2007 Colors – What’s in?

Text by Lily Sokhi

To take a look at the hottest color of this season, you do not have to go far, just look outside your window. Natural colors in their native environment are the inspiration for this year’s updated home decorating palettes. Hence, back to the forest and the beach. There is a major shift towards natural material and colors this year.

This year bring the beauty of beach inside the four walls of your home. The color of the sky, the color of water, and true blues from nature will be everywhere. From the vivid blue of the sea to teal blue, it is color for calm and serenity. The magical blue in lighter tones can bring the calming spa feeling. The darker shades of blue can be very chic and sophisticated. Blue in combination with the green of palms, the coral and pink of seashells and the different hues of sand is the look for a restful bedroom.

The color green represents the global movement to protect our environment. It is a symbol of life, health and nature. Green represents relaxation and being at one with nature. It is linked with rejuvenation and harmony. The shades are ranging from pea green, lush grasses, crisp celery, deep olive, to deep hunter-green hues. Use green in your bedrooms or dinning area. A very practical and easy way of bringing green to your house is by keeping potted plants inside the house.

Brown is the new black this season. Brown in all of its wonderful variations seen this season has been elevated to a new level. From mid-tones to deeper shades, the beiges, browns, and tans will all be more earthy, grounded, and natural, reflecting the colors of rocks, stones, and soil. This year, experience browns in their rich flavor. Smell the brown, in all the rich tones and hues of gourmet chocolate, coffee, rich cappuccinos and cinnamon. When you think of brown, think of foundation. Think of skin tones from all over the world. Brown is being combined with softest blushes of pink to warm straw, bold reds and water inspired blues greens.

Mellow yellow is making a comeback this year. It is being used in a young, contemporary, urban way. It is simply about making the most of space and light. According to Kate Smith of Sensational Color, “A soft yellow can quietly replace white or off-white walls in most decorating schemes and the addition of this sunny hue immediately creates warmth and ambiance in a room that may previously have lacked personality. In comforting shades of straw, butter and light gold, this color blends easily with this season’s smoky grays, sensual browns, or blue ocean hues.”

Indian, Latin and Asian are a great influence for accent colors in the year 2007. The color red, in all its tones, warm as well as cool, will be seen everywhere this year. Red in all its hues, whether expressing danger, celebration, love or passion, is emerging as the most popular accent color. Warmer reds remain strong. All shades from coral to plum and lots of blue-reds, such as wine & cranberry are also taking the centre stage.

For this year orange is toned down towards aged terra cotta and warm copper. On the lighter side orange leans toward pink and the result is a lovely coral. These oranges will move the color into more mainstream home decor and have broader appeal for fashion.

Purple, from soft violets to lush orchids to deep blue-purple, has won over designers this year. It has been called the hottest color in home décor. Purple has a broad appeal as it can take on many moods, from soft and feminine in its lighter tints, to deep and mysterious in its deeper shades.

The sophisticated and versatile gray is warming up this year. It will be hard to tell the gray from the brown. My all time favorite, gray can be an amazing backdrop for any color. It can work very well with the cool reds, the browns as well as the purple in the most amazing way.

This year, harmonious, grounded palettes are inspired by the seasons of nature. Organic colors, patterns and textures provide a fresh new take on bringing the outdoors in. If you love this year’s new colors, there’s no need to buy an entire new set of living room furniture. A few accents go a long way towards giving your room a fresh look. Try picking out two or three matching colors that you like and stick with them. Use the new color on cushion covers, pillows, blankets and vases, so when the next new hot color comes along, they can easily be replaced.