Olive Fringes. Rockabye Baby. Drizzle. Every year, paint manufacturers come up with a rainbow of new paint colors and give them sensational names to charm and captivate us. The marketing of these colors is a dazzling feat — visual media employed to the hilt in a kaleidoscopic cacophony of brochures, chips, and vibrant photography that suggest entire new worlds made possible by just a few fresh coats of a new hue.
Companies draw from a wealth of sources for their color ideas. Sherwin-Williams' 2005 RetroSpective category, a range of five shades from bright green to deep brown to hot orange, takes its cue from various textile influences like Sashiko, a form of hand-sewing once practiced in Japan and China, and 1950s-era fabric designs.
The color forecasters at Benjamin Moore took a different tack for their 2006 lineup, setting up a central theme — light — and categorizing its colors by the kind of light they evoke (morning, natural, etc.). A number of companies point to a futuristic vision of the coming “cyber age” as inspiration for palettes of dark grays paired with screaming pinks and neon blues.
Although every manufacturer has a unique forecast, similar trends do emerge. For both 2005 and 2006, vibrant oranges are big, in shades ranging from light and yellowy to nearly red. Deep berry shades moving toward purple are in almost every collection. Greens once shied away from, such as olive and shocking lime, are highlighted as energetic and positive. All this heady visual stimulation is certainly enchanting, but luckily for the less adventurous among us, there will always be thousands of shades of white.
Pittsburgh Paints.
The Voice of Color paint and design system helps homeowners choose color palettes by taking into account their personality, style, and interests. The system selects from several color families in the Harmony Collection to show consumers a palette that best suits their tastes, and also encompasses a wet paint sample program. 800.243.8774. www.voiceofcolor.com.
Benjamin Moore.
The Studio Finishes line expands decorative options by adding depth and dimension to the company's color offerings. The line includes a number of glazes, including metallic, as well as Latex Texture Sand finish and Glitter Effect finish, which adds iridescent glimmer to walls and trims. 888.236.6667. www.benjaminmoore.com.
Dutch Boy.
Clarity interior latex paint products produce no VOCs and are silica-free. The low-odor paints also provide antimicrobial protection of the dry paint film, which helps prevent the growth of microbes on the surface. Primer sealer, flat wall and ceiling paint, and satin and semi-gloss wall and trim enamel are available. 800.828.5669. www.dutchboy.com.
Sherwin-Williams.
Combining high technology with low VOCs, Duration Home interior latex coating promises to prevent stains from penetrating. The paint, available in matte and satin finishes, resists mildew and will withstand repeated washings with no burnish marks or visible paint wear, the company says. 800.254.5979. www.sherwin-williams.com.
Zinsser.
Bulls Eye High Hide Odorless primer-sealer promises less odor than most water-based primers. The solvent-based, sprayable primer blocks stains and adheres to surfaces without sanding, according to the maker. It also seals porous surfaces such as dry-wall and unfinished wood. 732.469.8100. www.zinsser.com.
Glidden.
Designed expressly for use with dark colors, Gripper Grey primer maximizes the intensity of deep shades, the maker says. The primer can be tinted to nine different shades of gray and helps to reduce streaking and to cover stains. 800.454.3336. www.glidden.com
BioShield.
Boasting a solvent-free, zero-VOC finish, Aqua Resin Stain Finish #33 has a gel-like consistency. It is certified to be free of hazardous emissions both during and after application, says the firm. Eight wood-tone shades are offered, along with white, ebony, and 10 accent colors. 800.621.2591. www.bioshieldpaint.com.
For more product information, visit ebuild, Hanley Wood's interactive product catalog, at www.ebuild.com.