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Paint has always played a major part in a room’s overall design. Color has such an impact on our psyche. Last year, I attended a trend forecasting seminar where a global color expert discussed emerging hues in design. As I left the room and looked around at the blues and browns prominently featured at the High Point Market, I was inspired by the new color palettes set to debut in the months ahead.

Color is getting a lot of attention in the world of design. Major paint manufacturers have joined forces with the home furnishings industry. Furniture manufacturers are seeing the value of incorporating painted color palettes into their lines. For instance, C.R. Laine — a Hickory-based upholstery manufacturer — recently debuted a custom-painted frame program and now offers all of their wood-accented upholstery frames in any Benjamin Moore & Co. paint color, making the color possibilities endless. 

Co-marketing has resulted in collaboration between Robert Allen fabrics and Sherwin Williams. Consumers will soon be able to select perfectly paired paint and fabric, taking the guesswork out of picking the ideal paint color.

Sherwin Williams has captured the essence of four very distinct color trends in its new line. Here are the categories, descriptions and corresponding color palettes:

• Refreshed: This group includes bright, juicy colors. Sherwin Williams describes this group as combining “the kaleidoscopic spirit of the ’60s, married to the jewel tones of the ’80s, with a global twist.” Colors include leaf greens, lilac, hydrangea blue, sun yellow and watermelon red. These colors can best be described as crisp and cool.

• Rooted: African, Aboriginal and Native American influences converge in this collection. Colors are rich and earthy. The collection includes chili red, peacock blue, espresso brown, bamboo tan, nugget gold, cognac and soft bronze.

• Simplified: The hues are calm, subtle and nuanced, with undertones that shift according to their surroundings for easy versatility. The colors in the collection include sterling, pearl, polished nickel, platinum, charcoal and mica. The subtle metallic hues of gray add a touch of sophistication.

• Treasured: These colors reflect the beauty of natural aging, mellowing and weathering, evoking quality materials that have stood the test of time and become heirlooms. Colors include smoky blue, tobacco brown, terra-cotta reds, soft teal greens, bone whites and antique gold. This earthy grouping is a refreshing interpretation of the red, gold and green of days gone by.

It is always exciting to see great new trends arriving in the marketplace. Fresh new colors provide a nice starting point to an interior design project. 

Jessica Dauray is owner of Elements of Style Interiors, a full-service interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, and The Studio, a trade-focused fabric and furniture resource. Visit her Web sites at www.elementsofstyleinteriors.com or www.thestudioofgreensboro.com. Have questions? E-mail Jessica at jessicaofeos@bellsouth.net.