Archive for the ‘Feature Writing’ Category
Colour trends 2011-2012
Overview of Colour Palettes for 2011-2012
According to paint company, Resene, colour palettes are becoming increasingly individual. Consumers are appreciating colour more and understanding the importance of introducing colour into our lives. Resene draws particular attention to items that were once boring colours like accessories in our kitchens. Brightly coloured refrigerators are now prevalent in stores where once we would have only seen white or stainless steel. Small accessories for the kitchen are designed in bright, cheerful colours and are seen as a fashion statement. This trend is very retro 1950s. The kitchen was seen as the domain of the woman of the household and as pastel tones were all the rage, these spilled over into kitchen accessories. Homes are all about comfort now and individualism so rather than stick to neutrals, break out and enjoy some of the beautiful bright, clear uplifiting colours that are the trend for 2011-2012.
Resene’s colour predictions for 2011-2012
As you can see from Resene Switched On and Outrageous, colours are cleaner and less complicated than they have been in the past and these colours are designed to draw the eye towards them. As we have seen with colour trends lately, nature continues to play a huge role in colour popularity. Consumers are appreciating handmade items that have imperfections but have been crafted with love and care rather than factory mass produced items that quickly make their way into landfill. The reds are deep and strong and pink is a real favourite for 2011-2012. Colours are altogether more feminine. Blues are also making a comeback. These colours haven’t been as popular recently but are returning with an intense quality and as a viable neutral alternative to grey.
Colour Trends – How they happen
Pantone
Pantone's colour of the year 2011
The PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM is the definitive international reference for selecting, specifying, matching and controlling ink colors. Companies all around the globe look to Pantone for guidance on colour trends before launching new product lines. Pantone’s colour of the year for 2011 is called Honeysuckle. This is a bright and uplifting colour which adds a touch of fun to interiors. The global financial crisis has produced an atmosphere of worry and stress and in these times we need something to embolden the spirit. Honeysuckle will be a great addition to your interior decorating scheme. Perhaps in a feature wall or just as an accent for accessories like placemats, glasses and bowls.
Pantone’s forecast for the Northern Spring 2011 (our Autumn) is for a palette of Russet, pink, orange and blue
The lifespan of a colour trend
The following is just one scenario of the lifespan of a colour trend.
A leading trend setter or designer may be on a tour of the Far East and comes across a delicate Celadon bowl. Liking the colour and registering that it is something different they will return to their studio and amongst other ideas that they have amassed on their travels, use this as inspiration for their new fashion range. This will be shown on the catwalks of Paris and Milan and trend watchers will be eagerly assessing what’s new, not only in colours but in the styles that are being shown which will in turn dictate the type of colour that will be popular. Textile houses, carpet manufacturers, paint companies, furnishing houses and homewares designers will then use these colours for their new designs and products. These are then launched to the market place. Generally the upper end of the market receives these new ideas first and then they trickle down to the high street shops. Once they reach here, the trend is almost over.
Some of the current colours from BMW
Trend Forecasting for the Luxury Market
Clearly it is imperative that companies designing and manufacturing products get the colours right and there are many ways for colour trend watchers to be ahead of the game. Companies manufacturing high end items like luxury cars will be sometimes working 3-5 years ahead on their colour schemes and in many ways these are the people who are dictating colour choices. You may find more of interest in colour trends by looking at the BMW website than by picking up your favourite decorating magazine. BMW has a stunning gold/brown colour for their luxury cars at the moment. This is new and different from the black and silver colour trend that we have been used to seeing in recent times and it is no conicidence that the 2011-2012 colour palette has moved away from the silvery greys to the warmth of gold and brown. See more about BMW at www.worthingtonbmw.com.au.
Paint companies have a huge investment, both in time and money in assessing colour trends. They will analyse current global trends and then see how these affect colour choices. Companies like Pantone in the United States release a major new colour palette every five years, gaining input from colour specialists around the globe and each season they also release colour palettes for the fashion and homeware industry. These are highly anticipated by designers seeking the latest colour trends for their designs and products.
Design & Decoration Fair, Melbourne
Overview
Lighting was the star of the 2010 Design & Decoration Fair in Melbourne. Table lamps, pendants and standard lamps were displayed everywhere, many in beautiful organic shapes. The theme was natural with some companies producing lamp bases with twigs and driftwood. Colour was also evident with plenty of muted palettes of duck egg blue and soft green grey. Bedspreads, quilts and bedlinen were in beautiful silks and fine cottons and again, the colours were soft and understated.
The Vintage Trend
The Vintage trend has been popular in fashion for sometime and in these days of sustainable living we appreciate the merit in reusing items rather than simply throwing them away. Ruby Star Traders has stunning furnishings and accessories in highly saturated palettes of all the colours in the spectrum. Their Vintage range re-uses saris from India to cover sofas and armchairs and the result is a beautiful bespoke piece of furniture that has history and integrity. For lovers of colour Ruby Star Traders is the answer.
Tigger Hall from Armadale in Melbourne is importing beautiful Ikats and Suzannis from Turkey, hand picked on her travels and used in her interior decorating projects. Fabrics are also available to purchase and the designs are again, beautiful, individual and highly saturated.
Fabrics & Wallpapers
Altamira European Linen and Textiles had some high quality linens from Belgium and beautiful English fabrics and wallpapers by Vanessa Arbuthnot of the UK were also on show. The bespoke theme continued with hand screened fabrics and wallpapers from Tinker by Print Studio in Melbourne.
The main point to take away from Design & Decoration in Melbourne 2010 was that it is good to be individual. All tastes were catered for as there were palettes of both muted and highly saturated colours. Screen printing offered the ability to have decorating items custom made and the beautiful fabrics on display can be made into cushions, bedspreads and even hanging pendant lights, you are only limited by your imagination. Recycled timbers were evident in furnishings and vintage fabrics were one of the stars of the show.