Lilac is fun because it’s slightly unexpected. Not as boyish as blue and a lot less saccharine than pink, mix a light lilac with other pretty pastels for a Scandi look. For balance, keep the rest of the room neutral with varying depths of greys and keep timber flooring light in Resene Colorwood Whitewash. Wall at left in Resene Nocturnal, wall at right in Resene Poet, smaller vase in Resene Poet, large vase and smaller coffee table in Resene Cut Glass, ladder in Resene Moonbeam and larger coffee table in Resene Sazerac. Props: Arlo Round Mint Cushion from Adairs and Kip & Co Velvet Pea Cushion in Peach from Good Thing. Project by Kate Alexander, images by Bryce Carleton.

Partner a feature wall with neutrals for a room that has both drama and restfulness. Take the strong lines from Resene Wallpaper Collection E377102 and echo them throughout your space with other linear, angular and rectilinear shapes. Go for timber flooring in Resene Colorwood Light Greywash, a sofa in Resene Truffle and add an ottoman and accents in Resene Twizel.

The muted violet Resene RSVP on the left and dusty mauve Resene Memory Lane on the right of the back wall gives a sense of exclusivity to the space, creating a luxe backdrop for parties to take place. The left wall in classic Resene Noir generates even more moodiness while the floor, which was first painted in fizzy warm white Resene Elderflower, keeps the room from feeling too dark or heavy. For added interest, it has been dressed up with a sophisticated geometric pattern painted in Resene Black. The dining table has been painted in high-gloss Resene Enamacryl tinted to Resene Blackjack. As a softer black, it brings a subtle point of difference to the other shades of black in the space while still maintaining its connectiveness to the palette. Other shiny surfaces, such as the mirrored stool and the vases, work alongside the glossy finish of the table to reflect light around the room – an element that is especially important for a space with darker wall colours. Table/stool from BoConcept, Wake Me When I'm Dead by Milly Watson from endemicworld, Kupang Motel by Milly Watson from endemicworld, Vase from Backhouse, dining room table (painted in Resene Blackjack) and chair from Backhouse. Project by Kate Alexander, imageby Bryce Carleton.

Despite this deep purple being a strong colour, it is surprisingly adaptable. However, if it’s your first time trying out a striking shade, a good rule of thumb is to stick to the same part of the colour wheel and add-on less-vibrant layers until you reach the right intensity. In this room, the Resene Couture wall has been layered with accessories in a range of pinks, plums and fuchsias including Resene Ringo, Resene Dawn Chorus, Resene Stetson and Resene Vanilla Ice. To mix it up and keep things from looking too tone-on-tone, the designer has incorporated a candlestick in Resene Entourage, an antique gas canister in Resene Pioneer Red and painted the bird’s perch in Resene NeroProject by Kate Alexander, image by Melanie Jenkins

Luscious, bruised purples make this bedroom a cosy, cocooning space. The walls are in Resene Gun Powder, the chest of drawers is Resene Chapta And Verse, the vases are in Resene Steam Roller (tall), Resene Mamba (medium) and Resene Couture and the wall hangings are Resene Couture and Resene Sumptuous. The wall colour is charcoal with just a touch of purple, which keeps it from being overpowering. The floor colour is an unexpected colour choice. To stop the room from being too matchy-matchy, the floor is an inky blue – Resene Avalanche. It’s what the experts call a ‘related’ scheme where you choose colours next to each other on the colour wheel. Project by Claudia Kozub, image by Melanie Jenkins.

Resene Whimsical is a pastel lilac, a fanciful dreamy colour. Try Resene Whimsical with chilled whites, velvet mauves or fuchsia pinks, such as Resene Poured Milk, Resene Memory Lane, or Resene Smitten. Wall in Resene Whimsical, large pot painted in Resene Excalibur, Hugo sofa from Contempa, coffee table, Citta. Rug Nodi rugs Magnolia cushion fabric in copper, James Dunlop Textiles. Blush Magnolia print, Amber Armitage, wool throw and vase, Citta and Cut Flower Garden book, Father Rabbit. Project Amber Armitage, image Melanie Jenkins.