In the lead up to Colour Nation, Plascon’s colour forecast that will be featured at Decorex Cape Town from 25 to 28 April, Plascon’s colour manager Anne Roselt and 100% Design South Africa’s programme director Cathy O’Clery gave us a sneak peek into what we can expect from this year’s palettes.

Autumn is here and winter is looming but, just because the skies are grey and leaves are starting to turn brown, does not mean your home’s colour scheme should stick to brown and grey too. According to Anne, bold colours are the way to go: “This year, purples, oranges and reds are coming through very clearly, and decorators and consumers are being much braver with stronger colour than they’ve been before.” 

African influence also has quite a role to play in the new palettes, she goes on: “The world of colour is drawing tremendous inspiration from Africa and, using that inspiration to assist the third world in return.” 

Admittedly, not many of us are about to completely redo our homes because of the change in season, however a fresh coat of paint could be as good as a makeover, and addition of colour through affordable decor accessories could turn your home into a sanctuary from the harsh winter weather.

“In the past, there was a trend towards featuring one accent wall in your home. Now we are seeing complimentary colours on the other walls instead of a safe neutral,” points out Cathy, who also consulted on the Plascon colour forecast. She also added that while tones of grey were still quite popular, they work well with colorful pastels.

“Consumers are much more confident these days and a lot more educated than ever before. With social media platforms like Pinterest, it has enabled us all to edit our own style and head out to the shops knowing what we want,” she asserts. 

When it comes to Cathy’s choice of the strong colours and accents for this season purple was one of the top colours on her list. Incidentally, Radiant Orchid is the Pantone Colour of the Year. This winter’s biggest metallic accent is copper: “It came down from northern Europe, where the Swedes and the Danes started to use copper. It is now most definitely the metal of the moment and works so well with this season’s pastels,” explains Cathy.

Look out for more colour inspiration at the Plascon stand at Decorex Cape Town, where experts will be on hand to demonstrate paint effects as well as advise on the best paint for your needs.

plascon.co.za, decorex.co.za

Read the full Plascon colour forecast for 2014 here.

The post Shades of winter appeared first on Visi.

Colour is her currency, which is why Plascon’s colour manager, Anne Roselt, is printing new notes for 2014 – ones that are as vibrant as the emerging BRICS nations and as ethereal as the halo ringing the moon. We asked her how she came upon her crystal ball and what it really entails to pluck these colours, seemingly, from the air.

How did you become a colour-trend forecaster?

I’ve been involved in colour forecasting since Plascon’s first forecast in 1999; we used the London-based International Colour Authority (ICA) trend forecasts as our base. The ICA panel members did not have any African representation, however, so I wrote to them as I felt that Africa was already a source of inspiration to international designers. I was invited to a meeting in 2000, went over with an African-inspired range of colours that went down a treat, and have been invited back every year since.

How do you decide which colours go in?

It’s a matter of staying aware of what colours are coming through in all sectors of design – product and fashion – as well as material innovation, and political and social drivers. We also have a South African panel, who decides on the final colours that go into the forecast.

Are trend forecasts best decided by panel or a sample of one?

Definitely a panel, because we have such strong emotions attached to colour. If it was only up to me, chartreuse would probably never make the final cut! You need a balanced view of colours. We actually have major arguments about which colours are more important than others, believe it or not!

If trends are seasonal, what makes you confident that your trend forecast will remain valid for a year?

While it is true warmer colours are more desirable in winter and cooler colours in summer, the season’s edges are becoming blurred and we feel confident that colours selected in the Plascon Colour Forecast cover the full gamut.

Plascon Colour Forecast 2014

Urban tribe

With South Africa having hosted the World Cup, Brazil hosting it this year, as well as Cape Town being World Design Capital, there is worldwide enthusiasm for the countries of the Global South. Finding their place in the spotlight, these countries’ vibrancy and design aesthetic is cause for celebration – the essence of these colours, which exude enthusiasm, new energy and drive.

Second nature

“Green” and sustainable design has always tended to occupy a conventional palette of earth-led colours. This collection sees a new injection of vibrancy, more suited to urban window farms than farmlands! The new, brighter “naturals” have the kind of vitality that will appeal to city-dwellers who carry an acute consciousness of the environment paired with sophisticated expectations.

Calm contrast

Pastels have broken out from the confines of the baby’s nursery. Previously associated with a soft, feminine appeal, pastels are no longer gender-specific and thus more balanced and far-reaching in their appeal. Pastels can appear effortlessly contemporary when the placid hues, lacking in oomph on their own, are combined with deep navy, copper and other heavy, grounding neutrals.

Inner space

This moody and contemplative palette is the perfect “silk” for the cocoon effect, which treats the modern home as a sanctuary and respite from the stresses of today’s world. This colour set has a decided lunar and cosmic bent, drawing its neutral and deep tonal inspiration from the night skies, the very skies that invite reflection and introspection.

Follow Anne on Twitter @anneroselt or visit plascontrends.co.za stay on the cutting-edge of colour trends. 

The post Colour me new appeared first on Visi.

The sixth Trendtalk in the series, this edition will include presentations from media expert Les Aupiais, fashion stylist and Plascon Trends editor Catherine Bowen and Plascon colour trend analyst Anne Roselt, who will talk about the recently launched Plascon Colour Forecast 2014. There will also be a Karien Belle pop-up boutique, for which Plascon Trends promise “designer originals at copycat prices”. Bring your business cards, because there will also be a lucky draw for two Menu grinders from Entrepo.

During Plascon’s National Colour Week, Plascon employees will add colour to the lives of those less fortunate by going out and painting spaces and homes in aid of charities. You can also get involved by doing your own bit to bring colour into another’s life, and then posting your pic on Plascon’s Facebook wall, mailing them at plasconpr@gmail.com or tweeting them using the #PlasconNCW hashtag. They will be giving away five prizes every day for the duration on National Colour Week, and a grand prize of a 100 litres of paint. What are you waiting for? Get involved! 

Visit www.plascontrends.co.za for more info.

The post Future brights appeared first on Visi.