By Sylvia O’Brien of Colour Theory

2010 will bring two distinct points of view  to colour in decor .

One trend is driven by Generation Y… one by we boomers.

      According to the colour forecasters at Pittsburgh Paints, the Gen Y kids want fantasy. They are influenced & delighted by the strong colours ever-present on the world wide web. They know colour is accessible, affordable and can easily be re-invented when it comes in the form of paint.

       The strength of  bright colour supports the act of throwing caution to the wind, reinvention, and change, change, change. Visualize red & yellow with a hit of electric blue…or chartreuse and turquoise with a dollop of magenta. High voltage choices to exhibit the mindset of the fearless young.

      Their parents (the boomers) have a different plan. They’ll want a break from the incessant visual stimulus that they are inundated with every day. They’ll be drawn to cooler shades and calmer chroma. Think, warm greys, taupes and ‘coffee culture’ brown tones with hints of colour in the form of accents - oranges, golds or muted purples.    These  accent colours can all be found in today’s appliances…. along with a lot more colours! Clever appliance manufacturers aren’t they?

Our homes are our sanctuary, no matter what generation we were born into.

 For the Boomers, cocooning is nowhere near over. The Gen Y kids don’t get that yet!

Sylvia O’Brien is a colour consultant and creative director of Colour Theory, Toronto, Canada

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