My Favorite 2013 Colors

Photo via hipparis



The past month has been incredibly busy for me.  The start up of this new retail space and design studio has really taken off.  I have had the good fortune of finishing a house design in Sonoma County, designing a living room in Morro Bay, a kitchen and bath in San Simeon and a complete redesign of a house in the Cloisters.  All wonderful projects!  But today I’m on the train headed to San Diego with time to write a new blog. 


Color Trends are set by a group of experts that define what will be available to the fashion houses, the home goods industry and the automobile industry.   This group of experts usually head to Milan and Paris for inspiration.  Milan is the epicenter for all new design. The Italians have never been afraid of color. The French do what ever they dam well feel like, just one of the things that I love about France.


During the depth of this horrible, no good recession the trend was black, white, grey and other neutrals because material things were not easily replaced and therefore the vast majority of us needed longevity in our purchases for our homes and clothing.  I use grey quite a bit because of French design which has inspired me since I studied the history of architecture and interiors at San Diego State University.  In 2012, as we pull out of this economic down turn, the trend is very bright bold, color and color blocking.  Which can be done keeping the canvas of the room neutral with splashes of color or putting the color blocks on your walls or your cabinets. The way I like to introduce it in my studio/shop is in the textiles.  

The colors for 2013 are a bit more clear and bright.  Bright pink, true yellows, aqua, peach, a crisp orange, bright blue, turquoise green, yellow green, pure green, grey, and lots of white.
Photo Patricia Nelson
Photo Patricia Nelson
Photo Patricia Nelson
Photo Patricia Nelson
Photo Patricia Nelson
Photo via hipparis - the healthier alternative but just as pretty.