By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR(R) Magazine
Emerald may be this year’s color of the year and hot hue, but which colors should you avoid?
Color research tells us some colors to avoid. Colors that can be considered, as some researchers note, “eye irritants” and can even cause headaches or mess with your vision.
According to color research, the worst offending color: Continue reading »
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Color experts are already giving their forecasts for the hot hues for 2012. And next year, the inspiration for color is mostly being drawn from the great American outdoors.
“Native plants and flowers, oceans and lakes, and rocks and minerals are the sources of inspiration for the paint colors that will be ‘in’ next year,” says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.
Here’s an overview of the 2012 color palette, according to the Paint Quality Institute.
Courtesy of The Paint Quality Institute
Bold Blue
“From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved–in one iteration or another–by almost everyone,” says Zimmer.
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
So that reddish pink Honeysuckle hue may be stealing all of the glory as far as being the “color of the year,” but more home owners also are seeing gray.
Gray has become the hot new neutral, and a popular choice particularly in kitchens for backsplashes, countertops, flooring, and cabinetry, according to a recent article in Newsday by Kristin Taveira, “The Grays of Our Lives: Moody and Mod, It’s a Hot Color in the Kitchen.”
“The white kitchens never go out of style–you see them everywhere– but gray is the new white,” Jennifer Mabley of Mabley Handler Interior Design told Newsday. “Gray gives you dimension and depth, and helps to tie in the natural colors in the stone countertops. Sometimes, when you have a white kitchen and granite, there’s a disconnect. The gray helps tie in a natural color.”
Designers in the article note gray can:
- be easily adaptable and paired with any shade for a pop of color, such as yellow, for more drama, or you can use it to help soften another hue.
- enhance the look of stainless steel and granite.
- create a sense of permanence. It can ground a long space, whereas white may make it appear that it goes on forever.
Other color trends for paint in 2011:
By Erica Christoffer, REALTOR® Magazine
Smaller spaces, energy efficiency, Earth tones, and outdoor entertainment are all the buzz as the latest design trends debut at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando this week.
A survey of 2,000 consumers conducted by Better Homes and Gardens found that buyers don’t want any “wasted space” in their next home. They are seeking more value for their dollar, said editorial director Jill Waage, who presented the study’s findings Thursday. Affordability remains a high priority as well as energy efficiency, which was ranked highest to 68 percent of the consumers polled.
“Consumers are once again dreaming about their next home as well as planning ways to make their current home reflect their personal style and needs,” said Waage. “They are also setting priorities and watching their wallets in the process.”
The top ranked living space features listed by consumers are a separate laundry room, additional storage space with walk in closets or build-ins, a home office or workspace, outdoor living areas, at least one bathroom with its own private bath, and everyday eating space in or close to the kitchen.
“Today’s family wants a hive area where they can move seamlessly from mealtime to tech time to game/entertainment/hobby time to homework time,” said Waage.
Kay Green of Kay Green Design echoed Waage’s findings in her International Builders’ Show presentation Friday. “People want more of a clean line look with contemporary interiors,” Green said. “Stainless steel continues to be popular.” Continue reading »
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Photo Credit: Elaine Williamson
Add calmness to any room with an eye-catching color combo: yellow and gray, says designer Elaine Williamson with Elaine Williamson Designs.
“It’s so peaceful and calming –it’s just a really good combination,” says Williamson, adding that white added in can exude even more sophistication.
Need some ideas on how to mix in the color combo?
- Use gray as a base color on upholstered furniture, such as furniture with espresso-stained wood.
- Try a yellow throw pillow on a gray sofa.
Do you have a favorite color combo? Tell us what your favorite color combos are when designing a room and send a photo of it to Melissa Tracey at mtracey@realtors.org. Please include your name and contact information.
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