08 October 2009

Sherwin-Williams' color forecast for 2010, part three

Posted by Paul Anater at 6:30 AM


The third palette in Sherwin-Williams' forecast is Treasured and is an outgrowth of an impulse to resist the disposable nature of western culture. It conjures a renewed appreciation for handmade, quality goods bought for the long term. It's an impulse I welcome. From Sherwin-Williams' website:
Treasured

aging, layers, artisan

A throwaway society? That's so yesterday. We're now making savvy, resourceful use of what we have, discovering untold stories in exposed, painted layers. From flea-market finds to artisan-made pieces, imperfections can lend rich character to our environments. The palette reflects the beauty of natural aging, mellowing and weathering, evoking quality materials that have stood the test of time and become heirlooms.


Smoky Blue SW 7604


Sequin SW 6394


Caribbean Coral SW 2854


Interactive Cream SW 6113


Gallery Green SW 0015


Sturdy Brown SW 6097

Do you recognize any of these colors or this sentiment? I get it that this is coming from a paint company, but these palettes are much bigger than mere paint. Discuss.
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12 comments:

  1. To me these colours look a bit like the '80s, just add a little shiny brass and shazaamm!
    But what do I know, I was a teenager in the '80s and more interested in music and boys
    They also seem a little Victorian?
    The sentiment seems right on for a period of economic downturn- appreciation for things with a history; what we already have.
    Although I understand the theory behind it, I tend to see it as a negative self-fulfilling prophesy. While some may be feathering their nest instead of constructing anew, others will be righting off any type of investing in their home environments entirely due to the 'doom and gloom economy.'
    Like I said, what do I know? Just trying to get a conversation going here ;)
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  2. They are somewhat '80s-like. Just wait until you see tomorrow's palette. I think the Victorian thing is that in the American popular imagination, pining for the good old days (that never really existed) always takes that form. I blame Disney for that. Hah!

    The hunkering down and attempts to cling to comfort that are driving things like this palette are understandable, I think that the healthy response to uncertainty is the opposite of hunkering down. I welcome a renewed interest in value and quality, I just wish that it didn't take a global economic meltdown to get to that point.

    Thanks for your comment, I appreciate your point of view here. Let's see if we can't shake any other opinions about this out of the woodwork today.
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  3. Lemme get this straight.

    Because there's an economic downturn we're all supposed to retreat to something old, something blue, and something booooooring???? Phooey.

    This is the very time when living in environments that help jump start our creative energy is essential.

    Whether you're an introvert who gets his batteries charged from internal exploration (cool/clean/collected) or someone who gets hers charged from external sources (warm/vibrant/eclectic) you need that energy source from your environment to help you make your way through all this mess -- not some visual "blanky" to crawl back into bed with.

    Phooey.
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  4. I have an aversion to teal & coral thanks to one of the b*tchiest designers on the face of the earth. So that's not working in this palette's favour!!

    I don't love it, I don't hate it -- I guess I'm kind of indifferent to it. The colours are too muted for my taste -- I prefer colours that are bold and bright. Although that being said, Smoky Blue is a gorgeous colour.

    My least favourite of the three palettes so far....

    Kelly
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  5. I'm not so sure that this is prescriptive so much as it's descriptive. An argument can be made that people like color theorists have an obligation to drive the culture, but there's an equally compelling argument for them to sit back and describe things. I am probably reading entirely too much into this. Let's face it, most color people aren't known for their scientific acumen.

    I'm with you though Nancie, it's times such as these that I need a kick in the ass form my environment, not the illusion of comfort.

    I took my first Economics class when I was in High School and I remember clearly studying the nature of recession. My teacher at the time called recessions primarily psychological and that's stuck with me since. Tomorrow's palette is one that speaks to this very loudly.
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  6. It was my least favorite too Kelly. It just sits there and doesn't do anything but be maudlin and whiny. I hate teal and coral because somehow, that combo screams "Florida" to a lot of people. When you watch the sun set over the Gulf, those colors certainly come into play. But enough already.
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  7. It looks kind of southwestern to me.

    Aging, layers, repair and treasure old things for me would be the shabby chic colors. Or the color I associate with reclaiming old things is red, because it's a neutral, or at least red goes with everything, and that was my favorite color to paint old or cheap furniture. Old things worth saving tend to black, white, or wood, or they get painted one of those colors in some shade.
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  8. I don't really like these colors. I think they are serviceable, nothing more.
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  9. It does have a Southwestern vibe, that's probably why it's my least favorite palette of the bunch. Apologies to everyone in the Southwest.

    Me? I paint old stuff black. It's my default color for anything of unknown vintage.
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  10. Rachele, I do like the Smokey Blue (SW 7604). Not so much the green, the yellow, or the brown.
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  11. Hmmm. As a palette (spelled correctly! LOL!) I'm not impressed... as individual accent colours complimenting a more interesting palette, maybe. I love the blue and the colour Sequin isn't all that bad, but I'm a lover of brown and the brown in this palette is just downright boring. It has no depth or power. The other colours... yuck.
    Victoria
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  12. I hear you, I am no great fan of this one either. But if you pay attention to the photo a tthe top of the post is sort of makes sense.
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