Relatively speaking, painting is the most affordable way to transform your home from drab to delightful, although with thousands of different shades to choose from it is often overwhelming to find the right palette to suit your style and space. To help homeowners wade through the myriad of options many paint companies present new colour trends each year. Taking their cue from what’s going on in the fashion and home furnishings industries, expect to see a move towards softer colours and pastels in 2014. Having ‘80s flashbacks? Well, think again. These days’ pastels—such as lavender, mint green, pink and yellow—are being paired with grounding colours like charcoal and mushroom, making them fresher and more modern than they were in the past. Blue is expected to dominate the colour movement for the next few years and several companies have selected various hues—sky blue to turquoise to rich teal blue—as their 2014 colour of the year. Why the love affair with blue? Historically it has been one of the most popular colours amongst all ages and demographic groups in North America. It’s also versatile in that it can make your space feel calm, vibrant, sophisticated and comfortable. Pantone, a world-renowned authority on colour that spans all industries from fashion to paint, has named Radiant Orchid as its 2014 colour of the year. This warm, vibrant purple livens up neutrals such as grey, beige and taupe and pairs well with other trending colours such as teal and pale yellow. Exclusive Plum, a sophisticated violet, has been selected as Sherwin Williams’ 2014 colour. INVIGOURATE YOUR SPACE WITH CLASSIC COLOURS AND FRESH NEW SHADES. WORDS BY VAL ROSENTHAL PAINTING THE HOME IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR RENOVATION PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY CANADIANS. PROJECT PAINT HOT HUES AND TRENDS HOME RENOVATION SECTION 2014 PANTONE DESCRIBES RADIANT ORCHID, A CAPTIVATING HARMONY OF FUCHSIA, PURPLE AND PINK UNDERTONES, AS A “COLOUR WHICH EMANATES GREAT JOY, LOVE AND HEALTH.” RADIANT ORCHID BLOOMS WITH CONFIDENCE AND MAGICAL WARMTH THAT INTRIGUES THE EYE AND SPARKS THE IMAGINATION. IT IS AN EXPRESSIVE, CREATIVE AND EMBRACING PURPLE—ONE THAT DRAWS YOU IN WITH ITS BEGUILING CHARM. PANTONE’S 2014 COLOUR OF THE YEAR Sherwin Williams’ colour of the year, Exclusive Plum. Below. EMILIE Bergère armchair by Roche Bobois. RADIANT ORCHID