The desire to achieve balance across every aspect of our lives has inspired the quartet of colour palettes unveiled in Dulux’s 2018 Colour Forecast – the company’s annual exploration of the cultural trends set to influence Australia’s design choices 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 are united by the overarching theme of Balance, as the nation strives to embrace work and play; community and self; give and take; past and present.
Essential – A vision borne out of the population’s global and social consciousness around waste and a growing appetite for a simpler, more authentic existence. Informed by the minimalist movement and Hygge trend, the palette teams calm, pale hues, references to natural materials, imperfect finishes and raw forms.
Kinship – Celebrating cultural heritage in contemporary terms, this palette draws on the familiarity of folklore and the revival of old traditions to counter growing concerns around social and political unrest. ‘Glocal’ attitudes give rise to a new breed of design diversity, combining folkloric patterns with rich, earthy hues intermingled with cosy, neutral shades.
Escapade – As the line separating luxury and affordability continues to blur, aspirations for extravagant escapism are brought within easy reach. The palette’s playful, holiday vibe takes its cues from tropical destinations and eighties style, using pale mints, pink hues and the occasional pop of black to resurrect the glamour of travel – both nostalgic and futuristic.
Reflect – Borrowing from the bold eclecticism of the 1960s and ’70s and taking classic cues from the 1930s and ’50s, this palette re-envisages the classics in contemporary form. Its moody scheme reveals a rich composition of colours that shift from succulent greens into warm shades of pink and greyed-off purple hues, while highlighting the revival of avocado green.
