Interior Designer, Red Ginger Home

There are several palettes of color that are trending very strongly right now, and while the palettes themselves may vary dramatically from each other, they all carry one common theme:  comfort, coziness, and warmth.  As our world continues to be a complicated and sometimes scary place, we want our homes to be soothing, comforting and inviting - and the most popular color combinations today reflect that.  In times of stress, we often look at nature for relief, and today's colors are definitely reflecting nature.  Out are "artificial" colors and in are palettes that seem "true, honest and natural".

Two of the most popular palettes today are both natural and inspired by our own backyards. 

The first we like to call "Watercolor Beach" as it's reflective of the many beautiful shades of water as well as sand and driftwood.  The blues and greens run from aqua to sea glass and are a soothing counterpart to the warm array of crisp whites and tans we're pairing them with.  While we've seen nautically-inspired colors before, what makes this palette fresh is that we're pairing these tranquil colors with accents of chocolate brown to anchor them and hints of coral to brighten them up.  This collection of colors works beautifully with the renewed interest in accessories inspired by "under the sea" themes:  sea urchin porcelain tea lights in crisp white, prints of sea life depicting shells, coral or starfish set against watery backgrounds, or a bronze lamp with a silk shade the color of the Caribbean on a sun-lit day.

A second very popular palette is "Naturally Neutral".  Again, inspired very much by nature, this palette begins with warm woody neutrals.  These neutrals come in nearly every shade of brown, as long as they are warm and inviting.  From light driftwoods to deep chestnuts and coffees, these colors are all defined by their complexity and richness.  Add to this an array of greens, from softer lichens and moss to more vibrant apple greens.  Finish with some warm creamy whites for drama, and you have a palette that's natural, livable and inviting year round.  As with Watercolor Beach, this natural palette also has plenty of choices for accessorizing:  vases carved from unique pieces of real burl, delicate porcelain flowers hand-formed in matte white, or a luxurious cashmere throw in apple green.

As nature is timeless, whenever we use it as inspiration we create a color palette that endures beyond what's trendy.  And with such a broad array of colors to choose from, nature leaves plenty of room for personalization.  Customizing your home to reflect your own personality is the most enduring trend of all.