The world of color is moving in vibrant
new directions, and Sherwin-Williams
Color Forecast 2015 tells optimistic color stories that reflect a brightened outlook and adventurous spirit for the year
ahead. Sherwin-Williams color experts researched trends in art, fashion, science and
pop culture to create the colorful, four-pal-ette forecast, which is designed to provide
consumers with inspiration for upcoming
painting and home design projects.
“We’re seeing a more cheerful ap-
proach to design and have forecasted
colors that provide inspiration for peo-
ple to create fresh, joyful interiors,” said
Jackie Jordan, director of color market-
ing, Sherwin-Williams. “Color Forecast
2015 features colors that can work for
any space and design aesthetic, whether
it’s a dreamy bedroom or a vibrant enter-
taining space.”
Based on extensive research and the
unique drivers of today’s design trends,
the 40 colors of the forecast are grouped
into four palettes: Chrysalis, Voyage,
Buoyant and Unrestrained.
Chrysalis
As technology rushes relentlessly ahead, the
colors of Chrysalis evoke a calm oasis — a
place to pause and find balance. The palette, with colors ranging from off-black to
chalky neutrals and dusty blues, is designed
to create a more comfortable interior.
“An important influence for Chrysalis
is the appreciation of earth’s natural stria-
tions,” said Jordan. “The patterns created
by land and sky are driving design inspi-
ration, therefore the palette’s colors are
found in nature, from rocks found on the
beach to a stormy sky.”
Another driver is the layering and de-
construction of geometric shapes to appear
soft, which parallels the monochromatic
couture found on fashion runways.
Voyage
From space tourism and undersea re-
sorts, the far-fetched, sci-fi dreams of
past decades more viable than ever. The
Voyage palette looks to these outer lim-
its, featuring hues that represent the color
spectrum imagined while emerging from
the water into the atmosphere – undersea
teal, bright green kelp, light watery blue
and deep space purple.
“The colors of Voyage are supernatu-
ral and magical. The palette is largely
driven by unusual atmospheric events,
including a decade-best aurora borealis,
that will be keeping our eyes focused on
the heavens,” said Jordan. “The lighter
colors of the palette create a space that
is uplifting, while the deeper tones can be
combined for a more dramatic design.”
Buoyant
“We’ve weathered the recession and are
finally seeing hopeful signs of growth
and expansion. Our revived good spirits
echo the optimism that followed World
War II, when GIs returned home from
exotic locales, bringing a wave of tropi-
cal prints and tiki-inspired looks,” said
Jordan. “Like that era, we’re expressing
our enthusiasm with big, bright florals in
fashion and interiors.”
The colors of Buoyant are reminiscent
of vintage floral patterns – light and deep
greens, violets and a pop of coral. In addi-
tion to renewed optimism, the palette is also
inspired by the natural healing of botani-
cals, as well as the incorporation of green
spaces into even the most densely urban en-
vironments. Backyards, once a landscaping
afterthought, are now as important as front
yards, with builders investing in rear “curb
appeal” and outdoor rooms.
Unrestrained
From bold, ethnic-inspired colors and
designs to the Bohemian lifestyle, the
Unrestrained palette celebrates a carefree
spirit, wanderlust and pulsing color. The
palette features saturated primary hues,
including sunny yellow, lively turquoise
and bright blue, as well as black and
white. Each can be used on its own for
a pop of color, or combined, to create a
vibrant, energetic space.
“South Africa’s colorful art scene and
focus on the 2016 Summer Olympics in
Rio de Janeiro have strongly influenced a
Carnival-like spirit. This spirit is inspiring
design with a zest for life, and the vibrant
colors of Unrestrained are a reflection of
that design aesthetic,” said Jordan.
Using Sherwin-Williams suite of easy-
to-use color selection tools, people can
explore Color Forecast 2015 and more
than 1,500 Sherwin-Williams colors.
Online tools include Chip It!, which cre-
ates a colorful palette from any picture,
and Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer,
which enables consumers to virtually “try
on” paint colors. The ColorSnap smart-
phone app allows consumers to create a
palette from a photo or explore colors by
family, while the ColorSnap Studio iPad
app offers color inspiration and allows
consumers to virtually paint a wall.
AkzoNobel Unveils
New Color Trends and
Announces 2015 Color of
the Year
AkzoNobel has launched the latest edition of its annual global study of color
trends, providing added impetus for the
company’s recently launched Human
Cities initiative, which has color as one of
its main pillars. Unveiled in Amsterdam,
“Colour Futures 2015” is spearheaded
by the Color of the Year, Copper Orange,
which was selected by an invited panel of
independent design and color experts following in-depth research into emerging
worldwide trends.
“Color has a universal impact on our
cities, lifestyles and living environment,”
explained Ruud Joosten, managing director of AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints
business. “As experts in color, it means
that forecasting and studying trends is a
vital part of our business, because it enables us to stay one step ahead of our customers’ needs.”
Sherwin-Williams Predicts Optimistic 2015
