending time surrounded by intense colours like red can actually raise your heart rate. Resene blues, on the other hand, are among the easiest colours to live with. Darker/denim blues in particular have just the right amount of greyed dustiness to them to make them perfectly suited for our intense natural light. The wall in this calm bedroom is in Resene Rhino, floor in Resene Iron and battens in Resene Half Denim Blue, Resene Gull Grey, Resene Neutral Bay and Resene Midwinter Mist. Chest of drawers in Resene Gull Grey, bedside table in Resene Neutral Bay, pendant lamp in Resene Iron, footed bowl on bench seat in Resene Rhino, squiggle vase and crinkle vase in Resene Half Denim Blue, tealight holder (on books) in Resene Rhino and books painted in Resene Rhino and Resene Neutral Bay. Duvet cover and pillowcases from Foxtrot Home, throw and rug from H&M Home, linen cushion from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.

For a soft and soothing take on pink, dusky Resene Rascal on the walls is paired with warm creams. The floor is Resene Quarter Sandspit Brown and the coffee tables are Resene Spanish White. Project by Gem Adams, image by Melanie Jenkins.

Your bedroom is your sanctuary – the place where you begin and end each day, and where you retreat to recharge your batteries. It’s also a space that demands special care be taken when decorating and selecting a colour palette. Create an atmosphere of calm and promote wellbeing with green. The upper wall here is in Resene Stone Age, lower batten wall in Resene Wilderness and floor in Resene Green White. Side tables in Resene Alabaster with ‘marble effect’ in Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with Resene Rolling Stone, cacti plant pot in Resene Celeste, jug vase in Resene Spitfire, diamond-textured vase in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, tiny vase in Resene Lime White, large vase in Resene Beethoven, lidded dish (on table) in Resene Hampton, round vase in Resene Toffee and plant pot in Resene Teak. Rug from Freedom Furniture, lamp from The Design Store, linens and cushions from Città. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Building a colour palette on grounding and earthy hues like Resene Dusty Road,Resene Lichen, Resene Half Nomad,Resene Brown Sugar and Resene Brown Pod will bring a sense of warmth and comfort to your space while at the same time being playful and energising. Wall in Resene Half Akaroa, floor in Resene Mondo with round painted rug in Resene Brown Pod,Resene Lichen,Resene Brown Sugar and Resene Dusty Road. DIY artwork in Resene Quarter Akaroa with shapes in Resene Mondo, Resene Brown Sugar, Resene Half Akaroa,Resene Half Nomad,Resene Lichen, Resene Dusty Road and Resene Brown Pod. Vases in Resene Quarter Akaroa, Resene Mondo, Resene Brown Sugar, Resene Half Akaroa, Resene Half Nomad, Resene Lichen, Resene Dusty Road and Resene Brown Pod, chair in Resene Brown Pod and hall table in Resene Dusty Road. Table from Nood, chairs from Mood Store, rug from Freedom Furniture, plates, mugs and cutlery from Briscoes. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Bryce Carleton.

Enjoy the sunshine, even on a dull day, in a lounge that evokes the radiance and joy of tonal yellow decorating. Walls in this lounge are Resene Chenin and floor in Resene Mellow Yellow. Coffee table in Resene Stinger, low dish in Resene Gin Fizz, artwork frame in Resene Blank Canvas, two door cabinet in Resene Double Spanish White, cream vase in Resene Solitaire. Sofa from Freedom Furniture, chair from Nood. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.