Pantone is a leading color forecasting company and designers put a lot of trust in their predictions.  I’ve pulled the following information from Pantone’s predictions as well as other industry sources.  If you want a cutting edge look, try one of these:

COLOR PREDICTIONS FOR 2010

•  Neutrals for Today.  The rationale for this palette is that when the economy is weak and people are worried, they retreat to an easy, comfortable design style and embrace more neutral tones.  Shoppers don’t want to risk spending money on a trendy color.  Colors in this palette include Taupe Gray, Silver Gray, Charcoal Gray, Tea and Champagne Beige and Angora.  The Color Association predicts gray will be THE color of the season.  To keep rooms from being too cold, think natural influences like Zinc, Stone, Mica, Silt and bring those textures and warmer tones of gray into your rooms.
• Included in with neutrals, black and white continues to have a strong presence.  This season you’ll see lots of graphic, bold black and white patterns available and combined with a single bright accent color like hot pink or bright yellow.  While these rooms look fabulous and daring in magazines, I’ve never met a client bold enough to use this combo in even one room.  But I am of the opinion that every room is better with a touch of black – a single piece of furniture, some accessories or picture frames.  Every color sings it’s best song against black.  
  

  According to Pantone, shades of gray will be the new neutral.

  

  These dove gray walls are a beautiful backdrop for the soft blue gray bedding. (via O at Home)

  

  Not for the faint of heart, this painted brick fireplace is a showstopper. What I particularly like in this room is the soft blue rug that interjects something unexpected and calming.

• Global Style and Color.  For some, the reaction to a slowing economy is just the opposite of above – they want to escape to luxury and exotic looks.  Benjamin Moore paints (also a good industry color forecaster) predicts the New Luxury with rich deep tones like Glowing Umber, Summer Plum, Wild Orchid and Granite.  The use of gold returns – rich, shimmery, gold metallics to be the jewelry in a room.  Silvers will cross to pewter and platinum tones.   
  

  A global color palette embraces deep jewel tones.

   

  

  Your design color palette can extend to your place settings. This setting embodies the rich colors and shiny golds you'll be seeing in 2010.

   

   

• Bold and Bright.  Pantone and Benjamin Moore both also offer a palette that includes such unusual pairings as Lavender, Acid Green and Chipmunk Brown or maybe Mimosa Yellow, Strawberry Ice and Little Boy Blue.  You’ll find colors like Salsa, Bronze Metallic, Mesquite and Midnight Navy.  This trend is defined as “the irreverant direction that has been and continues to be influenced by Japanese anime”.  Try using these colors with a hint of metallic in them to be really forward-looking.  
  

  To embrace the freshest palette, try some unusual color combinations.Bright and whimsical in color and pattern (via O at Home)

   

  

  A bright and whimsical color sheme and style where all the colors are held together by the striped rug. White calls and furniture give the colors room to glow. (via O at Home)

   

• Mother Nature.  The desire to be eco-friendly not because it’s the ‘cool’ thing to do but because we believe it is our responsibility drives this color palette.  Earth tone based colors are often thought to be dull and lifeless.  Not so – think of the richness of fruit and vegetable colors like eggplant, tomato, paprika, lemon and apple. 
  

  Always a winning alternative because earth colors are so warm and easy to live with.

   

  

  This room showcases the brighter earth colors we can use to spice up our rooms: paprika, orange, goldenrod and rich browns. (via Veranda)

   

Something I’ve always found interesting is that every year four or five styles and color palettes are introduced to designers and the public as the “latest / newest / hottest” trend.  Each style is given a clever name and wrapped in lots of words of explanation.  But when you really look at the four predictions given above, they aren’t that different than any other year.

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE COLOR WHEEL

Neutrals:  Gee, what a surprise!  Instead of Glorious Beige we’re now being offered Silver Gray.  The quiet, soft palette of any neutral is always in style whether it’s based on beige, taupe, tan or gray.  If you want to update your neutral palette, add some gray – just a little – and you’ll be right there at the cutting edge of design.  If your home is primarily light beiges & tans, just choose a warm charcoal and it will blend beautifully.  If you’re primarily dark brown, choose a shimmery silver gray for contrast.  As always, when working with neutrals, play with texture to keep the room from being boring.

A charcoal palette may seem dark but can be rich and eveloping. (via Elle Decor)

This bedroom uses lighter gray - the flooring, walls, drapes and bedding combine to create a cocoon of calm. Notice how the bed frame is a warm tan, showing you can blend the 2 neutrals. (designed by Vincente Wolf)

How about a little black and white with your yellow? (via O at Home)

Global:  There has been a version of global colors and ethnic design for years.  Most recently Moroccan and Indian colors and stylings have been popular.  Since most other cultures of the world embrace color and pattern and texture much more than we do, this is always a bold, dynamic look.  Rich jewel tones are the cornerstone of any global design (with perhaps the exception of Asian influenced palettes).  This year the forecasters are predicting a Russian influence with a decline in all things Asian.  The new twist to this year’s Global look is the emphasis on luxurious finishes and textiles like velvets and satins.

Vibrant jewel tones representing a Global palette work beautifully with this classic bench shape. Eggplant, plum and caramel are just yummy!

This bedroom is another example of rich ethnic colors and textures (though not Russian inspired). Or should it be included in the earth tone palette? One of the best things about design is that the label doesn't really matter if you like it.

Bold:  This is perhaps the most variable palette and most recently has been the terrific light blue paired with chocolate.  This year’s predictions of a lighter, brighter, fresher range of colors is encouraging and tantalizing.  The industry insiders are saying this style will include graphic patterns reflecting tech influences and an element of whimsy.  Watch for innovative, fun designs in this style.  Let your inner “wild side” flourish.

This color scheme plays with lime green and watermelon calmed by lots of white. The lighthearted floral in the near chairs is charming and the bold color is carried to the far end of the room.

In the family room of the same house you see another playful use of bright colors and notice that the drapes in the far dining room carry the color scheme throughout the house. (via Traditional Home)

Earth:  We’ve all lived with earth tones since we were old enough to recognize colors.  Remember Avocado?  Avocado was reinvented and renamed Moss Green and now will show up again named something new and inspiring - spurring us to try the hot new color.  Sand, Teal and other watery tones, Rust and versions of Olive Greens have been reworked, renamed and reoffered year after year.  That’s because they work.  They’re comfortable.  They’re easy on the eye and easy to build a room around.  If you’ve already got an earth-toned palette, it’s very easy to update with the newest tweaks of our favorite colors.  Watch for pattern on pattern, florals and a focus on eco-friendly inspirations like bark, cardboard and felt.

The epitome of the new 'vegetable inspired' earth tones combined with natural textures and art create a very inviting space.

Tan, caramel, brown and creamy white make a stunning bedroom. A little pattern and a globally inspired chair again defy a label: Is it neutral? (yes) Is it earth-toned? (yes) Is it globally inspired? (yes) You pick.

GO WITH WHAT YOU LOVE

In the final analysis of color and style and trends, your home needs to reflect you and your interests.  With the massive amount of paint color choices available, you can easily create any environment you choose.  And change it whenever you like.  So while the forecasters may influence what’s available to furnish your home, if you don’t like it, find your own path.  As you can see from this smattering of photos, the most livable solution will likely be a blend of styles/colors creating a space that is uniquely your own.  It will be personal to you and you’ll love the welcome your home extends to you every time you return.

Do you follow the home furnishing trends or do you have a defined style or color and stay with that look?  Are you adventurous in trying out one or two trendy items or do you stick with classics?  How do you introduce “hot new” colors or items into your home?  Share your trials and successes; we’d love to hear about it.

Related posts:

1. Create a Bedroom Sanctuary