Dear Color Lovers,
Just a reminder that when viewing colors online the computer monitor colors may vary. Thank hue for your understanding. Enjoy
April 28, 2008
Color Forecast 2009
Excerpt from Home Accents Today Magazine by Lindsey Strader April Issue 2008 Images from Pantone View home + interiors Forecast for 2009
Breathe Easy
Pantone Color Institute’s palettes focus on reinventing color as “consumers continue to be more thoughtful than ever about what they are buying and the impact their choices are having on the world around them,” says Lee.
Breath Easy is a Pantone palette that reflects the need to hold onto what we have in the world around us. “Everyday concerns, not the least of which is environmental, plead the need to find a place of respite and relaxation – to unwind and rewind.”
Cool tones invoke this calming effect the best, creating “thoughts of breathing easily, a constant reminder of the clear, clean blues found in a cloudless sky, sparkling over a blue-green body of water,” says Lee. "Breathe Easy incorporates pure bright white and variations of the blue theme, including deep ocean and Provence blues," Lee said. "Garden greens, muted vegetables yellow-green and the introduction of blue purple for a meditative tone, permeate this palette."
Wanderings
Pantone Color Institute created the Wanderings group. Lee examines the ever-fascinating exotic tones. Travel – real or aspirational – to far-off destinations such as Nepal and Machu Picchu serves as inspiration for this grouping.
“Dusky tones of rose, Dijon-like yellows and deepened taupe mix with both mineral and Mediterranean blues and misted gray. All shades are dramatically embellished by rich gold and scarlet red," said Lee.
Honesty
Not a novel concept for most, recycling is an environmentally friendly practice that continues to influence home decorating and design, especially color, as ways for reusing products and materials keep evolving.
Pantone Color Institues’ interpretation of the recycling influence can be seen in Honesty. “Just as the name implies, Honesty speaks of a very real attempt at recycling – Creating treasure out of what was destined to become trash,” said Lee.
This palette revisits shabby chic, with a heavier footing on chic than shabby, she said. An appropriate subtitle for this palette could be “designer boutique meets flea market find." Lee cited examples such as reusing discarded glass or ceramics to make artful mosaics, or using eco-friendly vegetable or plant dye to color natural fibers. “Included in the recommended mixes are unbleached whites. Tender greens, clouded corals, toasty warm tans and cool gray, unexpectedly punctuated by velvety-red rose.
Solar Energy
Even thought there is generally a bigger movement in 2009 into blue, blue-green and purple, warm is not going away.
This palette, titled Solar Energy, figuratively captures the dynamic power inherent in the sun, depicting the rays of color that have come to symbolize an alternative to fossil fuels. When you have a color like orange, which has been a slow, steady grower, reinventing the hue is key to keeping the look new and fresh suggesting color combinations such as orange and gray fro an updated glow.
Mandarin Orange, Flame Orange, Artisan’s Gold, Celery, Fuchsia Red, Wineberry, Ash and Blue Radiance make up the Solar Energy palette.
"Variations of mandarin and flame orange remain strong for future, with radiating gold and green-based yellows reinforcing the vitality," said Lee. "A mulled purplish wine, fuchsia red and eclectic blue add an interesting dimension to the mix, while an ashy gray provides a calming neutral influence to this volatile mix," described Lee.
April 25, 2008
What indigenous colors would fit your city?
Here are a few mentions found in Marylou Luther’s column in The Plain Dealer
Dear Marylou: You once wrote that a famous color expert believes that cities have indigenous colors. What is Cleveland’s shade? - U.W., Cleveland.
Dear U.W.: According to color expert Leatrice Eiseman, Cleveland is charcoal gray. In her geographic chromatics, New York is black and Los Angeles is white. And the color comes in between. “Chicago,” says Eiseman, is “similar to New York, but more dark, rich brown than black. Houston is take-no-prisoners red. Miami is a cha-cha-cha mix of bright color. And Denver is tan, rawhide and all shades thereof.”
April 24, 2008
What are the benefits of pink?
As far as a comment about pink from our color expert: in general, pink is the color most associated with good health, as to have a rosy ‘glow’ is seen as the optimum of good health. Even people with very dark skin get a rosy quality to their skin when they exercise or are in good health. Think of the expression ‘in the pink’, meaning healthy. It also connotes an optimistic viewpoint, as in ‘looking at the world through rose-colored glasses”.
April 21, 2008
What’s Your Perfect Color?
InStyle Magazine April Issue 2008 by Charles Masters
Sure, black is nice. It's slimming, sohpisticated and makes coordinating clothes a no-brainer. But color, the right color-like a perwinkle that brings out those baby blues or a bright cardinal that matches your fiery personality-can transform your looks and your attitude.
Emotions run high for those intense and daring types who declare red as their favorite color. “Your passion is infectious, though all that feeling so close to the surface may come off as restless,” says Lee. If your taste leans toward the soft side (think pink), you’re less fervent and a bit more delicate-a blush silk camisole is what lights your fire.”
The color of traffic cones, orange is a hue that works hard to be noticed. The same can be said of the people who lot it. Extroverted and expansive, these adventure lovers don’t shy away from a good time. Careful, warns Lee; while some could perceive that energy has charming and magnetic, others may think it leads to wardrobe choices that veer into way-too flamboyant territory.
Fans of this vibrant shade-yellow radiates light-aren’t afraid to be noticed. In fact they embrace going against the grain. So if you’re attracted to lemon, daffodil or even bumblebee, you’re likely to be innovative and idealistic. “Friends love your ‘up’ attitude,” says Lee. But there’s a dark side to this sunny outlook: You may be slightly egotistical, refusing to accept second best.
The so-called green movement is aptly named since the color represent more than a healthy world: Devotees of green are described as generous, caring and balanced. Green lovers “have a high moral sense and are sensitive about doing the right thing. But all of this do-gooding can come off as a bit smug. (And since it’s also the color of envy, greenies can be wicked gossips.)
Like a cloudless sky or or tranquil ocean, blue addicts are peaceful, even-tempered lot. Gentle, loyal, discreet-these are all quiet traits shared by those who count the innumerable shades, from powder to peacock, as their favorites. But remember: Still waters run deep, so caution to those who betray you, warns Lee. “Blue lovers form strong attachments. You’re deeply hurt when trust is betrayed.”
“Mystical concepts hold great appeal for those dreamers,” says Lee of anyone who’s predisposed to eggplant, lavender and the like. Enigmatic and unconventional, there’s a reason why deep violet is the shade of choice for Prince – and a symbol for other, actual royalty. Equal parts witty and moody, secretive and seductive, purple people like a good mystery and keep those close to them guessing.
April 17, 2008
What are your spring colors?
SKIN INC Magazine March Issue 2008 by Abby Penning
Spring is in the Air
The rush of new greenery on trees, bushes and lawns is also pairing with recent environmental awareness to push the natural shade as a hot seasonal hue. "The green colorings can be seen as an extension of the whole natural theme, and in particular, yellow-greens represent that," says executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of More Alive With Color Leatrice Eiseman.
With lip options at both ends of the spectrum, a variety of shades are popping up. At one end, Eiseman describes the lighter look, saying that, "There are the cantaloupe-y shades, vibrant colors with softer tones, and, this spring, colors are going to bring about the possibility of doing more of the subtle, soft lip color."
The woman makes the makeup
Eiseman is also a fan of mixing the vivid makeup shades with classic standbys in more muted hues. "Using neutrals, you get something you can wear for several seasons and then accessorize with some of the more trendy pops of color," she says. "In a time when people are concerned about politics, the election, the war and so on, some vitality in cosmetics can be a lift.
Spring fling
With its exciting flashes of color and innate flow, springtime is the perfect time to invent a new, refreshing look for your clients-and even yourself. Whether creating a bold statement with brightly line eyes and whisper-soft lips, or merely using blushes of pink and orange to grace lids and cheeks with touches of warmth, Eiseman recommends seeing makeup as an extension of the woman. "It's viewing the faces as a palette and using makeup in an artistic way," she says. "There are a lot of women who don't do that, but makeup as art will be a big influence for the next year."
April 15, 2008
Mirroring the economy’s dour mood, designers back to black
Recession Chic
As described in Time Magazine for April
Christian Labroid, a designer, usually known for bright colors, says his somber fall collection may be "linked unconsciously to recession,"
The article goes on to describe More recent films, like TIm Burton's Sweeny Todd, have also inspired the somber palette. "We're seeing a lot of dark movies these days, and they definitely influence the color story," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Black is always the color people rely on most often in tough times, especially if they’re going to spend on big ticket items." Eiseman, who prepares an annual color forecast for the fashion and home markets, says black will most likely be included in pantone's selection of the top 10 colors of 2008. "Psychologically, it's also the color people wrap themselves in to become impervious to the outside world. It's a security blanket," she adds.
April 8, 2008
The reason for yellow's surge in status?
This spring, style hands you lemon
USA TODAY's Lifestyle article by Donna Freydkin.
Yellow is anything but mellow this spring and summer. The sunniest of colors is bursting out as the season's hottest hue.
The reason for yellow's surge in status? "It has a very clean, modern aesthetic. In a sense, it's a fashionable neutral, says New York-based handbag and show designer Monica Botkier.
If yellow is your favorite, you never say: "Been there, done that."
Yellow is luminous and warm because it is strongly associated with sunshine. It sparkles with outgoing activity. Yellow people are highly original, innovative, imaginative, idealistic, creative, artistic and often spiritual. You love novelty and challenge and have an inquiring mind. You are a reliable friend and confidant. You are optimistic and encourage others to do their best, so your friends love your "up" attitude. Your ambitions are often realized, and you usually have a sunny disposition, which makes you a fun "playmate", Lee describes.
April 1, 2008
Gray Matters
April Issue of W Magazine by Jane Larkworthy
Mention of the word "gray" has always sparked associations in the dour and the dowdy: "gray skies," "gray mood," "gray hair." But these days, gray is downright chic and showing up everywhere: in Anne Kreamer's recent eye-opening book, Going Gray; in the current Jasper Johns exhibition, "Gray," at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and where you'd least expect it - on the spring runways.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT A... GRAY NAIL POLISH?
Lee's interview with O Magazine in January's issue 2008
"I can't remember the last time gray or navy nail polish was a trend. We're in a time of big changes in the world, and (basics like) gray represent stability. Gray nail polish also suggests uniqueness; wearing it, you're making a statement about being a bit off beat." If you like offbeat, you're in for a treat: Lee predicts canary yellow polish for next year.
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