Top Ten Color Trends

Color is a very important element in all of our lives no matter what age group you fall into. Many of you go into great detail describing your homes. I hear what's on the walls, floors, windows and what the furniture looks like. I hear brand names and can tell that many of you are interested in details, but the bottom line is always the same—"Please, what am I missing?"

In most cases, it's COLOR! Color can excite you, it can sedate you or it can make you feel good. This year, I decided to give you the Top 10 New Color Trends. I'm even going to take it a step further and give you some complementary colors to make a color scheme and then tell you what that color says about you. Are you ready?

The Top Ten Color Trends (not in any particular order):

#1 Color Trend—Black with white

You might think it's bold; I think it's classic. We have seen this positive-negative effect coming from fashion. The new fashion color is white. Any fashion magazine shows celebrities wearing all white. That might be O.K. for them but it wouldn't work for me for a couple of reasons: 1) It's not my color and does nothing for my skin tones. 2) I'm a dirt magnet. That white would only be white for one minute, then it's off to the cleaners. I would be spending more for the outfit to keep it white than I did to buy it.

But mixing the white with black is great. For the home, we see the black and white in tile and marble floors. It makes a grand statement in the foyer or an elegant look to the bathroom. But you see that color combination in fabrics, wallpaper, artwork, and also in accessories. Black and white toiles are hot as well as bold black and white graphics. Don't forget, opposites attract. Black is the color of mystery and status while white is the color of purity, newness, simplicity and youthfulness. The combination is straightforward and honest, with a lot of visual drama. Try mixing in yellow for freshness or deep red for an unforgettable accent color.

#2 Color Trend—Black with any color

I know that a lot of you are afraid to use the color black when decorating your home. "It's too bold," I've heard. "Won't it make your room smaller?" Black is a wonderful color. Technically, it's a non-color. If you were to go into a jewelry store to buy a diamond or other gemstone, guess what color they put it on? Black. Why? It shows off any color it's next to. Many years ago I had an instructor who said, "You need three touches of black in any room." It could be as simple as a black lampshade, black matting on a picture, a black book on the coffee table or an interesting piece of pottery. When you mix touches of black in a colorful room, that black color is what your eyes will "rest" on. It gives you some relief from the contrasting of the other colors. It becomes the transition color. I think that black is the greatest of all of the neutral colors.

Will it make your room look smaller? You might be surprised to see a black ceiling at a favorite restaurant. You won't feel like the ceiling is down right on your head either. Tonight, go outside after dark. Is the sky black? Does it feel very close? The answer is, "No." Sometimes black can create an infinity effect. Go ahead, be bold using black with any color. Experts say that if you love black you are sophisticated and that you understand prestige. You are willing to try new ideas and aren't afraid of stepping outside your comfort zone.

#3 Color Trend—Red

The red to watch this year is a blue-red. It ranges from a fuchsia to raspberry, from pink to lacquer-red or rose to cherry-red. Red doesn't just sit there; it commands your attention! It's perceived as a warm color. Many fine dining rooms are painted red because it creates warmth and a good feeling effect. You want to sit and enjoy another cocktail or cup of coffee while you talk. Red stirs strong emotion and is said to be a sexy, powerful color.

Maybe red is too bold for you. Try using red in a ripe berry color with a deep periwinkle color. It will add a regal tone to the room. This might surprise you, but if you look at a color wheel, the perfect complement to red is green! They are perfect because they are opposite each other on that color wheel. You can mix these colors with black and white and it won't look like Christmas. Lighten the red to the deep pink and you might also love soft yellow, mixed with that pink and green. If you love red, it is said that you are outgoing, extroverted, wanting to experience new situations and are optimistic. Make it a red-letter day!

#4 Color Trend—Orange

This zesty, energy-filled color is related to red in the fact that it's also a bold color. This year's oranges can be a soft peach, ripe mango, tangerine, salmon or coral. You will find these colors in many prints from traditional to contemporary to tropical. Because orange is such a saturated color, many of you will be more comfortable using it in small doses because our eyes tire of that color first. We tend to balance this color with wood furniture and neutral earthen tone colors. I love the color scheme of terra cotta, sage green and creams. It's a color scheme that is timeless and so easy to live with. Another color scheme that is popular this year is called a gypsy color scheme. It's a playful mix of tangerine, fuchsia and red. This color scheme is not for the timid of heart. People who love orange are good natured and charming. You are said to be adventurous as well as enthusiastic and unique people. Have you had your vitamin C today?

#5 Color Trend—Metal

This year we see metals and metallic effects in every phase of interior design. The chromes gave way to soft and warm brushed nickel or shimmering silver or upscale platinum. A new entry into the metals is copper. At Heimtextil, I saw fabrics that looked like liquid metals. They were soft sheers with a luster of copper, gold or platinum. Don't picture the shine of a tin foil look but just a hint of luster or sheen. The metals are a natural.

#6 Color Trend—Yellow Greens

I almost hate to call this a trend because these colors are truly neutral colors. In springtime, we watch Mother Nature at her best with young plants pushing their heads up from the earth. The color can be pale and tender or fresh and crisp. Look to pistachio, willow, pale apple, lime or deep varsity green. Because of the addition of yellow to the green, it warms the base color. Green represents harmony and balance and is so easy on the eyes and calming. It is the only color that mixes so well with just about any color on a wheel. Pair reds with greens, purples with greens, corals with greens, yellows with greens, blues with greens and ultimately green with greens as Mother Nature does in her natural color palette. People who gravitate toward green are said to be kind and generous, intelligent and dependable. Aren't you glad you like green? Others will be "green with envy."

#7 Color Trend—Blue Greens

These greens are cooled down with the addition of blue. Try aquamarine, turquoise, Mediterranean blue, Caribbean blue, jade, beach glass, sea green, teal and the newest pale robin's egg blue. Again, these colors are inspired by Mother Nature. Close your eyes and imagine the horizon where the sky meets the ocean. These are chameleon colors. The color turquoise seems greener when placed next to blue but the same turquoise looks blue when placed next to a green.

One reason the color turquoise is so popular is because of women's jewelry. Have you noticed how much turquoise jewelry you are seeing? It's not just a southwestern look—today it's called prairie. If you love the blue-greens you are said to be sophisticated and sensitive, neat and well groomed as well as self-assured. This color can be made to look formal with dark toned woods or more casual with light or whitewashed furniture. For an updated look, mix coral with turquoise. Pair a robin's egg blue with a sunny yellow. Try teal with pistachio for the hottest look from Paris. For an analogous color scheme, pair blue, blue-green and green for an instant feeling of a rested vacation.

#8 Color Trend—Blue

Think water, sky, sea, beachy blues, maybe your favorite blue jeans. These colors are comfortable, soothing, serene, cooling and refreshing. Blue is an ascending color that means it can make your space look larger. Blue is the most important color this year. Not only is a true blue popular, but do you realize how many times I have said blue-based? Blue has influenced the reds as well as the greens. Blue has always been a popular color. Mixed with crisp white in toile and in China such as the classic blue willow pattern, delft tiles, or historically shown in Chinese porcelain. Because of the lack of true blues in florals in Mother Nature, many blue and white patterns seem to be checks, stripes and plaids. These geometrics mix well together or with other prints. In fashion, navy seems to have made a comeback and we see dark denim as opposed to a washed out, worn denim. Delphinium blue, French blue, lapis and storm blue are key names for this year's blues. Of course, the Americana look is based on red, white and blue. Try mixing golden yellow with the Chinese blue color for a classical look in the dining room. Try peach with the French blue to create a restful bedroom if you are an insomniac. People who love blue are sensitive, organized, patient and conservative. They are said to be aspiring to harmony, serenity and peace. Are you a blue-blooded person?

#9 Color Trend—Purple

The color of purple (have you seen the movie?) has been associated with royalty. It has also been associated with passion. In nature, purple is not a prevalent color. Some flowers, plums, grapes and eggplant are about it. Purple is a mix of blue and red. Its color range is from light to dark this year. On the light side, look for lavender, hyacinth, wisteria and lilac. Sometimes perceived as fragile and delicate or more of a lady's color. On the darker side of purple, look for violet, amethyst and plum. There is another color of purple this year that is influenced by the blues (there's that blue influence again). It's called periwinkle. I have fallen in love with this color especially mixed with the color raspberry and clean white. Mix sage with soft lavenders or deeper purples with olive. Partner purple with yellow or white for a simple, charming color scheme. You love purple? You are highly creative, witty, spiritual, and have keen observation skills.

#10 Color Trend—Neutral

No matter what colors are trendy, we will always have neutrals. We use these soft, no-color colors because they are safe, easy to use and live with. Many of you will use the neutrals to balance out other colors. It is the foundation for many color schemes. I can tell you the best sellers in window coverings are white, off-white, cream, etc. When you think of a quality product like the Hunter Douglas window treatments the neutral window coverings might outlast a couple of your color schemes. I am always concerned with how things look from the outside, too.

I love the freshness of a white or off-white Silhouette® window shading. It looks beautiful inside as well as outside. It has curb-appeal. If you are using a Duette® honeycomb shade it doesn't matter what color you use on the room side because the street side will always be neutral. The color of neutrals starts with white to off-whites of cream, buttermilk and ivory. They graduate to beige, bone, biscuit and taupe. The color of the neutral is determined by the undertone. Can you pick out a yellow-based white, a blue-based white or a pink-based white? There are many nuances to whites. Neutrals can be mixed with any color or with other neutrals. If you like white and neutrals, you might be innocent, self-sufficient, immaculate and youthful. Your family is a priority and you are a good money manager.