LOVE LIVING IN VIBRANT COLOUR
Paint manufacturers release their hues of the year
The psychology of colour is endlessly debated in the world of home decor and furnishings, no more so than when it comes to the paint on our walls.
Certain colours, we’re told by designers and paint producers, can make us feel invigorated and alive, while others have a soothing, calming effect. Light colours like white will open up a space, while dark colours can create a cavelike environment for you to crawl into and escape.
Near the end of every year, leading paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams and Behr come out with their colours of the year for the following one. These are purportedly arrived at after months of research, travel, trade show visits and exhibitions, not to mention the close attention paid to other industries, like fashion and the automotive sector.
Here’s a look at what we’re loving — and will be next year.
The mindfulness and wellness trend that has been going strong in all industries including home furnishings is continuing, with people seeking healthy, balanced lifestyles, says Erika Woelfel, Behr’s colour expert.
“The overarching trend in the home is that home is a sanctuary, our ultimate escape, if you will,” she says. “Whether your home space is large or small, the strategic placement of colour can help enhance that space to create a sense of nurturing, peace and joy in that most important of places for us all.”
The Danish concept of hygge, or coziness, is what we’re talking about here, Woelfel says, and is achieved through “a welcoming home.” Included in this, she says, is an increasing desire for uncluttered, organized homes, referencing Japanese organizational consultant Maria Kondo, author of the best-selling book The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up.
“Homeowners all over the country are purging their homes of anything that doesn’t bring joy and make them happy,” Woelfel says. “Setting up a quiet corner of the home to just rejuvenate and unwind, a reading nook, or indoor, outdoor garden, or a place to enjoy a moment of quiet reflection is also something people are doing.”
The colours we choose for our homes can help us transform them into our own personal sanctuaries, she says.
“People don’t just see colour, but feel it on a physiological level,” she says. “It’s very, very emotional. It has great power in that sense and that capacity. It can enhance the mood of a room, so colouring with intent is something that comes at the forefront for us. We want to connect with colours that feel right to us personally, not just look right.”
The colour that Behr has chosen for 2018 — one they believe reflects these trends, as well as being easy to use — is aptly called In The Moment.
“In The Moment is a naturebased colour,” Woelfel says. “It creates a cosy, comforting sanctuary. It’s welcoming and soothing and versatile, whether it’s in a kitchen with white cabinetry or dining room with brown furniture, it fits really, really well. It’s this really great balance between blue, and green and grey, and we know that these are colours that feel very peaceful and restorative.”
Sherwin-Williams’s colour of the year for 2018, Oceanside, is a rich blue-green colour inspired by adventure and exploration. The focus on mindfulness, and a Scandinavian approach to living, is also seen in the brand’s Colormix Forecast for 2018, in their Sincerity palette.
“There is a growing need for minimalism, daily meditation and the concept of lagom — just enough,” says Sue Wadden, director of colour marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “The hushed tones of Sincerity play out in sand, complex greys and hazy botanicals. There are no harsh lines, but rather blending and fluid movements that create peace and space.
“Less is more as we declutter, and move possessions into the cloud. With the Sincerity palette, silence is no longer empty, but instead is rare and rich with possibility. Sincerity is about mindful living and creating an environment to disconnect and recharge. Soft, washed neutrals, greens and sanctuary pinks work together to create harmony.”
In something of a bold contrast to the other paint companies, Benjamin-Moore’s colour of the year for 2018 is a strong, radiant red named Caliente.
“It is pleasing, passionate and makes people feel special, like red-carpet treatment,” says Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore’s director of strategic design intelligence. “Whether used as one note or on four walls, the spirited personality of red turns heads, signalling surprise and adventure. The eye can’t help but follow its bold strokes.”