KBB - January/February 2012 - (Page 24)

TRENDS Pops of Color Brights come on strong; neutrals get complex Are we feeling better about the economy and the world? Not really. With 8.5 percent unemployment, a political system in what seems a perpetual stalemate and European finances faring not that much better, how could we? But as Leslie Harrington, executive director of Color Association of the United States (CAUS), noted, the longer the recession continues, the more “we become conditioned to it.” And because all hope is not lost,“we’re willing to be less conservative,” she said. Patricia Call, VP of public relations for the Color Marketing Group (CMG), echoes the sentiment: “People are seeking optimism, almost a self-enforced optimism to counteract economic reality.” Hence the brightness and saturation of the 2012 color forecast. bold faced Sure, grays and neutrals still play a significant role in this year’s palette, especially when applied to the kitchen and bath, but for the most part, that fine layer of dust omnipresent in previous forecasts has been partially cleared away to make room for a new vibrancy. Red, predicted for last year, again has a role in 2012, appearing in two iterations: one with an orange cast and the other barely touched with blue. Purple continues its hold, with CMG announcing a bluish “Boyz-N-Berry” as its color of the year, while Pantone opted for a reddish orange dubbed “Tangerine Tango.” Yellow, a current fashion favorite, will also cross over to light up many a home. “This is definitely the optimistic side of us coming out,” Harrington said. “It makes us feel good about the future.” Or it could be a need to be heard. Both Call and Kate Smith, president of color consultancy Sensational Color, point to an increasing desire for self-expression whether in public (think Occupy Wall Street) or at home. This, added Smith, has translated into “statement-making brights” and unexpected and even clashing color combinations that reflect an interest in doing one’s “own thing.” Younger consumers, in particular, who have grown up with digital media and are therefore more accustomed to seeing strong hues illuminated on a computer screen, are freely introducing them into their homes through patterns and color blocking on, say, a feature wall. Where square footage and decor are at a minimum, such as urban apartments, Smith noted, “Color is the statement and, in a way, almost replaces furnishings.” complicated neutrals But loud color pairings and bold pattern mixes may not suit everyone’s taste or mood, especially those who find life to be needlessly complicated and seek to lighten their load through nature, technology, cultural traditions and nostalgia for bygone times. Consequently, experts are also predicting a spate of earthy greens, dark and mid-tone blues inspired by northern lakes and a wide array of complex neutrals, including warm orange-tinged brown, grays with or without a vague metallic sheen and a rich off-black. “Any color can be a neutral, as long as it’s muted or low in chroma,” said Smith. “Neutrals are a great way to feel as if a space is clear. They also tie into the environment and being eco-friendly.” Designers no doubt will find myriad ways to combine these more sober colors with brights, but monochromatic and neutral-only schemes are increasingly popular in 24 + K BB January/February 2012 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - January/February 2012

KBB - January/February 2012
Contents
Online Contents/News
Editorial
Show Director’s Note
Road to KBIS
Consumer
Web Savvy
Focus
Abroad
Trends
Products
Design
Mid-century Makeover
Modern History
Education
Ad Index
Last Word

KBB - January/February 2012