A New MODE: The 2022 Sherwin Williams Colormix® Forecast

by Laura Fullow | Dec 14, 2021 | Blog

Prepare for a Transformation

When it comes to color psychology, colors consisting of longer wavelengths are said to be “warm,” and colors made up of shorter wavelengths are “cool.” Warm colors encourage feelings of excitement and energy, whereas cool colors create a relaxing and calming.

As an interior designer, I look to color for inspiration, and it is the starting point for all of my design plans. When it comes to color psychology, colors consisting of longer wavelengths are said to be “warm,” and colors made up of shorter wavelengths are “cool.” Warm colors encourage feelings of excitement and energy, whereas cool colors create a relaxing and calming.

The pandemic has pushed us into our own corners for more than two years and our collective claustrophobia is searching for release — a breath of fresh air — a new beginning. As we move closer to a new year, many of us are longing for a magical transformation that will get us “back to normal.”

As we set our intentions for 2022, let us remember that life is ever-changing, therefore, we should find joy in every moment.

Let’s take a look at my top 5 favorite Sherwin Williams colors, perfect for inspiring a new way of being.

Evergreen Fog

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog is my favorite offering from the 2022 MODE collection. Evergreen Fog is a mid-tone green, meaning it strikes a balance between both light green and dark green. Mid-tone greens are particularly soothing, which is why they are often used in nurseries, bathrooms and spas.

Green is at the center of the color spectrum and is literally easy on the eye, because the human eye requires no adjustment in order to take in the wavelength. The color green is associated with the natural world, as well as with new life, growth, balance, and harmony.

Evergreen Fog is nuanced but does not command attention, making it a good choice to use throughout the home. It pairs well both warm and cool colors, and has a nostalgic, historic quality.

Some words associated with the color green are: calming, natural, balanced, nourishing.

Bakelite Gold

Sherwin Williams Bakelite Gold is an energetic, warm medium-light orange that leans more yellow than red. Unlike these two colors, orange doesn’t evoke physical or mental response. Instead, it creates a relaxing yet playful vibe that adds a little spice to cooler, more subdued colors.

Orange promotes feelings of optimism, fosters encouragement, and motivates action. Orange is an especially popular color with Gen Y (folks born in the 1980s and 1990s). Golden oranges, like Bakelite Gold, represent achievement, prosperity and abundance.

Some words associated with the color orange are: happy, friendly, playful, and inviting.

Alabaster

Alabaster is a soft mineral rock that is often used for carving decorative objects and has a translucent, soft quality. Like the eponymous mineral, Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a soft and creamy white (or more accurately, beige) that creates a heightened sense of space and awareness.

While most people don’t think of beige as a super exciting color, it’s actually one of my favorites because it is so versatile. It works in literally every room! Beige, like white or grey, is considered a neutral color, but it is actually a pale shade of yellow or light orange.

Neutral colors are neither warm nor cool, rather, they are flexible and work well with other colors to produce a sense of harmony. Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a balanced beige that allows your furnishings and decor to take center stage. It is a natural match for earthy elements like wood, stone, and leather. Because Alabaster‘s undertones are balanced, it creates a cozy, homey vibe whether paired with warm or cool colors.

Some words associated with the color beige are: tranquility, simplicity, flexibility, and welcoming.

Iron Ore

If you’re looking for a counterpoint for Alabaster, you will love Sherwin Williams Iron Ore. It is a cool, luxurious charcoal black that strikes a perfect balance against neutral and warm colors. Grounding and intense, it is a more sophisticated alternative to pure black and looks great in both interior and exterior applications.

Before we talk more about Iron Ore, let’s talk about LRV, or Light Reflectance Value. The LRV scale measures the amount of visible and usable light that is reflected when a surface is illuminated. Simply put, LRV ratings identify how much light a color reflects or absorbs.

The LRV scale is measured from 0% (reflecting no visible light) to 100% (reflecting all light). For reference, the darkest blacks have an LRV rating of 5% while the whitest whites average around 85%. A color that has a low LRV rating — like Iron Ore, which is rated at 6.5% — it will appear rich and deep.

Low LRV colors can be used as an accent in any space. If you’re planning to use Iron Ore as a wall color, however, it works best in a space with ample lighting (either natural or artificial) in order to reveal its true depth and luxury.

Some words associated with the color black are: timeless, rich, grounding, and sophisticated.

Woven Wicker

Sherwin Williams Woven Wicker is a warm-neutral tan with yellow undertones. Like other colors in the brown family, Woven Wicker evokes a sense of security, stability, and earthiness.

Some words associated with the color tan are: organic, dependable, crisp, and accessible.

Until then,

Laura

The Hygge Lifestyle: The Art Of Luxe Simplicity

by Laura Fullow | Dec 7, 2021 | Blog

Hygge―pronounced Hoo-ga―is a Danish word that evokes the idea of enjoying life’s simple pleasures, and there’s no better time of year to be reminded of the joy of simplicity than the hectic winter holiday season.

Hygge is the feeling of snuggling on the sofa with a warm blanket or sharing a comforting meal with your favorite people. It is an atmosphere that is welcoming, safe, and comfortable. Hygge makes you feel at home.

According to New York Times Best Seller, The Little Book of Hygge, the Danes are the happiest people in the world. Perhaps it is because Hygge is the cornerstone of Danish life, making it possible to embrace and celebrate the beauty of simple, everyday moments.

Although Hygge is Danish, it originates from the Norwegian word for hug, which I think is just perfect. Hygge = Hug! Keep that in mind as we explore the many ways to bring Hygge style into your home using some of The Little Book of Hygge‘s top tenants:

• Get comfy. Take a break.
• Be here now. Turn off the phones.
• Turn down the lights. Bring out the candles.
• Build relationships. Spend time with your tribe.
• Give yourself a break from the demands of healthy living. Cake is most definitely Hygge.
• Live life today, like there is no coffee tomorrow.

Get Comfy

The first step in enjoying the Hygge lifestyle is just as easy as it sounds. There are no memberships to buy, no books to read, and no plans to follow. You just do whatever makes you feel comfortable. That might mean lighting a fire or wrapping yourself in a fluffy throw. Using items that have a very tactile finish help add to the cozy feeling. Knotted, chunky blankets and faux-fur pillows automatically take the “…ahhhh,” factor up a notch.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget about your walls! The Sedona woven wall hanging (below) adds a layer of warmth to an otherwise cold wall.

Be Here Now

My favorite aspect of Hygge is that the word can be a noun, a verb, or an adjective. All that is required is to be in the moment.

For instance, warm and cozy socks are called “hyggensokker.” Your favorite pair of old sweatpants? “Hyggebusker.” You can also spread comfort and good cheer by being a “hyggespreder.” If you’re planning a lazy family day in bed, you can call it, “familiehygge.” Hygge is a beautiful concept, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable, you’re Hygge.

Bring Out The Candles

According to The Little Book of Hygge, the object that Danes associate most with Hygge is candles. Flickering candles are found in homes, businesses, and even schools, year-round. This makes sense, as lighting is used to make spaces feel warm and relaxing. Candlelight, specifically, is not too bright and brings a feeling of comfort.

Spend Time With Your Tribe

The winter holidays are focused on gathering with friends and family, but you don’t have to wait for Christmas to create a welcoming, intimate gathering with the ones you love. The dinner table is the perfect place to bring everyone together for comforting food and conversation, or a family game night.

Live Life Today — And Have Some Cake

From the Danish perspective, Hygge is about taking time to enjoy the process of making and eating food — specifically, pastries, sweets, and lots and lots of cake, or “hyggeligt.” In fact, the average Dane consumes 8 pounds of baked goods per person annually, which is double the European average. There is even a meal tradition called sønderjysk kaffebord, which is a multi-course meal of various types of cake, served with coffee — naturally.

In my next post, we will discuss the Sherwin Williams 2022 Color Mix Forecast, and how you can use these fresh, popular colors to update your home or office.

Until then,

Laura

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