Happy 2007! 

The year, though young, is already proving to be quite interesting.  I received a call from Kate Smith, a color consultant who wanted to interview me for an article she was writing for her website, www.sensationalcolor.com.  As serendipity would have it, I had just discovered her website while searching for information on the newest color trends! Kate’s site is updated almost daily, and includes the latest on color for every aspect of your life—home, garden, business and fashion.  I highly suggest you visit her site, and I also want to pass on the exciting information on the latest home interior color trends for 2007 that have been appearing in newspapers across the country. 

EARTHY PALETTE & BACK-TO-NATURE COLORS DOMINATE IN 2007

Word is, because environmentalism is going mainstream, folks are “going green” in more ways than one!  Colors will be more earthy, based on the browns, greens, blues and grays of the earth, forest, sky and water, which are extremely restful as they suggest harmony with nature.  All shades of green, along with the outdoorsy browns, including the tans and golden browns, will predominate.  Our own “Natures Palette,” which was created over five years ago, is right in style!   

Green has always been a mainstay in our palette because it is both mentally and physically relaxing.  It also helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety, as well as offering a sense of renewal and harmony.   

Another popular, yet timeless, color you’ll see a lot more of in 2007, is brown.  Brown typifies home and hearth. The color of living wood and the earth, it can be rich yet subtle—extraordinarily restful to look upon.  Browns are known to be grounding and help make us feel safe, creating a feeling of stability, orderliness and a connection with the earth.  Last year, I noticed more sales of our “Adobe” and “Mocha,” yet our newer, warmer “Chestnut” is gaining popularity.  New Orleans Interior designer Jonelle Lombardo just used it in her own home and has been raving ever since!

Chocolate brown will continue to be popular, paired as it was last year with blues and greens. However, in 2007, you’ll start seeing it paired with pink.  The international ICI Color Group has selected pink as the color of 2007.  No longer considered just feminine and romantic, leading designers are using pink for the latest hotel, restaurant and home interior projects.  Pink is very nurturing.  It’s an emotionally healing color which has sedative qualities, so it is good for places where you want serenity and for people who have difficulty sleeping. A very loving color, it dissipates anger and creates a supportive environment.  Pink also makes us crave sugar, so if you have a sweet tooth, you may not want to paint your kitchen pink! 

After seeing an article in Southern Accents Magazine on the new “Shell Pink” recently, we created our own full spectrum “Shell Pink” in addition to an even bolder, more earthy pink based on ICI’s color of the year.  We’re calling it “Seven’s Pink”.  (Seven has always been my lucky number.)

Blue, inspired by the sky, will continue to be popular, as it has always been the overwhelming favorite color of most people, which is why we have added quite a few new blues over the past year.  Blue creates a calming effect and is the color of introspection, tranquility and serenity. While its influence on the physical is soothing and calming, it is also known to reduce inflammation and induce sleep, making it ideal to use in the bedroom. 

In addition to the pale blues of the sky, you’ll see more water colors, much like our “Aqua,” “Oasis” and “Gustavian Grey”.  The blue-green colors of water are ethereal and healing, reducing stress without depleting energy.

Bright orange that was so popular two years ago, is predicted to be more muted and influenced by brown and metallic copper tones. Our “Pumpkin Spice” and “Tuscan Sun” sales have increased dramatically—especially since several threads on the Home Decorating forum on the Garden Web have appeared showing photos of rooms painted in these colors.  Other toned down oranges are desert-inspired shades of  terracotta, and warm copper (see our “Bronze”).  On the lighter side, you’ll see more shades of peach and coral.  Orange is the color I recommend most as an “anti-depressant”.  It is linked to health and vitality, stimulating the appetite, activity and conversation. 

Another cheerful color, yellow, is still popular.  Did you know that yellow is considered “North America’s neutral” because 75% of the homes have at least one yellow room?  I have “Buttercream” in my home and “Honeysuckle” in the office.  I chose these yellows because in addition to being an optimistic color, yellow stimulates both creativity and the intellect.  Yellow is an especially good color for counseling and conference offices because it encourages people to communicate.  The downside, is that it is thought that babies cry more in yellow rooms.

The “Back to Nature” theme continues to inspire neutrals with colors like our “Stone,” “Pumice,” and “Silt”.  Another catch phrase you’ll be hearing is “Comfort Colors,” which are warmer wheat-toned neutrals that will wrap a room with warmth and promote a stress-free space. The comfort-color palette is an especially good choice for kitchens and family rooms.

COLOR, ARCHANGELS & JEWELRY

Winter is the season that always reminds me of the phrase “Go within or you go without.”  We naturally tend to spend time reflecting and re-evaluating, setting goals and aspirations for the future.  Four years ago, in my Winter 2003 newsletter, I wrote about creating a synchronistic lifestyle where everything seems to magically drop into place at just the right moment. Although I give tips in the newsletter on how to go about creating this lifestyle, I picked up a few new tools since then that I’d like to share. 

I mentioned Dr. Doreen Virtue’s guidance cards in previous newsletters and blog entries, but I have to tell you, her Archangel Oracle Cards, are my new favorite.  (I also highly recommend her book, Archangels & Ascended Masters, A Guide to Working and Healing with Divinities and Deities.)  “Powerful” is the best word I can think of to describe them.  Needless to say, miracles abound!

Since working with the Archangels, I have discovered that each Archangel has not only a specific aura color, but also a gemstone which is the same color.  Long story short, I discovered a hobby!  I’m making jewelry using the gemstones representing the fifteen Archangels, based on the idea that you will not only attract the help of the Archangels whose stones you are wearing, but also that they can be used much like rosaries and prayer beads. 
To try out my idea, I made bracelets for several friends using the Archangel Oracle Cards, which guided me towards which Archangels (& gemstones) each friend needed guidance from.  Just when I thought I had found a “hobby,” it’s turned out to be yet another passion!  I’ve even posted them to a new webpage, Tools for Living Well, which includes photos of the jewelry along with information about the different Archangels. 

Until next season, I wish you many blessings!

Home • Full Spectrum Paints • Virtual Room Painter • Design Projects • Furnishings • Testimonials • Contact Us