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Colour Trends for 2008

By: Robyn Burnett

Tired of that peeling wallpaper or the faded paint on your walls? Looking for something new, trendy and elegant? Then consider choosing from the top colour choices for 2008. The new themes include nature, Asian culture and a touch of classic Hollywood and range from the soft and subtle to the bright and bold.

Back to Nature: Green is the new "neutral." With all the focus around living an eco-friendly lifestyle, it's no surprise that both renovations and decor are embracing the "green" theme – bringing outdoors indoors. The new green choices are more botanical, drawing from sage, pine and moss. The browns are reminiscent of soil, sand and deep rich earth. Other neutral colours found in nature are being embraced as well, such as the beautiful hues found in stones, the beiges found in sand and wood, soft watery sky-blue tones and even the subtle hues found inside of shells. The golden, warm hues of sunrise are also in play. Paint colours include fern greens, warm, red infused browns, tan-tinted yellows, mushroom inspired colours, and gray or brown neutrals with hints of green, pink, yellow and red. These calming colours are great choices for bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and more open-concept living spaces.

Asian Influence: Think "vibrant" and "spicy." Thanks to the upcoming Olympic games in China, a lot of eastern influence is appearing in 2008's colour palate. Drawing from the strong hues popular in both China and India, expect to see clear reds, strong jade greens and bright yellows. These colours really punch when contrasted with the more environmentally-inspired neutrals. Warm pinks and fuchsias, bright purples, peacock turquoises, pumpkin oranges and gold with hints of green or brown are coming into play. Some of the paint options are not quite as bold as the colours favoured by our Eastern neighbours, but still play on their jewel-like tones?from teal to coffee browns, darker blue-tinged violets to pinkish brick. The brighter end of this Asian-inspired colour palate can really brighten up a kitchen. Or use these vibrant hues as accents in your more neutral rooms. These Bollywood-inspired colours are a new way of infusing new energy into your home.

Classic Hollywood Elegance: Drawing from the black and white movies of old, these two timeless shades help to enhance your living space. Metallics, high sheens, silver and gold highlights also add to the sophistication of this era. Rich purples from orchid to softer violets are growing more popular. Paints are drawing inspiration from black, delving into deep, dark purples, navy blues and inky grays, to accent the bright Asian-themed vibrant options and more neutral eco-inspired colours. Metallic tones add that touch of elegance to the more neutral colours. Just remember, a "hint" is all you require. Too much metallic influence overwhelms the space and turns your classic Film look into a campy flick.

2008 is offering a palate that goes to extremes, but with our more extreme lifestyles, it's no wonder we’re finding ourselves drawn to a range of colours. Whether you prefer softer hues or brighter colours, you’re bound to find something just right for you.

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Colour Trends for 2008