What's Hot In Home Color

By Author: April Force Pardoe
Total Articles: 1
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Do you want to update your home décor quickly and easily? Try paint and accessories in some of the latest color trends. Here's what's hot in color for 2008 as well as some practical ideas on how to incorporate these trends into your home.

1. High contrast. Black and white, which never seem to go out of style, were hot last year and are still going strong for 2008. Add in a metallic or a touch of red to sharpen the contrast. Another stylish color pairing is dark brown with light blue. To incorporate contrasts in your home you might hang black and white Damask curtains, or add dark brown towels to a white bathroom. Include light blue accessories and you have contrast.

2. Metallic. When paired with the high-contrast trend, metallic literally shines. When used in a low-contrast, tone-on-tone space, metallic adds pop. Metallic paint is a great way to add punch to a wall, ceiling or piece of furniture, and you likely already own metallic picture frames or decorative bowls that complete the look.

3. Crewel colors. These include rich cranberry reds, warm browns and pumpkin orange. According ...
... to The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, mix in deep-toned blue and the tapestry is complete. A chenille blanket or velvet pillows are an easy way to add these rich colors to your living spaces. And don't forget the floor! A warm, rich-colored rug would make a stunning centerpiece for your room.

4. Focus on green. Greens are being used with blues and tans for an earthy feel. Pantone, a global authority on color, selected Blue Iris—a sumptuous blue-purple—as their color of the year (www.pantone.com). And it pairs well with green. An easy way to use green is to bring the outdoors in. Clip small tree branches and arrange them sparingly in a large vase for a dramatic look. You can also paint several blank canvases with different shades of green and arrange them on a wall to create instant artwork.

If you'd like to make a change but are unsure about where to begin, pick a trend and start small. Buy a vase in a new color, paint a powder room or buy a new lamp. Just remember that your home should be a reflection of you—your family, lifestyle and budget. Don't be intimidated by trends. Instead, use them to inspire and guide you in updating your surroundings.

And AFP Interiors' favorite trend for 2008? Happy, comfortable and confident homeowners.

April Force Pardoe, AFP Interiors, LLC, april@afpinteriors.com, 410-446-6340 or afpinteriors.blogspot.com