04/18/2018
Home Improvement & Gardening Special Section: Don’t be afraid to embrace bold colors
by Erica Peterson
The color palette for designers in 2018 will be big and bold, if Pantone’s and Sherwin-Williams’ colors of the year are any indication.
Sherwin-Williams describes its Oceanside as “a fusion of rich blue with jewel-toned green,” creating a “complex, deep color,” while Pantone calls its Ultra Violet “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade.”
Why are such daring colors so trendy?
“It’s partly a reaction to the popularity of neutrals the past few years,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “People are ready for more color in their lives.”
It also is a reflection of the new generation of consumers, said Gillian Andrew, interior designer with Garth Andrew Company in Bath.
“Millennials are much bolder than we were,” Andrew said. “People have always been a little afraid of color. But now we’re seeing more bold choices.”
Oceanside is basically a bolder, updated version of the French country blue that was so popular, she said.
The trend toward jewel tones is a welcome one, especially in Northeast Ohio, said Mary Stickney, owner of Monarch Designs, an interior design consulting business in Brecksville.
“For quite some time now, grays and other neutrals have dominated interiors,” she said. “In Ohio and places with similar climates, we see enough gray skies. The return of color is long overdue.”
Such rich colors often make a great choice in decorating because they are so versatile, Wadden said.
“[Oceanside] can be incorporated into modern or historic design styles, because it pairs so well with both neutrals and brighter colors like pinks and reds,” she said.
It also works well with light woods, Andrew said.
Some homeowners may feel intimidated by such intense colors, but those who are willing to try them can make an impression.
Using such colors on kitchen cabinets or a hallway can make a big impact, especially for someone not ready to commit an entire room to the color, Wadden said.
“Or consider the rooms in your home that are used less often, like a craft room or guest bath. Those are great places to experiment with color,” she said.
A statement wall can showcase a bold color, Andrew said. “People need to remember that paint is temporary. They can repaint if they don’t like it,” she said.
Also, statement colors work well as accents.
“If you have a neutral room, you can pull the color in with accessories,” Andrew said. “That way, it’s nothing permanent, so if you don’t like it, you’re not stuck with a big purple couch.”
The bold color doesn’t have to be the dominant shade throughout the entire house, Stickney said. She suggests using it in a variety of ways, perhaps as a wall color in a small bathroom, in throw pillows in a bedroom or as a window treatment fabric or area rug in another room.
“Now it becomes a thread that weaves all or most of the rooms together,” she said.
If a color feels too bold, try a lighter, softer version of it, Andrew said.
“Ultra Violet is a brave color to use in the entire décor,” she said.
“Maybe a more grayish purple, like an eggplant, will work better.”
Stickney agreed, saying a jewel tone can be used as a starting point in determining the color story.
“There is no rule on how dark or light a color has to be,” she said. “Some people like lighter, brighter, airier spaces while others like darker, more intimate spaces.”
And jewel tones complement each other, Stickney added, “so don’t be afraid to have more than one accent color in the same room.”
Just a splash of color makes a difference, Andrew said.
“Even if you slide in just a hint of it, the color can change not only the room, but the mood of those in it,” she said.
Stickney agreed. “A touch of color can bring an entire room to life, or a whole house for that matter.”
