Following the wave of colors that flow in and out of vogue can be a full-time job. In predicting paint color trends, forecasters look to everything from recent cultural and political situations to the state of the economy and consumer confidence. A new year can bring different ethnic influences based on hard news or the latest Hollywood premiere; it can bring bright, upbeat shades when times are good and safe, softer hues when they're less secure.
At any given moment, a look at the colors that are captivating a particular audience is a good measure of that group's general disposition at the time.
Overall Trends
In investigating paint color trends for 2011, industry giants Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams looked to all these points and more and developed palettes that speak to the different influences consumers are reacting to today. For 2011, the experts are pointing to consumers looking to achieve a sense of balance after a bumpy economic ride and to expressing themselves not by showing off how much they have, but who they really are.At Sherwin-Williams, the color experts said their palette for 2011 is inspired by the sense of uniqueness consumers feel today.
"We've seen reactions to the economy move from panic to acceptance, if not appreciation, because people are finding they have the opportunity to be true to themselves," said Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. "Status is no longer about consumption, it's about personal identity."
As such, each company has divided its colorscape for the year into groups that speak of personality traits and lifestyle characteristics, offering a palette to capture every mood. At Sherwin-Williams that palette celebrates individualism with Purely Refined, Bold Invention, Restless Nomad, and Gentle Medley. While at Benjamin Moore, the focus is on balance with groups designated as Soulful, Spirited and Dreamy. (Details for each of these palettes are listed below.)
Colors to Watch
One color that has infiltrated both the fashion runway and the home in recent seasons is purple. And not just one shade of purple; everything from deep, dark amethyst to light and airy lavenders have established themselves more as fashion and design staples than as passing fads and experts expect 2011 to continue that trend.Sonu Mathew, senior interior designer at Benjamin Moore, points to the company's Vintage Wine 2116-20, part of the Soulful palette, as a purple to watch in 2011 calling it "an anchoring and rich hue with a deep brown base and a hint of smoky violet." The shade is said to pair well with current leathers and wood finishes.
Forecasters also pointed to a range of pale yet powerful colors making big headway in 2011. Think noticeable neutrals and smoky-blue grays, colors that are safe because they won't quickly be out of fashion, but still bold enough to make a statement.
Paint Color Trends 2011
Sherwin-WilliamsOverall focus: Individualism
Four palettes:
- Purely Refined: An elegant take on timeless hues. Pared-down blues, lilacs, greens and grays interwoven with understated neutrals.
- Bold Invention: A nod to the colors of the streets from graffiti art to 3D animation. Vivid greens and a range of intense turquoises and blues with a pop of hot red and unexpected neutrals.
- Restless Nomad: An invitation to bring the cultures of the world and a feeling of wanderlust home. Dusky darks, hot vibrant pinks and reds, earthy food-influenced hues, like eggplant and cabbage.
- Gentle Medley: An eclectic mix of maps, vintage florals and nature that culminate in modern innocence. Earthy neutral tans mixed with freshwater blue, mint green, copper and chartreuse pastels, accented with safari greens and browns for depth.
Overall focus: Balance
Three palettes:
- Soulful: A look at global balance visualized through ethnic glam designs, map motifs and hand-worked decoration. Rich, saturated purples and sea-inspired blues, paired with earthy and natural accents.
- Spirited: An antidote to stress and attention to emotional balance and happiness. Riotous colors, like berry-kissed purple, juxtaposed with grays, blacks and whites.
- Dreamy: A trip to a gossamer world where wishes are granted. Transparent and sheer materials, hues that are pale, frosted and opalescent.
