Dabbieri Blog

{ 2008 Color Trend Alert }

Color trends for 2008 are leaning towards an Electric/Cobalt and Iris Blue. Since Blue is nature's color, it incorporates it's natural beauty and style into your home. Blue represents our concern for peace. Pale and mid-tone blues appear new and cool periwinkle brings a sense of tranquility.

Let us know if you've already spotted this Blue in your neighborhood!

{ 2007/2008 Color, Style & Design Trends }

Emily Morrow, Director of Color, Style and Design for Shaw Industries recently shared her thoughts on 2007/2008 Color, Style and Design Trends. The details were so useful and interesting, I found myself vigorously trying to jot down every word she spoke! Enjoy!

There are some distinct changes on the color horizon. “Neutrals are frequently chosen, but Ms. Consumer is looking for more color and more vibrancy in her color selection. The difference today is that the palettes have become darker and richer. The 80’s have come back into vogue in fashion, music, and homes. My [Emily Morrow] prediction is that many trends from the 80’s will be made to look new again, appealing to younger consumers who didn’t live through the decade of “over the top opulence and preppy style”

Green
“We’re seeing variations of rich shades of green again and teal — but this time, think of peacock feathers and all their lustrous, rich, saturated colors. Yellow-based greens will continue very strongly. Spearmint, or blue-based green, is up and coming.” Greens are staying strong because of their link to environmental awareness. Versatile, almost neutral, greens can be subtle and sophisticated or intense and playful. The newest variation is “toxic” shocking green, equal parts green and yellow.

Blue
“Navy, true blue, and the water blues are important. Nautical, blue-and-white, bold stripes are very strong.” Soft shades of aqua reminiscent of the “water” colors which have been trending strongly for the past two or three years still remain as important in our blue family. Blues will become more diverse, influencing purples and greens; and blue-greens are seen in unusual combinations with other colors (rich browns, yellow-greens, and vivid red-oranges).

Red
“Chinese red is being used as a contrast against satiny, lacquered ebony surfaces of furnishings.” Red is always a “classic” – the significant aspect of red is whether it’s influenced by blue or yellow. Today’s Chinese red is definitely a rich “red-orange," but look out for  “Venetian Red” which is a purer red bordering on the blue side. The trend catalyst for the color is the “Baroque” style which is permeating the marketplace. Bright corals are strong, while mid-value pinks are beginning to decline in the next year. When treated with a specialty finish, reds can take on an effervescent quality.

Pink
“Pinks are going towards rose, moving away from the bubble gum pink.” One must acknowledge that the Evelyn Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness “Pink Ribbon” campaign has created a tidal wave of home and fashion products in the pink family.

Orange
“New oranges are appearing — some are muddied, burnished and look aged or oxidized; there’s more patina and surface interest. This color family has worked its way into automotives and appliances, as well as upholstery and drapery fabric, paint and fashion.” Oranges — muddier and brighter, depending on the context. Specialty finishes can create a rich oxidized patina or the appearance of molten lava.

Yellows
Either pure, funky, and high-tech or antique and burnished. Subtle yellow-golds are appearing in gilded finishes, burnished leather, or precious metals.

Brown
“We’re seeing all shades — mocha, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee.” Brown, a sustaining color trend in fashion and the home has become increasingly respected and dominant. Dark and medium chocolates, ranging from coffee bean to latte, lustrous or mineralized shades of “just-tilled earth”; paired with vibrant, unexpected colors. Warm and elegant when used with aged gold or dramatic and daring with magenta or orange.

Neutrals
Becoming darker, more saturated. Now being infused with a blush of color (sometimes relating to golden skin tones), creating the effect of more personalized options for consumers. Neutrals in all constructions are moving darker - taupes, tobaccos, anything reminiscent of leather, travertine, stacked stone, slate or granites like “Baltic Brown” or “African Tapestry”.

Beige
“Warm, infused with hints of color, rather like skin tones. Golden beiges and taupes are always good choices.”

Gray
“Making a strong comeback, gray flannel and charcoal are re-emerging, possibly because of the sleek contemporary look that is stylish now in home furnishings. Brushed nickel and aged pewter are popular for appliances and hardware. Grays are clean and straightforward, with no influence from blue or green.”

Black
“Being seen as an accent in every room — in rugs, carpet, fabric, and accessories. Black-and-white combinations are popular in large-scale, traditional motifs. Black accents in textiles of all kinds are in demand, giving added body and visual dimension.”

Color Marketing Group predicts these trends:

• Green Rules: Look for softer, more botanical greens inspired by nature.
• Nature Blues: The color of the sky, the color of water, true blues from nature will be everywhere.
• Rich, Ethnic Accents: Add punch to more neutral settings with accent colors from a rich mix of countries and cultures. Deep, rich ethnic reds and warm, glowing oranges are the “hot” colors for 2008.

{ 2007 Color Trends }

A little birdie told us...

• All values of chocolate browns and brown in combination with soft blues, greens, reds, and blacks are popular.
• Blue is moving to the mid tones like Caribbean, periwinkle, denim and navy with more of a red cast then the green cast.
• Black and white is still a major statement, not in equal amounts. White is starting to move to off white and white with platinum is very high end.
• Purple in the shade of violet red is gaining momentum. (Watch for rose tones that will be more apparent in 2008.)
• Raspberry is the most important red pink tone.
• Grays keep growing in importance.
• New greens are more creamy and minty - on the dark side, greens are a dirty olive.
• Milk chocolate and gold are a popular combination.
• Red with golds are also still holding their own. (Gold in every value is strong.)
• Beiges are moving more towards taupe tones.
• Oranges from terra cotta to peach to cinnamon are still popular.
• Red and orange have moved toward each other, influencing each other.

{ It's All About Color }

Hey there! My name is Deborah Lamoureux and I'm a Merchandising Manager here at Dabbieri. I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on current hot colors.

2007 Hot Colors

• Blue/browns, green/browns, red/golds
• Lot and lots of neutrals
• Black and whites with accents colors such as red or green or even hot pink!
• Metallic golds and silvers are gaining more and more popularity.
• Spa blues and greens are still in.
• Violet red purples are coming up on the color horizon along with coppery orange colors.

Designers - did you know that popular colors work on a sixteen year bell curve? It takes most colors eight years to get to the top of the bell curve to peak in popularity and eight more years to wane in popularity  before disappearing completely.

How are you using these colors in your interior designs? I'd love to know!

{ Can you create a calming interior & still be bold? }

That's the question of the day. The answer: Absolutely.

Color is key. Try pairing your neutrals with a dash of vibrant color. Add a touch of richness using textured floor coverings, fabrics and wallpapers. Try switching out your neutrals for varying shades of gray. Gray can also provide an appealing canvas for other colors to take flight.

For calm with whimsy.
Try adding blue and blue-green accents such as a robin’s egg blue and Atlantic teal; or add warm, subtle hues such as apricot, salmon or sweet potato. All of the above can add spark to neutral palettes.

For calm with intensity.
Try adding vibrant oranges, maroons or browns such as an orange ginger, Merlot or deep chocolate. You could also pair soothing greens with varying shades of yellow creating like sour apple, kiwi or lime.

These are my thoughts. I'm interested to know what you think...