Vintage design, fossicking and gathering, the meeting of old and new, and the rise of new technology are among the key influences that will dominate Australian design over the next 12 months – and with it our choice of colour.
That’s the message from Dulux, whose colour experts have studied global consumer trends to develop six palettes for 2013.
The Dulux Colour Forecast this year draws on the themes of “movement”; social change, people power and the march of the digital age.
Dulux forecasters have identified six palettes, each reflecting a major
trend in paint colours. Merge is warm and earthy. Seek updates vintage shades. Empower’s blue-greens speak of confidence. Relaxing Rise uses a soothing Japanese-inspired aesthetic. Share is monochromatic with metal and stone influences. Blur is bold and daring.
Leading Australian interior designer Miriam Fanning, of Mim Design, says “concretes”, whites and soft parchments, will be a consistent thread in the next 12 months.
“My personal favourite palette is the Share palette, in particular the colour ‘Clear Concrete’ as I believe this colour will have a lot of versatility,” Ms Fanning says.
Dulux Colour and Communications consultant Bree Leech predicts that muted red tones such as Dulux Persimmon, Helena Rose and Diva Rouge will prove particularly popular over the next year.
“It’s hard to say what will be the single most important colour,” Ms Leech says. “Yellow is a colour I see continuing through out 2013/14 and pastel hues will also be important, but if I had to name a single colour I think I’d be leaning towards Dulux Persimmon.”
Melbourne architect Ella Leoncio says colour can play an important role in our everyday lives as a form of expression.
Her favourites in the new Dulux range can be found in the “earthy” shades in the Merge palette. “I like that it’s quite feminine without being too frou frou. The orange tones in the pinks give it a bit of edge.”
But while each expert has a different favourite in the Dulux colour range, all agree that your choice should be personal.
“Trends are there to inspire you to be creative with colour and bring to your attention colours or colour combinations you hadn’t considered,” Ms Leech says.
