CIL Finds Color Inspiration from Upcoming Winter Games

Leading Canadian paint brand CIL paint points to the colors of the Far East, Mediterranean and South America as being among the most popular in home décor this year. “While many people opt for neutral tones as the safest bet, those who go with lively shades of paint often never look back,” said Alison Goldman, brand manager for CIL paint, a brand of PPG Architectural Coatings.
“An event like the international winter games is a wonderful opportunity to see what colors are trending worldwide and get inspiration for home decor ideas,” Goldman added, explaining that transforming a living space can be an economical undertaking. “All you need is a can of paint, a paint brush, and a few accessories to infuse exciting international flavor into any room.”
For a Far East feeling, try incorporating a mixed palette of deep reds, warm browns, rustic oranges and golden yellows, both on the walls and through furnishings. A red accent wall in the dining room, for example, can bring exotic elegance and romance to a meal. Zesty orange combined with golden yellow warm up a family room or bedroom, with accessories like bamboo plants, woven mats and black lacquered furniture adding a Zen-like feel to the space. Goldman’s top Far Eastern color picks from CIL paint include Cranberry Zing (14YR 10/434) red and Sun Rays yellow (29YY 66/537).
If Mediterranean-inspired decor is more your style, bring elegant Parisian panache into your home through pastel blues and creams by CIL paint, such as Sunday Sonata (70GB 67/126) blue on the walls and Crisp Linen (61YY 89/040) cream for the trim. The excitement of Spain can be visually reproduced through rich, warm colors like deep oranges and vibrant reds topped with colorful wall textiles and mosaic tiles. Or mix earthy red clay tones with deep, ocean blues to bring a taste of Italy into your decor. Goldman recommended painting your walls dark blue, such as Cosmos (10BB 12/310), and ceiling a lighter blue, like Billowing Clouds (10BB 65/094), and accenting the area with cream furniture, terra cotta urns and wrought-iron, glass-top tables.
The vibrancy of Brazil can be replicated in the home by bringing in this year’s popular jewel and energetic tones. A small powder room, for example, can be livened up using vibrant shades of pink from CIL paint, like Exotic Pink (02RR 35/376), while painting a kitchen accent wall bright yellow or orange – and adorning walls with bold-colored, patterned artwork – can infuse the space with an upbeat, South American feel. For a more luxurious look, try jeweled shades of blue or green, such as Minty (10GG 44/395) green, accessorized with ceramic pieces, beaded lamps, Brazilian masks, and ornate area rugs.
“There’s no hard and fast rule in any decor style,” Goldman said. “You can take your favorite elements from any place in the world and infuse them into your home, or even mix together a couple of different globally-inspired ideas.” She added that patriotic fans may even consider creating a Northern getaway in their homes by adding a rustic Canadian feel through deep shades of red, rustic browns, and warm cream
For more information about CIL paint or to view its full 2014 palette, visit www.cil.ca.