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This room is painted in Resene Half Tea, and features the retro wicker back chair, the Dylan Armchair, from nood.
This bright, spacious living room is painted in the dark green shade of Resene Jurassic, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding bush. The ceiling is painted in Resene Half Merino and trims in Resene Sea Fog. Design by Felicity Brenchley, image by Jamie Cobel.
This true mid-century living room, crafted by homeowners Jenny and Paul, features a custom earthy green Resene colour which the homeowners named ‘Cohen Green’ – try Resene Highball as an alternative. Trims are painted in Resene Nero and a range of stunning mid-century furniture makes this a unique and warm space.
Mid-century inspired designs: Our top picks and how to get the look
A mid-century inspired home is characterised by a minimalist yet functional aesthetic, with a strong emphasis on clean lines, organic shapes and an integration with nature. If this type of design has always caught your eye, then we can help you achieve your colourful dreams of yesteryear with the help of Resene paints, wallpapers and wood stains.
A mid-century inspired colour palette typically includes muted tones like mustard yellow, olive green and burnt orange paired with neutrals. One example of this palette is using the shades Resene Pizza, Resene Avocado, Resene Chelsea Gem and Resene Quarter Linen. Whether you’re using these on walls, or just on accessories in a neutral space, you’re sure to bring in that mid-century mood.
Wood elements, especially walnut or teak, play a central role in décor for this style. Think ceiling beams, wooden flooring, furniture and décor inReseneColorwood stains like Resene Red Beech, Resene Walnut, Resene Jarrah and Resene Teak.
Alongside these hues are iconic furniture pieces with tapered legs and low profiles. Accents in bold, geometric patterns or abstract art complete the look, embracing both retro flair and modern simplicity. Let’s take a look at a few of our favourite mid-century inspired spaces that will help you with your own design at home:
This bright, spacious living room is painted in the dark green shade of Resene Jurassic, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding bush. The ceiling is painted in Resene Half Merino and trims in Resene Sea Fog. Design by Felicity Brenchley, image by Jamie Cobel.
Originally falling in love with its mid-century character, Felicity and her husband aimed to lovingly restore this home’s original features, which was achieved through a carefully selected colour scheme that reflected the surrounding bush in the area. Opting for a slightly darker green, Resene Jurassic, they paid homage to the depth of the nearby Waitakere Ranges, as well as bringing in accents of rich toned wood, mustard and ochre décor, and the classic low-seated mid-century furniture. For similar tones, try a mix of Resene Quarter Karaka, Resene Hot Toddy and Resene Alabaster.
This room is painted in Resene Half Tea, and features the retro wicker back chair, the Dylan Armchair, from nood.
If you’re a neutral lover, you don’t have to paint your walls in mustard or burnt orange to get the mid-century look. Opting for a neutral like Resene Half Tea, Resene Thorndon Cream or Resene Quarter Fossil, can create the perfect backdrop for adding your favourite mid-century pieces. Perhaps you’ve got an old orange armchair you’ve been waiting to fit into a new design, and if not, you can find these styles at many furniture stores. Against the neutral walls, these accents will pop and give you that classic mid-century feel you’re after.
This true mid-century living room, crafted by homeowners Jenny and Paul, features a custom earthy green Resene colour which the homeowners named ‘Cohen Green’ – try Resene Highball as an alternative. Trims are painted in Resene Nero and a range of stunning mid-century furniture makes this a unique and warm space.
Drawing inspiration from their love of mid-century furnishings and local art, homeowners Jenny and Paul embarked on a journey of colour exploration, resulting in a captivating fusion of colours that breathe warmth and personality into each space. The classic mid-century combo of greens, oranges, browns and yellows, along with mid-century furniture and décor, make this an exceptional space. You can easily get a similar colour scheme by using green shades like Resene Highball, Resene Wasabi or Resene Miso on walls, paired with accent tones like Resene Noosa, Resene Pirate Gold and Resene Rusty Nail.
Top tip: If you’re basing your design off a favourite artwork, take it along with you to your local ReseneColorShop and to see which colours work best with it. If the artwork, or other personal item, is too big, pick up some colour cards or Resenetestpots to bring home and try out by painting them on an A4 card and placing them near your artwork. Or load a photo of your artwork into the ReseneColourMatch onlineto find similar colours.
Resene Wallpaper Collection E394500 adds a subtle texture to this space, grounding the room with its earthy tones.
This design leans towards mid-century modern with its clean, curved furniture lines, metal accents and soft velvet upholstery in warm blush and mustard tones. These colours contrast beautifully with the sleek black and brass lamp and elegant screen. To recreate this look at home, consider using Resene Tea or Resene Ash for neutral walls to create a soft, timeless backdrop, and accent with Resene Gold Dust for hints of luxury – you could even try a design from the Resene FX Metallics Wallpaper Collection for that added shimmer.
Adding textured wallpapers will bring in a charming twist to the mid-century vibe. Try designs like Resene Wallpaper Collection 417005, 417067 or 429312.
Add a twist to your mid-century design with a dark floral design like Resene Wallpaper Collection 38738-3.
If you’ve chosen a wallpaper or paint colour you love, try matching your décor and other elements in the room to the shades within it for a cohesive look. These iconic mid-century inspired furniture pieces, featuring tapered wooden legs and minimalist forms, reflect the colours within Resene Wallpaper Collection 38738-3. This bold botanical wallpaper adds a modern twist. The colour palette, dominated by deep greens and warm mustard, is reminiscent of the era's rich tones and balances modern sophistication with retro charm. For an extra pop of mid-century colour, incorporate accents in Resene Bird Flower and Resene Gingko.
Achieving a mid-century inspired look in your home is all about blending timeless design elements with bold colour choices and natural textures. By incorporating key features like clean-lined furniture, iconic tapered legs, and a vibrant yet earthy palette, you can create a space that reflects the era’s retro flair and modern simplicity.
To check out some colours inspired by this funky time period, visit your local Resene ColorShop. For more colour advice Ask a Resene Colour Expert online for help or book a colour consultation with a Resene Colour Expert, www.resene.com/colourconsult, free instore or virtually or a paid home visit in selected areas.
Published: 16 Oct 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Fossil
Resene Quarter Fossil
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Linen
Resene Quarter Karaka
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Resene Thorndon Cream
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the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
