 genre - October 2009  |
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Colorful Mix Accent pieces for the home show their true colors with 2010's color trends Accent pieces get modernized with 2010’s most prevalent color trends that will breath fresh new air into the home. Color And The Economy Addressing the current economic situation, Creative Bath has created a line of merchandise that works for both optimists and pessimists. Bob Weiss, vice-president sales, says, “Our new line is broken up almost evenly with dark and bright colors to make sure we satisfy the consumers that look at their glass half full or half empty,” he says. “We happen to be a ‘half-full’ company. That said, there are definite specific color trends: happy colors—tangerine, yellows and light greens, and serious colors—cobalt, maroon, grays and teal.” Lydia Irwins, design director, Croscill, says, “When consumers make a non-essential purchase they are buying classic, safe, less edgy, more neutral color products, whether we are talking about furniture, window treatments or bedding.” However, she feels the customer may be more adventurous in other areas. “In bath, I think the buyer may want a little more fun and colorful environment, but we are still showing a lot of neutral shower curtains and accessories. Accents of sage green, gold and heather give the neutral palette a slightly new twist.”
Carolyn Winderbaum, product development manager, Caldeira agrees, “We find our customers are looking for more fashion colors this season. Instead of buying a new sofa they are using accessories to freshen up the look of a room.” Caldeira’s new collection of pillows represents adding color to staple brown with pink and green velvet flowers that pop off a brown background. The New Neutrals
Versatile neutrals get an update. Tinted with color they take on a whole new life. Michelle Lamb, editorial director of “The Trend Curve” and founder of Marketing Directions, Inc., a color forecasting and consulting firm that helps manufacturers and retailers stay up-to-speed on home furnishing color, pattern and design trends, has created a palette of 20 neutrals that she describes as chameleons. “We have been calling them chameleons because they easily change with the company they keep, or the lighting in the space,” she says. Fran Sude, owner and creative director of Design Options, a Los-Angeles based lifestyle-forecasting firm agrees. Her “Botanical Beauty” color palette that she created features tinted neutrals, creams, light khaki and opal green shades that are inspired by nature. Keeping on trend, PHI’s 2010 spring and summer trend market brochure from N.Y. Home Fashions Market Week this September included “Awash with Color,” which features soft pastels and neutrals lightened by washing and bleaching techniques. PHI also believes texture plays a strong role with this softer color palette, adding that crinkled fabrics will be more popular than wrinkle-resistant materials. Go Costal Nautical gets a makeover for the spring and summer seasons of 2010. Sude feels modern nautical is a strong overall lifestyle trend for 2010. She sees it being great for not only for outdoor cushions with seafoam stripes, but for indoors as well, in white linen table runners with embroidered crimson lobsters and pillows covered in prep school ties in colors of emerald and ochre. To accompany her nautical lifestyle trend, Sude created a color palette titled, “On The Waterfront.” Blues with hints of slate, steel and silver will contribute to giving fabrics a water-like look. PHI also believes there will be a strong ocean presence in the spring and summer of 2010. Its market brochure featured “The Life Aquatic” storyboard which features a watery mid-range of clear and yellow casted blues. Also, new printing techniques will allow the color to appear to be water-soluble and touches of sea glass beads will tie together the theme. Its other storyboard, “Regatta,” showcases all American colors presented in a fresh new way. Fragmented stripes and color-blocked solids stand out, while red, white and blue designs get updated with bold punches of color in yellow, orange and grass green. Dianne Weidman, vice-president of sales and design, Saturday Knight Ltd., ties it all together. She says, “Today’s colors reflect transitions and awareness of world events. The power of red, white and blue are pulled from American political debates. Neutral stories with greens and browns reflect the green movement taking place.” resources
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