Cobalt blue forecast as colour of year
In today’s fast-paced, datadriven world where stress and anxiety are all too common, people can find refuge from their blues by surrounding themselves with, well, blue. Not just any blue, though – think deep, comforting, inky cobalt blue.
That’s the message of trend forecasters at Dulux Paints by PPG in unveiling the brand’s 2020 Colour of the Year: Chinese Porcelain (DLX11606). This rich and traditional hue combines the energy and brightness of cobalt blue with a muted, dark navy tone, emitting a feeling of calm, restfulness and hope.
“Everyone today is looking for an escape from technology, a way to slow down and infuse simplicity into their lives in an uplifting environment. This is, in part, why we’re craving blues like Chinese Porcelain,” said Rob Mcdonald, Senior Brand Manager, Dulux Paints by PPG. “Exuding depth, richness and drama, next year’s blue brings us closer to natural elements such as the sea and sky – creating lavish serenity in any space.”
According to Mcdonald, the trending earth-tone aesthetic will be reflected in all facets of home decor in the coming year, highlighted by uncluttered spaces with organic, deep mineral and metallic tones that delight the senses.
“The colour palette shifts away from the cool, stark greys of the past and builds on last year’s introduction of warm shades that emit an air of old-world charm and craftsmanship, blending together classical and modern design elements to create sophisticated looks,” said Mcdonald.
Other complementary trending colours that pair well with Chinese Porcelain are deep mineral tones such as Dulux Paints’ Gracious Glow (DLX1116-5) yellow-olive green, Talavera (DLX1018-5) warm taupe, Brown Clay (DLX11996) soft terracotta and Gray Marble (DLX1002-4) stone gray. The combination of these nod-to-nature hues delivers an ambiance of state-of-theart luxury in its simplest form, particularly when accessorized with warm metal accents and linear geometric patterns. To incorporate this blue into any home, Dulux Paints by PPG offers these tips:
• Paint an accent wall with Chinese Porcelain as a perfect backdrop for vivacious colours to pop.
• Use blue as a feature colour in a bedroom with crisp white bedding and crown molding to provide a sharp contrast.
• In a living room, layer inky cobalt blue with additional blues in tufted and velvet furniture or pair with trending metallic finishes to create an elegant living space.
• Complement the hue with decor such as lush drapes or velvet pillows in warm saffron and turmeric tones.
• In addition to warm teak wood, pair deep blue with leather accents and dusty sand tones for an attention-grabbing look.