Bedroom Update with Dulux

Painting our bedroom has been on the to-do list for such a long time, but for various reasons, it has kept getting pushed aside. This year’s lockdowns have provided much-needed time and head space to finally get to work, and I am very happy to finally share the results with you. 

When we built around eight years ago, we decided to paint the entire interior of our home white. Over time I’ve been introducing some neutral colours to soften the spaces, and I love how calming and liveable these hues are. I’ve always viewed our bedroom as a place of escape, a quiet sanctuary to retreat to at the end of a busy day. I like to keep the styling simple and pared-back, but I have been wanting to soften the white walls to create an even more tranquil feel.

In 2017 we renovated the ensuite and this involved changing the white walls to a soft beige colour, Dulux Haast Double. A beautiful pairing with the new travertine tiles and contrasting black bathroom cabinetry, I knew when it came time to paint the adjacent bedroom and walk-in wardrobe, this would be a good starting point for choosing the right colour.

As always, I hopped online to use the Dulux Colour Swatch service, choosing a selection of large swatches in soft beige, cream and greige hues that would work well with Haast Double. I also included a couple of the Dulux Design Suede Effects paints, as I was keen to see how a textural wall colour would look.

Through the process of seeing how the swatches looked throughout the space, and at different times of the day, I was able to narrow down my choice. I liked the idea of creating a soft and tonal effect with our natural linen bedhead and bedding, but most importantly, I decided that I wanted to create a seamless effect with the ensuite. My husband was very much on board with this, and while I liked the idea of using Design Suede Effects for texture, his preference was for a clean finish. He's also a big fan of the Dulux Wash & Wear paint due to its durability. And because the Dulux Colours of New Zealand collection has such an extensive range of neutrals to choose from, it meant that we could land on the perfect colour.

The room is compact with little natural light in the walk-in wardrobe, however, the bedroom gets a lot of afternoon sun. I wanted to avoid going too dark, but I still wanted the new colour to be noticeably darker than white when that bright afternoon sun streams in. A fine balance, but one that I feel was achieved with the paint colour I finally decided on Dulux Mangaweka Quarter. A soft neutral that fits seamlessly next to Haast Double in the Ensuite, we are loving the result. The window frame and ceilings have been left white to create contrast, but also to tie in with the wardrobe shelving and for creating a sense of cohesion with the rest of the house. Dulux Okarito, a fresh crisp white, provides a lovely contrast. 

As part of the bedroom update, I have replaced our side tables (the much-loved Menu Androgyne side table has found a new home in the living room) with the Bordeaux Night Stands by BoConcept (kindly gifted). It's great to finally have matching side tables and we love the functional storage, which includes a charging station. Our second-hand Tolomeo wall lamps have served us well, but I am very excited to have purchased the Lumina Lamps that were on my wishlist. 

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford / TDC 

It's amazing what a difference a fresh paint colour makes, and now is a great time to look at tackling new projects around the home. Summer is on its way, and with travel restrictions likely to continue for the foreseeable future, why not get stuck into some painting? From choosing the right colour, helpful apps and services through to visiting a colour expert in your local store, Dulux has everything you need. To find out more, take a look here.

AD / This is a Paid Partnership post. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.