Can't get enough of the rockin' oldies? You're in luck. Retro-inspired colors such as orchid and green antiquity are expected to be hot this year, according to Sherwin-Williams' annual color forecast. The Virtual Re-mix collection is one of five color trend categories for '07 sure to spice up any apartment or condo.
Another hot color trend: the return of beiges as featured in the Understated Elegance collection, which includes a mix of rich browns and grays. “We're seeing the return of neutrals, but not what we saw in the past with very light shades,” says Becky Spak, a senior designer in the color marketing and design department of Sherwin-Williams, a Cleveland-based paint manufacturer. “We're looking at more mid-tone values with a combination of warm and cool neutrals.”
The other categories include the natured-inspired Balanced Living collection, with grassy green inland and a spectrum of blues and golds; Sultry Origins, with a mix of spice-infused colors such as gingery and aurora brown and bold tones like fine wine and marooned; and Kinetic Contrast, which pops with intense accent colors including bohemian black, extra white, purple juneberry, and luau green. (For a complete list of colors, visit www.sherwin-williams.com.)
In addition to these specific color palettes, expect to see shades of gray—from smoky to silvery—make a big splash this year. “I see a lot of gray in fashion, and I see that continuing on into our home,” says Spak. “Cool metals in our appliances, lighting, and fine jewelry have all had a major influence.” So it looks like gray might just be the new black.
