Environmental concerns tinge color choices for 2008
As the world turns green, the world of color is following suit.
A genuine concern for the environment is showing up in the colors we will choose in 2008. Greens, blues, warmer metallics and more ethnic accents top the list, according to Color Marketing Group, an international association of color professionals.
“Our members specify color for everything from paint and furniture to cars and carpets,” said Jaime Stephens, executive director of Color Marketing Group. “They track trends several years ahead, and they’ve rarely been wrong in more than 43 years.”
So what’s in store — and in stores — for the coming year? Here’s what the association has to say:
Looking green: People want things to look “green” no matter what the color is. Being stylish in 2008 means being natural. Materials will look handmade, undyed and unbleached. They will look more like what they are made of with lots of texture and imperfections. Colors will be those that appear in nature, such as off-whites, sand, rock, soil and brownish-greens.
There’s news in blues: Blues remind us of sky and water and remain prominent, even in the kitchen. This year there is an emergence of a deep, vibrant navy so dark you’ll swear it’s black.
Specialized finishes and warmer metallics: Thanks to advances in technology, shimmery and specialized finishes are already hot, but in 2008 the metallics will go warmer. Look for brushed chrome and nickel, copper and bronze tones to prevail.
More ethnic accents: Globalism continues to inspire our love for ethnic accent colors and is coming to us from India, China and Latin America. Colors adding punch are Moroccan reds and oranges, rosy pinks, sunny golden yellows and lots of turquoise. Already here in fashion and home design, these ethnic accents will show up as “punch” colors in hotels, restaurants and retail environments, too — often paired with rich browns as neutrals.
Color Marketing Group forecasts color trends up to three years into the future for its members, many of whom must plan ahead for product, space and materials introductions. For more information, visit www.colormarketing.org.
Information courtesy Color Marketing Group