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PPG Paints brand Colour of the Year Paradise Found. A PR IL 2016 | 53 Paint & Coatings PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PPG ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS Paints and coatings show their softer side this year by LAURIE JONES M anufacturers and distributors for paint and coating products are offering a peaceful and durable lineup this year. Colours are muted, softer and for some of Canada's leading paint brands, the common theme is serenity. There's safety in colours. That's the message of PPG The Voice Of Color program by the PPG Paints brand in unveiling its top paint picks for 2016 – a collec- tion of 22 rich, nurturing hues intended to help create a refuge in the home. From sturdy darks such as metal grey, burgundy and earthen mid-tones, to mat- ted taupes and soft grey-whites, the colours for the year ahead emit a sense of seren- ity and security, whether painted on one wall or all four, says Valerie Jager, channel marketing manager for PPG Architectural Coatings. Likening the 2016 paint palette to a big, warm hug after a long day, Jager says, "These colours are like a silent guard, emanating strength and protection in the midst of uncertain times." Taking the top spot as the PPG Paints brand Colour of the Year is a soft, muted green called Paradise Found. "With an earthy edge, it hints at nature while emitting a sturdy, shielding feel, echoing the popular urban militia-inspired look that is showing up on fashion run- ways," says Jager. "Pairing well with muffled plum and armour grey, the new green works particularly well in a family room, living area or bedroom." Benjamin Moore's latest offering is its Aura Grand Entrance – a new enamel for doors and trim. Inspired by fine European enamel finishes, Aura Grand Entrance is available in thousands of Benjamin Moore colours, as well as a curated palette of 42 colours, the most popular for a home's front door, regardless of the architec- tural style. "This newest product offering is guaranteed to impress anyone who might come knocking on your door," says Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore colour and design expert. "Aura Grand Entrance will add a touch of elegance to your house and amp up your curb appeal, while providing rich colour and protection to a key focal point of your home." Aura Grand Entrance offers a rich, lustrous finish and outstanding durability. Intended for interior and exterior usage, it is available in high gloss and satin sheens. With a lifetime limited warranty, Aura Grand Entrance is a waterborne alkyd enamel paint that dries to a smooth, hard finish that is as durable as it is beautiful. For SICO paint, the year ahead is a golden opportunity to bring deep, lustrous yel- low into your home decor. Yellow-gold is the "it" colour for 2016 and a huge decorat- ing trend, delivering a warm, nurturing aura to living spaces. "Buckwheat Yellow is our Colour of the Year," says Mathieu Hamel, assistant brand manager for SICO paint, a brand of PPG Architectural Coatings Canada. "Golden yel- low is reminiscent of both sun-kissed wheat fields and the dazzling vintage glamour of the '70s. It's reflective of a less complex time in history and of people's increasing quest to return to cocooning, moving away from the fast-paced urban and social media world in search of more natural living, simplicity, peace and refuge." When it comes to stylish colours, however, all that glitters is not only gold. The other colours trending for 2016 are equally nature based, soothing and nurturing, Hamel says. "Think muted brights – hues that are toned down with an infusion of grey, such as earthy greens, warm browns, rustic reds, easy-going blues and soft neutrals. Each of these colours pairs well with golden yellow, delivering a grounded, livable and spa-inspired decor that is a far cry from last year's brighter colours." The soft colour trend continues in the house for Dulux Paints. "The 2016 pastels are a charming assortment of misty-coloured, comforting hues that build on the resurgence of last year's paler tones," says Martin Tustin-Fuchs, brand manager for Dulux Paints. "These aren't your mother's pastels. The pastels of 2016 are more nat- ural and pigment-infused than the popular shades of the 1980s – they're subdued yet vibrant, muddied yet rich and subtle yet strong." A Stroke Of Genius Picture sunset shades of pale coral, blush pink, sandy yellow, dusty grey, seafoam green and earthy tan brown. Anchored by dark grey, black and light neutrals, the new pastels are livable and elegant in any decor setting, Tustin-Fuchs says. With a theme of Lucid Dreams, the Dulux Paints 2016 collection is highlighted by the brand's Colour of the Year, Bear Run, an ethereal blue that exudes calm and peacefulness. Rounding off the palette of soft and serene colours are Coral Flower (a soft coral), Peppermint Pink (a dusty rose), Museworthy (a pale brown), Pastel Sage (green), Newborn (muted yellow), and Silver Trophy (a gentle grey). "These are timeless classics that add a sense of simplicity and romanticism to a living space," says Tustin-Fuchs. Sherwin-Williams' addition to the soft paint theme for 2016 includes its classic and creamy white Alabaster. "The chaos of everyday life calls for a colour that is soothing and meditative and that allows for ultimate freedom of expression," says Sue Wadden, director of colour marketing. "Alabaster is a versatile foundation for many design esthetics — it elevates sleek and simple, envelops comfortable and eclectic, bridges transitional, modernizes traditional and embodies Nordic design." Wadden says Alabaster is a timeless shade that suits many spaces, a perfect choice for walls, trims, ceilings and exteriors. "Alabaster pairs well with other neu- trals such as soft greys and dusty blush hues, as well as natural materials such as woodgrain in light-to-medium shades and honed Carrara marble. It can also be paired with an earthy bronze or off-black hue to create harmony and balance." Sherwin-Williams also has a new brand for 2016 with its HGTV HOME. Available through Lowe's Canada, the product has a voice with the help of spokesperson Bryan Baeumler, host of several HGTV DIY shows, and his wife, Sarah Baeumler. "This partnership perfectly reflects the HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams brand, given Bryan's professional expertise as a contractor and Sarah's personal style and enthusiasm for design," says Garry Belfall, brand manager of Sherwin-Williams Diversified Brands Canada. "As a veteran contractor, Bryan has been helping home- owners create their vision of a dream home. Now, through the room-to-room har- mony colour collections offered by HGTV HOME, Canadians can bring their own dream homes to life." For 30 years, Canada's The Sansin Corporation has been the only wood pro- tection company focused exclusively on researching, developing and introducing

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