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HGTV "Get Color!" Host Jane Lockhart Speaks with Savvy Home Design™


"Get Color!" is one of the newest home improvement programs on HGTV. Its host, Jane Lockhart, is an interior designer and color expert who finds homeowners living in the 'wrong colors' and shows them the way to a more beautiful, vibrant home. She enthusiastically tackles one room at a time, working to create an entirely new space that captures the client's personality. "Get Color!" airs on HGTV on Fridays at 8 p.m.

Born in Ontario and a current resident of Toronto, Lockhart has long been a leader in her field, and her portfolio includes retail, theatrical, restaurant and residential projects. She spoke with Savvy Home Design™ about how she works and what she sees ahead for color and design trends.

Q: How do you stay in touch with the latest color and design trends?
A: As an interior designer, it is my business to stay in touch with the latest trends. Primarily, I do this by following the latest fashions, particularly high-end runway fashion. Toronto has a wonderful relationship with European designers, particularly French designers through their connection to Quebec. Therefore, many of the high-end European fashions come through the city, as well as those from New York. I also like to keep my eye on high-end furniture, accessories and disposable items for the home. For example, if people are buying a $500 dollar juicer in a certain color, I take this as a clue. I recognize that many home design trends begin in other areas and later spread to the mass market.
Q: What resources do you recommend people to use to determine the colors that will work best in their home?
A: For those people who do not know where to start when choosing colors for their home interior, I encourage them to examine their personal accessories. For example, a scarf in a great color may inspire a color palette for a room. When it comes to color, you don't want to limit your scope of choices. On "Get Color!", we help homeowners find colors that will work best in their homes by using a large scale, table-sized, personalized color wheel. In each box of the color palette, instead of placing regular color samples or fabric swatches, we include samples of found items that represent a particular color. These are real-life items that are placed alone in each box of the wheel to give the client a reference for the color.
Q: What colors do your clients typically gravitate toward for their interior design selections? Do they reflect the current trends?
A: I think that depends on the client. Some people are very influenced by the opinions of their friends and family. These clients may have trouble making decisions, and therefore go with beige. These clients may look for more input from their designers and like to have their choices supported by others. There are also those clients who are more aware of current trends. They often choose more modern designs for their home interior and often live in urban spaces, such as lofts. Other clients really want something that is different and represents their own personality. These clients don't care what the trends are.
Q: How do you help people discover their own unique color personality?
A: I ask a lot of questions. I find my clients' color personalities by utilizing a color psychology quiz that helps me determine if the person is a red, an orange, a green, etc. I also search through their wardrobe. Many people often wear colors that they never would have thought of for their home décor.
Q: How are color trends changing? What are your predications for the hot colors for spring?
A: Colors are becoming more dramatic, and we're seeing many more contrasting colors. These contrasting colors were popular in the 70s, began to retreat in the 80s and had almost disappeared by the 90s. Combinations such as black and white, chocolate brown and beige, and navy blue and light blue are very popular now. For home accessories, brighter, stronger colors, such as fuchsia, blue and orange are now in fashion. These are disposable colors that work well for accessories, which can be easily changed. For more expensive, fixed items, such as carpet, you will still see a lot of neutrals such as beiges, greens and warm-based grays. This spring, I predict you will begin to see more black, dark gray and deep purple tones, as well as brighter colors such as fuchsia, turquoise and apple green.
Q: What trends do you see in flooring now? More specifically, what current trends do you see in carpet color choice?
A: When choosing flooring, people want a combination of durability, style and comfort. Texture is very popular for carpet right now. My clients often prefer a cut-pile that is interwoven with a loop rather than a flat cut-pile. The texture makes the carpet more interesting. Carpets with texture also tend to lower dirt visibility due to the shadows created by the pattern. Textured carpet also adds warmth to a space. My clients want carpet that is elegant and classy, and many of them are choosing darker carpets rather than light carpet colors for their interiors.
Q: When selecting carpet and other flooring options, what are the color, texture and pattern choices people are currently making?
A: Nylon carpet is a great choice for homeowners due to its durability. And today, many nylon carpets available are also soft and comfortable. These carpets offer the look and feel of wool, but with the durability of nylon. My clients want luxury carpet that will offer a soft, comfortable base for rooms in which they spend a lot of time on the floor, such as the bedroom or family room. Soft Berber carpets are great because they are comfortable enough to allow kids to lie on the floor. Many of my clients are choosing textured carpets as well, and bound carpet rugs are also very popular. Approximately 70 percent of the floors I have done recently have included bound carpet rugs. The use of wood borders with inlay carpet is another hot trend.
Q: What is your advice for people who would like to include a variety of colors in their interior design but may be afraid of certain hues?
A: The easiest way to add color to home décor is to start small and get bigger. Accessories are a good first step. However, it is also valuable to think big. Try out new colors in paint, bound carpet rugs, etc. Go nuts! Bound carpet rugs are a great way to try out new colors for your floor because they are not permanent. I also recommend first choosing colors for larger, fixed items and then adding additional colors with other elements in the room to try out new hues.
Q: What has been one of your favorite transformations for "Get Color!"?
A: For a recent episode, we designed a flat on the second floor of an old Victorian house for a young couple. The couple had recently decided to move in together and wanted to change their new space. Styled like an old Victorian home, the traditional flat needed a modern flare. Utilizing a modern color palette and modern furniture, we gave the space an updated look. We added accessories and an accent wall colored in hues such as apple green, chocolate brown and teal blue that gave a modern feel to the traditional architecture.

For more information on Jane Lockhart and her show "Get Color!" click here.

Photo Credit:

Photographer: Brandon Barre
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