5 Key Colors for Fall/Winter 2016/17

November 2016 Color Trends

Fall/Winter 2016 sees a refocus on inspirational sources; we are rethinking and reassessing the world around us. As perspectives change, we gain more confidence with color usage and in turn engage with the effect color has on our surroundings.

Taking inspiration from our 2016/2017 trends, we look to the sheer beauty of dramatic landscapes, admiring the powerful and equally fragile planet. Also looking beyond the land, we seek inspiration from the surrounding oceans and into the dark depths of water. Historical and classical references also provide stimulus along with our innate child-like desire to play and interact.

All of the above reference our trends and inspire new directions in color. Here we will share 5 key colors to work with for Fall/Winter 2016/2017.

QUIET PEACE #0592 is a deep-water hue from our trend ABYSS that references the deepest oceans and the seascapes that we are yet to explore. Despite breadth of scientific discoveries in other areas, our planet still provides a great deal of intrigue and inspiration for design. This rich and deep tone can be applied to a variety of environments for a grounding and serene overall affect. This calming, intense blue would work well in a work-space or study area to give clarity and comfort within the space. Build a palette using this tone by combining QUIET PEACE #0592 with others from ABYSS such as softer aqua tones or pale neutral grey's to create a balanced outcome.

www.aytm.dk IMAGE NAME: EUVIRA.JPG DESCRIPTION: Blue chair and hanging lamp by Classicon

NORTH BEACH BLUE #0485 accompanies the QUIET PEACE #0592 tone from the ABYSS trend furthering the exploration of deep blues. This color references bleached textiles and our continuous pre-occupation with denim, not only in our wardrobes, but in our homes. The textile provides inspiration in the form of the stone washed color of NORTH BEACH BLUE #0485, which can act as an effective and innovative neutral for our walls. A touch of grey is mixed in to move away from sky blue colors, thus softening the tone and results in a more measured and sophisticated outcome for interiors. Pair with sandy beach hues for a gentle complimentary palette, or use tonal schemes of blues from ABYSS for a contemporary and cool look.

www.zanotta.it  IMAGE: PLAINENGLISH.JPG DESCRIPTION: Blue Interior by Plain English, 

DUSKY MOOD #1318, comes from the STRATA trend comes into focus and stays grounded in natural references. Charting the impact of the ever-changing landscapes that are redefined by natural forces often beyond our control. STRATA takes note of mans influences on nature and vice versa. Offering an updated version of grey and an alternative to an urban inspired concrete grey tone, here the color gains a dusky purple undertone for added interest. With a new intriguing warmth, DUSKY MOOD #1318 is still easy to use and apply by updating living areas with this inviting yet chic finish, especially when blended with warm taupe's and tinted whites.

www.classicon.com IMAGE NAME: ZANATTAPARCO.JPG DESCRIPTION: Grey Interior by Zanotta

LOCKHART #0098, from our trend, RIPE, takes classic inspiration from historical still life and paintings and conveys a rich and warm atmosphere suitable for any interior. Indulge in this luxurious color and add softness to your space. This timeless color echoes traditional painting techniques that heavily influenced this trend. The color has strong connotations of interior textiles with its velvety finish. LOCKHART #0098 has an inviting warmth so would work well applied to bedroom walls creating a comforting yet sophisticated overall effect. Combine in an interior palette with accents of deep eggplant purple, teal, and pale mustard from RIPE for a rich contrast within your home.

AYTMSTUDIO.JPG DESCRIPTION: Pink Interior by AYTM Studio

FROG GREEN #0779 is the stimulating color from our trend PLAY that responds to our inner child. Conveying a positive message, this lighthearted tone encourages interaction with color and with our surroundings, diverting attention away from complex technology and back to using color to stimulate our minds. FROG GREEN #0779 is modern and clean and offers a fresh, bright color for wall and painted furniture applications. This color would work well with children's play areas and bedrooms for an energetic and encouraging atmosphere. Combine this tone with other from PLAY or alongside a monotone color scheme as a highlight. FROG GREEN #0779 would add a fun accent to furniture frames or in painted graphic patterns on the wall.

www.plainenglishdesign.co.uk IMAGE: GREENROOM.JPG DESCRIPTION: Green children’s bedroom 

QUIET PEACE #0592, NORTH BEACH BLUE #0485, DUSKY MOOD #1318, LOCKHART #0098, and FROG GREEN #0779 are the five colors we see to be key for Fall/Winter 2016/2017. These tones are taken from our 2016/2017 trends ABYSS, STRATA, RIPE, and PLAY. The colors work across a variety of interior applications and can be used singularly or combined successfully as an all over palette for a space. These colors all offer something diverse and convey different moods and aesthetics that are on trend. Each color could add something innovative and exciting into your home whether it is used in isolation or with our suggested complimentary tones, it will be a success.

Be sure to check back monthly for new postings! For the next article, we will be talking about the HIDDEN LUXURY OF COLOR. This will continue our exploration into interior decorating ideas with a focus on bringing richness and luxury into the home by using keep color in inspirational palettes. 

This is the monthly color and design news update from Davis Paint. The article above aims to preview the forth-coming season and give insight and relevant information for using color to help inspire personal projects.

Please visit our website! The Davis Paint Company

Top Tips for Adding Color to Your Space

Choosing a paint color can be tricky. What color do you choose? Do you need an accent color? What color should your accessories be? It can be enough to make you just want to stick with beige!

For a quick color lesson, we found an article over on HGTV.com outlining the top 10 tips for adding color to your space - here are some of the tips we liked best:

Use the 60-30-10 Rule
Decorating a space in terms of color is as easy as 60-30-10. Don't believe me? Take a look at some rooms in magazines or in Designers' Portfolio. You'll notice that the rooms you like the most are almost invariably divided into percentages of 60-30-10. Why this works is anybody's guess. Perhaps it is the human tendency to see an overall theme in the 60 percent hue, unifying the coloration. The 30 percent provides visual interest and the 10 percent, not unlike jewelry, provides that little bit of sparkle.

So, when decorating a particular room, divide the colors into percentages:
60% of a dominant color
30% of a secondary color
10% of an accent color

When you think about it, this color breakdown is similar to a man's business suit:
60% of the outfit's color is the slacks and jacket
30% of the outfit's color is the shirt
10% of the outfit's color is the tie

Translated to a room setting, it typically means:
60% of the room's color is the walls
30% of the room's color is the upholstery
10% of the room's color is, say, an accent piece or a floral arrangement

Choose a Color Scheme
Trying to decide on the right color scheme for a room or an entire home can be difficult. You can simplify the process by using your color wheel and narrowing down your choices to two color schemes. There are more, or course, but these are the most effective and provide a great place to start.

Complementary Color Scheme
Complementary colors are across from each other on the color wheel, such as a red and green, blue and yellow or purple and orange. Rooms decorated with a complementary color scheme tend to provide a clear separation of colors and often are more formal and more visually challenging. Complementary color schemes should be used in the more formal areas of the home - for example, the living room or dining room.

Analogous Color Scheme
Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel, such as yellow and green, blue and violet or red and orange. Rooms using an analogous color scheme typically are more casual, restful and muted in terms of coloration. This color scheme is best used in the more informal areas of the home. Family rooms, dens and bathrooms - places where you're searching for rest and recovery from the day - look and "feel" great in analogous colors.

Consider Contrast
A high-contrast space (a room that uses light and dark values of colors in combination - for example, deep burgundy with light gold) appears clearer and more highly defined than a space that incorporates low contrasts (say, saffron yellow with sage green). So think about using high contrast to enhance the formality of a room and low contrast to intruduce soothing qualities.

When paired, black and white (which, by the way, are not colors but rather the addition or subtraction of light) are somewhat formal in appearance, not unlike a tuxedo. White with beige, however, has a low contrast and a feeling of calmness. Combining white and black with gray is very low key and also creates a restful space.

Used with the permission of The Color Guild.

Painting 101

Before you get started on any painting project, you need to understand some of the basics:

Choose your paint - There are five sheen levels for interior painting:

1. Flat is the lowest sheen level and is best used for low traffic areas and ceilings. Flat paints touch-up wonderfully but aren't the most washable.
2. Matte finishes are relatively flat looking on the wall but offer an amount of durability and are commonly referred to as washable flats.
3. Eggshell is hte most common sheen and is appropriate for many different uses. Its level of durability makes it washable in high traffic areas and bathrooms.
4. Satin finishes are great for very high traffic and high moisture areas such as busy laundry rooms and bathrooms where condensation is common.
5. Semi-Gloss works well for walls that see abuse everyday and is very durable and washable.

Supplies - Check with your local paint expert to make sure you have the right brushes and rollers. You'll want to have painters' tape to protect any woodwork. And don't forget drop cloths to protect the floor or carpet in your space.

Prime - Priming may be an important step for a successful job. While there are many all-in-one "paint and primer" products available today they should not be viewed as the corner-cutting panacea. Glossy and slick surfaces, areas that have undergone extensive repair, and even when making drastick color changes are a few of the instances when you should consider the use of a specialty primer. Consult with the staff at your paint store. Taking the extra time to prime the walls first can actually save time by helping the finish coat develop its optimal color and appearance more quickly and in fewer coats. Primer can be white, gray or tinted. If you have chosen an off-white or light color a regular white primer should be just fine. Getting your primer tinted to be close to your final paint color is a great idea if you've chosen a dark, rich color. This will ensure an even coat and help you avoid needing what may seem like a million coats of paint to cover your walls. Gray primer is also a good idea for rich colors, especially red.

Paint - When you're using a brush it's important to hold it correctly. If you're using a smaller brush for sash and trim work, grip it like a pencil. You'll want to hold a larger wall brush in your entire hand. Trimwork can be tricky - but it can go well if you follow this pattern: paint out from the corner for five or six strokes, then smooth over them with a single, long, smooth stroke. When using a roller, think of the letters M, N and W. Use your roller to make a large M (about 3 feet square) on the wall, followed by a backwards N or W pattern over it. Always start with an upward stroke so the paint won't run down the wall and you'll get good, even coverage. Fill in any spaces with crosswise strokes.

As summer turns into fall, you may also be considering starting an exterior painting project. Take advantage of the cooler weather to tackle an exterior paint project, but make sure you know when it is too cold to paint outside:

Paint must set before the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is best not to paint with two hours of sundown if temps are predicted to drop below that. Extremely high temperatures can also cause a problem, so avoid painting in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Moisture also affects paint, so wait several days after a rainfall and allow morning mist to evaporate before beginning your project.

Always make sure you check the label on your paint can for additional information.

When you are done with your painting project, be sure to properly dispose or recycle your paint:

Don't throw away liquid paint in the trash or sink drain. Paint should stay in the original container. However, small amounts of latex paint can be left to dry in the can and disposed of in the trash.

Only store paint in places that won't freeze. Find cool, dry places to keep your paint and label containers well including the room you painted and the date so you can keep track for touch-ups. Remember, latex paint that has frozen cannot be used again or recycled. Excessive heat is also not good for paint.

To recycle paint, check with your local county recycling program. Call 1-800-CLEANUP (800-253-2687).

Find creative ways to use excess paint. Restoring old furniture is one way to use leftover paints, or allow your kids to use some for projects. You can also use fun colors for a closet repaint, or a basement storage area. Reusing is a valuable way to protect the environment.