In a stunning display of an inverse relationship, media tends to turn from looking forward with forecasts to looking back with top ten lists as the old year gives way to the new. Although we have resisted this trend, one large interior design conversation has been largely missing – color forecasting.
Yes, yes, everyone is talking about Tangerine Tango, Pantone’s color choice for 2012. And, in a way, it is a great choice. Bold, optimistic, forward-thinking. But, contrary to popular belief, Pantone is not the only game in town. And the other players have a much different (and, I think, more realistic) idea about the next year in home interiors.
Furniture and accessory markets are skewing away from warmer colors and looking to a cleaner, paler palette, with gray being the primary neutral instead of the chocolate brown of the last decade or so. And the larger interior paint manufacturer’s are doing the same. Benjamin Moore has chosen Whythe blue, an icy gray blue, as their color of the year and trend palettes have similar icy qualities. Warm color accents of copper and paprika stand out in their largely cool palettes for the year. (For full predictions, link this: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-trends-2012)
Sherwin Williams’ predictions are a bit more saturated, but still largely cool and calming. Take a look at their website here: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/ideas/palettes/todays_colors/restless_nomad/index.jsp
While neither of these companies have a hope of breaking Pantone’s stranglehold, those a little unsure of Tangerine Tango can find some forward-thinking ideas elsewhere.
