New Color Trends

I had an opportunity recently to listen to a webinar (seminar on the web, for you non computer people) called Color Pulse 2011 by the paint manufacturer, Benjamin Moore. I find it fascinating to see what the color trends will be for the next few years. I'm sure many of you may be thinking "who cares what the trends are?" Well, paint companies do, that's how they sell paint, by updating and changing the palettes every once in a while.
Interestingly, these paint colors are not chosen randomly. The major influences in color for your walls come from fashion and industrial design and even nature. This webinar was quite informative about the trends coming in the next few years. They talked about Farm influence: where the whites will be more creamy and the yellows will be cheesy. The Urban and domestic farming influence will include soil rich naturals (like brown), with a splash of tomato green and orange for a pop of color.
The creation of Order will be seen in rooms with a black, white and grey color scheme where a random punch of vibrant purple or royal blue like this image from livingpod.com will bring whimsy. Red and black will make a return as a pair in decor with geometric shapes.
Patterning like the photo of the graphic green shapes from the fox hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, will be key while fractal designs and irregular, almost 70's stripes will make retro modern again. Metallics are staying in style with entire rooms done in metallic leaf or just a few accents in furniture and fabrics. This photo is from Jeffrey Bilhuber Interior Design and shows fabulous all-over wall treatment in various metal leafs.
My favorite category talked about in this webinar was the Escape. These colors will be femine and translucent. A pale pearl or cosmetic pink will be done in light metallics, giving one a dreamy, and relaxed feel. These colors were actually inspired by the designs of Armani found on the runways of New York and Paris. Walls will be given a pearlized effect with crystals for drama.
If you're ready for a change in your decor, look to nature or even the runway for your inspiration this year and you'll be right on trend.

Painting tip of the week

BASEBOARDS
Something that many people overlook in their home is their baseboard. It gets taken for granted. Our eyes are focused much higher usually, but if your baseboards are dirty and knicked up it can make your whole house look dirty. I recently made a concious effort to thoroughly clean my guest/boys bathroom and the biggest difference I made (besides closing the lid) was painting the baseboards. The paint had been worn off the board closest to the bathtub from, I'm guessing, water being splashed onto it by my little stinkers, I mean angels. A fresh coat of paint, (and lots of bleach) made this bathroom sparkle.

A great tip for painting baseboards is to, of course, have that touch up paint ready at all times, along with a good 1 inch angled brush. The next thing I always keep on hand is an old slat from a vertical blind. This is invaluable for painting baseboards where there is carpet. Slide one edge under the board and over the carpet and you've got the perfect drip catcher! Now go clean up that house, it's the new year already and you want to start off right!