From sage to avocado green, colors -- like fads -- can be viewed as cutting edge or they can reflect a dated look.

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Much like a fashion that stands out for a particular season, colors make their mark each year in home décor.

In addition to testing paint, the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute in Springhouse, Pa., picks color trends each year by picking four palettes, or groups of hues that fit together, giving a sense of what homeowners are trying to achieve.

Debra Zimmer, the institute’s paint and decorating expert, discussed its four most recent color palettes.

She said Exotic Enhancements consists of rich, red purple; dark yellow-gold; chocolate brown; ebony and ivory enhancements. Zimmer said the Skin Tone Neutrals palette, which she described as a wide spectrum of flesh-tone hues similar to what can be found at a cosmetic counter, will continue to be strong.

“I think we’re going to see a neutral palette grow and continue in 2007,” Zimmer said. “It’s about making your wall space the backdrop for bright, snappy accent pieces.”

The Soulful Serenity palette moves beyond traditional blue and white colors and includes pastels such as soft pink, misty lavender and pale yellow as homeowners try to create a relaxing spa-like atmosphere, according to PaintQuality.com.

Zimmer said the growth of this palette in 2006 was quite dramatic.

The institute’s Mineral Spirits palette is a toned-down version of the Exotic Enhancements, according to its Web site.

“It’s really an inspirational palette,” Zimmer said. “One of the best places to this use palette is the kitchen or bath area because people are using natural material like marble or quartz.”

She said many Mineral Spirits colors contain metallic specks, but it does not have a be a glossy, bright finish.

Zimmer said that of the metallic paint colors, rust and copper jump to the forefront because they are a naturally occurring state as opposed to a shiny metallic, and they may be more soothing in an indoor environment.

“Copper will become the new metallic of choice,” she said.

Looking Ahead

Color trends for 2007 and 2008 draw from several inspirations.

Zimmer said that 2007 will have a continuing and growing focus on a sustainable environment with an increase of leaf-like green colors, very organic browns and an almost dirt-like mud.

“In 2007, neutral hues will continue to grow a bit with metallic or irridescence and bit of sheen and shimmer that play into a scene of elegance and luxury into any living space,” she said.

Looking to 2008, Zimmer said that red will be a focus with the upcoming Olympics being hosted by China. She said the focus is on clean, clear reds -- not muddied tones -- as well as combinations of blue and white returning.

“It’s going to be a movement from deep, red tones to more of an Asian color palette,” Zimmer said.

Texture is also being incorporated into paint surfaces.

Zimmer said faux finishing has changed from the day of rag rolling and sponging to more natural finishes.

She said that decorative painting with naturally occurring marble or granite finishes is the trend.

She also mentioned sheen striping as another technique that can give interior walls a dynamic, yet elegant look.

The process involves taking the same color of paint in two different sheen levels, such as satin or flat or semi-gloss; using painter’s tape to make stripes; and then going back over the unpainted areas with the higher sheen paint.

Exterior Experimentation

Texture is also huge on homes’ exteriors.

“Consumers are much more color confident and much more open to experiment with color on exteriors,” Zimmer said.

For the exterior, homeowners probably want to consider both the architectural style of the house, the region of the country in which they live and the existing surroundings.

Zimmer said one the best ways to gauge exterior colors is to drive through a community and see what color palette is already there. She also suggested going to paint stores and picking up color cards from paint manufacturers as a starting point.

Bright reds and plums can be used for sparks of color outside.

“From an exterior standpoint, we see color on shutters, color on front doors,” she said.

For example, she pointed out that a white home may have a deep plum front door. But she added that the home should fit into the environment in which it sits with neighboring homes. Plus, homeowners associations may have restrictions on exterior color choices.

How To Choose?

Picking colors for the home’s exterior or interior could be an overwhelming task. Zimmer suggested some tips to help narrow the options.

Start by checking out your closet.

“So often, we wear colors we’re comfortable with. That’s a good starting point,” she said.

Or take a look at materials in the room in which you’re working, such as the window treatments, and pull colors from that.

Zimmer said to take into account the surrounding landscape as well as materials in and outside the home that will remain, such as the rooftop color and draperies.

She said consumers should not be afraid to try new colors that add the right spice. But she recommended first testing the color on a part of the wall in the room in which the homeowner wants to use it.

The sense of what they are trying to create will lead them on the color pathway.

“Using color within a home or on the walls really allows homeowners to express their personality and their family’s desires in terms of the atmosphere they’re trying to create,” she said. Related Content:

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