Natural Paint Colors Wash Ashore

Wondering about the hottest paint colors on the market? Wonder no more: This year’s paint palette continues to draw heavily upon the natural colors in the American landscape, according to Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.

“Native plants and flowers, oceans and lakes and rocks and minerals are the sources of inspiration for the paint colors,” said Zimmer. “If you’re thinking about repainting your home interior, look to the great American outdoors.”

Here are some highlights:

Blue, the jewel of the sea

Blues gained popularity in 2011 and continue to be red hot in 2012. “From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved — in one iteration or another — by almost everyone,” said Zimmer.

Green, from farm to forest

Greens, ranging from celery and asparagus to fir and fern, allow homeowners to bring the comforting feelings of the world outside into the world within. According to Zimmer, dining rooms and kitchens are the “natural” spots for in-vogue greens, but the hue is also at home in family rooms and bedrooms.

Violet, majestic purple mountains

“A harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red hues, violet can add ‘punch’ to any room when used as an accent color or serve as the dominant color in a bedroom,” said Zimmer.

Patterns

Patterned paint is also taking center stage, with increased interest in hound’s-tooth finishes, lacy designs and bold color blocking techniques.

Exterior paint combinations

On the home exterior, shutters colors will begin to shift away from the traditional look of high-contrast green, red or black to a more monochromatic palette.

For more information, visit blog.paintquality.com or www.paintquality.com.