A year ago, I attended Benjamin Moore’s ColorPulse 2011 and blogged about it here. 2011 Color Trends followed the theme of “Balance” illustrated through four trends: 1) Farm, 2) Order, 3) Escape and 4) Tribe.

After attending the 2012 ColorPulse event, I observed that some elements of these trends that are predicted to evolve into 2012, per the Benjamin Moore ColorPulse Color Trends report. Just as last year, these trends are a direct reflection of our environment.

There is an interesting trend identified in the 2012 forecast- Preservation. It is a curious reflection of our current economic and social climate. The overall desire to connect our past with our future. Perhaps context and relativity gives us a better sense of control in uncharted waters.

Preservation is broken out into 4 trends:

1. Heritage – our past
2. Process – our journey
3. Protection – our vulnerability
4. Enlightenment – our future

As we go through each element, think about how each trend relates to your own situation.

Heritage

There is a comfort that comes from preserving your own history and the heritage of our world. We need to celebrate our heritage through time. This fits with fashion trends towards nostalgic and vintage clothing as well.

Some indigenous design trends to be watching for include:

• Native geometrics and contemporary serape patterns
• Fossils, fire and ice influences
• Southwest influence
• Totems and stacking elements
• Handcrafted lace, home spun string art, large-gage knitting
• Embroidered and embellished pieces
• Allegiance to our flag
• Recycled and repurposed items (such as old suitcases made into tables)
• Damask
• Rugs that look worn, like they could tell a story.

Colors that speak to this trend include earth tones, dark/rich colors, and jeweled tones.

• Neutrals will be more saturated and rich – watch for khaki, taupe, camel and sandstone to be strong, camel being the one to watch!
• Browns will have more red and yellow undertones
• Natural pigments will be on the rise
• Reds are timeless, darker reds will be prevalent
• Gold and sunny yellows will become warmer with more red influence
• Teals and turquoise energize any design
• For more sophisticated palates, navy, indigo and royal blue will come into play

Process

Process applies to evolution – the journey…the “ah ha” moments along the way. It’s being open to cues from nature, and accepting mind-bending concepts. It’s proactive and fluid. A real move towards functionality and a self-sustaining lifestyle.

Some design elements to watch for include:

• Blue prints/Maps as art
• Graphics
• Mazes
• Shaping soundwaves into 3D art
• Food growing/canning/Terrariums
• Crowdsourcing
• Digital art

The colors to watch for the process trend include:

• Blueprint inspired hues
• Modern neutrals
• Layered greens – greens are on the rise with both digital and organic influences
• Whitespace representing a blank canvas
• Gray to charcoal to black serve to outline thoughts and design
• A staccato of process colors in bold digital hues – pixilated colors
• Red and orange as contrasts to grays

Protection

The protection trend speaks to our need to feel safe in an uncertain time. It’s a quest for structure and isolation mixed with longing. There is an underlying nonverbal play of seduction represented by inspiration from the female body. It’s about being protected outside so you can be vulnerable inside.

Some design elements include:

• Iconic lips
• Body armor
• Padding and quilting
• Blown glass
• Bird cage (great for lighting elements)
• Lacing and gauze used in a protective, shielding way – fragile yet strong
• Stainless steel and reflective surfaces
• Camouflage and metamorphism

Colors to watch:

• Black is the new black
• The palatte is similar to the “Escape” trend discussed for the 2011 trends, but bolder for 2012.
• Neutrals will be cooler – grays and slate colors
• Pink and purple undertones will be strong
• Look for more khaki and green in cameo and animal print elements
• Metallics and pearlized colors will continue strong
• Gold will begin to make a comeback, but with more of a satin finish
• Bronze and silver will remain strong
• Look for deeper undertones and monochromatic blends of purple and mauve or heather and fig

Enlightenment

Enlightenment speaks to our future. It’s being open to stretch your mind. Celebrating the excitement of rebirth. Shaping our vision of the future beyond what we’ve seen. It’s a real freedom of thought and expression, and a long-term attitude towards life. There is an interesting relationship between reality and discovery, and it is celebrated in this trend.

Design elements to watch:

• The egg is representative of rebirth, orbital shapes will be big
• Solar power – sort of one step back to the future
• Futuristic design
• Mirrored images
• Creative use of acrylics
• Faith and belief, or absence of, will be displayed through design – light vs. dark, shadow art, and silhouettes
• Use of mysterious tones to set a mood

Colors to watch:

• High contrast
• Oxidized shine
• Cloud whites and vaporous tones
• Silvery and mirror effects
• Gold and sunny yellow
• Grape purples
• Aquatic blues
• Energize with cobalt blue and fuchsia

Summary

I find is so interesting to apply clues of society to how we create our surroundings. To summarize, these four trends of preservation result in the following trends for 2012:

• Rich & Deep hues
• Modern Neutrals
• Juxtaposition
• Freedom of uses – light and air with energy

So what do you think? Are these trends on target? What elements would you consider using in your home? And…what is YOUR favorite color and why!