Who Creates Color Trends?

The color wheel remains constant while color trends come and go. Each season brings new popular shades that brighten clothing choices and dominate home décor options.

It may surprise you to know that the latest color trends don’t happen by accident; professional color experts are responsible for choosing the hottest (and coolest) shades for every season.

Often referred to as “color forecasters,” these individuals combine knowledge of design, sociology, and luck to predict the season’s freshest trends.

What do Colors say about People?

Color forecasters choose what color wheel combinations will be popular by considering current events in the nation and world, as well as citizens’ reactions to them. For instance, at this time, there are a lot of headlines about war and economic woes. This may be why color forecasters chose “safe, traditional, and comforting” colors this season, in addition to bright color accents that reflect a spirit of hopefulness.

What Color Combinations are Popular Now?

Black and White with Red Accents-

Europeans fell in love with black and white home décor years ago. Lately, Americans are picking up this trend too. As black and white makes its way into rooms and entire homes, bright and pure colors, like color wheel red, are becoming popular accents.

Neutrals-

Light browns are hitting center stage with other popular neutral shades. Colors of “spices and beverages… [like] mocha and cinnamon,” are predicted to be trending soon. Neutrals are especially good when paired together, in addition to being base tones to bright accents.

Violet-

Roses are red, violets are blue… actually, violets resemble the color wheel’s shade of purple. And believe it or not, purple first became popular with the gothic movement. From high school to the runway, violet and other shades of purple are becoming main themes in homes.

What Colors are Going Out of Style?

Orange-

While shades of coral, as well as deep and earthy orange tones, are still acceptable, orange is taking a back seat in color trends. The shade that once splashed the walls of large foyers is no longer considered a desirable home décor option.

Wine Burgundy-

Since violet is all the rage today, the color of wine – or burgundy – is becoming obsolete. In addition, soft purples, such as lavenders are being picked over for rich purples. 

Which colors are trending in your world this season? What shades are you drawn to? Are there any colors that you find yourself decorating with now that summer is approaching?

Sources: 

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/color-trends-whats-new-whats-next/index.html?ic1=obnetwork

If you enjoyed this Segmation blog post, you are sure to love:

– Color Blocking Makes for Artful Fashion

https://segmation.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/color-blocking-makes-artful-fashion/

– Colors Red and Purple: A History of Emotion

https://segmation.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/color-history-of-emotions-red-and-purple/

– Color Theory Basics: The Color Wheel

https://segmation.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/color-theory-basics-the-color-wheel-2/

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What are your Summer Colors?

Thinking about summer usually evokes thoughts of vibrant colors and warm temperatures. In fact, mental flashes with shades of yellow, sky blue and soft orange can be tormenting during drab winter months. Let’s face it, a 90 degree summer day is the only appropriate time to pull out the yellow linen table cloth, light blue Bahama-shorts and fill your drink glass with colorful fruits.

So, we have to ask: What are your summer colors?

In Martha Stewart’s 60 Days of Color 2011, she shares 19 colorful images that are sure to spawn ideas about how you can incorporate summer colors into your warm days. After flipping through some of the pictures, Martha’s favorite summer colors become apparent.

Summer Colors according to Martha Stewart

• Dramatic Yellow
• Martha Stewart repeatedly uses yellow as her primary color. To compliment this shade she pairs it with a variety of greens. The yellow has a deep tone, closer to a shade of mustard, and nowhere near the color of a street sign. This allows her to use the summer color in large, solid amounts. However, the shade can also carry an entire design and dominate the swirling motion of flower patterns. No matter how it is used, this deep shade of yellow adds brightness to a room without overwhelming the eyes.

• Shades of Blue
• Martha Stewart uses a myriad of blue shades in her collection of summer colors. She often uses light blues to cover large background areas, such as walls, bedspreads and curtains. This allows light to flow through the room and reflect off of dramatic blue accents. Various pieces that are dark blue include throw blankets, vases and paint trim.

• Orange: the soft and the bold
• In her 2011 collection of summer colors, Martha Stewart features some bold rooms with bright accents. Perhaps she does this because her readers spend so much time surrounded by dark colors in those drab winter months. The bold rooms photographed are filled with burnt orange, dark woods and deep greens. Something she uses to splash these dark settings with summer color are light orange accents, soft peach center pieces and lots of complimentary candle light.

Martha Stewart has named her summer colors. Have you chosen yours?

There is still time to pick your 2011 summer colors. Immerse yourself in a world of color by doing a leisure summer activity. Paint by number with Segmation is certain to bring out the color expert in you.

Image made available by Shahram Sharif on Flickr through Creative Common License

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