Technology moves so quickly these days, it's hard to keep up with the latest innovations. I have to admit I'm falling behind the times; no BlackBerry, no apps, no clue. Thankfully, there's a new kid in town that is easy to use and is hitting the design world by storm. The once daunting task of choosing paint colours for your home has now become easier thanks to technology even I can use.
Called the Dulux Inspirations tool, the first-of-its-kind electronic device is unique in that it creates instant colour schemes by capturing any colour -- featured on a fabric, piece of clothing, photo, rock, leaf, or any other object -- and automatically suggesting ideal corresponding hues for a room.
This major breakthrough in the paint industry is a boon for consumers and suppliers alike. The new technology promises to change the way people choose paint colour in stores, says Brad Elkins, senior brand manager for Dulux Paints.
Choosing paint colours may not be as easy as a snap of the finger, but thanks to the new innovation by leading paint brand Dulux Paints, it's now as simple as a click of a handheld device.
"Feedback from our stores across the country indicates that colour selection is the biggest challenge consumers face when buying paint," Elkins says, adding Dulux introduced the electronic colour measuring tool to make the process less stressful -- and even fun -- for shoppers. "Now, with a single click, consumers can see first-hand, right in the store, which colours go together best before investing in paint, and then make quicker, easier and more confident purchasing decisions."
All consumers have to do is bring an item featuring a favourite colour into any ICI Paints, Glidden, Color Your World or Betonel store. They then place the Dulux Inspirations tool on the item, click a button and up comes a perfect colour match displayed on the built-in screen. Beside the replicated colour are electronic swatches of other colours -- both matching and contrasting options -- that work best with the scanned hue and can be featured in other design elements in the room.
As I've stated before in this column, inspiration can come from many places. Imagine finding that perfect wall colour in a china pattern or photograph and be able to have it matched at the paint store. Now, all of those magazine photographs, paint chips and fabric swatches you've have been collecting can now be matched with technology rather than just by eye. The new tool will allow you to create an entire colour scheme based on design experts' colour palettes.
"After scrolling through the choices, customers choose the combination of colours they prefer for their room and leave the store rest assured that the colours they've selected for their walls and trim co-ordinate well with the furniture and accessories in their living space," Elkins says, adding the stores will provide shoppers with colour chips for every colour scheme option to take home.
Looking for the perfect shade to start your colour scheme? Dulux offers these tips:
-- Explore your surroundings. Pay attention to what colours make you feel good. Is it certain hues of flowers, trees, grass, even sky? What about a colour featured in a painting, on a book cover, sofa or a favourite shirt? Record the colours you're drawn to by clipping them from magazines, taking photos or making notes and then compile them in a folder. After time, you'll notice a pattern in your preferences.
-- Get in the mood. Determine the kind of feeling you'd like to create in your room. Warm colours such as reds, oranges and yellows tend to create a vibrant, exuberant environment, while cooler colours like greens, blues and violets have more tranquil characteristics, emitting an inviting and comforting feel.
-- Go with your personality. If you're an optimistic, outgoing person, you may choose yellow for your living space. Dependable, calm people may be drawn towards blue, energetic and confident people may prefer red, while those who love nature may lean towards greens or browns. People who like socializing may find an affinity with oranges and creative personalities may choose purple as their colour.
-- Consider the space. Certain colours tend to suit specific rooms. More vibrant colours, for example, go well in a playroom, a kitchen or other active family spaces. Softer colours work best in bedrooms, bathrooms and office areas since they create a more calm and peaceful atmosphere.
We all want to create soulful homes that fill us with inspiration and comfort. Colour is a big factor in the desired outcome. The more assistance consumers can get with respect to choosing paint colours the better.
Connieoliver@shaw.ca
