Shades of Living in the Bluegrass

as seen in Central Kentucky Lifestyle Magazine

By Debra R. Kiser

Marketing Director

Corman and Associates

 

Separate yourself from the monotony of the grays of winter with an exciting infusion of color. But, with so many choices, don’t you wish you could identify the next big home decorating trend?

While most of us have barely detected a simmer, those hip to the trends have already determined what’s sizzling next. The marketing mystics—retailers, store and furniture buyers, and a host of designers­­­--all over the world have attempted to look into their crystal balls to predict not only the hottest items but the trendiest colors that the rest of us shouldn’t live without.

A change in color, either on the walls or with home décor accents, is a great way to stay au courant without breaking the bank. So what do the expert observers single out as the ‘must haves’ this year to make you the envy of all your neighbors? The last few seasons have been a lavish display of color! color! color! This season is toned-down, more relaxed. Designers agree that a shift toward the “dark side” has definitely occurred with more muted hues.

Retail décor buyers suggest that taupe, black, buttery yellow and sage remain strong. Turquoise and chocolate brown with copper as the hot metallic are the forerunners of 2006. It’s bye bye brights as last years vivid hues give way to a more subdued palette. A toned down, more sophisticated and softer array of color will rule.

As executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, the leading international authority on color, Leatrice Eiseman’s challenge is to let the rest of us know what today’s “it” colors should be adorning our homes. Pantone develops a home color forecast each year that directs designers with trend information in creating products for the home and coordinating home interiors. (www.pantone.com) This year’s most forward moving direction in home furnishings, according to Eiseman, is a mellowing down of colors in general.

The Sherwin-Williams 2006 Color Forecast is in no way a color mandate, according to marketing and design director Sheri Thompson, but rather a reflection of the currents and crosscurrents identified through color each year. While trend experts acknowledge that the American home has become much more casual, the new Sherwin-Williams Fifth Avenue palette mirrors influences of tradition and formality with hues of resounding rose, Turkish coffee and grandeur plum.

The Natural Living shades blur the lines between indoors and out. “Wherever and however applied, they’re nature’s ambassadors, erasing the divisions between interiors and exteriors,” says Thompson in the company’s designer magazine stir.

Dwayne Anderson, residential and commercial decorator of The Corman Marketplace, notes that metals in all forms are an important color selection for the coming year. “The trend began years ago with the resurgence of golds and silvers. Now we’re looking at coppers and even olive green metallic. One national designer has more than 70 metallic colors on the market.”

While the top three major decorating and accessorizing trends in the country include American casual, contemporary or modern and French country, Central Kentucky design still heavily gravitates toward traditional with a sense of formality. Realizing that residents of the Bluegrass march to their own drum beat, we asked Anderson and J. Stuart Hurt, Allied ASID to develop our own paint palette called Shades of the Bluegrass.

“It isn’t necessarily true in all parts of the country, but depending upon the season, you can find almost any color in your surroundings. Just walk out the door and look around you,” Anderson advises.

“Our surroundings create an inspirational experience from which to draw,” says Hurt of celebrating the range of tints, hues and tones arrayed in the scenic Bluegrass countryside. “Nature is a generous giver of artistic inspiration if we just take the time to study our surroundings.”

Celebrating a style of life infused with a passion for the Thoroughbred, premium bourbons and wines, and the grace of Southern charm and hospitality, our colors elaborate a rich palette of enduring warmth which creates a refuge of color suited for any home.

BLACK: Current color trends are moving toward what are called ‘mock blacks’, for instance a deep purple, green or brown that replaces black. But, in Shades of the Bluegrass we’re standing firm with black as the core color of contrast. Consider the ‘black rail’ fences as you drive the scenic back roads.

“The serpentine feel derived from the panoramic view of horse farms as the fields are divided by black fences contrasted against the lush green rolling Bluegrass fields is a strong color choice in our palette,” according to Anderson.

GREEN: Remaining with the move to toned down hues our ‘moss green’ is derived from the many moss covered ponds, like artesian wells, which dot the landscapes and farms around the region.

RED: Our muted ‘Calumet red’ is reinterpreted from the many red roofs of the famous anchor of the Bluegrass.

BROWN: The ‘Thoroughbred brown’ of the palette reflects the majesty of a glistening race horse streaking around the track at Keeneland. The rich chestnut color from the warm blooded and beloved horse infuses regal masculinity that draws you to the sheen of its hide to touch and feel.

BARK BROWN: Slightly aged and weathered patina make this greened ‘hickory bark brown’ remarkable. Envision the fusion of the tree trunk as it touches the earth beneath. Time and age alone can create the tones.

YELLOW-GOLD: Ponder the blaze of reds, oranges and golds as the sun shrinks along the horizon and you’ll respond to the myriad shades of ‘Kentucky sunset’ and the gold of the big orb that warms our palette.

BLUE: And, to cool things down a bit, walk out early in the morning along a clear, unobstructed path to see the ‘misty blue’ fog that rises on a crisp Spring morning.

Whether your penchant is to change or add color this year, one thing is clear about today’s design trend and that’s a blending of styles to move away from ‘matchy, matchy’ to a more individualized environment. Place a more contemporary leather parson’s chair with your farm house table. Add rich textiles in one of the muted down tones and you’re set to sit back and enjoy . . . . the many shades of living in the Bluegrass.

PALETTE POINTERS

Designer J. Stuart Hurt, Allied ASID, uses some of the following guidelines in the color selection process for his projects: