As we have entered another year people are looking for colors that both inspire and suit their personal comfort level. They are also looking for new color combinations that will connect with their existing décor and give it a fresh look without replacing everything.

The color gray or mole is a staple hue this year. Mole is neither gray or brown, but a mix of both. It works with any color palette and will be seen in paint, bedding, furniture and accessories. Navy and dark blue are good choices with it as well as an accent of pea green.

People are choosing more eco friendly colors, and their green and blue-green living rooms are reflecting this trend. Greener living has also inspired colors and patterns in wallpaper and fabrics. The color green is actually becoming the new neutral.

Reds are still popular in kitchens and living rooms to warm up a space and make it more inviting. Customers are moving away from traditional reds in the kitchen to bolder hues of orange.

The newest trend is to use shades of white with high contrast shades of black. This makes a room look mature and refined. If black and white are too strong, off-white and off-black colors will accomplish the same high-contrast effect

To choose your colors discover how to support your personal taste and living style. Ask yourself the purpose of each room and how color can support that purpose. The new color palettes will give you many creative ideas and color combinations to help in the process.

A little reminder of color and how it affects us can help avoid mistakes. Yellow is a joyful color and is always appropriate in an entrance or work room. Blue is a calming and inspiring color and a wonderful choice for a bedroom or baby room. Orange is a vibrant color giving energy, warmth, and healing. The classic staples that never go out of season are black, white and gray. Browns make excellent backgrounds for richer and brighter colors in your palette.

Remember you need 3 colors to complete a palette: 60% your main color, 30% your secondary color, and 10% accent color.

There are eight color palettes forecast for 2008 as follows:

• High Profile
  Whites, blacks, browns, silvery gray accented with fuchsia, royal purple, gold and silver
  
  
• Ethnic Chic
  Deep purple paired with misted yellow and stone grays, burnt orange, vibrant blues, and brunette browns
  
  
• Recollection
  Tapestry blues, muted blue greens, champagne and warm peachy tones linking past with future
  
  
• Wellspring
  Blues and Aquas highlighted with undersea green, violet and indigo
  
  
• Savories
  Chocolate hues, daiquiri green with bright embellishing
  
  
• Chinoiserie
  Mauve tones, yellow/green based from Orient
  
  
• Agrestic
  Bruschetta browns, tender greens, golden yellow, vibrant pink, for a slightly rustic look
  
  
• Nuance
  Rose red, earthy browns or reddish plums, and green-tinged
  bronze tone using a bright color to draw eye in

As you freshen up your colors, or pick completely new color palettes for your rooms this year we hope this will both help and inspire you in your choices. We at Heritage Design Interiors help make your job easier by assisting you with your color and design choices from start to finish!