Five earthy yet elegant colour palettes to nail the quiet luxury look

16 May 2023

While the resurgence of maximalism continues to be a major topic of discussion in the design world, there is also a new adaptation of minimalism on the rise. Sometimes referred to as ‘stealth wealth’, the trend of ‘quiet luxury’ has been anything but silent in the fashion sphere. The opposite of the loud, logo-mania looks embraced by a certain subsect of the nouveau-riche, quiet luxury champions toned-down, understated pieces constructed from high-quality fabrics with tailored cuts.  And in the same way that architectural and interior colour trends are greatly influenced by fashion, the aesthetic ideals of quiet luxury are having a profound effect on the way buildings are being designed and decorated.

At the crossroads of clean lines, high-end finishes and timeless hues, this seemingly effortless style deceptively downplays the extreme attention to detail and level of curation that goes into nailing the trend. Earth-inspired hues have become synonymous with quiet luxury thanks to their naturally effortless vibe, and though they may seem simple and approachable on the surface, the key to their richness lies in layering tones that are chockful of subtle depth. But rather than put in painstaking effort poring over your Resene colour charts and fandecks in creation of a combination that nonchalantly says well-to-do, consider this your ‘quiet luxury cheat sheet’. Simply leverage one of these tried-and-tested Resene colour palettes for a flawlessly curated look on your next project.

Resene Half Scotch Mist + Resene Leather + Resene Astra

While the Resene Whites & Neutrals Collection is full of gorgeous barely-there colour choices, some of our favourite (and often most overlooked) off-whites and neutrals actually come from the Resene Multi-finish range. Once you’ve tried Resene Half Scotch Mist – with its effortless tint of diluted cream and whisper of warmth – you’ll wonder why you never tried it sooner. Try it layered with glamourous marble and metallic furnishings offset with hints of dried organics in vases painted with supple tones like Resene Leather and Resene Astra for a space that’s beguiling yet grounded.

Vases painted in (from left to right) Resene Half Scotch Mist, Resene Leather and Resene Astra.

Resene Kinship + Resene Sea Fog + Resene Foundation + Resene Boris

Although some associate the Resene The Range fashion colour collection with bold, show-stopping hues, the colour cards at the back of the collection are a treasure trove of character neutrals brimming with gorgeously complex undertones. The first time you use Resene Kinship, you’ll feel like you’ve been let in on some exclusive secret. This chameleon of a colour shifts dramatically under different lighting conditions and can appear like an off-white, off-beige, off-taupe or off-grey depending on where it’s used and viewed. We love it teamed with a classic foggy white like Resene Sea Fog and a few well-curated touches of other elegant greiges, beiges and taupe like Resene Foundation, Resene Stepping Stone and Resene Courtyard. And instead of grounding the space with a true black, opt for a softer charcoal like Resene Boris for an elevated look.

Arched wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Kinship, left wall and back wall in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Sea Fog, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and vases in Resen Foundation (left) and Resene Boris (right). Chair from Matisse.

Textured Wallpaper + Resene Contented + Resene Eau De Nil + Resene FX Pearl Shimmer

Filling a space with tactile texture in an understated colour palette is an easy way to create depth amongst minimalist décor. While things like woven rugs and throws and luxurious bedlinens are the first things many think of, you should never count out your vertical surfaces when amping up the texture. Raised designs in gentle pastel hues, such as Resene Wallpaper Collection 220573, are a simple way to create subtle, organic appeal. Try it on the upper walls of a bedroom with custom-built panelling and joinery painted in Resene Eau De Nil and accessorise in a soft petal pink like Resene Contented. For next-level luxury, topcoat a single item painted in Resene Soiree with Resene FX Pearl Shimmer to give it an opalescent effect.

Upper wall in Resene Wallpaper Collection 220573.

Resene Oasis + Resene Rusty Nail + Resene Half Gin Fizz + Resene Nero

Sure, having a solitary wall colour fits the brief of quiet luxury’s simplicity. However, an even richer option is a bespoke wall finish comprised of three distinct hues. Resene FX Crackle Effect and Resene FX Paint Effects Medium both allow you to layer multiple colours on a single surface – but when used in tandem, they make magic. First, apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Bright Spark. Once dry, apply Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with Resene Rusty Nail. Finally, apply Resene FX Crackle effect topcoated with Resene Oasis for a feature that’s sure to be the object of envy of every person who enters the room, whether painted direct onto the wall or a canvas. As a finishing touch, accessorise with objects in Resene Nero, Resene Half Gin Fizz and Resene Rusty Nail to contrast and highlight your wall effect.

Bespoke multi-layered crackle wall effect created with Resene FX Crackle effect, Resene FX Paint Effects Medium, Resene Bright Spark, Resene Rusty Nail and Resene Oasis. Vases in Resene Nero and Resene Half Gin Fizz.

Resene Alpaca + Resene White Linen + Resene Gold Coast + Resene Negroni

For people who have ‘made it’, being able to regularly holiday in luxury vacation destinations like Palm Springs is practically a given. But creating an outdoor space that evokes the same vibe means your project’s inhabitant can enjoy that same level of relaxation every day of the year. Walls painted in Resene Alpaca lends a touch of that textbook Palm Spring rosiness without being overtly pink while specifying them in a matte finish like Resene AquaShield doubles-down on their understated appeal. Teamed with a floor in crisp and refreshing Resene White Linen and warm accents in Resene Gold Coast, Resene Pearl Bush and Resene Negroni, neighbours will be clamouring to get invited over to enjoy your client’s private patio.

Walls painted in Resene Alpaca, floor in Resene Walk-on tinted to Resene White Linen, stool in Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Negroni with timber top finished in Resene Woodsman Whitewash and vases and planters in Resene Gold Coast and Resene Pearl Bush. Chair from ECC, throw from Baya, stone vessel from Asili.

For more understated yet elevated colour options, check out the Resene The Range fashion fandeck, the Resene Whites & Neutrals Collection and the Resene Multi-finish range. As always, be sure to test your paint and wood stain colours in-situ (when possible) before you commit. If you’re working on a new build and won’t be able to see your chosen colours on site before they need to be specified, it’s best to at least order A4 Resene drawdown paint swatches of those you’re planning to build your palette out of so that they can be viewed together at a larger scale and you and your client can be confident with the colour selections.

projects Amber Armitage

images Wendy Fenwick

Published: 16 May 2023