Coatings World interveiwed Kim Perry, associate marketing manager, Glidden paint by PPG

CW: What was the reasoning behind choosing an Accent Color of the Year? Why was Aqua Fiesta selected?
Perry: In 2020, GLIDDEN paint by PPG decided to go rogue. Not really, but an Accent Color of the Year was definitely a first for us – our color experts have never seen an official Accent Color of the Year in our market, which made this announcement that much more exciting for us. Last year, Glidden paint chose Whirlwind, a cool, versatile gray – not as our “Color of the Year” per se, but as a no-fuss gray that people will admire on their walls for years to come. It really is a classic color that we knew people would not second guess, eliminating the color selection (otherwise known as the color swirl) process for them. This year, we still felt confident in Whirlwind being a go-to color, so we wanted to choose an Accent Color of the Year that only played up and worked seamlessly with Whirlwind and other grays, which have been trending for more than a decade.

This year, we selected Aqua Fiesta as Glidden paint’s 2021 Accent Color of the Year. We chose this playful turquoise as a perfect pair to Whirlwind, allowing DIYers to create a fresh and cheerful space. This year has been undeniably and understandably uncertain, and we knew offering both Whirlwind and Aqua Fiesta to our customers would alleviate any unnecessary stress for anyone looking to update their space.

Aqua Fiesta can be used in a variety of places within the home. We recommend using Whirlwind on the walls of your bedroom, living room or kitchen and then pairing it with a fresh Aqua Fiesta accent wall to create that spa-like vibe you’ve been craving. If you decide to use Aqua Fiesta in your bedroom, consider making Aqua Fiesta on the wall that your bed is against. Add in cream-colored bedding and oversized white pillows to complete the look.

CW: Are more people starting painting projects since they have been home due to the pandemic? Do you think the trend will continue?
Perry: Today, our homes serve as a gym, an office, a temporary school, and, most importantly, a place to perfect our sourdough recipe or binge that one tiger series. As we continue to mostly shelter in place, DIY projects have risen in popularity in 2020. With all this extra time at home, people are now hyper-aware of how their home makes them feel and it has become important for them to create a relaxed, zen home that reflects how they want to feel right now.

2020 has changed many aspects of our lives – and color is no exception! Since the pandemic has caused us to stay indoors, our customers are painting more often and now they are officially craving natural, “outdoorsy” colors that make people feel like they aren’t cooped up. Our hunch is that the pandemic will influence consumers to continue painting, purchasing colors that help them feel as though they are in the great outdoors, even if they’re really watching re-runs of The Office.

For anyone having trouble choosing colors for an interior or exterior space, Glidden paint is now offering free virtual color consultations in the U.S. This unique virtual solution allows Glidden paint color experts to continue providing recommendations to DIYers, all from the comfort of their home. When submitting a request, customers are asked to provide details about their project, initial color preferences and photos of the space. Then through text, e-mail or FaceTime, Glidden paint color gurus provide color recommendations and details on how to order free color swatches. Once a color is selected, customers can order paint from www.homedepot.com.

CW:  Do you plan on making the Accent Color of the Year an annual announcement or was this just a one-time event?
Perry: At Glidden paint, every year our goal is to offer a realistic approach to painting by cutting through the industry jargon to give DIYers the tips they need to stop procrastipainting and pull the trigger on their next paint project. We are less about up-and-coming colors, and more about colors you will actually use in the here-and-now. By sharing our approach to no-fuss color advice, we aim to remove obstacles and lower the stakes on paint projects and enable homeowners to just get it done.

Last year, we knew that Whirlwind would be a staple color for 2020 and beyond, and the anxiety of this year has only made people crave this no-frills gray even more. But, we wanted to offer something fresh so homeowners’ four walls can stop looking the same – after all, home is where we’re spending most of our time these days! And, we also want to stop the phenomenon of procrastipainting (when DIYers procrastinate their painting projects – you know who you are!) by unveiling Aqua Fiesta as the go-to accent color. We knew that many homeowners already have gray in their spaces, so adding a pop of Aqua Fiesta makes getting a fresh look easy. We encourage DIYers to put down that homemade banana bread and pick up a paint brush.