Color Trends for 2012

Blue Skies

Although the chocolate and baby blue combo may have run its course, the colors themselves are as strong as ever. That robin’s-egg blue shade we’ve all come to adore has been toned down to a powder blue and mixed with a hint of gray. Consider it graduated. And it’s not standing alone. Not only is his cousin, teal, hot on the scene, but the two also are a good-looking couple when they travel in pairs. It’s optimistic, versatile, and tranquil. When paired with teal, it has a new attitude!

Sunshine Day

Pantone, the global authority on color, named a previous “it color” as Mimosa. It's bright, happy, and bound to bring cheer.

"The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

Mimosa Pantone Color Swatch

Get Your Greens

Even Annie Selke, the queen of color, has a fab, toned-down collection this season. Last year’s Kelly green is all grown up! This year, we’ll see a more serene and earthy hue take its place.

Please don’t refer to it as puce or think of the avocado fridge you grew up with, and don’t dare compare it to that country sage from the 1990s. This season’s green tones evoke nurturing and represent luck. And with notes of a gold undertone, they are classic and stunning. Benjamin Moore predicts that its Split Pea will be a hot color in 2009. Those few that haven’t already taken to it will.

Lavender Luxe

Rich, jewel-toned purples and amethysts recently attempted to spring into the market but never fully caught on past the runway. Last year’s bold and regal shades have been scaled back. The new-and-improved purple is a soft and timeless tone of pale violet layered with gray. No doubt the newer, more sophisticated hues are around to stay. Known for their calming properties, light and soothing shades of purple are 2009’s fresh approach to calm.

Going for the Gray

We’re not talking about that worn-out hoodie from your coed days. Think pure sophistication. Pair it with almost any color in the spectrum, and it’s a hit. From dark grays and rich charcoals to pewters and cool chalky tones, gray is the new neutral. Anything but gloomy, gray is all glam!

Earth Child

Trend watchers are seeing rich shades of chocolate and espresso on the wean, but for now, it is still a dominant color in home, fashion, and industry. Yes, we’re seeing more camels and tans than usual, but they are in no way taking the place of the chocolate hues we have come to love. Brown continues to hold court in 2009. It’s chic and pairs well with both neutral and vibrant colors. In the future, look for browns to be a little more spicy -- think nutmeg cinnamon.

Natural Selection

We’ve all heard the term “nesting.” People are spending more time at home and, now more than ever, looking to make that home a sanctuary. Inspired by things such as beach stones, linen, and driftwood, this color scheme evokes all things natural and soothing. Look for pale earth tones that inspire and recharge. Go for shades that bring a little of the outdoors in. Turn your home into a haven.

What’s in a Name?

Don’t shoot the messenger. Cynics are calling it a rerun of the mauving of America in the 1980s, but the product is out there, and it’s anything but dull. Call it blush or bashful, or if you prefer, we can call it 14-1307 Rose Dust (Pantone). And much like purple, there is a spectrum of pinks coming into play this season, and we’re seeing these hues being used in combination. So if you are wary, and need something a little more exciting, forget the pale and go for bold -- fuchsia, that is.