Dear Friends,

Have you ever searched for color trends and the color of the year on the internet? I have to tell you, there isn’t as much out there as you would think. Last month, I was searching color forecasts for 2010 and while I didn’t find much, I was delighted to see that the international team of color experts for the manufacturer of our paints, Akzo Nobel (formerly ICI Paints), has a copy of their Colour Futures 2010 brochure in a downloadable PDF form on their website.

As you might expect, color trends continue to be strongly influenced by financial uncertainty and a desire to save resources and re-establish values and qualities that are enduring, true and solid. The words “reclaim” and “reinvent” keep appearing as the overriding message and the blue hues of air and water take the spotlight as the color for 2010, with earthy complex neutrals becoming even more popular. Our focus on organic and environmentally friendly products brings a lot of neutral earth tones back into play, which is complemented with vibrant bold “global tones” like fuchsia pinks and other optimistic colors in the orange and yellow families.

Color Trend Predictions

Last week, color forecasters Kate Smith (SensationalColor.com) and Kiki Titterud (Color For Your Home: Trend Tuesday) were down in New Orleans for the Color Marketing Group conference where color consultants from all over the U.S. met to predict the latest color trends. Before heading back home, they treated me with a visit to Saint Francisville where I was able to get the latest color scoop!

Kate confirmed that blue would continue to take center stage: “With positive changes coming more slowly than most had hoped for and with less open communication than many would like (in both the government and business segments), there is a desire for both trust and tradition--both of which are qualities closely associated with blue. Color trends continue to be strongly influenced by a desire to save resources, especially air and water. Blue is a color that seems to stand up and make us stronger. It represents a global effort to save the planet and ourselves.”

Although blue may be color of the year, neutrals used as a base are also providing a “strong foundation to build and rebuild” according to Kate. She says these new neutrals are more complex (colors like our Mushroom, Gustavian Grey and Rainbow Fog) in that “they can’t be pinned down by a single word and signal as a whole we have developed a sophistication and sensitivity to color.” I was surprised to hear from Kate that “white will be white hot”. She pointed out that “the purity of white is the 'go to' answer to the question of how to create certainty in an uncertain world. With the need for the feeling of a clean slate and a fresh start, white represent a rebalance of society and the economy and will be the 'must use' neutral.”

Kate also pointed out that as blue moves in, purple will fade out of the spotlight and will evolve into a more red-violet like the fuchsia and magenta hues seen in exotic fabrics from India, Turkey and Latin America; and will be among other bright colors that will keep us positive and upbeat. “The new mold for survival and success is being bold” says Kate.

I have always been drawn to fuchsia (it's very flattering on most women) and ever since I saw it on the walls in a photo from a recent House Beautiful Magazine article, I haven’t been able to put it out of my mind, so I am going to create a full spectrum version! Although it's not a color for just anyone, I'm thinking it would be great for small jewel box spaces like powder rooms and closets. Of course, I'll bet teenage girls would love a fuschia bedroom!

Give the Gift of Color!

If you are looking for something special (& unusual) to give this holiday season, we have created Gift Packages. Each one comes with a beautifully wrapped set of our samples and a Gift Certificate that includes a color consultation, more color samples and paint.

Set of ninety 3"x4" hand-painted samples, a color consultation via phone, choice of three 2 oz. sample jars (or three 8x11" hand-painted samples) & 2 gallons of paint: $100

Set of ninety 3"x4" hand-painted samples, a color consultation via phone, choice of three 2 oz. sample jars (or three 8"x11" hand-painted samples) & 3 gallons of paint: $150

Set of ninety 3"x4" hand-painted samples, a color consultation via phone, choice of three 2 oz. sample jars (or three 8"x11" hand-painted samples) & 5 gallons of paint for $250.

We're flexible, so please don't hesitate to inquire (fspaints@aol.com or 877-877-7628)