Color Trends 2012
So, we have been living in our house for almost four years (I cannot believe it has been that long!) and it is starting to look a little…lived in. OK, alot lived in. And since we are thinking about maybe putting it on the market in the next year, I have been giving some thought to a few painting projects I would like to do.
When we bought the house, it was all sorts of 80′s-fabulous, with contractor white walls, oak trim, and huge mirrors all over the place. Oh, yeah there was also dusty blue carpet, flowered tile and light blue laminate counter-tops. Awesome.
We have done so much updating it sort of makes my head hurt to think about it…but now if we are going to sell it…or if I am going to be able to walk through it without constantly updating this massive to-do list I am always writing in my head…it’s time to do some painting.
All of our walls are a very neutral light latte color (read:beige). Boring. And all of the trim and cabinets have been painted white. Those light blue laminate counter-tops are now beautiful granite slabs.
So, how can I infuse some new, fresh color while staying trendy and neutral enough to sell?
Time to hit the Pantone Color Trends for 2012!
Since design trends for both fashion and home are usually closely tied, it helps to first look at which color trends are hitting the runways for Spring 2012…
For spring 2012 designers are inspired by diverse influences, showcasing a range of styles and lifestyles, from free and playful and light and breezy, to contemporary classics. Colors likewise reflect these differing moods, encapsulating vivid brights, soft muted tones and fun-loving pastels.
“Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “They have learned how color can help them alter a mood and provide the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations.”
Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone’s outlook this spring. Providing a jolt of energy, Solar Powerradiates warmth and cheer.
Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity. Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red — an excellent choice for summer clothing and cosmetics.
Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind. Like an anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every color in the palette. Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will surely make a statement this spring.
Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilacevokes the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance to any wardrobe.
Natural versatile neutrals add practicality to this season’s brights. Driftwood, an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel, and Starfish, a perfect warm summer neutral, complement all colors featured in this season’s top 10.
For an ultra-bold vibrant look this spring, try mixing Bellflower with Tangerine Tango and Cabaret. Combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Cockatoo for a subtle alternative, or combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Driftwood for a more practical variation. Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sodalite Blue. For a safer bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix.
So what does all of that mean for home decor?
According to the Chicago Tribune…
Choosing a color should be a matter of the heart and not the head. Too often, what we think is the “right” color might not feel that way once it’s on the wall.
The key to finding a color that suits you is to find one you gravitate toward in fashion. If your closet has more pinks and reds, then today’s claret colors will be more to your liking.
When beige is beginning to bore you, the deep, bewitching tones of teal, dusky red, plum, charcoal, and shadowy navy can add a contemplative energy and cocooning feel to a room.
If you’re a bold decorator, try layering three or four shades of one color for a full color saturation effect. In the year ahead, blues and reds will be prominent and tonal vs. clear and bright.
While neutrals are always popular, the move in 2012 will be away from skim color to whole color. Like milk, the trend in neutral colors is toward a fully saturated neutral; less beige and more khaki, as an example. The pale neutral will shift toward richer, deeper tans and taupes.
Undercurrent red and umber colors will be a definitive influence in neutrals next year, adding depth and dimension to all colors, including golds and yellows. In addition to the expected range of earth tones is the surprising addition of neutralized greens and blues. Powdery and comfortingly soft, the palette moves both colors toward tones that read as a relaxing.
Metals will continue to shine in 2012 but with soft matte overtones. Brushed gold will shine next year, bringing a golden vs. shiny glow. Metallic and pearlized colors will abound in home accessories and fashion alike.
Like the deep jewel tones experiencing a revival, gray is also making a comeback, with deep shades toward slate and charcoal. Soft silver and bronze will continue to be strong metal colors.
Surprising color trends in 2012 will be the pouty colors of rose and mauve and their range of lipstick-palette tones.
The colors are muted and include deep reds tinged with brown, promoting an antiqued feel with a timeless, comforting appeal. Velvet seat cushions in dark rose harken to a grandmother’s dining room and holidays past.
That comfort and connection to history and heritage links many of the colors coming in 2012. But why wait? Next year’s shades are fitting now and any time.
OK, I am off to the paint store, totally inspired by these images, all from Diet Coke and Smoke (if you haven’t been there, go now.).
Happy Painting!
