We at Dulux recently launched Colour Futures 2012 - a publication which forecasts major trends in colour and interiors for the coming year. The trends forecasters come from all around the globe, and are experts in their fields, which range from design and architecture to fashion. They draw upon a variety of sources and influences to predict these trends, ranging from nature and fine art, to pop culture and technology.
They look at the changes that are happening in the world around us, and how these will come to shape the way we live in our homes, the way we decorate and the colours we use. Read on to find out about one of this year's biggest trends.
Rediscover Your Heroes
One of the major trends identified by the experts has been named 'Rediscovered Heroes'. The trend is a direct result of the economic downturn and is all about rediscovering beauty in ordinary or overlooked items.
The experts tell us 'coming to an economic standstill can have its advantages; it allows us to take a look around at what is already there, and discover possibilities in the most unlikely places'.
They add, 'we are surrounded by things we don't notice. Things so ordinary we become oblivious to their existence...yet on closer inspection they reveal their own beauty and value'.
More and more, we are taking the time to stand back and appreciate what is around us, and see true beauty in the ordinary. We are also looking to forgotten items and seeing their potential to be beautiful.
As belts tighten, there is an increasing trend for creativity, as we look to 'work with what we have'. We are seeing, for example, an increase in people buying old chairs from flea markets and making them into distinct and attractive pieces with bold paint colours. The great thing about this trend is that the result is the creation of beautiful and unique one-off pieces. Moreover, you don't need to consider yourself 'a creative person', to make something stunning from something ordinary. It's about having a go and of course, having fun.
Rediscovered Heroes and colour trends
Nowadays, many of society's abandoned treasures reflect our industrial heritage, from abandoned factories to old machinery, and is this industrial and masculine aesthetic that is reflected in the colour palette which typifies the Rediscovered Heroes trend.
The trends experts tell us, 'the colour palette is inspired by the down-to-earth qualities of our industrial heritage, and the masculine aesthetics that have always accompanied them, denim blue, industrial neutrals, rusty metal tones...engine and concrete greys'.
Within the Dulux palette, colours which reflect this trend include on-trend greys Lustrous, French Mists, Modernism, and Silverwood, intense blue Rich Teal, rusty-toned Paprika and earthy neutrals, such as Warm Sands, Bleached Lichen and Frappe.
*Information & Quotes source: Colour Futures 2012, AkzoNobel
