This year PARA Paints has gone through their archives and taken a few colours from the past to pull together this years trend palette.  They’ve actually broken their colour choices into 4 design palettes; Digital, Rhythm, Urbanage, Inhale. Each palette has a number of colours to choose from, so it really allows you to find something that works with what you have in your space currently as well as your comfort level.

The first palette is one that is alive & playful! Digital is a palette that is charged with modern greys, blacks and reds; but brings a luminous energy that inspires ones creative clarity.  This palette delivers high speed hues that give sharp definition to a room’s style and sense of form and function.

Some of my favourite colours from this palette are: cleopatra P5009-52, sing time P5221-34D & tuxedo P5249-85

The second palette shows us that design trends are as global as commerce and culture. Rhythm gives us a bold and electric collection that show a strong multi cultural influence.  This is hybrid palette, a primal & evocative effect yet with a luxurious regal affair.

A few colours that jump out here are:  saffron P5055-73, lily pads P5043-73D &lustful P5150-85

The third palette; Urbanage is a well-heeled, well honed downtown chic.  City dwellers tastes in colour are more gown up, they speak to sophistication that is posh & polished.  Ambrose Price says ‘A well-designed urban space should reflect the character of the city’, and PARA definitely pulls this through in this palette.

Personally this is my favourite palette, it has bold and strong colours combined with feminine, soft hues to balance the space. It’s the palette that also showcases some of the colours we saw on the runways for spring 2012.  Honestly you can’t go wrong with any of the colours in this palette.

• leaning tower of pisa P5167-34D
• soft lavender P5237.34
• lunch at tiffany’s P5219-24
• city scape P5219-62
• tribeca square P5207-34
• little black dress P5195-85
• yahoo P5181-24D
• ravished P5141-85

The final palette is one that showcases how we are naturally drawn to organic textures & comforting earth tones.  Inhale is a palette that shares with us both neutral & soulful, while also providing muted overtones that bathe the room with a measured calm.

Some of my favourite colours from this palette are steamed P5225-34, download P5222-83 & ocean seawall P5201-34

 

Looking through the palettes and the vibe they provide there really is a little something here for everyone. The main thing to take away is don’t be afraid to try a little colour. Lots to choose from ~ Happy Painting!

In one of Color Companies past blogs we discusses colour names and what’s in a name.  We know that as a general population we’re all effected by the names of the colours we’re presented with.

LOFT SPACE P5248-44D, BAY STREET BLUE P5005-63 & HIGH ROLLERS P5030-85 ~ These colours are a great selection no matter what the name; however are they better than HOLD MY HAND P5246-44, SANTORINI KISS P5007-52 &  STROLL AWAY P5029-85D? Both sets of colours offer a soft grey, bold blue and deep green… slight variations in colour but very much in the same spectrum. The only difference… the first set were named with a man in mind.

Women look at paint selection in different ways than men… they are likely to feel inspired by names such as  LUNCH AT TIFFANY’S P5219-24, GIFT OF THE GAB P5147-73 or WALKIN IN THE RAIN P5204-85. Though men can also find a connection to paint names; as long as the colour name is one that they can admit they have in their space then they’re happy.

When PARA Paints launched their last colour system about 4 years ago they took the time to look at each colour strip and give it a theme. Themes that worked for everyone; yes there are some colours for the ladies and some that were particularly chosen for the men.  Then there are so colours in-between; palettes about Greece, Italy, Photography and many more.  If you’re looking for a brown, grey, green or deep red theirs a colour that works just for you!

If you’re looking for something different why not try a few of these; great colour, great names and definitely on trend!

• DIGITAL P5222-62
• SOAPY WATER P5233-14D
• FILM FESTIVAL P5221-41
• EPIPHANY P5159-24
• SCHMOOZE P5208-85
• WHIPPED CREAM P5233-14

To see all these colour or find just the perfect colour for you, visit one of your Color Company stores and let them help you find just what you’re looking for.

Remember… there’s something for everyone.

 

“Colour awakens the senses and elevates your point of view. We’ve searched the world, exploring the latest trends, to bring you a collection of inspired palettes that offer a fresh perspective on your personal style. These four select color groups will bring life to any home and transform the ordinary into the sublime.” ~Benjamin Moore

It’s very interesting to see what the various paint companies are submitting as trends for 2012; after the runway trends for spring/summer were released I definitely thought we’d be seeing many more feminine & ‘pretty’ colours.  However the blend of colours are some of natural, pretty, modern & inviting.

The first palette that Benjamin Moore presented was Earth & Sky… a palette where nature’s elements unite in a style-savvy manor.  This is a palette that offers a calm & relaxing escape from the busy world. Ideal for the master bath or a bedroom retreat. However if you gravitate to these colour then try it in your office or dinning room as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second palette, Eclectic Elegance is one of casual glam.  This diverse palette offers the ability of a very tailored look while offering you the choice of both cool and warmth all in one palette.  What effect does this have? One that’s both enticing & fresh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for some spice in your life?  This third palette is one that has more of an urban feel… name the Spiced Life it all about offering a refined perspective. With elements of depth, soft tones and a kick of spice this palette with awaken any room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timeless trends and classic colours are what this fourth & final palette puts forth.  Sense & Sensibility brings us back to classic colours while offering a modern spin to the feel they present.  These colours will provide any home with a contemporary & established feeling while bringing a worldly feel to your space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully some of these beautiful, modern and inspiring colours will give you the desire to try something new this year.  It’s a new year and time to step outside the box!

~Benjamin Moore; the most inspiring colours for 2012~