The hip tones of the 2007 color scheme will keep you at the forefront of style and design. From paint colors to fabrics, these hot hues will be seen in the color palettes of both residential and commercial spaces. The eclectic vibe of this year's colors range from comforting to exciting.
Soothing Nature
"Our members specify color for everything from Cadillacs to Kleenex boxes," says Jaime Stephens, executive director of Color Marketing Group, "and they tell us that the mainstreaming of environmentalism is the key to next year's colors."
With the current spotlight on environmental issues and green design, nature is definitely the inspiration for 2007 color schemes. Subtle botanical hues of green and yellow will be fashionable, along with blue tones inspired by sea, sky, and water. Other stylish down-to-earth colors include neutral beige and tan as seen in rocks, sand, and stones. The medium to dark brown shades from tree bark and soil will also add an earthy touch to décor.
Retro modern fashion designer, James Coviello fancies a natural color palette in his current line. "Pea green - I can see it very clearly since it is the color of the dining room in my country house. Ebonized furniture and gift accessories with accents of lavender lilacs highlight this color to perfection."
Spicy and Exotic
Going global is another trend for 2007 color schemes and includes color palettes from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In particular, the rich colors of Morocco, India, China, Spain, and Portugal are sources of these trends. Many of their exotic hue combinations are inspired by ethnic textiles like fabric and rugs as well as handicrafts. These artisan items yield fiery colors such as rich reds and warm oranges which are two of the dominant global colors this year.
"Multiethnic influences have empowered people to use much more complex colors together," says Leatrice Eiseman, color consultant, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, and author of More Alive with Color. "You might look at two strong colors and think they don't belong together, but when you see them in the context of an ethnic print, they work."
Opposites Attract
Striking color contrasts are an additional 2007 color scheme. The drama of a classic black and white color palette can be seen in the graphic patterns of modern fabric and accessories. A twist on this contrast is the use of bold and saturated hues balanced with pale, whitish colors. Playing into this trend of colors that pop are retro design looks from the 1950's to the 1980's.
Japanese fashion designer, Akiko Ogawa, says that the contrasting colors of her spring 2007 line would transform into "cobalt blue matched with bright white and soft pink for a bedroom."
Sources:
Color Trends for 2007
