I recently attended the Sherwin-Williams Colormix 2010 seminar at the Boston Design Center. The seminar encouraged us to think about how “the past transforms the present in fresh colors that simplify a complex world,” and color experts from Sherwin-Williams laid out color and pattern trends for the coming year. The presentation was broken up into four different styles and color palettes with influences described as rooted, exploring ancient and tribal cultures; simplified, where less is more; treasured, exploring beauty of natural aging; and refreshed prints and patterns of the 60′s and 80′s.
Rooted aesthetics originate from African, Aboriginal and Native American cultures where colors are “as natural as the elements.” Ancient tribes and cultures were not recognized for their artistic work until the 1600′s and since then, these indigenous civilizations have defined a lifestyle in mainstream and popular culture. These styles appear on the runway and in home design such as feathers, carved wood, body paint, clay and wire.
"The colors are rich and earthy, with a hint of mystery." -Sherwin-Williams
Two girls in Ghana wearing long yellow beads
Crimped hairstyle on the runway is reminiscent of traditional African headwear.
Aboriginal dot painting creates patterns and symbols using natural pigments.
Native American basket weave at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.
The simplified mantra ‘less is more’ resonates throughout the design world as classic, sophisticated and structured. Beginning with the Bauhaus movement in Germany, it combined art, craft and technology which created harmony between design and object. Simplified design is enduring yet modern, and is popular in corporate and residential settings such as the Guggenheim Museum and the stairs at the Armani store in New York.
"The aesthetic is artful rather than austere, with well-tailored lines and sheer, translucent materials that reveal shape and structure." -Sherwin-Williams
Bauhaus building in Dessau, Germany
Guggenheim Museum in New York City featuring modern and contemporary international art.
The interior of the Armani flagship store, designed by Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas. The store features a striking ribbon-like swirling staircase in white.
Modern lighting designs that are sheer and simple.
Treasured describes an aesthetic that repurposes imperfect, naturally aged and vintage pieces to reveal untold stories underneath years of peeling paint. The idea of celebrating our past is a popular one right now; the trend can be seen on web sites like Etsy and design*sponge, where rehabilitated furniture is often sold and showcased. This saturated color palette evokes the distressed, layered and antique look of a treasured heirloom.
"A throwaway society? That's so yesterday." -Sherwin-Williams
Coffee room in London's Rough Luxe Hotel, which mixes raw and original materials with luxury goods.
Bathroom in the Rough Luxe Hotel.
An array of vintage chests
Refreshed colors evoke happiness, tropical flowers and sunshine. These palettes suggest kaleidoscope patterns of the 1960s where romanced blossomed and flower power was all the rage. In the summer of 2009 we saw this trend in fashion with past colorful maxi dresses and tie-dyed prints. In 2010′s home furnishings market we will see bright, vivid colors that recall the pure and whimsical easthetic of a box of Crayola crayons.
"It's time to take a vacation and let our cares melt away." -Sherwin-Williams
Kaleidoscope design in refreshed tones.
Rack of vintage clothes with 60's and 80's prints and patterns.
This monochromatic room in pure green is refreshing and relaxing.
