Hey, ya’ll! Last month I reviewed the Sherwin-Williams colormix forecast as well as the Benjamin Moore forecast for 2020. Some of you are probably wondering what is up with these forecasts. Why are they necessary, what are they for? Who actually decides which colors make up the palettes that set the forecast for the coming year? Well, let me give you a little background.
Color forecasting has been around since the early 1800’s. The oldest forecasting service in America is the Interiors Committee of The Color Association of the United States. Once a year, Interior Design experts from every aspect of home decor come together to create a palette. This palette is comprised of the predicted amazeball colors that will be enjoyed by all for the next two years. It sounds kind of impossible, presumptuous even, to predict the colors that everyone will be gaga over for the next two years, right? Until I learned exactly what goes in to choosing the colors, I thought it was a bit hokey too. However, you’d be surprised to know exactly how much science, research, consumer survey results, reports, and testing is involved and how POP culture, climate, news media, fashion, words, art, images, and so many other outlets are considered when creating a forecast. Actually, much genuine effort is given to this color guessing game. This palette helps manufacturers decide what home décor items to create so they’re available to the consumer at one time, while the look is hot, and the consumer can complete their décor vision in one fail swoop instead of waiting months for new items to arrive in stores. Color forecasting is actually a pretty fancy communication tool if you think about it.
Chad and I are not that fancy, or educated (at least Chad’s not;)) about POP culture, fashion, and all that business, but every fall, after Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams come out with their color forecasts for the coming year, Chad and I put our heads together, in the van, and do a little color forecasting of our own. It’s always a good time, let me tell you. We talk about colors we like, colors we’ve used a lot of, colors we think are making a comeback, colors that we think are tired and played out, and colors we hope to see more of. That’s pretty much the basis for how we choose colors for our Unique Painting KC Color Palette. I’m so sorry if I’ve ruined your vision of us perusing consumer research and design reports while sipping lattes and delicately nibbling Chris Elbow chocolates in our faux fur, cheetah collared hoodies and Jackson Pollock inspired readers as we discuss the undertones of colors with names like Sulfer Yellow. That’s just not us, ya’ll.
We use both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams paints and so we’ve chosen our favorites from each. This blog highlights our Sherwin-Williams inspired color palette.
Sherwin-Williams:
The colors we put together for this palette are a fine group. First, let’s discuss the basics. These 5 colors are what I consider staples in our palette each year. We will always have our favorite White, Black, Brown, Navy, and Gray. So, let the introductions begin:
- Pure White SW7005. A crisp, clean white we’ve taken outside this year. One of our favorite trim colors but is also trending as a nice wall color.
- Tricorn Black SW6258. We love Tricorn because there are virtually no undertones. It’s such a true black. This color will more than likely be a staple on our favorites list year after year.
- Black Fox SW7020. Chad would probably marry Black Fox if he wasn’t already taken. I love to see Black Fox as an accent on garage doors, shutters, front doors…it’s a beauty.
- Seaworthy SW7620. This is such a beautiful color to me. It’s a warm navy and reminds me of all things nautical. It’s also my favorite fall nail color. Seaworthy looks so pretty as an accent wall, in a dining room, or even in a small bathroom.
- Repose Gray SW7015. Repose is that color we can count on to always look great. We’ve used it in several homes this year and I continue to mention it during Color Consults. It’s a warm gray that can lighten up a room instantly, but still keep it cozy. It’s fantastic as a main color in an open floor plan.
The rest of the colors on our palette are the sweet icing on your fav cupcake, the umbrella drinks at the party, the pretty stuff, ya’ll! They are as follows:
Ellie Gray SW7650, Window Pane SW6210, Faint Coral SW6329, Dill SW6438, Radish SW6861, Uncertain Gray SW6234, and Glitzy Gold SW6691.
These 7 colors are all special in their own way.
I’m a huge fan of Ellie Gray. It’s such a true gray, more on the cool side, and would look phenomenal inside or outside, on cabinets, doors or walls.
Window Pane is such a neutral color, light and airy. It will make you feel like you’ve brought the sky indoors. It’s like a great pair of jeans, it goes with everything.
Faint Coral is one that I’ve had my eye on for quite some time. Like Window Pane, it’s in the pastel family. It’s perfect for a bedroom, bathroom, or even a kitchen. I’m definitely loving me some Faint Coral right now.
Dill is a Chad pick, that I also adore. It looks fantastic with the warm grays, dark browns, and creams. A front door would pop this color nicely, but I would bring it indoors also.
Radish, oh Radish! Your pinky red tone is so rock ‘n roll. I would put you in an office, on a front door, on a ceiling, and maybe even an island. I <3 you!!
Uncertain Gray is just that, uncertain. It’s a wishy-washy sucker. You look at it one way and it’s gray, another, it’s blue, and another you might see green. I love its unpredictability and mood ring qualities. A bedroom is my favorite spot for Uncertain Gray.
Glitzy Gold, I don’t know what to say here. It’s not my favorite, necessarily, but I see gold making a comeback in a big way. I’d use this as an accent with white walls and plenty of navy. It has its place and just might surprise us all.
So, there you have it folks, our delightful dozen. These 12 colors are ones that we see being used around town in 2020. What do you think? Drop us a comment. Did we leave off your favorite? If we did, tell us what it is and why.
And, don’t forget, If you need help with Color Selections, Design, or Staging, give me a shout (816-500-7759).
