Colour trends for 2010

Is it your new year’s resolution to update your tired old colour scheme in 2010? Are you bored by your beige walls?
Many designers are jumping on the grey train as the new neutral colour from which to start their colour scheme. Use it as your base colour in varying shades on walls and large upholstered pieces such as a sofa.
Try lighter shades like Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl (2137-60) and then add depth and dimension to your chosen accent walls with Sea Haze (2137-50), or for real drama go for bust with Desert Twilight (2137-40). These are your neutral base colours which set the stage for your accent colour of choice.
If you want to be on trend in 2010 the only accent colour you will consider is turquoise according to the trend folk at Pantone, who have identified it as the most important colour for the new year. Try it on an accent wall if you are feeling bold – Florida Keys Blue (2050-40) seems to hit the right note.
Just want to dabble in the trend and have the flexibility to change it up without having to hire a painter? A few well placed throw cushions might just give your space all the pop it needs to feel fresh and on-trend for 2010.

Two Colourful Days Hosting The Bay’s Interior Design Clinic

I had the great pleasure of being selected by The Bay to host their Interior Design Clinic for the past couple of days as a special offering to their customers. And what fun it was! Customers came in thick and fast with design dilemmas relating to their renovation or decorating projects. After speaking to several customers a clear theme became apparent: people are terrified of choosing colours! I can understand the hesitation (or paralysis in some cases!).

Colour is one of the post powerful elements available to designers. No other single element (line, scale, form, rhythm to name a few) can so distinctively define the character and mood of a room like colour can. Colour is tricky but it is not rocket science. Here are some key questions to ask when contemplating a new colour scheme: Is it a calm or active space? How much time will be spent in this room (could you spend eight hours in a fuchsia room? No, but maybe a few minutes as you pass through)? What sort of activities will take place in this space? Will you be in there mostly in the morning or the evening? And most importantly, how do you want to feel while you are in this space (relaxed? energized? creative? social?). It is not strictly a formula, as personal preferences for certain colours will always play into it, but asking these types of questions just might help to unlock some of that paralysis. For keen DIYers and those interested in learning more, try Johannes Ittens book, The Elements of Colour. Thanks again to The Bay for making me a part of a fantastic event!