Paint Now With Color Trends for 2012

The holidays are a time when sprucing up the house before company comes means a mad dash to the paint store. But painting now might mean you miss out on what’s coming next year – and the color experts have already been busily working on new palettes. With 2012 fast approaching, why not paint with the colors that are going to be trending next year instead of the ones on their way out this year? Besides being ahead of the color curve, you’ll give your sisters in law something to talk about over the turkey.

Selecting color

Choosing a color should be a process of the heart and not the head. Too often what we think is the right color might not feel that way once it’s on the wall. The key to finding a color that suits you is to find one that you gravitate toward in fashion. If your closet has more pinks and reds, then today’s claret colors will be more to your liking.

Color trance

When beige is beginning to bore you, then the deep, dark bewitching tones of moody teal, dusky red, crimson, plum, charcoal, and shadowy navy add a contemplative energy and cocooning feel to home. If you’re a bold decorator, try layering three or four shades of one color for a full color saturation effect. In the year ahead, blues and reds will be prominent and tonal versus clear and bright.

Neutral shift

While neutrals are always popular, the move in 2012 is away from skim color to whole color. Like milk, the trend in neutral colors is toward a fully saturated neutral, less beige and more khaki, as an example. The pale neutral will shift toward a richer, deeper neutral tans and taupes. Undercurrent red and umber colors will be a definitive influence in neutrals next year adding depth and dimension to all colors including golds and yellows. In addition to the expected range of earth tones is the surprising addition of neutralized greens and blues. Powdery and comfortingly soft, the palette moves both colors towards tones that read as a relaxing neutral on the wall.

Metal mania

Metals will continue to shine in 2012 but with soft matte overtones. Brushed gold will shine next year bringing a golden versus shiny glow. Metallic and pearlized colors will be found in home accessories and fashion alike. And like the deep jewel tones experiencing a revival, gray is also making a comeback with shades reflecting a deeper, more thoughtful gray toward slate and charcoal. The gray shades will be cool but not overtly blue. Softened silver and bronze will continue to be strong metal colors.

Lipstick cues

A surprise color trending in 2012 are the pouty colors of rose and mauve and their range of lipstick-palette tones. The colors are muted and include deep reds tinged with brown promoting an antiqued feel that creates a timeless comforting appeal. Velvet seat cushions in darkest rose harken to a grandmother’s dining room and holidays past.

It’s that comfort and connection to history and heritage that links many of the colors coming in 2012. But why wait until next year? Next year’s shades harken to times past and the stories that create the tapestry of our lives – all fitting now and any time.

Guest Editor: Kathryn Weber can be contacted through her Web site www.redlotusletter.com

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