For years, warm biscuit tones and dark smoky browns have been popular, but now it’s time for grey. Along with green-toned creams, it’s now an ‘in’ neutral and synonymous with style, glamour and a certain urbane sophistication – whether it’s a silvery off-white or a deep, grunty charcoal.

Silvery grey:

Tones such as Resene Half Surrender appear luminous in a well-lit space. They are serene and whimsical. If you want to heighten the effect, look at the various silvers available in the Resene Metallics and special effects range. Have a look at the pewter shades too, like Resene Pure Pewter, as softer bronzes and pewters become more popular.

Resene Half Rakaia kitchen.

Mid grey:

This hue has a calming effect. True grey can be too cool for many people’s liking, so adding a smidge of another colour will change its character. You can go ‘greige’ (grey-beige), by adding a bit of brown to achieve a colour like Resene Quarter Taupe Grey. This still has the appearance of grey but with an added touch of warmth.

Blue grey:

There’s a big move towards greys with a touch of blue or teal, like Resene Lynch. While blue is also a ‘cool’ colour, these slatey tones in their darker forms are smoky and moody. In paler forms, they are beachy and casual. A warmer twist to this palette is the purple-greys which are rich and warm.

Charcoal grey:

Elegant and restful, charcoals like Resene Mine Shaft look superb with creamy whites and shots of vivid colors.

Grey combos to try:

• The latest trend is pairing grey with brown. The brown might come in the form of timber or hemp-coloured upholstery, so make sure you keep it textural.
• Silver-grey and white with touches of deep charcoal or black.
• Turn the above combination on its head: go for charcoal walls with white accessories.
• Grey with any form of yellow – acid, bright or mustard.
• Grey with orange, either deep, burnt forms or tangerine.
• Grey with pinky purples.

Top tip:

An extreme colour such as black often calls for an extreme finish – choose an absolute matt finish to appear velvety and luscious. A high-gloss finish gives a feeling of glamour and helps reflect light.

Left: Resene Gravel garden walls. Right: Resene Curtain Collection Ripple in colour Stone with Resene Tuna walls.

Resene Shady Lady bedroom.