Colour forecasting has always felt a little like *magic* to us. What is this sorcery? Who decides which colours we’ll be using next year and beyond? How did ‘millenial pink’ become SO big, and will it ever go away?
Today we share Dulux’s 2018 Colour Forecast, an inspiring, vigorously researched annual exploration of the cultural trends set to influence design choices, for both industry professionals and consumers, in the coming year.
Conceptualised by Creative Director Bree Leech and Dulux’s Colour Planning and Communications Manager, Andrea Lucena-Orr, the four 2018 palettes unveiled below are united by the overarching theme of ‘balance’.
‘The Colour Forecast palettes have been curated to highlight the power of Dulux’s broad and flexible colour spectrum,’ tells Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux’s Colour Planning and Communications Manager. Dulux colours pictured (back to front) ‘Herbalist’, ‘Sassy’, and ‘Outrageous Red’. Gardenia Vases by Jamie Hayon for BD Barcelona at Ajar and bench seat by So Watt. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
‘The latest Dulux images have been created to inspire and reflect the insights gained from Global research,’ Andrea adds. ‘These curated spaces showcase small-scale residential renovations through to major commercial fit outs.’ Dulux colours pictured: ‘Maiko’ (wall left), ‘Ruski’ (tall wall rear) and ‘Beige Artifacts’ (low wall right). Kelly Highback Chair from Stylecraft. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Herbalist’ (walls) and ‘Natural White’ (ceiling). Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Red Ochre’ (wall left), ‘Sassy’ (wall rear), ‘Outrageous Red’ (shape at back), and ‘Maiko’ (wall right). Wyalla terracotta pendant. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Reddy Brown’ (ceiling), ‘Very Terracotta’ (wall), ‘Herbalist’ (3D Wall) and ‘Outrageous Red’ (floor shape). Montgomery Large Bench from Domo. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Photography – Mike Baker and Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
A contemporary hat-tip to a cultural heritage, the Kinship palette draws inspiration from diverse folklores, featuring earthy hues, as well as cosy, neutral shades.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Clay Court’ (low column), ‘Mornington Half’ (medium column), ‘Elusive Blue’ (low wall rear), ‘Gnu Tan’ (tall column), and ‘Crystal Palace’ (column right front). Chummy Frizzy Pouf by Opinion Ciatti at Space Furniture. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Terrace White’ (wall and ceiling) and ‘Clay Court’ (stair detail). Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Suede Effect Country Mist’ (wall). Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Mornington Half’ (low column), ‘Gnu Tan’ (rounded end wall), ‘Suede Effect Century Mist’ (low square block), ‘Flooded Gum’ (rectangle plinth), ‘Elusive Blue’ (square plinth), ‘Spanish Olive’ (wall right) and ‘Terrace White’ (low wall right). Offset Stool by Philippe Malouin for Resident from District and Bentu Dian Pendant Lights from Remodern. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Gnu Tan’ (tall column and rounded end wall), ‘Spanish Olive’ (wall rear) and ‘Suede Effect Century Mist’ (wall front). Trio Sofa section by Team Form AG for Cor from Meizai. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Photography – Mike Baker and Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Borne out of a growing global appetite for a simpler, more authentic existence, Essential is strongly informed by the minimalist movement and Danish Hygge trend.
The result is a calming palette of pale hues, referencing natural materials, imperfect finishes and raw forms.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Friends’ (background throughout), ‘Soft Fresco’ (flooring throughout), ‘Purple Balance’ (purple wall), ‘Sir Edmund’ (round plinth), ‘Solution’ (rectangle plinth), ‘Bondi’ (porthole wall), ‘Carmen’ (side wall) and ‘Cuticle Pink’ (bulkhead).Federation Cube by Porcelain Bear. Buds 3 table lamp by Rodolfo Dordoni for Foscarini and SPO1 Jeanette Chair by Space Furniture. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Bondi’ (porthole wall), ‘Pale Mustard’ (short wall), ‘Purple Balance’ (purple wall), ‘Solution’ (rectangle plinth), and ‘Sir Edmund’ (round plinth). Federation Cube by Porcelain Bear. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Cuticle Pink’, ‘Bombay Pink’, ‘Friends’ and ‘Carmen’ (feature wall), and ‘Vivid White’ (trims and ceiling). Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Bombay Pink’ (wall left), ‘Solution’ (cupboards and shelves), and ‘Vivid White’ (trim and ceiling). Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Solution’ (rectangle plinth), ‘Carmen’ (wall left), ‘Soft Fresco’ and ‘Solution’ (geometric wall). Miniforms Illo Tavolino coffee tables from James Richardson and Bentu Tu Pendant from Remodern. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Photography – Mike Baker and Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
In stark contrast to the ‘Essential’ palette, Escapade is extravagant escapism in a colour-way. Taking cues from tropical destinations and 1980s style, this palette offers pale mints and pink hues for a holiday-vibes palette that’s at once nostalgic and futuristic.
Dulux colours pictured (left to right): ‘Bruised Burgundy’, ‘Gold Effect Bronze Essence’ and ‘Forbidden Forest’. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Biro Blue’ (columns), ‘Amazon Queen’ (wall front) and ‘Bruised Burgandy’ (wall rear). Boule Lamps by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo from Hub Furniture, Fabric Seneca and Bilgola Day Bed by Adam Goodrum for Nau from Cult. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Goyder Green’ (columns), ‘Porter’s Stainless Steel’ (column centre) and ‘Terra Rose’ (archway). Colossal pendant from Lost Profile Studio, and library Stairs by Robyn Holt and Liam Mugavin for Commissioned Editions from Criteria. Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Mike Baker courtesy of Dulux.
Dulux colours pictured: ‘Goyder Green’ (walls and shelves) and ‘Lexicon Half’ (ceiling and trim). Styling – Bree Leech. Photo – Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
Photography – Mike Baker and Lisa Cohen courtesy of Dulux.
This moody palette re-envisages the bold eclecticism of the 1960s and 1970s, while also drawing from classic 1940s and 1950s style. ‘Reflect’ is a trend which spans succulent greens to warm shades of pink, greyed-off purple hues and what’s sure to emerge as favourite to rival ‘millennial pink’: avocado green.
To find out more about the 2018 Dulux Colour Forecast and research behind the trends, or to view the full colour palettes, visit the website, here.
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