Color Report 2010

The color of the year for apparel and home for 2010 is turquoise. This color combines the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green. Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters, an escape from the everyday troubles of the world. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is expecially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

The main color and style groupings for the home in 2010 include botanical palettes of hues that reflect consumers' interest and commitment to preserving the environment. These can include soft greens and yellows, chalky whites, and aqua as an accent color. There will be a shift away from sage and olive greens toward more of a leaf green. Green continues to be a very important color. Green is also the easiest color for the eye to see, and is also the most restful and comforing of all colors. It is a color that, on its own, can contribute a vibrant pop to a room, or create a softer look when paired with neutrals. It also is a perfect foil for bright contrasts, such as deep blues and orangey reds.

Another important trend to watch for are colors that deal with the African continent, including soft green, smoke blue, sand, mauve, lemon and copper. Pattern motifs that will reflect this trend will be batiks, paisleys, and ikat.

In another unexpected color shift, lavendars and purples have become popular for bigger spaces. Lavendars can be combined with deep purple or mauve, pink,bluish-gray, and beige. Lavendar will be the hands-down winner in the bedroom. It evokes warmth and comfort. Eggplant has now made it into the paint palette for 2010 as well. Purple continues to rise on the popularity chart for the home.

Brights will take their cue from nature. Look for "flower colors" such as orchids, vibrant greens, and buttercup yellows. Yellow, one of the most popular paint colors of the past two decades, will be hotter and brighter than ever. The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance.

Gray seems to be emerging as the new neutral. Taking over from the browns and beiges, slate and charcoal gray wil be the hot new neutrals. Cool gray can be paired with almost any color for a winning combination.

Shades of red will be darkened with purple and blue tones. Red and white pairings will also be popular.

Any shift in design in the coming year will underscore consumers' need for comfort and stability. This includes nature themes as well as touches of Americana, such as green markets, farmland and even quilting.

In conclusion these style and color predictions are always only that predictions, and only as acccurate as the buying public makes them !