Sherwin-Williams Color Trends:
COLOR FORECASTS FOR 2008
ARE  ECLECTIC AND SURPRISING

Surprising combinations will mark 2008 color trends.

By Janelle Lampp

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- The color trends for 2008 are an eclectic mix of several palettes intersecting with each other in surprising ways. In its Colormix '08 forecast, Sherwin-Williams Co. has identified four color trend "destinations" for 2008, according to Sheri Thompson, director of color marketing and design for the paint manufacturer and retailer.

A total of 39 hues are included in  four different themes: Around the World, Fork in the Road, No Place Like Home and Expand Your Horizons.

The  major trends blend period influences such as retro looks, global cultures, apparel trends, the environmental green movement and technological advances.

Colors are changing faster than ever before, emphasized Kim Palmer, editor of Stir, the Sherwin-Williams quarterly magazine.

"Today's color landscape is restless and nomadic, always moving and taking on new shadings,€VbCrLf she noted.
 
 Around the World


Around the World trend is worldly and sophisticated.

Palmer described the colors of this collection as "departure colors€VbCrLf, ethnic colors which are already in the market and continue to perform, one "connection color€VbCrLf, Plum brown, which bridges the gap, and emerging "arrival colors€VbCrLf. Russian colors cross-pollinate with the spicy colors of India and Latin America. Palmer described today's consumer as "sophisticated, worldly consumers who are exposed to many cultures and color traditions and feel free to mix and match and sample.€VbCrLf

Street fashion from all over the world drives this collection. Today's consumers are global citizens with a sense of individuality and self-assurance. Design elements include baroque style carving marquetry, decorative finishes and gilding, luxurious textiles such as silks and cut velvets combined with leather and hides, folk art, tapestries and rich details that include fringe and semiprecious stones. 

Significant colors include Dynamo (SW6841), Feverish Pink (SW6859), Relic Bronze (SW6132), Majestic Purple (SW6545) and Plum Brown (SW6272).
 

 Fork in the Road

Fork in the Road trend is marked by discovering
unexpected color combinations.

 The delight of the Fork in the Road trend is the discovery of unexpected colors from different directions.

"Color navigation is like sightseeing. We can play it safe and take a familiar route, or we can be adventurous and experience colors less traveled," Thompson said. "Our Fork in the Road grouping evokes the sights along our journey - from brightly-colored saris, to rickshaws trimmed in shocking hues, to energetic colors that glow in the sunlight." 

Colors in this trend family include Ash Violet (SW6549), Liberty Blue (SW 2942) and  Blackberry (SW 7577). These contemporary shades, influenced by natural stone and tile surfaces, have stood the test of time. For the more adventurous,  there are vibrant, complementary colors of Gladiola (SW 6875), Quilt Gold (SW 6696), Organic Green (SW 6732) and Real Red (SW 6868) are inspired by the shiny patent leathers in shoes, accessories and upholstery.  Tying the two palettes together is a bright primary blue called Fountain (SW6787).

No Place Like Home

No Place Like Home bridges the gulf between
colors of the past and colors of the future.

The No Place Like Home grouping bridges the gulf between the classic colors of past and the colors of the future. What's old is new again, but with a modern twist.

A weakened housing market and high consumer debt are helping to fuel this desire to create safe havens at home. "This nuanced, elegant palette heralds a return to harmony, stability and practicality,€VbCrLf reported Thompson. It is look that is updated with a contemporary twist that is influenced by an interest in protecting the environment. Soft atmospheric colors are light cool and neutral, while grounded colors are earthier.

 "Our No Place Like Home collection is not about a minimalist, cold look, but it does have an air of simplicity," Thompson added.

A well-dressed home includes soft, pale neutrals and sensible, grounded hues. Think eco-friendly natural fibers, industrial-styled, stamped sheet metal screens and architectural details like decorative concrete floors and exposed ceiling beams from harvested wood.

The cosmetic tones and icy cool grays featured in the No Place Like Home grouping include Gorgeous White (SW 6049), Evening Shadow (SW 7662) and Restful White (SW 7563). The grounded, streamlined shades in this collection are Agate Green (SW 7742), Bateau Brown (SW 6033), Granite Peak (SW 6250) and Pink Shadow (SW 0070), along with the balancing shade of Classic Sand (SW 0056).

Expand your Horizons

Expand Your Horizons features new materials
and techno-finishes.

Technology has helped to produce new finishes and enhanced materials that combine to create more saturated tones and hybrid or "chameleon€VbCrLf colors that are shape shifters and bring an element of change€¦€VbCrLf said Palmer. Together with technologically enhanced patterns and textures additional layers of nuance are created.

The auto industry helped to pioneer technologically driven color with shimmery fabrics and some embedded with crystals. Among other elements that define this style are high-gloss lacquered finishes, lace patterns, patinas, color-washed metallics, concrete tiles that produce pattern when exposed to water and oil rubbed faucets and lighting fixtures.

Defining colors in this group are Iron Ore (SDW7069), Tatami Tan (SW6116) and Cayenne (SW6881)

Images compliments of Sherwin-Williams

11.07.07