Color Trends for 2009

Want to know the ‘IT’ colors for 2009? I have been tracking this year’s color trends and a shift from bold saturated hues to more complex, toned-down shades has occurred. I have said this before and I will again, ‘trends in our society influence color choices greatly’. In 2008 our neutral palette was greatly inspired by our renewed love of our environmental. We hugged earth as we painted on tones that resembled wood, stone and natural fibers. They even had a little green in them sometimes (remember paint colors change colors throughout the day). This year, we are still in love with our planet, in a YELLOWer way. Metallic colors in umber and mustardy yellows are keeping us warm in our homes. And of course GREY tones are HOT HOT HOT. We love our high-tech steel and concrete.

The new BLUE is so not blue at all! It is more aqua; Very greeny-grey. In fact I am seeing this color in fabrics for the windows, upholstery, and rugs everywhere. It is refreshing, relaxing and I am in love with it. Check it out at your local Sherwin Williams store. It is card #30.

Now lets talk REDs, which I haven’t seen too much in the last year. Remember when everyone painted their dining room a red or wine color? Well red is all dressed up again wearing a hint of orange zest. Sherwin Williams has a few colors that evoke lush tropical flowers and fruit, with a Latin American accent called Enticing Red, Constant Coral, Ruby Shade and Insightful Rose.

PURPLEs are in. I like a good warm purple. Like shades of a plum. This color makes my skin glow. Crazily enough designers are pairing lots of these yummy warm purples with neon greens, pinks and grays. What better way to tone down your son’s collection of glow in the dark skateboards.

With spring approaching, let’s get our paint brushes, low odor, low VOC paint cans, and do our best to evoke Monet on our walls.

Working with Bold Color

Are you scared of color? With these simple tips you can come out from under the bed and face your colorless walls with conviction. I like to use bold color as a focal point - painting one wall a vibrant color that invigorates the senses. Find colors you like. Get inspired by your favorite fruit or veggie, a shirt, or artwork. If you know of a lighter color you like or want to use on the other walls, just find the deeper tones of that particular paint. Then go to your favorite paint store and pick up a quart of the colors you are thinking of using. Create boxes using the different paint colors on the wall like my adventurous client in Allentown, PA did below. View it at different times throughout the day because color has a tendency to change with different lighting. Once the color is up-congratulations! you have turned your color dial way up.....................

.........Now it is time to bring down the volume. The KEY to the perfect bold wall is to calm it by layering neutral tones a top it. A great way to do this is to create a gallery of photos or artwork. If your pictures are small, use matted frames to enlarge them. I love the way my client's wall turned out! Have fun with color and remember 'go bold or go home'!