Color Forecast 2014

I recently attended a seminar put on by Sherwin Williams about trends in paint color for 2014. They have a slew of color experts that are surveyed to predict what types of colors will be trending in the upcoming year.

The palette gravitated towards four distinct groups of colors according to SW.

Not too surprising the theme that gray is the new black was prevalent and cool neutrals that mimic the colors of shadows were forefront.

Some of my favorite from this group are an old standby, Agreeable Gray...

SW 7029 Agreeable Gray

and Peppercorn ...

SW 7674 Peppercorn

Totally opposite of the cool neutrals trending in the coming year is a group of colors that are bold and considered to evoke "cultural traditions". I can see using these strong colors as accents. My favorites are...

Ablaze

SW 6870 Ablaze

 

Georgian Bay

SW 6509 Georgia Bay

and Houseplant

SW 6727 Houseplant

The third group of colors highlighted were light and soft colors that were feminine and simple. My top choices here are ...

Steamed Milk

SW 7554 Steamed Milk

and Malted Milk

SW 6057 Malted Milk

I have 3 more picks that fall into their "fantasy" category!

Quixotic Plum

SW 6265 Quixotic Plum

Library Pewter

SW 0038 Library Pewter

And loving this gorgeous rich color!

Blue Peacock

SW 0064 Blue Peacock

 It would be bold on a front entry like this picture found on Pinterest.

www.pinterest.com

 Speaking of Pinterest, there is a board with all the of the 2014 choices just click here.

Favorite paint colors

As an interior designer, one question I find I am often asked is what paint color to choose. The process is not as simple as it sounds. There are many variables involved in the selection of paint such as the room's sun exposure, natural lighting, ceiling heights, floor choice and color, surrounding rooms, etc.... I always bring multiple color options to a space when I am presenting and make sure to look at the paints in the environment they have been chosen for. This also gives my clients the opportunity to be part of the process.

 

I am partial to neutrals when painting large rooms and open spaces. The first stop is to gather paint samples or swatches and paint large size samples using white poster boards. Move these boards around your space and watch the colors change in all different lighting and at various times of the day. Colors can look drastically different on a sunny and an overcast day and in incendescent and floursecent lights. You want to love your color choice all the time! Never, never, never paint without trying samples!

 

So with everything to consider I cannot pick a color without looking at each unique space. However, I will share with you a few of my favorites. They might be a great starting point for samples!

Sherwin Williams favorites

Functional Gray - 7024 - a warm gray

Wordly Gray - 7043 - neutral warm gray on the lighter side

Griffin - 7026 - Brown

Natural Tan - 7567 - neutral

Black Fox - 7020 - dramatic dark room or trim

Extra White - 7006 - trim white

North Star - 6246 - a soft blue

www.sherwinwilliams.com
 

I am in love with Benjamin Moore's new "Color Stories" collection, but here are a few of my favorites...

BM Old Soul - CSP-65 - tan



BM Museum Piece - CSP-40



BM Oil Cloth - CSP-760 - neutral with gray undertones



BM Sea Glass - CSP-735



BM Crumb Cake - CSP-1010 - yellow undertones



BM Hidden Cove - CSP-1030 - warm neutral



BM Chocolate Velvet - CSP-235 - dark brown neutral