When I got the news release on the new colour trends for 2009/2010 from Sico Paints, I have to admit that I was taken aback at first. The colour schemes are very different from anything we've seen in a long while. Surprising colour combinations like peach with fuchsia, mustard with teal blue, neon green with dark navy and electric blue with deep slate really push the envelope in the decorating arena. I had an immediate visceral reaction when I first saw these colour palettes, which was at first a little perplexing. The fact that the colour schemes reached me at such an emotional level piqued my interest. I think that they are on to something here.
Virtual reality technology has blurred the line between reality and fantasy, which is changing people's perspective of the world. The new colour mixes do have a fantasy quality about them which actually grows on you after a while. Over the next two years, expect the unexpected. These unusual colour combinations will be found not only in paint colour but also in furniture, wall coverings and accessories.
Consumers want a calm existence but also want a sense of optimism and freedom in their lives. In response, paint manufacturers are mixing calming pastels or earth tones with punches of vibrant colour providing a truly unique blend.
This room that is decorated in soft earth tones is given a twist with an accent wall of fuchsia behind the fireplace. At first I wasn't sure about the look but it has definitely grown on me. This room has a "modern urban" feel to it that is both relaxing and exciting at the same time. The fact that the hot pink colour has no relation to anything in the room (save perhaps for the subtle pink undertones in the furry carpet) makes it a daring choice. It's Texas meets teenager or the desert meets the tropics. It's just plain fun! If fuchsia is not for you, a punch of royal blue, brick red or lime green could easily work as well.
Another new trend is to use colour blocking to bring in geometrical interest to a room. Rather than painting a wall one colour, inspired designs in two or three tones are now the rage. The blank wall really is a canvas in this new era of creativity so you can turn your walls into an intricate part of the design rather than just a colour backdrop.
What's old is new again
Many of the colours in the new colour combos are brought back from a bygone era. That fuchsia wall for example reminds me of my childhood friends home from the 1970s. Her mom had just installed wall-to-wall fuchsia carpeting in the formal living room which was adorned with white French provincial furniture. It had the same feel then that our sample room has today. The difference is that now the colour experts are throwing in unexpected colours to the mix for truly inspired rooms.
Topping the list of Sico's most popular paint colour combos for 2009-2010 are:
Vibrant, saturated greens, blues or yellows mixed with dark, industrial tones that create a sophisticated and energetic yet tranquil decor, such as Sico's Pomelo (6101-54) bright yellow, Bold Blue (6022-83) deep navy, Basalt Grey (6208-63) slate, and Coastal Breeze (6199-31) complex grey.
Soft florals merged with deeper lively colours that deliver an intriguing, eclectic feel to a room, like Pale Chestnut (6072-52) peach, Nunavut (6181-83) brown, Betrothal (6035-63) fuchsia and Rice Flour (6180-21) lavender grey.
Rich green and yellow botanical hues combined with jeweled tones that create a healing, invigorating ambiance like Sico's Virgin Olive Oil (6102-44) bright yellow, Green Leaf (6140-73) green, Poetic Green (6165-31) mint and Chanterelle Beige (6185-31) grey.
Chalky whites and muted shades offset by strong purples and dark slate that emit a futuristic yet romantic air, such as Deep in Time (6174-73) purple, Mozart (6172-52) lilac, Rembrandt Brown (6177-41) lavender, and Time Passages (6174-11) white.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
