Softer Shades Of Green Hottest New Trend

The dark greens so prevalent throughout today’s homes are about to lighten up. And blue, especially periwinkle, will soon be the hottest color, says trend analyst Patricia Verlodt.

Verlodt, who is also a color consultant, predicted the changes coming for consumer product colors at last week’s International Housewares Show.

“Green was the No. 1 color sold last year other than black, white and silver,” she says. “The biggest story is the softening of green.”

Here are more of Verlodt’s predictions:

Brown tones and gold with hints of red will be popular.

Along with lighter greens, pastels are back. Cream, peach, ivory and celery will dominate.

Rusts and terra cottas, perfect accents for blues, are returning.

Watch for icy whites and pearl pigments to be big.

The art world, among other factors, influences color, Verlodt says. For instance, the Southwest trend started after a successful tour of Georgia O’Keeffe paintings.

What’s next? Monet-inspired colors.

As for patterns and design trends:

Florals (especially roses) are still the most popular pattern and frogs will soon leap to popularity, replacing cows and geese.

What’s dead? Sunflower patterns and Southwest design trends.