Color Talk

Color Talk
- by Jessica Tolliver

On Jan. 30, a standing-room-only crowd gathered at the Jacob Javits Center for “Color: From Theory to Selection”, a presentation on color trends from Benjamin Moore Director of Architecture and Design John Turner and House Beautiful Senior Editor Christine Pittel. Hosted by IFDA•NY and held in conjunction with the New York International Gift Fair, the presentation earned attendees CEU credits from IDCEC, AIA and CES.

Photo by The Photo Group

Pittel kicked off the presentation by sharing examples from recent issues of House Beautiful of how decorators and their clients are using color in their homes. And the range of preferences and applications was vast. “Color is personal,” she explained. “People see different things in different colors.” 

House Beautiful Black Room

 

Benjamin Moore Black Satin 2131-10

Some examples: Matthew White created architectural interest in a plain room by creating a faux niche with bright orange; [IFDA•NY member] Jamie Drake called the ceiling “the most overlooked wall in the room” and highlighted one in a soft pink; and Nancy Boszhardt says a room painted black is “a place where you can tell secrets.”

 

Bedroom by designer Jamie Drake

Image courtesy of House Beautiful 

For more color inspiration, read Pittel’s column in House Beautiful each month featuring designers’ favorite color choices.

 

House Beautiful March 2012 Cover

Following Pittel’s presentation, Turner moved the focus from the present to the future, sharing “Color Pulse 2013”, Benjamin Moore’s annual color trend forecast. According to Turner, the 2013 trends fall into several overall themes, including:

•    Intercyle – More than simply recycling, intercycling is about repurposing materials into items better than the originals.
•    Interflow – Driven by a revived interest in all things crafted and handmade, Interflow is about reshaping and reinventing colors and textures of the past.
•    Interanimate – After years away, bright colors are once again gaining in popularity. 

Color Pulse 2013 is available online at http://www.benjaminmoore.com/ and will be updated several times a year to reflect emerging trends.



Thanks to our sponsors: Gold Sponsors 3M, American Hardwood Information Center, FortyOne Madison, HunterDouglas, New York Design Center; and our Silver Sponsors Benjamin Moore & Co., Resource Furniture.  We greatly appreciate your support.