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Leatrice Eiseman Reveals Color Trends, 2010 Palettes at International Home + Housewares Show
CHICAGO (March 23, 2009)—Design and color tones are not conjured up in a crystal ball—they are the result of much observation of the surrounding natural world as well as the influences that will impact the world of the future, Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, told an audience today at the 2009 International Home + Housewares Show.
In her presentation, “Color & Design Trends: De-Mystifying Future Forecasts,” Eiseman said that predicting design and color tones include social issues, the economy, technology, lifestyles and playstyles, diversions, entertainments, and most importantly, the needs, moods, fantasies, and inspirations of consumers that are then translated into appropriate styling, colors, and combinations. Eiseman also is director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training, and author of several books on color,
Owned and operated by the International Housewares Association (www.housewares.org), the Show is being held March 2-24 at McCormick Place here, and features nearly 2,000 exhibitors from five continents, including more than 400 new companies introducing thousands of new products.
Eiseman revealed several color trends for 2010,which includes innovation, even in a time where many consumers have tightened their spending habits. “This innovation will unveil itself in terms of do-it-yourself projects,” she said. “Those projects can unleash creativity from people who cannot spend a lot of money but still want to be creative. Innovation and the need to create do not go away, and they will find way in new ways of combining color this year.”
In addition, she said, as consumers resist thoughtless waste and embrace sustainability,
bamboo flooring and the use of felt will increase, as will LED lighting and phosphorescent.
Consumers are cocooning once again, but Eiseman said the term has been renamed “burrowing,” and that trend can lead to major cleaning and reorganization efforts in the home. “That’s an opportunity for you,” she told audience members. “You can sell those things that say reorganization.” In addition, recycle, repurpose and reuse is a strong social issue, one that is not disappearing, she said, and is an opportunity to add color into bright recycle bins, for example.
Whimsical pattern and designs will be important this year, particularly with housewares that are geared toward children. “We also see more food prep being done at home and with efforts to get more kids in the kitchen. And with that brings whimsy,” Eiseman said.
In addition, she predicted, there is a continuing nostalgia for the good old days: “Retro is far from dead,” she said. “More adults are going to see animated movies because it reminds them of their childhood. That animation will be seen in parts of the home. Use a bit of whimsy and cleverness to catch the consumer’s eye in your store.”
Another big influence, she predicted, is high-definition TV, which she said brings a new realization of what color can be when you see it digitally. “When a consumer sees vibrant color from their television, they want that into their home as well, indoors and outdoors,” she said.
Eiseman discussed Mimosa Yellow, the 2009 Pantone Color of the Year, which she said was chosen because of the symbolism attached to it. “We live in sobering times and we want to get people excited again. Yellow helps to get that hopefulness back into people’s thinking. Yellow connotes attention, hope, and happiness.”
Eiseman also revealed her nine color palettes forecast for 2010:
Greenmarket: The need for healthier and/or more artisanal foods has grown from Farmers Markets to Greenmarkets, she said. Found on country roads or urban lots, these visually appealing and taste-tempting sites invite us to stop and sample a broader and more diverse selection of goods and goodies. This palette contains the colors Tomato Puree, Baujolais, Super Lemon, Apple Green, in addition to more exotic colors of Dijon, Paprika or
Chutney. They are representational hues that both entice and appeal to the eyes and the taste buds.
Resourceful: The current concern for the management of natural resources—the need to preserve and reserve—remains uppermost in many minds, she said. The colors in the palette are earthy tones, such as Sequoia, Golden Ochre and Aqua Sky, but also include vibrant Tigerlily and Mauve Orchid that add a unique and distinctive presence to the mix.
Transformations: In this palette, a traditional look is transformed into something that speaks of a more modern attitude. “This plays to the idea of traditionalism, but also brings some new color and modern feeling into it. It’s an ideal palette,” she said. History is honored and updated while reproductions artfully represent styles of the past. The colors include Stratosphere Blue, Crème de Menthe, Lavender Gray, Deauville Mauve, Crushed Violets, and Willow-green, balanced by the warmth of Cameo Pink and Amberlight and finished with a hint of Pale Gold.
Ambiance: Eiseman said that this palette adds a thoughtful aesthetic that can be seamlessly adapted into many motifs. This palette lends itself to the trend of people going back to more traditional ways when economic times are tough. It lends itself to higher ticket items as well. Rich Coffee Bean and Cognac are central to the color theme, while the subtle shades of Stonewash Blue, Stucco, Desert Sage, Silver Pink, a taupe-cast Brindle, and two shades of gray add an interesting intensity to the palette.
Gatherings: This palette is inspired primarily by Africa and brings together a compilation of colors that demonstrate the uniqueness of the region. Artifacts and handcrafts reflect a creative boldness that are expressed in the colors Cypress Green, Smoke Blue, Sand and Oasis mixed with Twilight Mauve, Lemon Curry and Copper Coin. “Even the color names say ‘Africa,’” Eiseman said.
Galaxy: This palette is a continuation of where we have been in the past with our blues and greens, Eiseman said. Yet it is reinvented a bit, she said. It’s a very light infused palette and truly illustrates the harmony of hue that is found in the nocturnal sky. The greens in this palette are called Greener Pastures and Peridot, in addition to brilliant sprays of turquoise, a radiating orchid tone, and Rich Gold.
High Definition: This palette is a reinvention of the blacks, whites, and grays, and offers clarity, classicism, and modernism that is accentuated by elegant contrasts. Black, white, and gray are the timeless centerpieces, infused with Amaranth and Paisley Purple, Malaga wine and the fuchsia shade of Ibis Rose, which are fashionable and continue to be, Eiseman said.
Pastiche: A pastiche can be described as an incongruous combination of materials and colors. This palette illustrates a collection of unexpected styles and colors and is one that is influenced by Japanese anime that has made major inroads in design and color. Combinations such as Lavendula and Absinthe Green might be combined with Chipmunk, while that same shade of brown might be surrounded by Mimosa Yellow, a brightened Strawberry Ice and more docile like Little Boy Blue, while Bright Cobalt, Tangerine, and Fuffel Bag gray offer another idiosyncratic option
Tinged Neutrals: This year, Eiseman added a ninth palette—tinged neutrals—that is all about neutrals and accent. Historically, when money is tight and there is concern about the longevity of a given color, she said that some people have the tendency to “play it safe” with neutrals. The palette includes the color Iron, but also green, blue, a classic off-white, and Champaign Beige to add some luster—a new direction for neutrals, she said.
The International Housewares Association is the 71-year-old voice of the housewares industry, which accounted for (US)$3016 billion at retail worldwide in 2007. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world's premier exposition of products for the home, the International Home + Housewares Show, and offers its 1,700 member companies a wide range of services, including industry and government advocacy, export assistance, State-of-the-Industry reports, point-of-sale and consumer panel data through Housewares MarketWatch, executive management peer groups, a unique Web-based community at www.housewares.org and group buying discounts on business solutions services.
