We have just ushered in a New Year, and there seems to be a feeling of healthy optimism accompanying the “time odometer” clicking over to 2012.  We have a blank slate, awaiting the next chapter to be written.  The colors we surround ourselves with can bring that much-needed optimism right into our home life.

Mid-year 2011, I used my Color Marketing Group affiliation to project the coming colors for 2012 (published in FloorTalk/”Color Mix”, 5/25/11).  In December I attended a Sherwin-Williams Global Color presentation addressing their take on colors for 2012.  This is always a great opportunity to see if other color professionals are seeing what I’m seeing, and on the same page.  Here’s what Karen Galvin from SW had to say about color directions for the New Year, along with CMG’s predictions:

THEORY:    The overall color palette is earth inspired, heavily influenced by inspiration, energy and spirituality.
I am in total agreement with this observation. CMG may have put it into different words, but the meaning is the same.   We are seizing tradition, reshaping our heritage to create interiors that give a respectful nod to the past.  We have had to dig deep, and tap into our spirituality, to realize our strengths and persist in troubled times.

COLOR PREDICTIONS:
REDS:
(SW):  “…reds will be fairly dominant in the palette.  What’s interesting is that there will be an array of reds across the spectrum:  Blue-reds; violets, red-purple, coral and red-orange.”

(CMG): “…reds are spirited and centered around a patriotic, reclaimed red.  This is a saturated red that resonates in many cultures, representing strength and stability.  Consumers are very tuned in to ‘made in America’ products, and this Federal Red is a perfect partner.  Add to this category an energetic red-orange and a deep apricot, drenched in warmth.  Also, look for a pink for grown-ups, not at all prissy, but suitable for men’s ties or shirts, and definitely made for interiors.  Partners well with mid-tone neutrals.

BLUES:
(SW):   “…blues are mega-important.  Represents a gearing-up national growth-engine; also harmony between humans and ocean.  Denim blues resurrect stability and the centuries-old use of denim.  Blue will be predominant in 2012 fashion runway shows and a staple color for electronics.

(CMG): “…a perpetual blue is emerging. Brighter than navy, emerging from the gloom to become an energetic, “made in America” blue hue.  Think denim in every shade.

YELLOWS:
(SW):  “…add mustard yellow and egg yolk yellow to the palette for 2012.”

(CMG):  Limoncello is a lighter, invigorating yellow with a slight green tint.  It has a translucent quality and freshens up looks from the 1970’s.

GREENS:
(SW):   “…shifting away from yellow greens, we will see more aquatic, verdant grassy green.  Think of land carpets—the wealth of greens we see flying over agricultural land–true botanical greens.

(CMG):  In agreement as to the shift away from yellow-greens.  The new greens are strongly blue-based with a hint of gray to keep them neutral.  Authentically forest-based, clean, playful and slightly edgy are the new greens.

NEUTRALS:
(SW):  “…Inspired by linen, straw, and natural grains.  Neutrals are all organic in origin.”

(CMG):  A yellow-based brown is the new addition to the 2012 palette.  Earthy, but reminiscent of boots, worn saddles and elbow patches, it’s a livable brown.  Other neutrals favor organic materials.

You can see the parallels in both the CMG and Sherwin Williams’ predictions.  A little disparity in the predictions for where yellow is headed, but overall, there’s room in the palette for both directions.  Neutrals continue to be an extremely important category, and the linen, straw and natural grain neutrals are a color staple for the stronger colors to play off of.  What fun to find such strong correlation between Color Marketing Group’s early forecast predictions, and Sherwin-Williams’ color and product introductions for 2012.  Both organizations are working hard to bring you the best possible color research results, and it’s working!

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.

Crossville Tile is an established name in the world of porcelain and natural stone for floors and walls.  If you are familiar with Crossville, then you’ve already seen their colorful creations in stone, glass and metal mosaics.  It’s all pretty impressive, because the key element to all of their collections is COLOR (my favorite subject).

Crossville has found a way to personalize color and simplify coordination.  In their own words: “…Color is the foundation of design, and in many ways, the foundation of living.   Color teaches us harmony and contrast, chaos and calm, very often in the same space…”  You can’t say it better than that.  One of the latest chapters in their continuing color story is the introduction of a collection brought out earlier this year called Color by Numbers. This collection features six garden-hued wall tile palettes designed to coordinate with the bestsellers from their Crossville Color Blox floor tile collection.  But here’s a twist I know you won’t expect.  Both of these Crossville palettes cross over to harmonize with Benjamin Moore’s “Aura” paints!!!

Color is tricky and can be the most challenging element of putting together a great design.  This collaboration between Crossville and Benjamin Moore provides consumers a valuable design tool that can really help you choose colors with confidence.  Interesting to note that Color Marketing Group International identified “consumers’ commitment to color” as a key design trend for the next several years.  The big news is that Americans are embracing real color.  We are constantly exposed to global color through the Internet, the media, and of course, fashion.  With this connection to worldwide colors, we’ve developed a comfort level with vibrant palettes, balanced with the neutrals we love so much.  With that said, that comfort level interprets into new color harmonies in our homes that validate this predicted commitment to color.   Crossville couldn’t have timed it better as to their introduction of Color Blox and Color by Numbers.  You definitely need to check out these stunners and can see them at www.crossvilleinc.com.

There’s more to this story, as it takes on design with a purpose.  For the first time in the history of the company, Crossville is pledging a portion of profits from the Glass Blox Collection to be donated to charity.  Gita Tao, Manager of West Coast Residential Sales conceived this idea back in 2007, and since that time,  Crossville has been donating to The Common Thread for the Cure.  This foundation supports families of the flooring and furnishings industry in the battle against breast cancer, through Helping Hands Grants.  These confidential financial grants are provided to assist individuals (and their families) battling breast cancer, helping them meet the financial obligations not covered by insurance.  Assistance is offered at a time when medical bills are mounting and income is often lost.  Grants, to date, have been used for transportation, household expenses, child care, tuition, home repairs and other areas that contribute to a better quality of life.

Just writing this blog inspires me to take a closer look at the Glass Blox tile collection for my design clients.  Not only can I bring beautiful contemporary colors to interiors, but together we can design with a purpose much greater than ourselves.  We need to give accolades to Crossville for thinking beyond “business for profit”, and demonstrating true empathy for those in need.

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.

It’s time to talk about the trends shaping the color palettes for 2012 and 2013. Working closely with Color Marketing Group International provides great insight as to what designers are seeing across the country as to color “drivers”.

1. “The Good Old Days”
The post World War II era represented a period of growth and patriotism for Americans. Happier times and bluer skies are associated with the colors from that time. With positive associations tied to them, colors popular from the 1940’s through the l960’s are selectively reappearing in the coming palette.

2. “Eco-Friendly Lifestyle”
We’ve already established that personal recycling and preserving the earth’s natural resources are high-priority choices for most Americans. Now a lifestyle (rather than a trend), colors will reflect our commitment to sustainability. Natural hues in their purest form will influence the new color palette. Aqueous blues, botanical greens, earthy browns will anchor the palette and convey the “green” message.

3. “Caution and Care”
We are barraged daily with economic news that is enough to make you want to hide your head in the sand. Hard-working Americans are not to blame for the economic messes our country needs to clean up, but just the same, politicians are laying the sacrifices to be made on our shoulders. No wonder there is such low consumer confidence. No wonder the stock market has resembled an out-of-control roller coaster for weeks on end. And no wonder we are searching for colors that will stabilize our psyche and give us some comfort. Beautiful, tailored shades of gray will be a staple in the color palette for that very reason. It is just the prescription we are looking for as we swing towards conservatism on all fronts.

4. “A Global Perspective”
Most of us are proficiently cruising the internet on a daily basis. We are also devouring HGTV programs with a vengeance. With that said, we are being exposed to color like never before. Global fashions, exotic destinations, luxury interior designs are all available to us now. Because of that, we have developed an appetite for stronger colors. The new color palette will be a genuine mix of safe, comfort colors, punctuated with these global stunners.

5. “The Affordable Luxury”
So maybe we aren’t “trading up” our homes, or buying new cars every two years. Maybe the wardrobe has to last a little longer, and our vacations are closer to home. But we can afford a can of paint or a bolt of fabric, and that means our luxury du jour is COLOR!!! The immense satisfaction we get from surrounding ourselves with a new color goes a long way in making us feel happy. Color in times of stress and economic down-turns is a huge refuge for all of us. So roll up your sleeves, put down those drop cloths, and create something colorful!

That’s where we are headed as to the key color drivers for 2012 and 2013. If you had any doubt that color trends reflect exactly what is happening in our lives, our country, our world, we (CMG) can safely attest to the fact that color is historically the mirror of our society. We are headed for better times (albeit ever so slowly), but we can start the process ourselves, at home, with paint brush in hand.

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.

It happens all the time.  Color preferences that are so divergent there seems to be no happy medium. So how does a married couple (or a designer consulting with them) find a harmonious solution?  What I have found in many years of color consultations, is that there is more than a little competitiveness between husband and wife on this subject.  And both want to get their way on color choices.  You would be surprised to learn that husbands are just as adamant about their preferences as wives are.  They are looking to the designer to take sides, be a tie breaker, (or in some cases, referee), and that is something a professional can not do.  It’s the designer’s job to create a total environment, including the right colors that will reflect the overall ambience they are trying to achieve.

There are some key clues that couples give during the initial consult, and it’s their words, rather than specific colors, which helps determine the final color palette.  For instance:  cozy, homey, warm, inviting are words that indicate the predilection for warm colors:  red, orange, yellow, warm neutrals and any secondary combinations of those colors.  Conversely, relaxing, restful, calming are words that convey the need for cool colors: gray, blue, green, purple, and any secondary combinations of those colors.  A third hugely popular category uses descriptives such as timeless, understated, earthy, natural, and that’s where interesting neutrals come into play. 

What I have found is that, given the clues any married couple provides me, we can come up with a palette that accomplishes the ultimate goal of their interior design, and incorporates individual color preferences–either in one room of the house, or as an accent color in a main living area.  I have yet to work with a couple that feels their preferences were disregarded or that their designer “took sides”.  So how do you find this middle road on your own?  Exactly the way a professional designer does.  Make a list of adjectives (that you both contribute) to define the ultimate look of what you want your new design to achieve.  Based on those descriptives, match the feel of what you want to accomplish to the colors that historically can pull that off.  I have researched color associations thoroughly (with the help of Color Marketing Group International) and devised a chart that will help you make those color connections (see inset).

As long as you remember that color choice isn’t a contest between spouses, you can incorporate the best of both your preferences and (with luck and a bit of compromise) live happily ever after.

No doubt you have heard that Italians are very colorful people.  Having traveled Italy, I can definitely vouch for that.  Not only their architecture, but their fashion and interiors all embrace color.  And the word ‘colorful’ can be interpreted through personality as well.   I’ve never been to Chiampo Italy, but I would have to say these people are truly colorful, friendly, and willing to please the American market.  At least those that I met personally at Surfaces/Stone Expo all fit that description.

Their tradeshow exhibit was a testament to remarkable craftsmanship using granite, marble, travertine and onyx as blank canvases for their work.  The parent company is  Ferrarigraniti, and they certainly know how to work magic with stone. One of several lines represented by Ferrarigraniti was Kreoo by Decormarmi. These “artists” use precision water-jet machinery to cut organic, curvilinear designs into pure marble, producing stunning visuals with deep tactile dimension to each stone surface.  From a designer’s standpoint, my imagination ran wild as to the possible applications of these unique stone creations: custom fireplace surrounds and mantels; decorative wall cladding for commercial projects; hospitality lobbies; residential backsplashes and elegant tub surrounds—just to name a few.

At the same booth (and if you were at Surfaces, this will jog your memory for sure) another partner company to Ferrarigraniti displayed amazing carved seating, formed from natural woods and hand-sanded to a stunning, satiny finish.  They were shaped like healthy, oversized mushrooms sprouting from a lush forest floor.  Cute is a word I seldom use, but it certainly describes these clever, adult-sized wooden stools very well.  If the Italians were looking for a way to steal attention, they certainly found it.  They stacked the mushroom stools up front, using that to draw crowds into their space to then discover treasures in carved stone.  What a combination!  What ingenuity!   I would suggest you investigate more—it’s worth it.  For more information, or perhaps the Kreoo catalog, contact giacomo@ferrarigraniti.com.  Her English may not be expansive, but her willingness to please certainly is.

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.