Photo: Sherwin Williams
As Spirit Halloween stores begin to replace once-vacant retail spaces, it’s time to start thinking about the year ahead. Sherwin Williams is the latest paint manufacturer to release their color predictions for 2020 — a collection of 45 trend colors categorized into five thoughtfully-curated palettes.
The forecast for the year ahead is described using words like energy, simplicity, calm and optimism. There’s a clear wellness bend to their marketing materials. The palettes are depicted as “welcoming and intuitive…bring[ing] joy, serenity and focus to the mind, body and spirit.”
Here we take a deep dive into Sherwin Williams’ five color stories. Just a bit of warning — you may be itching to pick up a paintbrush by the end of this article.
1. Alive
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Photo: Sherwin Williams
The Alive palette features some of 2019’s most-buzzed about hues, including Ripe Olive (which looks exactly as it sounds), Canyon Clay (a deep terracotta) and Tassel (a dead ringer for ochre). It’s desert-y, but intensely saturated — the perfect palette for those who aren’t afraid to experiment with color.
2. Mantra
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Mantra is soft and feminine, taking its cues from Scandinavian and Japanese design. Remember when ‘dusty rose’ was a trending color? Well, imagine if a fine layer of metaphorical dust was sprinkled over each of Mantra’s nine hues. The end result is pure elegance.
3. Play
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Play, as the name implies, is vibrant and cheerful. At first glance, the palette seems downright childish — Eros Pink paired with Aquarium? No, thank you. But when the colors are used sparingly, the overall look is surprisingly chic.
4. Haven
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Biophilic design, or the practice of integrating nature into the built environment, is steadily gaining popularity. And it’s no wonder, considering all the positive effects nature has on our health and well-being. The Haven palette draws its inspiration from organic elements, combining “subtle shades of sea, sand, forest and sky.” It creates a calm, soothing atmosphere free from outside stressors.
5. Heart
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Heart is described as “a unique fusion of iconic modern design mixed with an intergenerational boho vibe.” Punchy colors like Verde Marrón and Coral Clay are juxtaposed with more neutral hues like Diverse Beige and Original White — an unexpectedly harmonious and comforting mix.
