The more resolute among us may be all set with their list of resolutions for the New Year. I was getting panicky, thinking “paint my office” might again be remanded to what I call, ”my New Years list of improbabilities and a diet.” If you too have a painting project you can never quite get to, or plan to make 2012 your most color-filled year ever (me too!), here’s a glimpse of the Color Trends for the coming year.

Benjamin Moore has assembled four distinct color collections, five colors in each. Each five-color palette is presented in two versions, and Before+Afters. You’ll find video tips for rooms designs and how-to videos as well. All in all, you’ll find it’s easy to make the leap, from pretty on-screen photography to a colorful room of your own. What could be more simple than that?

In my world, anything that simplifies the possibilities increases the probability I’ll get busy with a project. What’s the longest amount of time you’ve ever had a project on the to-do list? It can be embarrassing, and frustrating, I know. For three years, my office walls have been an inexplicable mélange of unfinished paint and raw sheetrock. I think I want the walls white, but can a color lover like me ever really be happy with white walls? Absolutely. Especially if the ceiling is painted Persimmon, 2088-40

I love this room from the Spiced Life collection so much, in fact, I’m going to (simply) duplicate the whole thing in my half painted/unpainted office. I may continue the color selections from Spiced Life in the adjoining rooms as well.

Clicking though the room views and the helpful how-to videos, I spied another great idea I’ll incorporate into my painting plans.  Here’s version two from the Spiced Life home office. Love, love, LOVE the stripe. I’ll copy this too for my project, only I think I’ll do it in chalkboard paint or maybe repeat the lower contrast or Refined. Let’s hear your thoughts?

My favorite thing about each collection, is that because each color combination is so well conceived, all we need to do is pick and choose which color to use where. It’s an enormous comfort to know for sure the colors are both beautiful and compatible. The names are sort of dreamy and inspiring too, which helps to remember which collection we chose.

You may recall my earlier post about Wythe Blue? Not only an integral part of this collection, but also Benjamin Moore’s color of the year, Wythe Blue is a color that we can confidently use anywhere, in any room. I call this an all around color; the function, lighting, or size of a room have no effect on the result. Reliable perfection makes Wythe Blue a winning color, and who can really say they don’t love blue. Kind of heaven on the ceiling?

Eclectic Elegance is a warm and earthy collection, and to me, it appears to feel somehow modern, yet understated. I’d call it a nimble collection, which can be developed slowly over time. Farm fresh, AF-360, is a warm and luxurious hue which can be repeated throughout various rooms in a house.

Here’s another collection that can quickly add some age and patina to a brand new home. Pashmina, AF-100, is a neutral you’ll quickly add to your list of go-to colors. As the Color Trends thoughtful descriptions point out, this collection has a worldly influence about it — coppery oranges have that effect on us. I’d love to try this combo is a craftsman style house, or any house for that matter where the daylight is elusive and the nightlife takes precedence.

Time to mix the martinis?

I’ll be sure to post my office transformation for all to see, embarrassing Before photos included. Follow this link to Color Trends 2012, and maybe you too can cross a painting project off your New Year’s list of to-do resolutions.

Stay colorful,
lu