KBB - January 2009 - (Page 20)

T rends Color Therapy Optimistic hues will beat recession blues With the shaky economy and a new president in the wings, the nation is expected to undergo a period of transition and uncertainty in 2009. Which is why color forecasters predict that homeowners will turn to bright, vibrant colors that “offer a glimmer of hope” to their living spaces, especially kitchens and baths, said Doty Horn, director of color and design for Benjamin Moore, adding, “Consumers need colors to keep them uplifted.” The move toward bright, cheerful colors has precedence in past periods of economic hardship, which left consumers seeking relief in other outlets, such as entertainment or, as is the case now, in home environments that inspire a feeling of optimism. Ken Charbonneau, a member of the Interiors Committee for The Color Association of the United States (CAUS), agrees. “People need a form of escapism,” he said. “During and after the Great Depression was Hollywood’s best period of movies, which made people feel better. We think about that in today’s products.” Observing current consumer trends, experts predict that kitchens and baths will soon reﬂect the demand for cheerier colors already seen in the latest fashions and home furnishings. “Color is the power of seduction,” Charbonneau said. “It’s part of what makes people buy something.” And with budgets tightening up, painted accent walls may be the easiest and most affordable way to add color to a room. Integral Color Design for Architecture and Interiors, other popular choices include saturated blues; yellow- and blue-based greens; spicy, earthy oranges; red-based purples bordering on raspberry; neutral grays; and light mocha browns. Consumers crave colors that “stimulate the senses,” Jacobs noted. During times of economic distress, homeowners are also looking for safe, compatible color combinations that build upon the existing decor, while maintaining the resale value of the home, said Charbonneau. For example, a yellow accent would ideally complement a blue and white color scheme, he explained. In the kitchen, the new vibrant palette may also take on bold, ethnic accent colors inspired by Russia and countries in Asia and Latin America. BRIGHT PERSPECTIVE Beyond accent walls, bright hues are also popping up on appliances, in surfacing and on cabinetry. According to Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, cobalt blue and black are “great starting points” for upscale appliances, and cabinet ﬁnishes in shades of red, yellow or orange can “add an exhilarating touch to a space.” If an entire remodel is too costly, she added, try red-painted cabinetry. For the bath, blue continues to be a popular choice for its associations to “the relaxing effect of water,” Jordan said. Classic colors with enduring appeal will gain momentum in 2009—a year in which design and color trends will continue to be inﬂuenced by the economic shift, predicted Charbonneau. “People want to be optimistic,” he said. “Color provides optimism. It’s essential to our lives.” I —Matthew Marin FRIENDLY COLOR FAMILIES Of the different colors expected to make an impact in 2009, yellow in bright and clear shades tops the list, said Horn and Charbonneau. According to Barbara Jacobs, an architectural color consultant for 20 + K BB January July 20042009 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of K/BIS www.kbis.com http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - January 2009

K+BB - January 2009
Contents
Online Contents
Online News
Editorial
Focus
Consumer
Trends
Products
Options
Profile
Design
Green
Additions
Opinion
Editorial Index
Ad Index
Favorites

KBB - January 2009