Colour is light, travelling to us in waves. When light strikes any object, the object will absorb only the wavelengths that exactly match its own atomic structure and reflect the rest — which is what we see. As such, colour is inescapable.
Science has always recognized the link between colour and human behaviour and there are numerous studies that detail the subject, but many are inconclusive. It is important to understand that there is a great difference between colour psychology and colour symbolism. As well, cultural differences can effect how people determine their reactions to colour.
There are positive and negative associations with all colours. The slightest changes in tone and hue can greatly determine how colour is perceived. For example, gray can be neutral and calming, but also depressing. White can represent purity and cleanliness, but also sterility and coldness. Red can be seen as aggressive, but warm.
For 2018, colour trends from premier paint companies are inspired by nature, modernism and metallic sheens.
Beauti-Tone “Green Peace”
Beauti-Tone has chosen Green Peace as their colour of the year. A colour strongly rooted in nature, Green Peace is an interesting blend of an earthy camouflage green and a soft botanical green.
“As humans, we crave nature. It is there that we slow down, feel connection — become stronger,” said Bev Bell, creative director, Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products Division, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “Since we can’t always get outside, the solution is to bring aspects of nature into our home to improve our well-being, productivity and creativity.”
PPG Voice of Colour “Black Flame”
PPG unveiled Black Flame as their 2018 choice.
“It acts like a black curtain, allowing your other decor elements to take centre stage,” said Dee Schlotter, PPG senior colour marketing manager. “It’s a fantastic blend of black and indigo, two classic hues. Black creates the silence we crave in an information-heavy world, while the indigo offers possibility and a deep hopefulness. The blend of two colours makes it incredibly versatile — use it on a statement wall, with a matte finish on a ceiling, with high gloss on a naturally-lit staircase, on cabinets, interior and exterior doors and in many more places. The versatile hue can also provide strength and a modern luxe vibe to spaces with a lot of whites, blush pinks and soft pastels.”
According to the colour experts at Pantone, intense colours are back and there are eight palettes that will inspire 2018.
VERDURE: Vegetal colours like celery are combined with berry-infused purples and eggshell blue, symbolic of health, in this palette.
PLAYFUL: Think Minions. Bright yellow, lime popsicle and all other things fun come together for this colour scheme. “People need to stop and smile,” said Pantone Colour Institute executive director Leatrice Eiseman.
DISCRETION: Playful’s alter ego. Subtle hues such as elderberry and hawthorne rose offer a new sense of strength. “Pink has developed more power than ever before,” Eiseman said.
FAR-FETCHED: With warm, earthy hues such as corn silk yellow blending with rosy tones, this palette embraces many different cultures.
INTRICACY: A palette of neutral metallics (the new neutrals) with accents of dramatic holly berry red and yellow sulfur.
INTENSITY: This is an eclectic mix of colours that evokes a sense of strength, power and sophistication, all balanced with black and gold.
TECH-NIQUE: Bright turquoise, pink and purple colours anchored with brilliant white and frosted almond are a nod to technology.
Benjamin Moore “Caliente”
Benjamin Moore declared its Colour of the Year 2018 as Caliente, a vibrant, charismatic shade of red.
“Strong, radiant and full of energy, Caliente is total confidence. It is pleasing, passionate and makes people feel special, like ‘red carpet treatment,’ said Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore director of strategic design intelligence. “Whether used as one note or on four walls, the spirited personality of red turns heads, signalling surprise and adventure. The eye can’t help but follow its bold strokes.”
Sherwin Williams “Oceanside”
Sherwin Williams has focused on a relaxing shade of teal for their colour of the year. Oceanside is inspired by travel and the blue-green hue will add an air of mystery and elegance to any space.
“People today have a growing sense of adventure, and it is making its way into even the coziest corners of our homes. We are craving things that remind us of bright folklore, like mermaids and expeditions across continents,” said Sue Wadden, director of colour marketing. “Oceanside is the colour of wanderlust right in our own homes.”
For the past few years, whites and neutrals have ruled the world of paint colour. Behr isn’t one to follow the lead, which is why they named In the Moment as its first-ever Colour of the Year. In it, spruce blue, soft gray and lush green coalesce to evoke a sense of sanctuary and relaxation.
“In The Moment speaks to our society’s desire to disconnect and be present,” said Erika Woelfel, vice president of colour and creative services at Behr. “It crosses multiple design styles — global, coastal, modern — and pairs well with other subdued colours to create harmony for interiors or exteriors.”
SAMANTHA SANNELLA, BFA ID, M ARCH, is a designer, educator and principal at Urban Retreat Homes.
She is an expert in the field of design and construction and is a columnist for RENO & DECOR and editor of the Ontario Design Trade Sourcebook.
Riobel has launched an all-new collection of five kitchen faucets available in four finishes (chrome, black or brushed gold and stainless steel) for 2019. These ultramodern faucets are equipped with the new Boomerang pull-down spray system.
Wool is such a fabulously versatile fabric – it can be shorn, spun, woven and rolled to create a hard-wearing fabric with a warm natural feel. Our Chester Collection shows what wool can do.
The countdown is on! Only days remain till the annual Interior Design Show, Canada’s premier showcase of design taking place Jan. 17 to 20 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre but this year, in a new location in the South Building.
Ciot is Canada’s leading importer, distributor and retailer of specialties including granite, quartz, onyx, mosaic, limestone, slate, marble and porcelain tiles, imported plumbing products as well as maintenance products. Ciot Studio offers made-to-measure mosaics that are suitable for all your residential and commercial projects.
Metrie offers interior finishing solutions including mouldings and interior door collections to help professionals transform spaces and set the stage for every room to tell a story. Founded in 1926, our dedication to creating high-quality, finely crafted architectural elements has helped us grow to become the largest supplier and manufacturer of solid wood and composite mouldings in North America.
TIDC is a one-stop design centre; an amalgamation of permanent interior design showrooms for trade-only interior design professionals, manufacturers, buyers and dealers.
Canadian Appliance Source has become the fastest growing provider of Major Home Appliances in Canada for over 10 years, we have grown to include over 13 locations across Ontario & Quebec.
We showcase a wide selection of hand-crafted ceramic, encaustic concrete and eco-friendy glass tiles, natural stone and glass mosaics as well as hand-painted terra cotta.
Alendel is a premier source for quality, decorative fabrics, linings, drapery hardware, wall coverings, and now classic trim. Our growing product lines are internationally sourced and are recognized for being on trend, competitively priced and in stock.
Created 40 years ago, Urban Mode is a modern furniture boutique showcasing such innovative brands as Blu Dot, Softline, Muuto, Normann, Hay, DellaRobbia & Pablo. UM stands for quality + great design. Voted Best Furniture Store in Toronto for the past 4 years, the UM team are experts in sourcing for hospitality, corporate, retail and residential.
With over 90 years of experience, BLANCO is the leading kitchen sinks and faucets manufacturer. From handcrafted in Germany Steelart® sinks and the beauty of Silgranit®, to the European design faucets, BLANCO products are celebrated worldwide for their unmatched quality and design. Blanco Silgranit® sinks are proudly manufactured in Canada TRADE ONLY.
Since 1978 Goemans has provided customers with the appliances necessary to create functional kitchens. Now, working with designers we can do more than just create a functional kitchen; together we can help turn customers’ dream kitchens into reality.
We are a lighting boutique serving the GTA for 50 years. Lighting homes, cottages and businesses with fixtures, potlights, undercounter lighting to lamps and designer switches we have it all.
From exceptional and inspirational wood carpet, flooring, marble, and window coverings, to our custom rug department where the possibilities are endless.
Bringing you impeccable attention to detail and quality as well as the most luxurious fabrics in the world such as Egyptian cotton, Bamboo, mircomodal and much more. Find everything for your bedroom and bathroom at David’s Fine Linens. New Location opening in Spring of 2018, Centro Square, 7777 Weston Road, Woodbridge Ontario, L4L 1A6.
Located in the heart of Toronto's design district, Designers Walk is Canada's leading Design Centre. Home to a multitude of leading Showrooms and spanning 5 buildings along Davenport and Bedford Rds., DW is home to Hollace Cluny, Ernestomeda Toronto, Primavera Interior Furnishings, Telio, Kravet/LeeJofa to name a few. Be sure to visit our Resource Centre, a gallery of unique product exhibits.
Thin Tile specializes in full service solutions for commercial and residential thin gauged porcelain slab projects in and around the Greater Toronto Area.
Renwil has evolved and expanded with our own talented in house artists who create genuine works of art for the world of Interior Design. Our products include wall art, lighting, mirrors, accent tables, accessories and rug art.
All-electric fireplace showroom and design centre with the largest selection in Toronto and York Region. Combining specialized expertise with over 20 years' interior design experience. On-wall, in-wall, fireboxes, retrofit inserts, mantels, custom cabinetry, stone and brick veneers. Residential and commercial. Trade and volume inquiries always welcome.
At Prestige Granite Design we strive to offer our clients full service from the beginning to the end of their project. To our clients we are a one stop shop. We Supply, Measure, Fabricate, order and Install the finished product. We are a hands on company that is determined to provide the best possible service to all our clients.
PPG Architectural Coatings is a respected paint industry leader, providing interior and exterior paints and stains for homeowners and professionals across Canada. PPG’s line-up of residential, commercial and industrial paint brands offers a wide range of choices to meet the varying needs of consumers, professionals, interior designers and architects.
At TA Appliances we are dedicated to ensure the very best shopping experience for our customers, even those with the most discriminating tastes. We do this by providing outstanding customer service, quality, selection and value. We strive to be the preferred appliance and barbecue destination in all markets we serve.
Allan Rug Co. has been serving the GTA builders, designers, architects and the public for over 50 years. Supplying a full range of commercial and residential carpeting in a wide range of colours and styles from leading manufacturers.
At Marble Trend we take your project to the next level. No job is too large or too small. We pride ourselves in our expertise on products including first quality stone, porcelain, glass, Neolith® Sintered Stone and ribbon glass, as well as our custom work, specialty products and exclusive lines.
ARD Outdoor is a retail & trade furniture division of the family owned and operated wholesaler Cana-Foam Products, manufacturing in Toronto since 1964. ARD Outdoor provides design professionals a source for quality outdoor furniture featuring innovative design and unique materials.
Every day we want to remind our customers, our partners and ourselves of our founding mission: to make the machines we use every day in our homes exciting and dynamic; to always be innovative and trend-setting for the North American appliances market; to be Distinctive.
Using our exclusive brand of weather-adjustable paint formulations and spray equipment, Spray-Net transforms aluminum & vinyl siding, hardie-board, stucco, brick as well as doors and windows for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
