Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2019 - 12

Trends

Color Departure

To d a y 's h u e s r e f l e c t t h e d e s i r e t o u n p l u g
from technology and rewind to simpler times

CCORDING TO A 2018 NIELSEN

CO. AUDIENCE REPORT, the

average person in the U.S.
spends about 10 hours
and 39 minutes each day
in front of some kind of
screen - including phones, tablets and computers.The Pew Research Center recently found that
many people feel all this technology consumption
is affecting them negatively; complaints include
a lack of concentration and increased feelings of
isolation and anxiety.
"Our color forecast reflects on the trend toward redefined luxury in life and a desire to
connect with nature on a personal level, while
pressing pause on a deep dependence on technology," said Susan Forint, design and color expert
at Dulux Paints.
Color authorities like Forint are seeing a greater
appreciation by consumers for the world as it was
before technology, including hues inspired by nature, food and hand craftsmanship. These tones
suggest a shift toward colors and finishes that remind homeowners of other places and times while
celebrating their individual preferences.

ABOVE A warm terracotta color
with ancient roots, Cavern Clay
- the SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
2019 Color of the Year - is a
nod to midcentury modern
style with a hint of the American Southwest. This earthy
hue is both casual and refined
and embodies a free-spirited,
bohemian flair.
ABOVE RIGHT BEHR's 2019

Color of the Year is Blueprint
S470-5, an approachable color that echoes the blueprints
builders rely on to bring architectural designs to life. This
tone is warmer than denim and
softer than navy and signifies
authenticity, confidence and
timelessness.

BY ERINN LOUCKS

ACCENT HUES WARMING UP

The subtler neutral tones that were popular after the recession have gradually
been replaced by more colorful choices. A more optimistic attitude among
homeowners has inspired this increase in adventurous choices, as well as a
desire to instill a sense of self into their own kitchens.
"Today's consumer is trying to find meaning in everything they do at
home," said Sue Kim, senior color designer at Valspar. "Our choices are
grounded in a more personal way as we reexamine the importance of personal
connection to our interiors."
Designer Emily Morrow Finkell of Dalton, Ga.-based Emily Morrow
Home sees these personal choices on accent features. Tones like glossy navy
blue, lacquered green and robin's egg blue are particularly popular.
"Cabinets are becoming more like individual pieces of furniture where
colorful islands or bases showcase the individual tastes of the homeowner,"
said Finkell."These options aren't for the faint of heart, but they do cause the
heart to skip a beat when you see them."
These more colorful preferences all have one thing in common: warmth.
The tones can either stand on their own or complement neutral tones, like
the still popular gray many homeowners have recently used or plan to use
in their projects.
"While grays are still holding their own, there is movement toward neutrals that are a tad warmer - not quite warm beiges, but definitely a shift
away from the stronghold cool grays have had on décor in the last number
of years," said Forint.
Today's gray is not only warmer but softer. In contrast to the busyness of
our technology-filled lives, this type of gray tone - like Benjamin Moore's
Color of the Year, Metropolitan AF-690 - is meant to capture a sense of
restorative quiet.

Kitchen & Bath Business / JANUARY 2019 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)

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Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2019

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