Big & Bold: 2017 paint trends point to high contrast, dramatic wall colors

When it comes to wall color, Greige still is all the rage. But stepping up to the paint palette this year are more bold, dramatic colors such as deep navy blues, charcoals, purples and even fuchsia hues.

'Shadow,” for example - a dark, bold and saturated royal purple - was named '2017 Color of the Year” by paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore - a stark contrast to last year's pick: 'Simply White.” Lori Wiles, an interior designer and owner of Lori Wiles Design, said that while many people are still wanting grays for a light, airy and open look, she's also seen a 'wild swing to the opposite end of the spectrum,” with clients looking for more saturation.

'Sometimes light just means boring,” she said.

Pairing a dramatic color with a white trim, for example, can have 'a huge impact on a small space with crisp, strong contrast that adds emphasis and drama to the room,” she explained.

Wiles, who is registered with the state and with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), also said she's noticed a shift away from warm tones to a cooler, more masculine palette with feminine accents. Navy walls, for example, with sunny yellow decor, or mixed metals and white fur accents. Even pops of color in the furniture, she said.

'It's a very clean, more structured palette than we've seen in a long time,” she added.

HOW TO GO BOLD

While it is possible to choose a paint color and decorate around it, many experts agree it's best to start with an 'inspiration piece” such as a piece of art, a rug or a pillow.

'There are thousands of (paint) colors to choose from,” said Amber Coberly, interior decorator at Klinger's Paint & Interiors. 'Once you pick a color, you have fewer choices of decor to work with.”

But if you already have a piece of decor with a color you like, Coberly suggested bringing it into the store to find a color based on that item.

Wiles, however, warned that matching color from fabric can sometimes be dangerous.

'Color on fiber translates differently than color on a flat surface,” she said. Which is where an interior designer can come in handy, she added, to help 'translate the color.”

Another common mistake is making the color 'a little too pure,” she continued.

'When you see the swatch on the paper, you perceive it one way because it's a small amount,” she said. 'If you stay that pure, you may be overwhelmed by the color.”

In order to reduce the purity of the pigment, Wiles recommends diffusing the base of the paint with grays or browns to 'tone it down a bit.”

Wiles also recommends purchasing the highest quality paint you can afford, because 'there is a huge difference in qualities of paint,” she said.

'Really, with all the work you're putting into it, you might as well put in the extra money to get the best product,” she added.

If you want to try the high-contrast trend without diving in head first, Wiles suggested easing in with a smaller room or an accent wall. But the key - especially in homes with open floor plans - is to repeat the bold color throughout the space, she said.

'Let's say you're going to paint the walls on either side of your fireplace a peacock blue,” she said. 'Maybe you'll have pillows with peacock blue on the sofa, a dining room rug with a little peacock blue and peacock blue plates on the table. You'll want to integrate that color throughout the space.”

But integrating the color does not mean overdoing it, designers warned.

'Typically you want a mix of dark, light and medium tones to balance everything out,” Coberly said. 'Otherwise you'll end up with monochromatic blah.”

Alex Von Ahsen, an interior designer with Phelan's Interiors, recommends furniture and decor that contrast with your wall color.

Even if you don't want to go bold on the walls, he added, you can still play with trends in your decor.

'Accessories are easy to change without a huge commitment and can evolve with the space,” he said.

And, ultimately, there will always be new color trends, he continued. If bold and dramatic doesn't speak to your style, don't bother.

'Your house needs to be a reflection of you - just be true to yourself,” he said. 'There really are no rules.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8364; elizabeth.zabel@thegazette.com