Their forecast for 2005?

This is what Andrea Piontek, senior color stylist for PPG Industries’ paint division and a CMG member, has to say:

There won’t be a huge directional change in color, but more of a value change. Values will move lighter, as colors will become washed with gray. Colors continue to cool down, while neutrals are influenced with yellow, to become complex. Reds are softened and neutralized, the greener blues are shifting to green, and blues influenced by the spa experience rejuvenate the palette to reflect comfort and security. In addition, soft fresh yellows infuse the palette to signify a positive outlook on the future.

So, there you have it…

The predominant residential color schemes in the coming year? Piontek says “Harvest Gold” is back in vogue:

Contrast will gain importance for color schemes, such as deep royal blue combined with spice make their spirits soar, and take inspiration from the cues of nature. The monochromatic combinations that were safe in the past are retreating to make room for the contrasting combinations of color.

Neutrals will grow in popularity, as the term neutral continues to envelop more and more colors. In the past, neutrals were considered colors lacking color. That couldn’t be further from the description today, as colors that are infused with gray move to the neutral category and are used in combination with a variable myriad of color.

There is a hot new color every month, since the cycles of color are shortening. Colors that were popular two to three years ago are making their way back to the market. The color that was known as “Harvest Gold” in the ’70s is back again for the second time in five years, but it isn’t the muddy color of the ’50s ’60s and ’70s, but a clean vibrant color. Gold is a great accent color, like jewelry in a room; all colors look good with gold.