Color Makes a Comeback

Over the past few years, consumers have surrounded themselves with a neutral pallet of color. Playing it safe seemed to feel better than making a bold color statement. Whether driven by the lack of certainty or the feeling of quiet felt better, consumers made subtle contributions of color in accents. Pillows, draperies and art accents are where most felt comfortable to introduce a bit of color into their living spaces. Those who have opted for a more subtle use of color will now be using those subtle colors as a background for more vibrant colors to be added in layers of dynamic expression. The beauty of this is that colors can be layered for easy additions or subtracted as needed.
In 2011, we will be seeing pops or splashes of color in brighter, more vibrant tones. While Honeysuckle pink is being touted as the newest color of the year, Coral Rose and Beeswax make a strong appearance. These colors are a mixture of the pinks and oranges from past usage. Lighter pink such as Silver Peony makes a great background pallet to be layered with Lavender and Silver Cloud. This year’s newest brown is called Russet. It is rich in color but does not get as deep or dark as past years brown tones. Blue still makes a strong appearance with Regatta and the return of blue-green named Blue Curacao.
Purples are back in deep smoky wine to pumped-up fuchsia. Purple promises to be a predominant color in home décor in 2011. When major appliances and larger pieces of furniture make it to the showroom floor in these stronger colors, it is a pretty sure sign that they will be around for some time. In contrast to the strong colors, a more peaceful environment will feature a softer use of colors. Porcelain, Platinum, Champagne, and Whisper White will be paired with pale Pink, Peach and Blue tones.
By knowing your customers stand on their choice of colors, it helps when you are suggesting a color harmony for their fresh styling. Those customers who use a strong pallet of interior color may not be too overjoyed by a vase of whisper pink Tulips while those customers who prefer softer colors may be turned off by a floral styling of jacked-up colors that scream look at me! Knowing your market and your customers personal choices are just one way of connecting with your clients and keep them loyal to your shop.
It is also important to know more about their living spaces as far as size is concerned. Large living spaces are quickly being replaced by voluntarily downsizing. As living spaces shrink, the need for large over-sized floral stylings is being replaced with smaller, more compact designs. Gathering spaces such as multipurpose rooms, kitchens and personal spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms are where you will find floral stylings being displayed. Knowing where to suggest floral designs is equally as important as to knowing what colors to work with. Remember that people like doing business with people. The more points you can connect with your customers, the more valuable you become as their ‘expert’. Position yourself in that way so when your customer thinks floral, they think of you first.