January 19, 2005
2005 Home Color Forecast

Article by: Sherry Lafreniere, Braid Flooring Design Consultant

As the fall season and the 2005 product introductions get closer, exciting trends in color and style are taking place. From a color standpoint, perhaps the most prominent trend is the interlacing of colors from fashion into home interiors as a greater number of home-interior products reflect the color palette set by the fashion world. This influence is helping to inspire new flooring styles that are more stimulating, sophisticated and bolder in color, pattern and design.

Looking back at 2004, the predominant color palette incorporated in home interior design was based on gray-based colors with muted, soft greens and subtle, gray-based blues playing a strong role. 2004 also saw the introduction of metallic influences in residential areas such as light fixtures, bath accessories and even flooring.

Every year, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and noted color expert, presents forward-looking colors for the home and housewares industry to consider when designing new products. Based on his take on colors for 2005, home interior color trends will consist of new hues infused with light - a significant move away from 2004's gray-based color palette.

When incorporating light infused tones into your home décor, look to the eight R's for direction: Relax, Radiance, Replay, Reality, Refresh, Respite, Recurrent and Refinements.

• Relax - Soft, neutral palettes of pinks, pale mauves, buttery yellow are emphasized when presented beside colors with inviting textural surfaces such as warm peach, soft vanilla or cool gray.
• Radiance - Representing joy, energy or good health, colors within this palette glow with life and excitement. Mineral Yellow, Apricot Brandy and Burnt Henna provide intriguing backgrounds to striking purples, hot pinks and tropical orchids combined with flashes of Electric Blue.
• Replay - This color palette evokes the lively color combinations of the '50s and '60s.
• Reality - Introducing textures and finishes that appear hand-woven or de-lustered that express the need for elements derived from nature. These subtle color undertones add an imaginative touch to basic neutrals.
• Refresh - Evoking the cool morning air, this color palette utilizes colors inspired by a translucent turquoise lake and the tangy bite of a crisp green apple.
• Respite - Containing subtle tones of nurturing comfort colors this palette is soothing and incorporates everything that represents tranquility in the home.
• Recurrent - Inspired by the black and white films of the 40s and 50s, this classic palette is reminiscent of sophisticated, urbanized film noir. Sepia overtones merge with whites, black, beige, taupe, and muted grays and greens.
• Refinements - This palette expresses a refined elegance and luxurious textures and finishes with simplified styling.

Other color design trends include a take on 2004's metallic influences by transforming them using more muted tones such as zinc and pewter, that appear burnished and oxidized. This antiqued look will replace the current shiny metallic color tones and will complement the light infused coloration palette.

It is important to also note that neutrals will always be a predominant player in home interiors. However, even neutrals will takes its approach on the new color trends by incorporating light-infused undertones.

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