Wondering what the next big thing in colour will be? According to Australian paint company Dulux, colours in 2016 will see us influenced by space exploration, bespoke design and a focus on looking to the past to create a new future.
Design Age, the company’s recently announced Colour Trends Forecast for 2016, incorporates four very different colour palettes, each one a colour-based interpretation of a select global trend that is seen to be influencing how we are living.
These global trends are generally set by international trend forecasters and then interpreted by leading influential colour companies.
“Each of the DESIGN AGE palette themes are the product of research into global trends. They have been inspired by trade shows, fashion, technology, media and trends agencies, all of which are demonstrating a strong focus on customisation,” says Colour Expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr.
This year, they have taken their colour forecast one step further and partnered with stylists Bree Leech and Heather Nette King to collaborate with four distinctive designers and creators that have crafted bespoke pieces inspired by each of the Design Age Trends.
Here we overview each of the trends, including their global influencing trend and their creative interpretations.
INFINITE WORLDS
“As the lure of unexplored worlds captures our imagination, it inspires 70’s sci-fi style on the catwalk and futuristic designs. The Infinite Worlds theme evokes visions of deep ocean creatures glowing with phosphorescent light against coloured backdrops and celestial objects such as planets, moons, exploding stars and vast nebular clouds.”
THE GLOBAL TREND: Advances in science and technology are uncovering new opportunities to explore the unknown.
THE PALETTE: Deep and moody blues, purples and greens, representing the colours of the deep ocean. Acid reds, pinks, corals and space-age metallic’s emulate the intensity of glowing stars and planets against a dark sky.
THE MOOD: Deep, moody, intense.
THE COLLABORATION: The Pile High Club Floor Cushion by Elise Cakebread, Textile Artist & Designer.
“I wanted to create a sense of another world. It’s about looking into the depth of the ocean or outer space. I really enjoyed thinking about the unexplored or magical worlds whilst I was working on these pieces” – Elise Cakebread
From left: Styled by Bree Leech and Heather Nette King for Dulux featuring Pile High Club floor cushion by Elise Cakebread – Infinite Worlds palette. Photographer: Lisa Cohen; Elise Cakebread of Cakebread – Infinite Worlds palette. Photographer: Mike Baker.
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BIO FRAGILITY
“Fragile life is the embodiment of beauty. We marvel in the intricacy of creation and its duality of fragility and strength. We call on nature not just to inspire but to collaborate, employing its innate ability to transform materials and forms resulting in beautiful, unexpected and unique designs.”
Styled by Bree Leech and Heather Nette King for Dulux featuring fragrance by Fleurage – Future Past palette. Photographer: Lisa Cohen
THE GLOBAL TREND: Natural and living elements
THE PALETTE: Pastels, greys, dirty pinks, nudes, natural greens. Bio Fragility takes its cues from natural and living matter where flesh tones, lichen, moss and stone influence the subtle hues of the palette which are derived from chalky brittle elements rather than soft textures.
THE MOOD: Soft and relaxing.
THE COLLABORATION: The Porcelina Bowl by Porcelain Bear designers, Gregory Bonasera & Anthony Raymond
“We connected with qualities like tactility, retraint and we interpreted that as restrained beauty. Fragility and weightlessness. Beauty lies in fragility and that’s very relevant to us – obviously there is a fragility to porcelain” – Porcelain Bear
From left: Styled by Bree Leech and Heather Nette King for Dulux featuring Porcelena Bowl by Porcelain Bear – Bio Fragility palette. Photographer: Lisa Cohen; L-R: Anthony Raymond and Gregory Bonasera, Porcelain Bear – Bio Fragility palette. Photographer: Mike Baker
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RETRO REMIX
“Reflecting on colourful eras of the post-modern 60s and 70s. No longer only captivated by the Memphis movement, Retro Remix mixes together iconic elements from across the mid to late century.”
THE GLOBAL TREND: Young generations are discovering influences from the past and creating their own remixed style.
THE PALETTE: Experimentation in colour combinations. Acid brights like orange clash with faded muddy colours such as reddish browns, olive greens, mustard and ochre.
THE MOOD: Fun and playful, a new retro
THE COLLABORATION: David Ottoman and Bowie Side Tables by Grazia Materia, Designer, Grazia & Co
“We were trying to encapsulate several eras together. The selections we took more inspiration from would have been the 60’s and 70’s” – Grazia Materia
From left: Grazia Materia (left), Co-owner of Grazia & Co – Retro Remix palette. Photographer: Mike Baker; Styled by Bree Leech and Heather Nette King for Dulux featuring David Ottoman and Bowie Side Tables by Grazia & Co. – Retro Remix palette. Photographer: Lisa Cohen.
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FUTURE PAST
“Future Past is luxurious and detailed with an emphasis on craftsmanship and an eclectic edge influenced by the industrial age. This theme takes its cues from Steampunk references merging with modern design to create a new version of the old.”
Styled by Bree Leech and Heather Nette King for Dulux featuring fragrance by Fleurage – Future Past palette. Photographer: Lisa Cohen
THE GLOBAL TREND: In our fast digital world we seek grounding and comfort in nostalgia. We look to fuse modern design with heritage and classicism.
THE PALETTE:Deep and decadent traditional hues like browns, heritage green and royal blue are energised when combined with mustard, salmon and purple.
THE MOOD: Rich, decadent, old-world comfort.
THE COLLABORATION: Master Perfumer Emma Leah of Fleurage has crafted scents for each Design Age palette, inspired by their range of colours and overarching themes.
From left: Styled by Bree Leech and Heather Nette King for Dulux featuring fragrance by Fleurage – Future Past palette. Photographer: Lisa Cohen; Master Perfumer, Emma Leah of Fleurage – Future Past palette. Photographer: Mike Baker
For for a video on colour trends click here
