|
Soothing blues, comforting greens and majestic purples drawn heavily from the natural colors in the American landscape will find space in the color spotlight in 2012.
That’s the proposition put forth by Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute, in the institute’s contribution to the color and design kaleidoscope for the coming year.
“Native plants and flowers, oceans and lakes, and rocks and minerals are the sources of inspiration for the paint colors that will be ‘in’ next year,” Zimmer said. “If you’re thinking about repainting your home interior, look to the great American outdoors.”
Highlights of Zimmer’s forecast are provided below.
Blue, the Jewel of the Sea
Blues increased in popularity in 2011 and are expected to continue trending upward in 2012.
 |
|
Photos courtesy of The Paint Quality Institute |
| |
“From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved—in one iteration or another—by almost everyone,” she says.
Green, from Farm to Forest
“Greens, ranging from celery and asparagus to fir and fern, allow homeowners to bring the comforting feelings of the world outside into the world within,” the institute says.
Zimmer said dining rooms and kitchens are the “natural” spots for in-vogue greens, but the hue is also at home in family rooms and bedrooms.
Violet, Majestic Purple Mountains
“A harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red hues, violet can add ‘punch’ to any room when used as an accent color, or serve as the dominant color in a bedroom,” Zimmer says.
Paint and Decorating Trends for 2011
Zimmer predicts that three paint and decorating trends will gain prominence next year.
Patterns: In 2012, patterned paint will gain momentum, with increased interest in lacy designs, hound’s-tooth finishes, and bold color blocking techniques.
“In some cases, pattern will be the main decorating feature in a room; in others, it will provide a subtle, textured backdrop for fine furnishings and artwork,” she said.
Black and white: The classic combination of black and white is forecast to be much more prevalent in a wide range of settings, from contemporary apartments to historic homes, Zimmer says. “The pairing is a great way to freshen an interior with something smart and stylish,” she proposes.
Exterior paint combinations: On the home exterior, shutter colors will begin to turn away from the traditional look of high-contrast green, red or black to a more monochromatic palette.
“You’ll see more shutters that are painted just a shade darker than the siding,” says Zimmer. “Owners of homes with stone exteriors can get in on things by matching the shutter color to the dominant color of the stone.”
More information: www.paintquality.com.
|
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Facebook
