Whether Spring sunshine makes you want to freshen up your decor, or you’re building a new home, choosing paint colours can be a scary minefield.

Simply Central is a home and lifestyle series for your Sundays. We take a look at what’s hot, what’s not, and everything lifestyle.

We’ve substantially extended our home, in fact it’s almost a completely new build. It’s now got to the stage where we have to choose paint colours. I went down to all our local paint shops, and returned home armed with a million paint charts - but more confused than ever. 

I decided I needed help. 

I took A4 sheets of painted card and tried them in every room.

Colour has the ability to transform a space, set the mood for a room, and influence its style.

Everyone is different, but no matter what your style and personality, your home should make you happy. To do that, whatever colours you choose need to be well balanced.

Experts say the colour palette you choose should be no more than three or four colours, although you can then use different shades of your chosen colours. I decided to select a range of shades in the same colour for ceilings and walls, and a complementary trim colour that blends in with our cream window joinery.

I want something calm and neutral, without becoming boring of course, as our beautiful Central Otago view is the real hero. We also have plenty of architectural character in our house with a lot of changing angles, as you can see from the photo above, so I don’t need to add drama with wall colour.

Homes with less architectural drama than mine would benefit from the drama and personality that colour brings to the table - I don’t think bold colours will work for me.

The next hurdle for me was to realise the colour charts don’t give me accurate colour. The little squares are just too small. 

I asked a painter friend, and he suggested I order painted A4 sheets for the best result. If choosing test pots, he suggested painting a leftover piece of Gib board so I could move it around.

I was instructed to try them out in every room of the house, at different times of day. Changing light alters a colour’s appearance, and the colours will also be affected with different weather and with each season.

I did as he suggested. What did I notice? I thought I would like crisp, modern, cool neutrals but they fought with the warm cream of the joinery in our living area.

I considered the warmer whites and neutrals. I definitely want a modern look - it’s a modern house.

Looking at the A4 sheets, I realised beige on beige or white on white could end up being very boring. I will have to create interest through using different shades on ceilings and walls. Then I can change it up another gear, keep the wooden reveals around the windows and add touches of charcoal. 

I’ve got a concept, sort of - I still need help.

Owner of the Guthrie Bowron store in Cromwell, Selena Templer says it is important not to get flustered over which colours to choose. Get advice from someone trained, and then decide what works for you.

She’s right. As a photographer I know colour, but I don’t know decor colour trends and I don’t have enough experience to know what different colours will look like when there’s metre after metre of it on my walls and ceilings.

I’m nervous. What if I hate it once it’s on the walls? It would be an expensive mistake to make.

Selena has a lot of insights for me.

“It’s important to look at the trends, but equally important to choose what you like, what suits your home and your lifestyle.”

She explains there are three main trends for 2022.

“Rich, adventurous colours can be teamed with warm neutrals; colours like petrol blues and desert reds with warm neutrals and pops of vintage gold.

“For a calm feel, use gentle earth-based neutrals teamed with rugged, natural tones; that’s the colours of nature, earth, forest green, moss and charcoal.

“Decor is also getting more playful, using hints from the ‘80s but teaming them with the colours of summer; experiment with cornflower blue, lilac, lemon, greens and rose gold.

“How do you and your family live? Some people need calm and restful colours; others like bright, happy, energetic feeling colours around them.”

Selena says it’s also important to consider whether there’s things in your home that carry more importance than the colour you use.

“Have you got artwork you want to display? Are there important photos? Did you build your house to look out at the scenery? Or did you build your house to focus on the walls?

“Do you have existing curtains or furniture that will be staying, or are you starting afresh?

So, what did I choose for my home in the end? I’m going calm and restful, with a focus on the view.

We chose Dulux Opononi quarter for the ceilings and Opononi half for the walls. Any trim near the cream windows will be either oiled wood or Cardrona half.

We are fortunate to have many renovation type businesses in our district to walk in, look around and gain expert advice. Many are in the Central App Trades/Services button.

Enjoy the process.

Images Mary Hinsen