Wendy Doornink of Hirschfield’s says Benjamin Moore’s color of the year, Silhouette AF-655, is “comfortable and rich.” Photo: Benjamin Moore
Trending tones get a moody makeover.
It’s 50 shades of gray no more when it comes to trending paint colors; instead, homeowners should look toward deep, rich tones. “Globally, we’re moving away from millennial gray,” says Wendy Doornink, color services manager for Hirshfield’s in Woodbury, adding that she couldn’t be more excited for the direction paint colors are moving for the year. “They’re amazing. They’re deep, rich and moody,” she says.
Each year, paint manufacturers select a paint color to represent upcoming design trends. This year, Behr chose Hidden Gem, a smoky jade. Sherwin-Williams selected a midtone tan with yellow undertones called Universal Khaki. And Benjamin Moore, which Hirshfield’s carries in its stores, opted for a rich mushroom brown dubbed Silhouette AF-655.
Color experts at Benjamin Moore selected Silhouette out of more than 3,500 colors, calling it a “balance between handsome and romantic,” according to Benjamin Moore. It cited the strong connection between fashion and interior design, describing the color as one that “focuses on detail and refinement,” representing a tailored palette that is “bespoke and timeless.” Doornink says Silhouette is perfect for dressing a room. “It’s comfortable and rich,” she says. “Ideal for creating a cozy cocoon.”
Overall, Doornink says this year’s trending colors represent a collective departure from mass-produced furnishings. “It isn’t speaking to [people] anymore,” she says. “We want our identities to shine.” Colors like Silhouette allow individuals to showcase their “unique authenticities,” Doornink says. “Show me your home, and you show me who you are.”
Six years after COVID-19, Doornink says society is moving toward expressing individuality at home. “During the pandemic, we chose colors that felt safe and grounded,” she says. “It was cottage core at its best.” But post-pandemic, colors are trending loud and proud; Doornink says, “It’s very personal, very individual.”
So, how can a homeowner begin to incorporate these colors into their home? “It starts with an accent, bringing in color in interesting ways,” Doornink says. “Think smaller pieces or a chair or the ceiling. It can be as simple as the insides of a drawer.”
For those ready to do an entire room in Silhouette, Doornink recommends buying a sample pint of paint and a piece of tagboard, painting two coats of the chosen color on the board. “You’ll be surprised how much you can extrapolate from that,” she says.
Color consultants, like Doornink, can also help. “We’re really good with color,” she says, noting that a color will have a big impact on a room. Additionally, she recommends bringing in contrasting pieces with warmth and brushed nickel accents.
In the end, Doornink says it’s all about how you want a space to feel. She says, “There’s a lot you can say with color.”
Hirshfields
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