You don’t know it, but each year an entire army of color experts is scientifically trying to figure out what colors turn you on this year. Acting as fortune tellers for the paint industry they make annual color forecasts by studying everything from fashion and movies to economic, social and political factors.

Here’s what they think you want to paint your house this year and why:

The ‘greening of America’ is washing you out– The Color Marketing Group has named natural and unbleached looks the No. 1 color trend.  This follows our age-old tradition of using safe neutral tones that sell well year-in, year-out like Antique White, Navajo and Bone.

You’re headed for the blues in every way–  Experts offer touchy-feely explantion for their tendency towards green-blues, yellow-blues, purples and Iris blues this year. One Major-Domo for Pantone believes their color Blue Iris is ”emotionally anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic.” Other reasons tie into blue’s connection to the natural elements of sky and water and its steadying influence in these uncertain times.

You need yellow to brighten your outlook– The color industry thinks you need more yellow because communicates “optimism, respect, radiance and well-being” — and who doesn’t want more of that in their life? The favored tones for this color also tend towards green, with names like Mayapple, Oatland Daisy and the easy-to-picture Woodlawn Music Room.

You’re going techno, but in a kinder, gentler way–  Advances in technology drove us towards hot, shimmery surfaces (remember the days of stainless steel countertops and backsplashes?), but in 2008, metallics will go warmer. Look for coppery, bronzish tones to prevail.  

You’re continuing to Go Global– Ethnic influences from China, India and Latin Americal incline you towards Moroccan reds and glowing oranges, rosy pinks, sunny golden yellows and lots of turquoise. You will use these accent colors to punch up your rooms and will enjoy pairing them them with rich browns as neutrals.

Other “fast-facts” about trends in paint and design:

 You now like to change at least some of your interior colors every three years instead of every five– because you move alot, like feature walls, and enjoy watching HGTV.

Last year you bought a lot of red– Hot sellers for walls last year were Chili Pepper and Ravishing Red. In San Francisco the top-selling red hue was called “Dinner Party” (I wonder what you served. . .)

Your palette since the Millenium, in addition to the colors mentioned so far has run towards (and possibly away from) Chrome, Eggplant and Lime Green. 

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If you’re ready to sell your home and need advice on color, design and furniture placement decisions, a good Realtor (like me) can help. Don’t hesitate to use me as a friendly resource who can offer ideas on how to make your space look fabulous and recommend the best stagers and designers in the City.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm and is filed under Home Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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