2006 Wall Color Trends

Kitridge Opal ("Kit"), San Francisco and Marin's "Master Colorist" has shared with me some of the hottest color trends and tips on selecting color for your walls this year.

Trends are toward strong and deep colors. A hot combo is Rich Browns teamed with Aqua - a flashback from the 50's. He recommends rich Kaffe SW6104 (Sherman Williams) and blue Interesting Aqua SW6220 or Meditative SW6227.

Plum is also a great. Rich plums that lean on the "bluer" are his favorites. Try Plum Brown SW6272, Deepest Mauve SW0005, or Damson Plum SW2701. These great neutrals look good with many different colors that may be in your home.

Olives have also made a comeback. Try Olive Branch BM2143-30 (Benjamin Moore).

Coppers are one of his favorites as well. You can go for an orangey brown copper like TruePenny SW6355 or go for an oxidized copper look (more yellowy) Terra Mauve BM105.

A great tip from Kit: Select a color that is darker and duller than you want. It will always look lighter and brighter on the wall.

Kit is an amazing colorist and saved me tons of time in picking the right colors for my home. He has 30 years experience and select colors for you that would have never thought of choosing. Kit works out of Marin County, CA and can be reached at kit.opal.color@netzero.com.

Comments

[Biladesign]

I recently attended a talk by Wanda Jelmeni, art director for MISSONI HOME, at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, and according to her the brown and blue colour combination was an invention or creation of Missioni. According to Wanda, this combination of colour was never before used by anyone prior to them. I don’t know if anyone can substantiate this other than Wanda. Nevertheless, the use of a dark colour like the brown has the effect of making the light blue/ aqua sing like the sky over earth. However be sure to get the right brown, as a brown with a little too much red will spoil the effect.

[sharon]

I love copper to. What brand are the colors you mention?

[Jennifer]

The Copper colors that Kit suggested are Benjamin Moore Terra Mauve BM105 & Sherman Williams TruePenny SW6355. Good luck painting!

[Maral]

If i have a red modern couch for the living room, what is the best color fits on the wall?

and if i have for the bedroom, venge color wood ( dark wood color close to black) what is the appropriate color for the walls>?

Thanks for the advice

[Daria Focht]

Hello. I am currently redoing my living room and I need some help on what colors go best for my walls! I have a baby/light blue couch with a country blue checkered chair (also containing colors light tan& white). I have end tables that are a light wood color and I have no clue what color to repaint my walls, or what drapery to get. If you could get back to me with some ideas I would grealty appreciate it.
Thank You,
Daria Focht