A noteworthy trend that’s enveloped the interior decorating world is the use of charming oxidised greens. The beauty of these serene shades is their way of adding a touch of colour to your home while being flexible enough to marry with a whole range of different styles and schemes.
The term ‘oxidised green’ comes from the colourful build-up that develops when a metal such as copper gets exposed to oxygen. The result is a soft chalky green finish, not unlike a sage or pewter green, that can work wonderfully in any room of your home.
The top half of this feature wall is painted Resene Pewter, an on trend oxidised green, and the bottom half is in Resene Karaka to provide a sense of grounding without making the lounge feel too dark. The outside of the tall bookcase is painted soft Resene Soothe, including the front edges of each of the shelves, while the inside is painted Resene Eagle. Within the bookcase, an assortment of vases, bowls and planters have been painted Resene Karaka, Resene Pewter, Resene Soothe, Resene Bud and Resene Just Dance to directly connect them to the painterly artwork and create a fully cohesive scheme. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
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Greens like these often behave much like a neutral, which means it’s easy for you to switch things up and make changes regularly without the need to completely redecorate. They bring with them a sense of tranquillity and can be soothing to look at. They also have a low commitment level due to the versatility they offer. Seek out shades like Resene Pewter, Resene Norway and Resene Spring Rain for the truest variations to start off your scheme.
Oxidised green colours pair beautifully with pretty pinks, which are also trending. It can create a very feminine but serene aesthetic for a room when these two tones are side by side while offering a touch of warmth and contrast. Try colours like Resene Princess, Resene Pink Lace, Resene Gelato and Resene Vanilla Ice. Pink can also be added through décor like side tables, rugs, cushions and vases in tones that match the suggested colours, or pick up a few Resene testpots and liven up some of the items you already own. For a warmer look, try an apricot instead like Resene Romantic, Resene Tuft Bush or Resene Karry or incorporate some lilac, such as Resene Sonique, Resene Divine or Resene Poet to break things up.
Oxidised greens work well with olive green, terracotta browns and creamy yellowed whites. Try Resene Norway with Resene Clover, Resene Wild West, Resene Quarter Dutch White with Resene Wallpaper Collection 384505 (left) and 384500 (right) for a nature-inspired space like this one.
If you’re attracted to deeper jewel tones, pair your oxidised greens with a deep sapphire blue. Balancing a deeper colour with the neutral tone of the green will add some interest to the space and amp up its comfort factor. The darkness of the blue offers a feeling of security and warmth while the green breaks it up and gives it some liveliness. For deep blues, try Resene Elephant, Resene Tarawera, Resene Blue Night or Resene Indian Ink. Painting some décor pieces like photo frames, plant pots and tables is a quick and easy way to incorporate these colours if you are looking to bring in a deep blue through eye-catching accent pieces.
Oxidised greens work especially well for building a tonal look, where a number of different greens are layered upon one another to create interest and depth. But, you can bring it to another level by incorporating other nature-inspired hues. Start with a base in greens like Resene Olive Green, Resene Cabbage Pont, Resene Palm Leaf or Resene Forest Green. Add to this serene space décor like planters, cushions and rugs in green-browns like Resene Go Ben, Resene Clay Creek and Resene Chino. Pops of beige colours are also welcome – though it should be added sparingly and thoughtfully. Throws, cushions, candles and small ornaments in Resene Tide, Resene Swiss Coffee and Resene Dover White will work particularly well.
Oxidised greens feature heavily in this restful and romantic tonal bedroom – and it’s the clever use of repetition and contrast that really make it work. The expansive white walls and floors in Resene Alabaster have been grounded with a unique painted headboard feature in Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Peace and Resene Helix that echoes the rectilinear shapes of the pillows. The bedside table and vase in Resene Helix and the lamp in Resene Silver Chalice carry the tones of the colour blocks from the walls into the rest of the room while the dark charcoal cushion and velvet chair break things up visually and provide an anchor to this lofty look. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Melanie Jenkins.
If painting walls isn’t on the agenda, paint some of your pre-existing home décor to add a touch of the oxidised green trend. Creating patterns on vases, rugs, or coffee table with an oxidised green paired with green-blacks like Resene Eternity, Resene El Paso, Resene Marshland and Resene Black Forest can make eye-catching statement pieces. To add a simple and delicate amount of oxidised green, introduce a cushion, throw or some coloured candles as a quick and easy refresh.
For more ideas for your home, visit your Resene ColorShop or view the latest decorating trends online, www.resene.co.nz/latestlooks.
Wall in Resene Peace, floor in Resene Elderflower with tiles stencilled in Resene Peace, table and chair in bResene Elderflower with dipped legs in Resene New Leaf, coat rack and wreath hoop in Resene New Leaf, tall vase in Resene Smoothie, basket, ribbed bud vase and tiny vase in Resene Peace, geometric vase in Resene New Leaf, painted book in Resene Helix. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.
