Bold Mix of Colors Forecast for 2008

Sherwin-Williams has taken color into their own hands. Their color experts mixed, experimented and came out with these hues for 2008.

“Color has always taken us to new worlds and is always evolving,” said Becky Ralich Spak, senior designer for Sherwin-Williams. “Color knows no bounds—it is fluid, not static; it intermingles in unexpected combinations; and it explores many paths to achieve its goal. The Sherwin-Williams colormix™ ‘08 forecast serves as an excursion guide, taking us on a journey of color.”

The 39 hues selected by Sherwin-Williams color experts for the colormix ’08 forecast are grouped into four destination themes: Around the World, Fork in the Road, No Place Like Home and Expand Your Horizons.

Around the World
The latest Sherwin-Williams color quest begins with the Around the World collection—departing in the comfort of familiar surroundings and arriving in exotic locales. Color knows no time zone in this destination inspired by carved furniture, ethnic and animal prints, decorative embellishments and fashion trends such as fringed Bohemian handbags and luxe textured fabrics.

“We are seeing a revival of Baroque-style furniture and the art of woodworking and techniques including carving, marquetry and decorative finishes such as hand painting and gilding,” said Sheri Thompson, director of color marketing & design for Sherwin-Williams. “Our Around the World collection is influenced by complementary images of duponi silk, embossed leather, cut velvet, fringed and tufted furniture, semi-precious stones, fur and folk tapestries and padded damask headboards. This creates a cross-cultural palette of looks that appeal to all demographics.” 

The Around the World journey begins with familiar colors that will continue to thrive in 2008. Representing the popular green color family are Cocoon (SW 6173) and Tupelo Tree (SW 6417), paired with the warm hues of Ceremonial Gold (SW 6382), Red Cent (SW 6341) and Crabby Apple (SW 7592). The saturated Plum Brown (SW 6272) connects these familiar shades with a palette of bolder colors influenced by the opulence of Russian and Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Latin American architecture, culture and décor: Dynamo (SW 6841), Feverish Pink (SW 6859), Majestic Purple (SW 6545), Relic Bronze (SW 6132), Tassel (SW 6369) and Borscht (SW 7578).

Fork in the Road
With the Fork in the Road destination, there is no single path to color exploration. Find delight in discovering unexpected colors from different directions.

“Color navigation is like sightseeing. We can play it safe and take a familiar route, or we can be adventurous and experience colors less traveled,” Thompson said. “Our Fork in the Road grouping evokes the sights along our journey, from brightly-colored saris, to rickshaws trimmed in shocking hues, to energetic colors that glow in the sunlight.”

Choose a road well-traveled with the sophisticated hues of Ash Violet (SW 6549), Frank Blue (SW 6967), Gecko (SW 6719), Liberty Blue (SW 2942) and Blackberry (SW 7577). These contemporary shades, influenced by natural stone and tile surfaces, have stood the test of time. This is an analogous color palette, with color families that are next to each other on the color wheel. Although these hues are striking alone, when combined, they provide balance and create a more sophisticated style. Analogous colors tend to go well together because they are closely related.

For the more adventurous, experience the vibrant, complementary colors of Gladiola (SW 6875), Quilt Gold (SW 6696), Organic Green (SW 6732) and Real Red (SW 6868) — inspired by the shiny patent leathers in shoes, accessories and upholstery. These less-traveled colors aren’t often used together, given their heavy contrast, but we have become more visually accepting of them as we look to embrace the intricate patterns, textures and colors of different cultures.

At the crossroad of the Fork in the Road is the versatile, bright blue Fountain (SW 6787), a fresh, primary hue that invites the exploration of distinct color paths. “Blue has been in the background for some time, but is coming back into vogue,” Ralich Spak said.

No Place Like Home
The No Place Like Home grouping bridges the gulf between the classic colors of past and future. What’s old is new again, but with a modern twist.

“In a weakened housing market and uncertain financial times, there is a desire to return to stability and find harmony within our environment and ourselves,” Ralich Spak said. “Our No Place Like Home collection is not about a minimalist, cold look, but it does have an air of simplicity.”

A well-dressed home includes soft, pale neutrals and sensible, grounded hues. Think eco-friendly natural fibers, industrial-styled, stamped sheet metal screens and architectural details like decorative concrete floors and exposed ceiling beams from harvested wood.

The cosmetic tones and icy cool grays featured in the No Place Like Home grouping include Gorgeous White (SW 6049), Mountain Air (SW 6224), Twinkle (SW 7135), Evening Shadow (SW 7662), Fleur de Sel (SW 7666) and Restful White (SW 7563). The grounded, streamlined shades in this collection are Agate Green (SW 7742), Bateau Brown (SW 6033), Granite Peak (SW 6250) and Pink Shadow (SW 0070), along with the balancing shade of Classic Sand (SW 0056).

Expand Your Horizons
Advances in technology and a yen for livelier, vivid surroundings allow the colors in the Expand Your Horizons collection to soar to new heights.

“High-gloss finishes, lacquered surfaces and saturated hues provide an almost glowing quality to the colors, giving them a fresh new appeal,” Thompson said. “Our Expand Your Horizons destination brings to mind opposing colors and textures—from surfaces with high-tech designs, to patterned upholstery and glass promoting future color and design evolution.”

The Expand Your Horizons collection is a journey of color discovery. Each complex shade encourages a leap into a new world of color. Get spicy with Cayenne (SW 6881) or Tatami Tan (SW 6116); go underground with Iron Ore (SW 7069); explore nature with Wood Violet (SW 6557); blaze a leafy trail with Marquis Orange (SW 6650); or dive into the blue Aquarium (SW 6767).