newjerseynewsroom.com

BY MARGARET MORGAN

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Color trends for 2012 were not only on the runways for New York Fashion Week, but in the paint and furnishings showrooms as well. Sherwin-Williams and the Pantone Color Institute have both come out with their color forecasts earlier than ever before.

The release of the Pantone Fashion Color Report coincided with New York Fashion Week, which began September 8. For more than 18 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. Pantone’s report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2012. The report features the top 10 colors for women’s fashion for Spring 2012, along with designer sketches, quotes and headshots, and is available at www.pantone.com/spring2012.

“Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “They have learned how color can help them alter a mood, while providing the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations.”

Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone's outlook this spring. Providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power, a bright cyber yellow, radiates warmth and cheer. Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity. Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red.

Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind and works with every color in the palette. Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, adds a whimsical touch to the palette and makes a statement for spring. Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow.

Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac is a delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance.

Versatile neutrals bring natural elements to this season's brightest colors. Driftwood is a slightly weathered look in an adaptable blend of beige and gray and Starfish, a perfect warm summery neutral, complements all colors featured in this season's top 10.

The 40 hues highlighted in Sherwin-Williams Colormix™ 2012 stay close to home with earth-inspired, color family groupings: Reds, Blues, Greens and Neutrals. According to Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, you can just hone in on a color you love and the ideal, natural complement will be right nearby.

“Colors that are analogous, or adjacent on the color wheel, are a dominant trend,” says Jordan. “We discover a fresh array of combinations within color families ― be it fiery reds, watery blues, grassy greens or organic neutrals.” There are distinct similarities between these color groups and the four classical elements - earth, air, water and fire.

Disregarding the tried and true tone-on-tone pairings, Sherwin-Williams color experts drew inspiration from fashion-forward color-washing and ombré dyeing techniques to experiment with color values and hues within color families to create four vibrant palettes. They also embraced the sustainable landscape ― which has become an enduring influence on all aspects of décor and design.

Reds remind you of a brilliant flower, a glowing ember, the colors of fire and passion, and the earth’s molten core. In a saturated palette, these reds encompass deep fuchsias, red-oranges, violets and delicate pinks.

Blues are soothing colors, calming in an uncertain economic climate. Blues reflect clear waters - lakes, rivers and oceans – and cloudless blue skies. Sherwin-Williams blues are inspired by faded American denim and work wear

Greens evoke images of woodlands and forests; dark green seaweed and algae; soft green moss; lush velvety grass, bountiful gardens and nature’s foliage.

Neutrals represent a refined, low-key palette, which includes everything from gold tones and soft metallics to colors drawn from fields of grain, piles of pebbles, weathered wood, earthen clay, and raw organic, textural materials.

In these uncertain economic times, it doesn’t take much money – just a little imagination and effort. In an instant, you can spruce up and revitalize your home with a fresh coat of paint in an eye-catching color to accent a wall or brighten up a kitchen or living room.

For the latest food and restaurant news and seasonal recipes, visit me at Shore Region Food and Drink Examiner, Shore Region Restaurant Examiner and TastefuLiving.net.