Color Saturation

With literally billions of paint names to choose from and multitudes of color combinations, what is the simplest way to narrow down your favorites?  Pantone so kindly forecasts the season's color trends years in advance. In the same way you see repeat fashion and movie remakes, colors cycle through a pattern. As a designer, it's evident which trends are timeless and which are fads. 

I guarantee you will not be able to guess which of the below photos are more than 10 years old....don't peek!  Color can be timeless.

I am continually "wowed" by Alan Campbell & China Seas prints.  Below, I paired each of Pantone's Fall 2011 top 10 shades with a Quadrille fabric.  Best of all?  Most of these are available in both textile & wallpaper!! 

Island Ikat in "Magenta"

Prague in "Salmon on Tan", as seen in Veranda

Island Ikat in "Zibby Blue on White", found in Veranda

Nairobi in "Inca Gold" & "French Blue", designer Christina Murphy

Petit Zig Zag in "Navy", as seen in House Beautiful

Zig Zag in "Leaf on Tint", design found in Elle Decor

Paradise Background in "Taupe on Tint", designed by Meg Braff

Henroit Floral in "Pinks on Ecru", designed by Judy Cormier

also, Saya Gata wallpaper in "Pink Lines on Tint"

Quadrille discontinued pattern, by Timothy Whealon

 

Paradise Background, colorway discontinued, designed by the fabulous Elizabeth Martin

Did you figure out which one was oldest?  Meg Braff's "Nougat' and blue room from 2000.