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Color Is Back and It's Bold

Heimtextil Americas' themes revel in the colors of world culture.

Color in the home environment is back in full force for the upcoming year. "The new season is a shimmering array of colors. The use of multi-colors as an expression of emotional happiness has finally made a comeback," according to Gunnar Frank, international trend expert. International color consultant Sally Morse agrees, "For the first time, color is back." She adds that the "beige, or 'gar-beige', as I started calling it, was getting so tired. It is so wonderful to have color really here." Frank, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, put together four color themes for the Trend Pavilion based on the latest cultural and lifestyle expressions and tendencies. The pavilion was produced by Messe Frankfurt and first presented at Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany, in January; then at the International Window Coverings Expo in New Orleans, LA (See D&WC, May); and was at Heimtextil Americas in Miami Beach, FL, in May. The color palettes for each theme comprise two pastel shades and three strong hues using the following basic colors: blue, red, green, pink and yellow. The 2001 themes—Camping, Loft, Cafeteria and Salon—are heavily influenced by the increasing multiculturalism of today's society. As Morse puts it, "Nothing is unique and separate in this world. Design, for instance, is always a reflection of something else in life." COSMOPOLITAN CAMPING The Cosmopolitan Camping theme plays on the love of summer and all it has to offer. Frank describes it as "a bold and provocative, nonchalant mix of mostly bourgeois ingredients with an individual style." Its atmosphere, Frank notes, evokes the images of veranda, tent, canoe, camp, hammock, plastic, geranium, stripes and checks; bringing to mind the carefree attitude and sheer pleasure of lying at the beach, taking a picnic or frolicking in the great outdoors. The colors are simply meant to be fun for the retro-style camper so they can remember the "good old days" with playfulness and without sadness. "It is not just for the young, but for the young at heart," comments Morse on the theme's intended audience. She goes on to describe memories of camping with her parents as a little girl, remembering all the fun, but also remembering the somber and drab beiges and khakis generally associated with camping. Frank's Cosmopolitan Camping, though, also brings the colors of fun into this atmosphere. The colors alone can transport you to the fun times of the past. LUXURIOUS LOFT Large open rooms with blurred lines between living and working areas represent the Luxurious Loft theme. Loft is modern living at its heart, or as Frank describes it, "an exciting combination of the derelict factory atmosphere and a cutting-edge lifestyle." Frank defines the atmosphere with images of a studio, a computer, video, a photographer, models, plastics, New York, chrome, aluminum and laser lights. He also connects the theme to pop culture, reflected in movies like "Black Velvet," "A Clockwork Orange," "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "American Beauty," as well as the television testament of "How to Marry a Millionaire." Currently the hottest real estate on the market in large and modern cities, lofts appeal to young urban professionals who have sophistication and high-tech needs. "Ten years ago," Morse explains, "the trend was to get out of the city, to leave the city, the violence, the rush. Today, there is an anti-suburban movement back into the city." Also, with the increase of home offices, the loft lends itself to this trend as a multi-functional open space. The loft can also relax you, but also be productive. It also needs to reflect all that is available and needed in the city: transportation, storage and mobility. With pale neutral tones and dark accents, along with fixtures made of chrome, aluminum and plastic, this is the most neutral of the four groups. Loft's colors include beige, taupe, curry gold, plum brown, lavender gray and a mid-toned blue. But, Morse explains, the colors need to be subdued. "You're in the city; you've had enough stimuli during the day. You want to come home to rest and peace and relaxation." Still there's a little excitement in these neutrals. SEX APPEAL CAFETERIA An oxymoron? Not for Frank. The feeling behind the Cafeteria theme is not the ordinary drab cafeteria, but the new sensual Latin cafeteria with warm, passionate colors in bold shades. Frank calls it "a casual mix of Latin sensuality, generosity and the joy of life." It evokes colorful streets from Rio to Havana, from Buenos Aires to Rome, clotheslines in the air, pulsating beats of live salsa bands or the sexy sensuality of the tango, the spice and fire of the cuisine and the smell of fresh tropical fruit and flowers: la dolce vita. Cafeteria's colors include the coral red of salsa, a bold purple, a deep yellowish green complemented by a light wine green and butterscotch, the new warm twist on gold. These cutting-edge, hot, trendy colors appeal to a wide range of people, but it is certainly not for conservatives. "Everything feels different, smells different, tastes different," says Morse. And that difference is good. "This is also a perfect example of the interconnectivity of life's cultures. This theme reflects the Latin trends in popular music. Just think of how many Latin artists are now at the top of the charts. Also, it's in the latest cuisine. We now want food flavorful with spice. Here, we get an exotic flavor, but in colors," comments Morse. TREASURE SALON When Western culture mingles with the Far East, "the classic elegance of times past forms harmonious liaisons with Asian elements for a superior and sophisticated look," Frank says, to create the theme called Treasure Salon. Warm, delicate tones mixed with whites and pastels, mirrors, silks and Art Deco pieces combine to form this romantic, sophisticated, established look. "Gunnar really emphasized establishment in this theme," notes Morse. "It appeals to the sophisticated person, not young people starting out. It gives the feel of many years of collecting." The soft warmth with dark contrasting colors of this theme evoke images of empire, symbolism, a library, an art collection, Rococo, rosewood, damasque, jacquard, transparent patterns, mosaic, black, pastels and places like Chinatown, Shang-Hai and Japan.