Are you a slave to colour trends?

In my early days of practising as an Interior Designer, it use to worry me no end about keeping abreast with the latest colour forecast each year. Whilst I've always taken an active interest in colour trends and continue to do so, I no longer allow it to rule my design ideas exclusively, but rather keep them close by as a useful guide. I would advise all designers to do the same, given the fact that since the start of the year, there have already been two diverse colour trends set so far!

The first forecast was carried out by Global Colour Research for 2012, who highlighted four key trends for this year. They are Epiphany, Scratch, Vanity and Monitor. The second company Pantone have named 'tangerine tango' as the colour of the year for 2012. So already we have here two interesting and varying opinions on colour! Incidentally, 'tangerine tango' or the other description of 'spirited reddish orange is thought to provide us with the energy boost we need to 'recharge and move forward – not bad thinking in this economic climate!

Spirited reddish orange

Before we go on to explore the four different colour trends as presented by Global Research, it would probably be useful to know briefly how companies such as Global Colour Research and Pantone actually reach their colour conclusions. Well, it's not rocket science, as I use to think it was!  Representatives from different industries ie fashion, design etc, simply come together and make presentations of their work and it is the common elements from these presentations that form the basis of the colour trends.  A good day's work is then spent tweaking all the ideas, before pulling everything together in to what will then form the latest colour trend.

In brief, Epiphany epitomises all that is classic within the domestic scene and has a high end, luxurious feel and look to it. Silks, heavy velvets, embossed surfaces and buttons are good examples of this. Epiphany also represents heirlooms, the old love worn look with intricate decoration. It's colours are elegant, calming with a cast of shadow and greyness to it, fitting in perfectly with that regal darker purples and greys.

Pearls, photographs and Memorabilia

Scratch is the polar opposite of epiphany representing personal expression, new designs, artistic skills in printing, etching, making your mark, movement and hand finished pieces. The colour pallet for these are described as 'stationery cupboard markers', which offers a layering of colours i.e. red, gold and green. These colours are bold, fun and attention grabbing!

Vanity almost exudes the feminine title it has been given, suggesting nostalgic childhood memories which are gentle and dreamlike – a sense of escape! This colour palette includes 3 pinks, typifying the girly trend and is contrasted by rich mustards, petrol blue and grey.

The final colour trend is Monitor which is apparently inspired by technology, on screen colours and print, films, surreal shapes and unusual combinations and the virtual world. With a tropical colour palette of cyan/magenta, bold greens and pinks, this colour trend is designed to stimulate mental activity with it's happy and uplifting yellow also. Paler blue, black and white are party to this trend as well with black and yellow being the biggest contrasting colours. Surfaces within this trend are tactile, scaly, rubbery with a 3D/optical look.

According to Colour Matters for the Home, we are warned that “Forecasters are really trying to read the moods of people and note trends................The colours in your home need to reflect your preferences and fit in with your lifestyle”.

So don't be a slave to the constant colour trends that come and go, but use them as a guide and consider your own budget and long term décor plans when implementing that next design scheme.

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