Working the Color Trends

So, are you ready to embrace the new bold colors for next year?

Photo from Pantone

 

I have this to say about trends of any kind.  Do not be intimidated by the latest fad. Do not feel pressured to include every trend in your home.  I often run across people who want to change the paint in their living room but are so worried they will make a mistake that will be dated next week so they tend to gravitate to the current trend or think if it's good for Pottery Barn, then it must be good for me. 

Trends will eventually be dated.  That's their job, they come, they go.  My philosophy as a designer is that your home should reflect you.  Your values, your morals, your character and all of your beliefs.  It should not necessarily reflect the political climate of the country in which you live, the environment or even your next door neighbor's taste. 

Creating an 'honest' environment in your home is never out of date.  It speaks volumes and people who come and go will feel your spirit. 

Sometimes, it's fun to try something new and trendy.  Invest in the little things that have little cost associated with them and are easy to switch out when you tire of them.  Pillows, for instance can pack of lot of design punch.  They are a fun surprise and easy to make or inexpensive to buy.  You can never go wrong with updating pillows.   Make them fun or keep them sophisticated.  Whatever you do in your home, make it yours!

Color Forecast

Did you know that the color trends for 2012/13 have already been released?  For some of us, we are just barely getting on board with this year's color trend.  How do they decide on the color trends and who decides what's hot and what's not?

Well, Pantone is the leader in the science of color but companies like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore, along with others make their forecast as well.  Generally speaking, each forecast is complementary to one another. 

Color trends are cued by many environmental factors such as the economic climate even the political climate.  In 2008, an election year, the hot color was yellow.  Yellow represents change so it really made sense especially considering we voted in our first Black President.  This country back then was all about change.

2011, our colors were all representative of ESCAPE!  How fitting since we are all trying to escape the bad effects of a limping economy.  Colors leading up to 2012 are bolder, brighter and give a sense of reclamation, even enlightenment.  Faith and belief is big, the battle between light and dark continues.  It's time to take back control and rediscover the values this country was built on. 

Colors for 2012 are about refocusing on what's important, preserving what we have and being enlightened.

• Neutrals will be a big part of color this coming year and we welcome back a strong neutral
• Black!!  Yes, black is the new black!! 
• Metallics will be big and gold makes a come back but silver is still strong.
• Anything worn, irregular, handcrafted, recycled and repurposed is hot, very hot! Think preservation!
• Colors will be grayed and weathered
• Red- think brilliance, passion ie. chili pepper and clay.
• Blue- Turquoise, and Teal...it's been awhile since we saw teal.
• Greens- symbolize healing.  They will be bright like lime but also seafoam and moss.
• Browns- become more important, this is the reclamation part of the color trend representing grounding and deep rooted.
• Yellow- warm, bright and staturated with color.
• Pinks- bubblegum pink, bold and bright

I love this color pallette!  It's fresh and fun but I especially like the theory behind the colors.  Nothing is hotter right now than repurposing things and breathing new life into the old.  I'm hoping to build on this even more in the coming year than I have this year.

So, how do you feel about the color scheme for 2012?