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A PR IL 2019 | 41 Paint & Coatings Paint and coatings get playful this year by LAURIE JONES W hile grey is still a prominent choice for the design world, paint manufacturers are releasing a variety of other choices for their Colour of the Year and Colour Trends collections, including earthy tones, rich jewel hues, and playful pinks and greens. Sherwin-Williams has given a nod to mid-century modern style with its 2019 Colour of the Year – Cavern Clay. The warm terracotta colour with ancient, elemental roots creates the desert modern esthetic. "We believe 2019 will be a renaissance of the 1970s, with a twist. In the coming year, we will embrace our pioneering spirits and artisan ingenuity," says Sue Wadden, director of colour marketing, Sherwin-Williams. "Cavern Clay embodies renewal, simplicity, and free-spirited, bohemian flair." Part of the Wanderer colour journal, Cavern Clay is a perfect choice for residential and commercial settings. "This warm, earthy hue is both casual and refined," says Wadden. "It can be the backdrop of a playful, welcoming dining room or kitchen when paired with bright tiles, warm stone, and sculptural greenery." Complementary materials include leather, simple woodgrains, and indigenous cacti in contemporary, sleek gardening planters. "Cavern Clay is an easy way to bring the warmth of the outdoors in," she says. "Envision beaches, canyons and deserts, and sun-washed late summer afternoons – all of this embodied in one colour. It also pairs well with other casual, balanced neutrals such as a warm grey or deep brown." Combined with Moth Wing or Dark Clove, Cavern Clay evokes a carefree yet sophisticated esthetic. "Alternatively, consider a refreshed version of the popular '70s earth tone combinations by pairing Cavern Clay with a dusty denim blue, such as Distance or even a fresh avocado, such as Haven," says Wadden. "Even when paired with an Origami White, Cavern Clay is decidedly fresh." For commercial properties, designers, developers, and builders aim to create more workspaces that feel like home, so Cavern Clay's warm and welcoming vibe make it a colour to watch for offices, hotels, and restaurants. Benjamin Moore's Colour of the Year 2019 – Metropolitan AF-690 – is a stylish grey with cool undertones. "Comforting, composed, and effortlessly sophis- ticated, Metropolitan AF-690 exudes beauty and balance," says Ellen O'Neill, Benjamin Moore director of strategic design intelligence. "It's a colour in the neutral spectrum that references a contemplative state of mind and design. Not arresting nor aggressive, this understated yet glamorous grey creates a soothing, impactful common ground." Among Benjamin Moore's mix in their Colour Trends 2019 are 15 hues includ- ing Putnam Ivory, Soft Fern, Black Pepper, Smoke, Hale Navy Hunter Green or Balboa Mist. "Emphasizing the calming role grey plays in society, the full colour card illustrates how to capture the coveted feeling of restorative quietude in any setting," says O'Neill. She notes elements include the blending of heathered greys and soft linens to create an enveloping haze in a living room, or utilizing reflective metallic accents and easy going neutrals to add a comforting factor to a sleek kitchen. "These colours can also create modest allure to an elegant entryway by coating the walls, doors, and trim in a bold navy blue." The 2019 Sico Colour of the Year – Grand Manan Black – is a dark green that brings rich opulence to rooms. "The colour name may be deceiving because it's actually a perfect combination of black and emerald green," says Dominique Pepin, associate marketing director for PPG Architectural Coatings Canada. "The Canadian landscape was the inspiration for Grand Manan Black, and it pairs well with our neutral shades such as Mushroom Mousse and Volcanic Rocks." Pepin notes it has been used for a monochrome look in a living room, complemented by brushed brass accessories to impart opulence. "It also looks great when combined with materials like natural wood and black metal," she says. "For kids' rooms, the dark shade goes well with bold prints, minimalist furniture, and accent colours like Tawny Port. Animal-inspired accents are also fun for the little ones." Roll Up Soft Fern from Benjamin Moore. Cavern Clay from Sherwin-Williams. Grand Manan Black from Sico Paint.

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