Introducing the 2013 Plascon Colour Forecast

Officially launched at Decorex SA this year, Plascon Trends was proud to be the first to give a sneak preview of the Plascon 2013 Colour Forecast.

Colour trends are influenced by the mood of society; we are drawn to colours that reflect how we feel. When stressed, we are drawn to gentle blues, greens and neutral colours and when we need a bit of motivation and energy, we crave more energetic reds and oranges. Our uncertain and changing environment has us seeking some balance and harmony in our lives and this led to the forecast theme being called “Balance”.

The forecast consists of four palettes – Simplicity, Contrast, Pause and Dare. The colours in these palettes are designed to help you bring balance and harmony in your home.

SIMPLICITY

This is an honest palette. A base of chalky whites and neutrals appeals to our desire for calm and an uncluttered space – a space where we can relax and refresh our soul. The addition of green links us to nature and the metallics provide a lift and add to the sophistication of this palette.

Key Influences: Everyday escape, understated elegance, raw textures, copper, antique gold and silver, safari chic, modern sanctuary spaces.

CONTRAST

This palette sees the continuation of deep blues and greys that have been so popular this year. Light and dark denim blues are also included in the palette. This palette is given an energy boost with the inclusion of high-contrast optimistic, bright yellow and fuchsia pink.

Key influences: 50s urban chic, colour defined spaces, vintage brights, sophisticated energy, optimism.

PAUSE

Pastel colours have been a highlight of many designer collections on the catwalk, including Ralph Lauren (inspired by The Great Gatsby), Louis Vuitton, Prada and Fendi. These soft washes of colour look as beautiful on walls as they do on the catwalk. This palette of pastels is calming and uplifting and can be easily introduced to a scheme, as they work well with neutrals and greys.

Key Influences: Icy tones, Great Gatsby, 1920s, shimmer and sparkle, nostalgia, soft and subtle.

DARE

Time for us to shift gears and move out of our comfort zones! These zinc toned brights are energy-boosting, without being manic and are great for colour-blocking and feature walls.

Key Influences: Afro-chic, colour-blocked geometrics, folk-inspired art and craft, retro brights, bold minimalism.

The Plascon 2013 Colour Forecast will be launched at Decorex from the 8th to the 12th of August, please join us if you are in town and come and visit us at the Plascon stand in the link area. Otherwise be sure to get your hands on a Plascon Forecast brochure; these will be available from your nearest Plascon stockist from the 8th of August.

And, you can get more inspiration and information on the forecast in the new issue of Plascon Spaces magazine. This trends issue (issue 8) will include a brochure and a fandeck of the 2013 forecast colours and will be available from 13th August at Exclusive Books, Woolworths, CNA and Spar.

Introducing the 2012 Plascon Colour Forecast

When you express yourself with colour, the possibilities are endless. The Plascon Colour Forecast is inspired by the different ways that we bring colour into our lives and the different influences that we draw on to do so.

With an eye on global trends, and a mind for the local market, we explored a number of different colour trends. After filtering these down and distilling them to their ore, we developed four key directions for the coming year. These are expressed as four different themes – Memory, Expression, Mystery and Origins – running from bold brights to stripped back basics, and everything in between.

But it’s how you interpret these themes that counts. Colour is something to be enjoyed, and trends are broad brushstrokes on how to do that. Loving colour is about exploring and interpreting these themes into your life. This Palette is here to inform and inspire, and leave you excited. This is about the world both as it is, and how you want it to be.

Memory palette

Links to the past are always evident in design, with the focus shifting from era to era. This year, the global eye has settled on the measured and stately aesthetic typical of the Georgian period. We see a considered use of soft pastels coming to the fore, but grounded by neutrals and darker tones. This theme is great for bringing a sophisticated sense of romance into a room and is complemented well by antiqued period pieces.

Elements: Fluid lines, sheer layers, antiqued finishes, soft pastels, delicate lace.

Expression palette

The time for subtlety is over. With a number of different important events on the cards this year, a strong theme of celebration is making itself known. This comes through in patriotic, Union Jack inspired red, white and blue to tie in with the London Olympics. White is often the base for this theme, with bold, uncomplicated use of bright colour to make a statement.

Elements: White with brights, smooth and flat, crisp and defined, purposeful, abstract geometric patterns, colour blocking.

Mystery palette

With a sophisticated yet nuanced feeling, our Mystery trend combines neutrals with highlights like rich plums to give an enticing sense of depth. Furniture with clean, uncomplicated lines complements this colour direction, and we’re seeing graphics take their cues from sumptuous organic prints. This is a theme of contrasts, playing with accent colours for maximum impact, while retaining an underlying simplicity.

Elements: Monochromatic with highlights, shaded plantscapes, high-contrast, deep texture, clean lines.

Origins palette

Now more than ever, there is a strong desire to go back to basics. This is expressed in a love of raw textures, patterns and materials, from ethnic-inspired geometrics to unpretentious wooden furniture. Simplicity is important here, with stripped-back, yet bold décor expressions as key. Ochre yellows and light wood-inspired browns give an earthy base note to the theme, moving into light neutrals and blue-grey top notes.

Elements: Primitive, nature-inspired, feathers and hide, linens and cottons, monochromatic, true to origin.