Look for muted natural palettes, hot global hues and striking statement walls, Janice Lindsay writes
Trend reports can seem like horoscopes, open to personal interpretation. And that's a good thing, according to the latest thinking in the colour world.
Forecasters for Benjamin Moore, Pittsburgh Paints and the Comex Group (which includes Para Paint and General Paint) say that consumers are becoming more experimental and personal with colour than ever before. We are paying more attention to how colour feels than whether it's in style. And with a lower price tag and lower environmental impact than most decor updates, changing your colours is the feel-good transformation for spring.
That said, there are some strong directions for the coming season.
THE NATURE PALETTE
Nature is a big influence that is not going away, but it is shifting from green (the literal colour of environmental responsibility) to the muted grey-infused colours of air, water and driftwood/bark. Natural effects — aging, erosion, raw edges, wabi-sabi — are more beautiful than industrial perfection. According to Benjamin Moore spokeswoman Sharon Grech, these hues, even in their palest form, are "not pastels" because they are more complex and less clean. Attractive on their own for minimal interiors, they also are replacing white as the background to bolder hues.
For the Comex Group, nature appears in the tranquillity and calm of a deep lagoon, represented by watery blues and turquoise played against greens. As in design, colours and textures are layered and hard edges are softened, left unfinished, frayed and weathered. Watery gloss is juxtaposed with earthy mattes, like sateens with canvas.
NEW NEUTRALS
The trend toward "urban rustic" has hit the colour world. In decor, old industrial objects are the new antiques, humanized by time and wear. In colour, the city's monochromatic palette is meeting and melding with nature's raw, rough textures. In the process, a range of greys is replacing beige, while white is being softened with yellow-green. Josette Buisson, formerly with Pittsburgh Paints, calls this trend "indie," as in both industrial and independent. In such settings, bold statement walls will shake up muted palettes: Sharon Grech at Benjamin Moore recommends black, as it is graphic and has the added oomph of being taboo.
HOT GLOBAL
The fiery colours of warmer climes such as Mexico and India are appearing as hot accents against dark burgundies or bleached and faded background hues. Buisson cites burnt orange and grey as a combination to watch.
Outdoor settings, meanwhile, are also being rethought. Forget greige and taupe; go for colourful and rich. In a single "room," this palette creates a retreat in which you can mix up sari fabrics with paisleys, hand-carved African pieces and a mosaic-topped coffee table.
ROCK YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
As in the fashion world, colour inspiration can come from anywhere. Inspired by posters, hip-hop and graphic art, colour can be the statement of personal style that changes according to whim. According to Para, "your home is your runway." Seen through the lens of fashion blogs and street style, however, colour choices are about being unique and authentic rather than on trend.
SHOCK OF THE HUE
While keeping main palettes calm, designers are packing bold colours into less visible areas, such as poweder rooms, closets and underwear drawers. Just as cups and bowls have boldly coloured interiors, in other words, so do rooms. Colours, though, are not matched, but co-ordinated. They buzz with energy and make the ordinary special. Accent-wise, stripes are also back, as are silver and gold, which make fun colour more luxurious.
Don't worry, be trashy: The message from the housewares world this season is chill out, go green and embrace your inner hoser, Danny Sinopoli writes
Serenity now
