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Walls in Resene Pohutukawa and floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Sideboard in Resene Blanc, basket and short vase in Resene Red Berry. ‘NOEL’ coaster garland in Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Half Thorndon cream. Candlesticks in Resene Triple Blanc and Resene Half Thorndon cream, bowl with pinecones in Resene Triple Blanc. Vase and tealight holder in Resene Half Thorndon Cream. Tree decorations in Resene Red Berry, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream and Resene Blanc. Boxes in Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Blanc. Armchair from Nood, boxes, present boxes and craft supplies available from most craft stories.
Walls in Resene Pohutukawa and floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Sideboard in Resene Blanc, short vase in Resene Red Berry. ‘NOEL’ coaster garland in Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Half Thorndon cream. Candlesticks in Resene Triple Blanc and Resene Half Thorndon cream, bowl with pinecones in Resene Triple Blanc. Vase and tealight holder in Resene Half Thorndon Cream.
Walls and coffee table in Resene Pohutukawa and floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Basket in Resene Red Berry Tree decorations in Resene Red Berry, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream and Resene Blanc. Boxes in Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Blanc. Sofa from Nood cushions from H&M Home, knot cushion from Mocka, book from Sunday Homestore, all other items stylist’s own
Add some festive cheer to the Christmas table by painting ornaments, table runners or placemats in Resene Pohutukawa.
Classic Christmas with a local twist: green, red and cream Christmas decorating ideas
The origins of associating red, green and white with Christmas lie very much in a northern hemisphere winter. There’s plenty of debate about how far back the association goes, but there’s no denying the colours of holly, mistletoe, and snow are a natural fit when Christmas falls in winter. In the southern hemisphere, Christmas is less about hunkering down and more about relaxing at the start of a summer holiday. Our Christmas colours are still inspired by nature but it’s all about beaches, baches, bushwalks and shades like Resene Pohutukawa inspired by the beloved seaside tree that blossoms in the festive season. With a a few jolly Resene colours at the ready you can put a modern spin on a classic Christmas creating decorations and festive cheer that you’ll love making
Walls in Resene Pohutukawa and floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Sideboard in Resene Blanc, basket and short vase in Resene Red Berry. ‘NOEL’ coaster garland in Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Half Thorndon cream. Candlesticks in Resene Triple Blanc and Resene Half Thorndon cream, bowl with pinecones in Resene Triple Blanc. Vase and tealight holder in Resene Half Thorndon Cream. Tree decorations in Resene Red Berry, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream and Resene Blanc. Boxes in Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Blanc. Armchair from Nood, boxes, present boxes and craft supplies available from most craft stories.
A backdrop for all seasons
While painting your living room in rich red Resene Pohutukawa just for Christmas probably isn’t a viable solution for most of us, the warm spicy nature of the colour makes it a bold and interesting choice for any room, in all seasons.
Layers of muted bone-coloured neutrals like Resene Blanc take some of the heat out of your red walls and keep it connected to nature. Washed floorboards in shades from the Resene Colorwood We Speak Beach range of interior stains will keep your space contemporary and relaxed.
When it’s not decorated for Christmas this colour scheme works well with parched browns like Resene Talisman or smoky blues like Resene Kashmir Blue. For a subtle year-round nod to Christmas try the deep native forest green of Resene Racing Green
Walls in Resene Pohutukawa and floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Sideboard in Resene Blanc, short vase in Resene Red Berry. ‘NOEL’ coaster garland in Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Half Thorndon cream. Candlesticks in Resene Triple Blanc and Resene Half Thorndon cream, bowl with pinecones in Resene Triple Blanc. Vase and tealight holder in Resene Half Thorndon Cream.
Layers of interest
Sandy-toned neutral shades and natural finishes immediately connect Resene Pohutukawa with its natural summery coastal habitat. By layering subtly different shades of neutral you’ll add visual interest and depth to the room, while also making the red really sing for Christmas. As well as mixing up your sandy shades, think about mixing up different levels of shine and colour saturation.
Decorating accessories like vases, ornaments or placemats in traditional Christmassy colours like Resene Rudolph or Resene Celtic using Resene testpots, is a really effective way of creating a festive room without breaking the bank. Look out for items in second-hand shops that you can upcycle and re-paint each Christmas to suit your theme. It’s sustainable way to decorate for the season, as is adding red and green plants and other botanic decorations to give your room a soft, summery Christmas finish.
Walls and coffee table in Resene Pohutukawa and floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Basket in Resene Red Berry Tree decorations in Resene Red Berry, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream and Resene Blanc. Boxes in Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Blanc. Sofa from Nood cushions from H&M Home, knot cushion from Mocka, book from Sunday Homestore, all other items stylist’s own.
CREDITS:
All cushion covers from H&M Home
Knot cushion in oatmeal from Mocka
Odette Chair from Nood
Sabine Modular Right and Left hand1 seater pieces from Nood
Our spaces book from Sunday Homestore
Bottle brush mini tree, pinecones and other accessories stylist own.
Go all-in on red
Temporary items like red Christmas-themed cushion covers, DIY artworks, wall hangings, baskets and decorations are the fastest, cheapest way to take your room everyday to Christmas Day.
As well as the Kiwi summer red of Resene Pohutukawa, you could experiment with other reds in different tones. Try pink-edged hues like Resene Red Berry, or Resene Very Berry. Resene Rudolph, or deeper wine reds such as Resene Shiraz or vivid almost primary reds like Resene Poppy and Resene Roadster.
Add some festive cheer to the Christmas table by painting ornaments, table runners or placemats in Resene Pohutukawa..
Just add a Christmas tree for the classic green contrast, or if you want your green to come through in painted accessories try pairing primary reds with classic botanical green such as Resene Green Pea. Freshen wine reds with greyed green Resene Lemongrass and add contrast to berry reds with a bold blue-green like Resene Deep Teal. Mixing up different expressions of classic red and green is a perfect way to put your own spin on Christmas.
If red walls aren’t for you, how about a moveable wooden screen or DIY painted canvas painted in your preferred classic Christmas colour scheme against neutral walls to add extra festive feeling in your space.
Background in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Round box in Resene Triple Blanc. Round coaster decorations in Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Half Thorndon Cream. Papier mache decorations in Resene Red Berry and Resene Triple Blanc. Cards from left to right: Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream, Resene Red Berry, Resene Triple Blanc and Resene Blanc.
Washed or weather timber finishes are a fantastic way to evoke the relaxed, sun-baked vibe of a bach or beach-side summer Christmas. The Resene Colorwood We Speak Beach range stains your wood finishes in fresh shades that work well with traditional Christmassy greens and reds, while allowing wood grains to show through, and keeping your look summery and fresh.
The neutral, sandy tones of Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and Resene Colorwood Becalm will soften the impact of bold reds, but also work well with classic Christmas greens like Resene Top Notch or Resene Bush.
Gift boxes in Resene Pohutukawa, Resene Half Thorndon cream, Resene Triple Blanc, Resene Blanc.
Box on
Theme your gift wrapping for a fun festive finish to your Christmas room by coordinating your gift boxes in Christmas colours to match your tree decorations, other decor or even the walls - or simply use them as props to add Christmas colours to your every-day living spaces.
When they’re not in use for Christmas they make great places to store tree decorations, lights or fill them with edible treats for your Christmas dinner guests to take home.
Coaster Christmas decorations in Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Half Thorndon Cream.
Create your own Christmas tree decorations.
You will need:
Cork coasters or mdf circles
Resene testpots in your favourite colours, Vanessa used Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Pencil
Scissors
Adhesive paper or stickers
Drill
Ribbon
Step 1: Take some inexpensive MDF or cork coasters. (You could even upcycle old cork or wood coasters).
Step 2: Choose your Christmas colour scheme in Resene testpots. We opted for a simple red and white colour scheme, but you could choose more than two shades, and opt for any colours that suit your Christmas.
Step 3: Paint your coasters entirely in one base colour. You’ll need at least two coats. Allow to dry between coats.
Step 4: Draw, or stencil Christmas shapes, letters or words on to adhesive paper.
Step 5: Cut out the shapes to create a stencil and stick to the coasters.
Step 6: Paint over the shape in two coats of a contrast colour; allow to dry between coats.
Step 7: Once dry, carefully peel the adhesive paper away to reveal your design.
Step 8: Drill a hole at the top of each coaster and thread through string. Tie in a loop
Step 10: Hang on your tree - or string a series together to make a decorative garland.
Top tip: Leave out the hole and just use your coasters on your Christmas table.
Projects by Vanessa Nouwens
Images Bryce Carleton
Published: 17 Nov 2022
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
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