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.
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.
Pantone’s 2019 Colour of the Year “Living Coral” can do almost anything, proving itself to be much more than just an accent colour. We sat down with Nicholas Rosaci, interior design expert and upcoming speaker at the 2019 GTA Home & Reno Show, to talk decor trends and learn how to incorporate this vibrant hue into our home for the upcoming year.
Style, quality expertise. You can find it all at the Hunter Douglas Gallery™. We're your one-stop source for custom window fashions and more. Shop with us and you'll get the best national brands, superlative service and reliable expertise - all provided with a local touch because we're independently owned and operated.
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.
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.
Stone Selex carries a large selection of Manufactured, Natural Stone Veneer and Brick Veneer in a wide array of styles and colours suited for both interior and exterior applications. Clad just about any vertical surface with stone or brick veneer.
TORLYS Inc. is a global flooring company that specializes in beautiful, environmentally friendly flooring. With three key brands in the TORLYS portfolio, TORLYS is a one stop shop for all flooring needs.
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.
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.
Leading North American distributor of high quality 100% natural stone veneers and stone tiles. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications. Innovators in the field of Natural Stone Veneers.
Kare is a unique furniture design brand from Germany founded in 1981. Kare has been breaking the interior design mold worldwide and has now opened its first North American location in Toronto.
Masco Canada Ltd. is the Canadian plumbing division of MASCO Corporation and represents brands including Delta, Brizo, Hansgrohe, Axor, BrassCraft, Master Plumber, and Waltec. MASCO Canada Limited is dedicated to complete customer satisfaction and responsiveness to the unique Canadian marketplace.
We cater to the design community with superior customer service, seamless delivery and installation services and educational tools to provide the best appliance solutions for our clients.
From exceptional and inspirational wood carpet, flooring, marble, and window coverings, to our custom rug department where the possibilities are endless.
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.
Cosentino is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of architecture and design, leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone® Quartz surfaces and Dekton® Ultracompact surfaces. Technologically advanced surfaces that create unique designs for the home and public spaces.
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.
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.
Decor-Rest Furniture Ltd., a leading Canadian manufacturer of fine upholstery, since 1972. We take pride in making furniture that will last for generations.
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.
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.
Blum is the leader in functional hardware providing solutions for hinge and lift systems as well as interior organization products for every room in the home. Blum’s focus is on functionality and offers products that will last the life of your furniture. TRADE ONLY.
Delivering dream kitchens for over 70 years. Caplan’s Appliances is a family-run business that specializes in selling premium appliance brands with a commitment to delivering quality, white-glove service. Our expansive main retail location features a variety of exceptional showrooms, including the Sub-Zero & Wolf "Living Kitchen." Directly across the street on Weston Road, is the Miele Gallery Caplan's, the largest retail centre for Miele appliances in the GTA. Part inspirational gallery, this unique location also features a live kitchen with an on-site chef, creating a unique shopping experience to help guests experience these premium appliances first-hand. We invite you to contact us to book a tour, enjoy a lunch and learn more about Caplan's exclusive trade partner program.
BSH is the world’s second largest major appliance manufacturer, distributing Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau brands across Canada. Designers and clients can schedule visits and live cooking demos at the Toronto showroom. We also host designer lunch and learns.
