COLOUR IT CALM
Two paint manufacturers opt for shades that spell serenity
Paint remains the easiest and most inexpensive way to totally transform a space; a new coat of paint can infuse a room with drama, panache, and sleek style. And for 2019, bolder colours are taking a backseat in lieu of serene, more neutral tones that are beautiful on their own, or work as the perfect backdrop for other hues.
Every year, paint companies announce their Colour of the Year, and Dulux chose Night Watch (DLX1145-7) — a versatile, deep green derived from last year’s black trend. While it may be dramatic, it has a starkness to it that’s striking.
“We have a team looking at trends and things happening in the world, including lifestyles and human behaviour, and we come up with not only a Colour of the Year but complementary palettes, too,” explained Susan Forint, colour and decor expert at Dulux. “The more we have technology consuming our lives, we’re seeing a growing appreciation for more traditional old-world craftsmanship, either in colour, texture, or other home decor elements. Our deep Night Watch colour is versatile and rich, with an underlying blackness to it
— but with the green element it’s a nod to nature as well. It can stand as a colour on its own or works with other colours.”
Benjamin Moore announced Metropolitan as their 2019 Colour of the Year — a pale grey that is extremely calming and laid-back. It, too, reflects our busy lifestyles, and is intended to instill a sense of serenity.
“Last year our colour of the year was Caliente, because there was a lot of energy in the air and in the world, but that energy has drifted away and now, when I’m watching the news, I’m tired! It’s exhausting,” Sophie Bergeron, director of colour and design at Benjamin Moore, said with a laugh. “We went full circle and we’re back to needing peaceful colour, something that is comforting.
“And what I love about grey and Metropolitan is the theme — it’s all about common ground. It’s perfect with most colours of the spectrum and can be used as a main colour or an accent. It’s definitely one of the best neutrals we have.”
In addition to choosing the one highlighted colour, Benjamin Moore also released a co-ordinating palette of 15 additional hues known as their annual Colour Trends 2019 report.
For the new year, it’s not just about the colour but the finishes as well.
Two years ago, Dulux introduced their Venetian Silk collection of paints, a unique two-step, multitoned finish. A base colour is applied and then gets two thin sheen top coats for a look that’s multidimensional and sumptuous. For 2019, they announced a Venetian Silk Colour of the Year as well: Mojito Shimmer (036VS) — a brooding black-green that is contrasted by a distinctive, luminous, frostygreen veil of shimmery lustre.
“The light is really captured in the finish and offers visual texture, and this line represents the next dimension for walls,” Forint said.
Paint is the quickest way to add personality to a space and can be a makeover project all on its own.
“You don’t necessarily have to change up your entire decor,” Forint said. “All of our colours of the year can work as a feature colour. You can even paint one wall and it will transform a space. Collections like Venetian Silk adds a layer to your surfaces (and) brings pizzazz, and it’s a decor job that can be done in a day or over a weekend.”
The main thing to keep in mind when choosing paint colours in the new year: Less is more.
Forget the trendy, bright colours of decades past and instead focus on tried-and-true monochromatic tones that have long been go-to colours.
“A lot of classic colours are in the 2019 palette, and these are colours that people have been using for years,” Bergeron said. “Colour is taking a break this year. In 2019, it’s all about comfort, peace, being at ease, and striking a balance.”