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A Colorful Approach to Winter: Color and Style Expert Patsy Kuipers Offers Advice on Following Color Trends


In the Fall 2005 edition of Savvy Home Design™ , we introduced the Color Point Of View tool, which can be found on the STAINMASTER® carpet Web site, http://www.stainmaster.com. In this issue, we asked Patsy Kuipers, manager, Color & Styling for INVISTA and the creator of the online Color POV tool, a few questions to help utilize the Color POV tool, as well as advice for following ever-changing color trends.

Q: What resources do you use to stay in touch with the latest color trends?
A: I'm always looking at color and color combinations, be it in store displays (both fashion and home products), advertisements, graphics, home and garden magazines, trade journals, trade shows, garments people are wearing - I'm always surrounded by color inspiration.
Q: Now that fall is over, and we are moving into winter, have the hot color trends changed? What colors are people turning to now?
A: There are seasonal effects on color choices. Fall and the winter holidays usher in deep rich colors and festive hues, including browns, terracottas, reds, burgundies and deep greens. These colors make our homes feel cozy, warm and inviting as the temperatures start to dip, and we welcome in family and friends.
Q: Do the current color trends for winter give any indication of what will be hot in the spring?
A: As I've pulled together the colors for next year's Color POV, I've seen two distinct color directions. One features a continuation of the bright, clear colors we've seen the past couple of years. The other features more muted and subdued colors. The bottom line is that there are LOTS of color choices available to us.
Q: What factors in our environment impact color trends?
A: Many different things drive color trends. That's why we've started reporting on trend influencers in more detail in our annual Color POV. Important influencers include happenings in the areas of technology, entertainment, fashion, bioengineering, globalization, spirituality and socio-economic events.
Q: In the last issue of Savvy Home Design™, you introduced consumers to The Color Point of View tool at www.stainmaster.com. How do you recommend using that tool to identify current color trends for the winter season?
A: One important thing to remember when reviewing the colors in the Color POV: the groups aren't set in stone; they're simply starting points. Feel free to mix and combine the colors any way you please. For example, pair Energy from the Socio-Economic palette with Green Space from Sustainability for a different twist on the traditional holiday red and green story. You may also want to try Lemongrass from Fashion with the Globalization group for a regal holiday palette.
Q: How can colors that were fresh and new in the fall be used with the current winter color trends to create innovative looks for home décor?
A: To create an innovative, seasonal look in your home, draw on some of the more saturated colors like Earth from the Globalization group, Fake Fur or Midnight Velvet from the Fashion group, and Deep Dive from the Generations group. Adding some of the rich browns, terracottas and dark greens currently on the market to the saturated colors will create a cozy retreat for the winter months. Consider brighter Majestic, Dedication from the Globalization group and Blue Lagoon from the Sustainability group as possible accents to the more sultry colors.

To use the color POV tool, click here.

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