Colour forecasters’ purple picks anticipate a bold and beautiful new year
Next year’s choices are vibrant shades that move away from current pastels
Well it’s hard to believe that it’s that time of year again. With 2016 winding down, paint industry leaders announce their highly anticipated colour trends for 2017.
For some of us within the design community, it’s like the excited anticipation you feel when receiving a gift on Christmas, guessing what wonderful surprise is hidden inside. We discuss amongst ourselves and make our educated predictions but until the big reveal, no one knows for certain.
Colour forecasters are a combination of designers, sociologists and clairvoyants. They research what is happening on the fashion runways, in art exhibits, trade shows and the furnishings industry globally looking for trends. It seems that after several years of lighter tones and pastels, the dynamics have shifted, and we are craving colour in a big way.
Benjamin Moore answered that desire this week with the announce- ment of their Colour of the Year for 2017 — Shadow (2117-30).
“Shadow is a master of ambience. It is a colour that calls to mind a ‘past’, yet it can also make a contemporary, colour-confident statement,” Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore’s creative director, said in a statement. “Shadow is sophisticated, provocative and poetic; it can bring energy to a space or harmony and a moment of respite.”
It’s a surprising departure from last year’s chosen colour, Simply White (OC-117), but this deep and dusky eggplant has an undeniable appeal. It is refined, confident and versatile, creating a striking backdrop for today’s warmer metals. Brass, gold and copper simply glow against dark, sophisticated hues.
Five of the 22 supporting colours within Benjamin Moore’s 2017 palette share Shadow’s purple undertone and range from soft pastels to rich, opulent tones. Strongly influ- enced by the arts, they are intense though muted with a nod towards more earthy natural hues. These dark colours inject instant drama to even the most humble of rooms.
Purple is unquestionably a colour that is gaining momentum and surprisingly the three major paint companies all agree. Just ask Alison Goldman, brand manager for the CIL paint brand of PPG, and Sherwin-Williams, who both declared colours with purple undertones as their own 2017 choices.
Antique Violet (50BB 46/091 | V37) was CIL’s top pick. This subdued midtone lavender leans toward the blue end of the spectrum and is greyed down, keeping it from being too feminine.
Similarly to Pantone’s pick for 2016, Serenity, Antique Violet is uplifting and reminiscent of summer skies. With the hectic pace of life today we are craving a place to unwind and this peaceful tone is great when cre- ating a sensual and relaxing atmosphere.
Unassuming and serene best describe Poised Taupe (SW 6039) by Sherwin-Williams. This blend of grey and brown with hint of a purple undertone is cozy, welcoming and unpretentious.
All three colour of the year selections have the perfect balance of soothing, calming blue with energetic, uplifting red. The resulting combination of a warm and a cool colour makes them somewhat of a neutral that offers versatility.
Dramatic, sophisticated purples or blues, softer more playful nature-inspired neutrals, or light and airy barely there blushing tones — whatever your style for 2017, the paint companies have you covered. Andrea Colman is a colour consultant and principal designer and owner of Fine Finishes Custom Design Solutions. Send paint shade and decorating questions to info@finefinishes.ca.