Color Trends are tricky.  Fashion-wise I play it safe.  Whether it’s leopard spots or shades of purple, I pick a few key accessories, pair them with my old classics and I am good to go.  But colors for home decorating can make your head spin.  The words “long term investment” and “short-term love affair” come to mind.

I just popped around to a few websites to see what the experts are saying and the predictions are often contradictory.  One “expert” says that greys, blues and greens are going to make us feel safe and grounded during uncertain times.  Another chimes in that red is the “go to” color and Pantone claims that the color Mimosa ”Embodies Hopefulness and Reassurance in a Climate of Change.”  I don’t know about you but a Mimosa is a brunch drink not the color of my walls

This pouf (ottoman) from West Elm is the perfect accent to this room. The bright color and soft look are a great pairing.

All of these predictions and forecasts are interesting and help us develop new color palettes.  But they are certainly not the hallmark of good decorating taste which brings us to my simple advice when it comes to color trends…

The colors that embrace you, inspire you and charm you are the ones you should use in your home.

So, what’s the best way to use color trends to your advantage?  I have one word and it’s… ACCESSORIZE!  This is especially good news because it’s an economical approach to freshening up a room.  Think of some of your favorite “off beat” wardrobe items that you only wear on special occasions; the red beaded necklace, the emerald green clutch or your patent-leather pumps and apply the same principles to your room.  Small thoughtful touches of color and texture in a room are a great way to freshen the look with lasting results.

Gourd lamps have a retro look that has been popular for a few years. The updated colors make them the perfect way to update your palette.

How to Punch Up Your Color Palette with the Latest Trends

A color palette is a range or scheme of colors used on a particular project or in a room.  So you can replace one color in your palette or completely start over.  But first a few tips:

• If want an accent color to stand out use warm and cool colors in your palette. (Red & Green, Blue & Yellow)
• Use what you have.  An old chair is an old chair, until you paint it white and add great upholstery :-)  See some great Before and After’s here.
• Be bold in the living room.  Let a colorful ottoman replace an outdated coffee table.
• Artwork allows you to bring color and favorite themes into a room.
• Lamps in the latest shapes and colors update a room instantly.

It’s fun to bring a new color into your home and color forecasts are great sources of inspiration.  But on the whole, give the most consideration to the colors you feel comfortable with each and every day and caustiously approach those that are developed by high-paid marketing teams.  After all, you know what’s best for your nest

~Lorrie

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Tags: color, decorating tips

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 10:34 am and is filed under color, decorating tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.