The colours of living

COLOUR REFLECTS both our moods and our lifestyles and after a year of luxuriating in rooms decorated in warm shades of gold, we will spend 2017 chilling out in a restful and soothing ambience surrounded by a blue tone that’s between indigo and smoke grey.

Called “Denim Drift” by the Dutch paint maker AkzoNobel, the 2017 colour of the year is, the company says, the colour of everyday life.

“Denim Drift is not a complicated colour but a timeless hue that is classic yet modern and familiar yet new. It best represents the lifestyle trends we are seeing that tell us people are looking at life in a new light. How we will live our lives in 2017 can be based on a common theme – simple is what matters,” said Jeremy Rowe, the managing director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints South East and South Asia and Middle East, during the announcement of the annual trend forecast ColourFutures in Ho Chi Minh City recently.

The colour of the year is chosen annually as an idea for interior and architectural design by a team made up of interior designers, architects, graphic designers and textile and fashion specialists assembled by AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Centre in Amsterdam.

“When we conduct our year-long research into the future of colours, we look for two things. Firstly, what kind of colour is coming up in different fields from industrial design, interiors and fashion. We don’t invent trends but we try to identify what we see as commonalities. Secondly, when a particular colour becomes popular, it’s usually because it has some relation to society and lifestyle.

“What we see this year and next is that people are taking a fresh look at the everyday elements of life – family and friends, work and life balance, connecting with the community. In a complicated world full of political and economic uncertainties, they need a colour that is relaxing for both body and mind, but doesn’t make them sleepy,” adds Rowe, who joined the company that produces Dulux paints in 2009.

While the energetic colours of Copper Orange and Ochre Gold were chosen as the signature hues for 2015 and 2016, Denim Drift appears to share the same palette of Indigo and Teal that were announced as the key colours of 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Rowe, however, disagrees.

“To me, they are quite different. Indigo combines a trustworthy nature and the evocative elegance of robust blue, while Teal is a blue-green combination in a deeper tone. Denim is between grey and blue in a lighter tone. The colour spectrum is different in both tone and colour. Green signifies healing and nature, but blue is calming as it relates to sea and sky.

“We look at the different types of colours people choose and we believe that these reflect society’s mood. There is certainly evidence to suggest that when people are optimistic, they will choose a lighter colour. When they are more uncertain or pessimistic, they might choose darker tones. Colour will change your mood and your mood also reflects the colour you choose,” says Rowe.

To underline that colour palettes are not designed just for interior and architecture design, the company partnered with Vietnam’s Elle magazine to present a fashion runway showing how denim shades act as key visuals for Vietnamese designers Dieu Anh and Giao Linh.

Dieu Anh’s collection is inspired by the exquisite yet elegant images of Saigon women in the last century. Every piece in her collection is meticulously produced, from the indigo-dyed textiles and eco-friendly bamboo denim fabric to the timeless designs. Giao Linh meanwhile harmoniously blends the contemporary spirit of European fashion with the traditional patterns of the Orient. 

In addition to the colour of the year, the centre has also identified four broad colour design trends to meet the changes in lifestyle. Denim Drift combined with a few of the lighter shades gives off a crisp and airy feel, whereas with a darker colour it is more dramatic and moody.

“In general terms, colours reflect the way we feel at three levels. At the human level, red increases appetite and excitement while yellow is optimistic and purple is a bit of mystery. Next is the cultural level. In Thailand, this tends to be yellow because of its significance to many Thais. The last is the personal level. If you support Chelsea football team for example, blue is special to you. Clever designers will use the colour palette in the right way to associate with culture and personal need.”

Dubbed the “New Romanticism”, the first trend is to turn the home into a natural sanctuary, a place to recharge after spending time in the hectic digital world outside. The complement of nature-inspired palettes of blue, green and pale purple can create a calm and inviting mood. Experts advise blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors by introducing a variety of lush plants and botanical elements like wicker accessories.

The new generation wants to hold onto individuality whilst remaining engaged in the interactive community with whom they share similar interests. The “Shared Individualism” trend offers calming and warm palettes like denim and pale peony to create a shared space to enjoy together while pockets of individuality are put alongside in contrasting colours like lime and coral.

Thanks to efficient cloud-computing and fast Internet connections, freeform working for digital nomads is increasing and the boundary between working and personal life is also shifting. The “Working Home” trend aims to inspire people to create zoning for working and living.

“Create fluid spaces that take you from laptops on to lights off. Or dedicate specific areas with shapes or blocks of colour to designate a work area. I’ve used a strong ochre square to zone a desk area within a room, without turning it into a full-time study,” explains Marieke Wielinga, a senior colour designer with the Global Aesthetic Centre.

“Considered Luxury” is another new way of living. Here people tend to buy less, choose well and make it last longer. Uncluttered and uncomplicated design with a white and neutral palette allows people to focus more on sensory experiences rather than possessions.

In addition to the range of more than 2,000 colour palettes from which to choose is Dulux Ambiance, a series of special-effect wall paints that give off a linen, marble, metallic or velvet feel. According to Rowe, these are becoming increasingly popular in Asia, particularly in Thailand. 

FabCafe Bangkok on Soi Aree has one wall painted in Metallic Copper Sunset while the Moo Bar, a restaurant in the same neighbourhood, has coated a wall with Marble Pebble for a more stylish look. Velvet brings a decidedly luxurious touch to the Prasarnmit branch of the restaurant Khua Kling Pak Sod and is aided and abetted by Gold Treasure Velvet and Velvet Gold Amber walls.

“We wanted the space to inspire new ideas and help the creative process. Colour is a very important communicator, so we introduced this contemporary element into our interior. The metallic shade reflects our cafe’s character while at the same time giving it a warm feeling,” says Kulaya Kovidvisith, the co-owner of FabCafe.

The company is also launching the Dulux Visualizer application for both iOS and Android platforms that will allow consumers to use the camera on their mobile device to see how rooms will look virtually in different paint colours. 

“All you have to do is to select the desired colour from about 2,000 choices and then place it on the area you want to virtually paint. It’s useful for people to visualise how to match colours for a total look before they paint. You can also aim your device at a colour you like – say some flowers or your friend’s dress – and the app will identify the colour codes of the paint that come the closest,” Rowe says.