Style & Decor Blog

I always love seeing stats on paint sales…

Obviously, neutrals are always going to lead the way on the retail level (unless we collectively decide we all need aubergine dining rooms in 2010), but even within neutrals, you can still identify interesting trends. I asked my contact at Behr Paints to spill on what’s selling in Canada, and here’s the scoop…

Bestselling Behr paint - SWISS COFFEE 1812

Most popular Behr trim - ULTRA PURE WHITE 1850

First runner up, bestselling Behr paint - GOBI DESERT 710-C

Second runner up, bestselling Behr paint - SANDSTONE COVE 730C-2

We’re still very much addicted to beige, so it seems. Thoughts?

Interesting to note, though, that each of these - with the exception of Ultra Pure White - come from the yellow-toned neutrals collection in Behr’s palette.

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Feel the heat! Pittsburgh Paints takes inspiration from old-world colonial Mexico with its new sun-baked Hacienda Style palette. 

Pittsburgh Paints collaborated with Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr – award-winning authors of eight books on Mexican design, to come up with this 18-colour collection (15 of which are completely new additions to their Voice of Color paint program).

“With its rugged, romantic beauty, rich colours and time-honoured natural textiles, hacienda style is becoming an ever-increasing design influence,” says Witynski. “Walls become their own decorative accent. The traditional paint colours available from Pittsburgh Paints help homeowners and designers achieve classic hacienda style.”

So rich and rustic! For more haute haciendas, check out Witynski and Carr’s newly released book,  Hacienda Style (Gibbs-Smith, 2009).

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If you snapped up the January 2009 issue of STYLE AT HOME, you might remember the paint colour forecast for 2009 that I produced for the “Home & Style” section. Debbie Travis has weighed in on her predictions for the new year’s palette, and came up with a stunning combo of four of her paint colours — a combination she’s referring to as “Passage” — that she says fits her “Dramatic” bill for Fall 2009:

“The borderlines between vintage and current, past and present, blur with a wide acceptance of global culture and quest for originality. These earthy, timeless neutrals provide a backdrop for treasures and accents of leather and rich woods. Warm, intense shades in this mood evoke feelings of solidity, quality, durability and authenticity.”

From left:

D3A - Cloud Dance (A wonderful lavender grey - one of my favourite colours right now.)

D2A - Sultry Satin (SO sexy… I’ve always wanted to do a dining room in this colour!)

CM22N - Silent Mist

D5A - Truffle

Price: From $45 per gallon

Available at: Canadian Tire, 866-746-7287

Palette #3: ” Unexpected Synergy”

Hadley Red HC-65 (chimney breast)

Dried Mustard 2158-10 (adjacent walls)

Gray 2120-10 (base)

“For the daring and adventuresome seeking a design statement that surprises, delights and jolts all at the same time, ‘Unexpected Synergy’ uses the power of colour to achieve unique patterns,” says Benjamin Moore Canada’s colour and design manager, Sharon Grech. “The ‘Unexpected Synergy’ palette unites intense, warm colours with cooler, organic neutrals. It’s a palette that could serve well when a room refresh is called for, rather than a complete recreation.”

Available at: Benjamin Moore, 800-361-5898

So… Which of these three palettes strike your fancy?

Palette #2: “Nature’s Essence”

Timid White OC-39 (right wall)

Sea Haze 2137-50 (left wall)

Pale Avocado 2146-40 (ceiling)

Sharon Grech, colour and design manager for Benjamin Moore in Canada, says the “Nature’s Essence” palette is all about bringing the outdoors in. “Palest tints are inspired by sand, shells and hazy skies. Deeper organics are borrowed from peat, rust and exotic fruits. Raw materials help tell the interior story of Nature’s Essence.”

Available at: Benjamin Moore, 800-361-5898

The January issue of STYLE AT HOME is hitting stands now, and that means it’s paint predictions time again! I’ve opened our Home & Style section this time around with a gallery of hues that the various paint companies are forecasting as faves for 2009. Each of Canada’s major paint manufacturers have design teams who keep and eye on colour trends — largely influenced by couture — and it’s always cool to see how creations for the catwalk translate into colours for the home. 

Benjamin Moore has summed up the look of 2009 in three different colour-trend stories as part of their “Colours For Your Home 2009″ colour card that will be available at retailers in the new year. Which one is your fave? I want your verdict on each!

Palette #1: “Personal Imprint”

Black Satin 2131-10 (fireplace)

Gossamer Blue 2123-40 (lounge area)

Brookside Moss 2145-30 (home office nook)