AkzoNobel Showcases 2018 Wood Coatings Color, Styling Trends

AkzoNobel’s wood coatings design experts presented the latest findings on color and styling trends at the Fall 2017 High Point International Home Furnishings Market. 
 
At the event, trends for furniture, cabinetry, flooring and building products were presented to a select group of manufacturers, designers and product developers across the wood industries. During the presentation, Heart Wood was launched as the 2018 AkzoNobel Color of the Year.
 
Robert Haley, Color Trends manager for AkzoNobel’s Wood Coatings business, explained how specific styles within the wood market are moving into 2018.

Haley identified the importance of the open home design concept that is dominating new home construction and home renovations.

”Open spaces provide opportunity for a flow of styles between areas within the home due to the absence of distinct rooms,” he said. “This flow impacts design elements including building products, flooring, cabinetry and furniture selections. It also provides infinite combinations in design, creating distinct and individual living spaces.”
 

• Historically Modern– Dominant wood tones, mixing contemporary looks with historically relevant pieces;
• Reclamation – Products that are weathered, raw and organic that show the imperfections in wood (pictured below);
• Pearl & Metallic – A mix of modern and transitional that sparkle with a contemporary shimmer;
• Opaque – The style dominating cottage and lodge design, with two-tone looks that can also be used to create a dramatic contemporary style (pictured above)

“These trends influence many designs,” he added. “Our job is to help our customers translate these trends into interesting colors, unique techniques and wood finishing processes in support of their business objectives. Sharing how the company’s Color of the Year, Heart Wood, can be expressed on different wood substrates and used in a measured tonal value provides product designers an on-trend and broader palette to consider.”

Haley’s presentation was delivered at a client appreciation gathering hosted by AkzoNobel at the market event, with nearly 200 industry leaders from around the world in attendance, per the company. 

The exhibit was completed with a vignette interpreting the 2018 Color of the Year in furniture, cabinetry, flooring and building products to provide inspiration for guests.
 





Photos courtesy AkzoNobel