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Back wall and table in Resene Aquaclear satin mixed with Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black, floor in Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K mixed with Colour Enhance Japan Black, side walls painted in Black Sand. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Walls in Resene Tea with Resene FX Paint Effects tinted to Quarter Tea applied over the top, floor on Resene Walk-on in Tea. Sofa and Table from Matisse. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Walls and cabinetry in Resene Indian Ink, floor in Resene Colorwood Bask. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Walls in Resene Atlas, door and trims in Indian Ink, table in She’ll Be Right. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Bryce Carleton.
Walls painted in Resene Spanish White with FX Paint Effects tinted to Eighth Spanish White over the top. Tiles painted in Resene Walk-On in Pendragon and ‘grout’ lines in Half Sour Dough. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Luxury looks for less – plus expert designer advice
Luxury doesn't always have to come with a luxury price tag. With the right paint colours, clever finishes and a few creative hacks, you can give your home a premium look without a major reno or the designer budget.
Whites done right
A fresh coat of white is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to make a home feel brighter and more refined, and you often won’t realise how much your home needed it until after it’s done! Over the years, dirt, scrapes and yellowing can cause our walls to look tired and dull.
Walls in Resene Tea with Resene FX Paint Effects tinted to Quarter Tea applied over the top, floor on Resene Walk-on in Tea. Sofa and Table from Matisse. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
“Keep the colour palette tight,” says stylist and colour consultant Megan Harrison-Turner. “Use family derivatives, for example Half Thorndon Cream and Double Thorndon Cream, and for the ceiling definitely use the palest in the family, like Eighth Thorndon Cream, rather than a generic white, it really does make a difference.
“Also think about layering neutrals and changing the gloss levels, such as using eggshell on walls, matt on ceilings, semi-gloss on skirtings and doors in the same colour as the walls, and one shade lighter in a gloss on the window surrounds is absolutely worth the effort.”
Resene Pro Tip: If you're after something a little more distinct, Resene Artisan or FX Paint Effects can add subtle texture and create a bespoke finish that adds interest to otherwise neutral walls, all without overwhelming the room.
Refresh instead of replace
Before replacing tired furniture or old cabinetry, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. You could save hundreds, or even thousands of dollars with the right paint colour and finish. A nice designer trick is to paint your cabinetry or console the same colour as the wall, giving it that high-end ‘built in’ feel.
Walls and cabinetry in Resene Indian Ink, floor in Resene Colorwood Bask. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Deeply coloured walls can also add a crisp contrast and superior feel. Dark hues like Resene Indian Ink command attention and stand out from the crowd, but you can also try a chic deep red like Arthouse, a bold orange like Rock Spray or complex green like Kaitoke Green.
“If you’re choosing colour rather than neutrals, choose tertiary colours rather than secondary colours,” says Megan. “Generally speaking, these are more tonal and greyed off giving a more sophisticated look rather than a sharp clear colour. For example, instead of Curious Blue, go for Watermark or Cello.”
In simple terms, tertiary colours (blended from primary and secondary colours) are more muted, layered versions of brighter colours, making them an easy choice for a more refined look, rather than secondary colours, which tend to be brighter and more vibrant.
To ground your colour of choice, if you feel you need to, give your floor a refresh with a wood stain or a coat of Resene Walk-on instead of replacing it or laying new carpet.
Let paint be the hero
If your walls are doing the talking, you don't need to spend as much on styling and décor. Rich colours, colour drenching or bold feature walls create interest all on their own, meaning fewer decorative pieces are needed.
Walls in Resene Atlas, door and trims in Indian Ink, table in She’ll Be Right. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Bryce Carleton.
Deeper jewel tones bring a sense of luxury to your home, especially when paired with metallic accents in gold or bronze, and fabric like velvet and silk. Consider pairing shades like Atlas (above), Decadence or Lonestar with some shimmering accents like Resene FX Metallic Gold Dust, Rose Gold or Allusive. You could paint old lamp stands or vases to save money on the real thing.
Resene Pro Tip: If you’re using metallics on larger spaces, consider applying a base coat of Resene Artisan Foundation Coat, not only is it ideal as a paint effectm but it works well for metallic finishes as it helps disguise rollertracking.
Fake expensive materials
Dark hues can bring a refined look to your interiors, and when they come in the form of wood, you’ll create a space that’s both inspired by nature, and sophisticated. Darkening timber yourself is a great affordable option instead of replacing it with real walnut or oak – but you’ll still get the look you want.
Back wall and table in Resene Aquaclear satin mixed with Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black, floor in Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K mixed with Colour Enhance Japan Black, side walls painted in Black Sand. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
This sleek living room uses Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black on various elements, adding depth and richness to the space. The décor is kept simple with a ‘japandi’ feel to really let the darker timber and grain shine.
“One thought for a premium look is to create shadows and soft highlights of light so the colours change,” says Megan. “Use table lamps at different heights, dimmers on overhead lighting and candles on tabletops.”
Resene Pro Tip: The more coats you apply of Resene Colour Enhance, the deeper the colour becomes, meaning you can customise and refine your look. Use it with Resene Aquaclear, Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K and 2K, or even Resene Concrete Clear and Resene Concrete Wax to transform interior surfaces. It can also be used in conjunction with Resene Colorwood interior stains to ‘enhance ‘ the stain colour.
Rethinking flooring
Replacing flooring can quickly become a large expense in a renovation, but paint offers a clever alternative. Giving tired concrete a fresh coat of paint can completely transform the surface for a fraction of the cost.
Walls painted in Resene Spanish White with FX Paint Effects tinted to Eighth Spanish White over the top. Tiles painted in Resene Walk-On in Pendragon and ‘grout’ lines in Half Sour Dough. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
You can even use paint to create the look of oversized tiles like the above patio. Checkerboard patterns or geometric designs will give your floors a custom, designer finish – without the designer price tag.
Megan shares three premium colour scheme recipes to try:
1. Choose three or four related neutrals, plus black, and add metallics in the styling accessories.
2. Choose three or four related neutrals, plus one greyed off colour and echo this colour in soft furnishings, décor and art.
3. Choose two pale neutrals, plus one near black and one subtle colour.
“And it goes without saying, a premium look needs the best finish possible, so invest extra time on your prep,” says Megan.
Resene might be the paint the professionals use, but you don't need to be one to achieve professional looking results. Check out these Paint like a pro videos to learn all about doing the right prep and painting yourself at home.
Published: 02 Jul 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene She'll Be Right
Resene Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Half Sour Dough
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene She'll Be Right
Resene Spanish White
Resene Eighth Spanish White
Resene Half Sour Dough
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
