Created for Colorplan by London studio Made Thought, this swatch book has a fabulous mixture of functional elements and beautiful book design. I love the placement of circular colour chips and how the embossing textures are all shown on a striking black and white page (highlighting exactly how the texture will appear). My only question mark is the grey background behind the swatches as it may impact how each colour is perceived by the human eye. Perhaps the chips are removable? In any case, it is one handsome book of colour samples and design. And that cover? To showcase the weight, embossing and colour facets of the Colorplan range, circles were inlayed using the technique of ‘paper marquetry’. Just lovely…

(spotted on and images via september industry)

Statistics are just better when you add colour, yes? I love this data visualization of interior design colour statistics by designers Mie Frey Damgaard and Peter Ørntoft for global paint brand Jotun. A seamless combination of handcrafted design nd consumer data. I’m not completely certain about the colours selected but the diagram concept and its styling are fantastic…

(photographs/video via behance)

The hues attributed to fruit photography often focus on juicy primary colours. Captured by Jojo Filer-Cooper, this beautiful photograph caught my eye because it is a unique showcase of the elegant colours and textures of fruit (all against an ocean turquoise backdrop). Not your average fruit bowl…

(photograph via jojo filer-cooper)  

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday week! Back to regularly scheduled colour posting. On that note, maybe you need some vibrant correspondence for your festive season thank you notes? This Pantone Stationery Set might be the ticket. I particularly love the colour chip salutation stickers that seal each envelope…

(photographs via urban outfitters)  

Sometimes, it seems the many options that brands have for displaying colourways are sort of neglected. That’s why I’m always thrilled when colours are not only displayed but showcased in design-focused and 3D ways. J.Crew is tops in that department. I love how they cut squares from actual fabrics, pop in real pins and snap a photo (allowing one to see texture and hue). I made the above mashup of their Spring 2013 and Holiday 2012 wedding hues. So many fabulous palettes for fashion, home and design (and some great colour names too)…

(images via j.crew)   

Yep, today is kind of like the Oscars of Colour. Earlier this morning, the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2013 was announced and it is… Emerald Green! (or PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald Green to be exact). After the vibrance of last year’s Tangerine Tango, I had a feeling there would be a return to the cooler spectrum. Emerald or Pine Green even crossed my mind (I swear!) as there are so many modern takes on the classic hue emerging. Old school emerald can conjure up stuffy, hoity toity or outdated visuals but modern emerald? It seems more clear and more cool toned than its warmer, antique-tinged predecessor. I find this new shade of emerald much easier to wear too (old emerald was harsh against many skin colours). Like navy blue, many shades of emerald are now being used as a neutral of sorts. Mixed with any colour, from hot pink to soft mint, emerald is unexpected and has a grounding effect.

Pantone has declared their choice, “”Lively. Radiant. Lush. A colour of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.” I think lush is exactly how I would define this “new emerald”. It retains its sense of luxury but with clarity and a modern edge. I love this new take on emerald and can’t wait to see how it is explored in 2013. What do you think? A good choice? Will you rethink emerald?

(photographs because i am fabulous, j.crew, pantone, wardrobe oxygen, style carrot and design*sponge)

I spotted this DIY project on Country Living for creating a wall of shutters and was struck by the palette. A unique gradient of weathered colour including dashes of dusty grey and soft tints of acid yellow and robin’s egg blue. Ah, how colour and texture combine…

(photograph via country living)  

Construction, renovation, DIY projects – I love all elements of building and home design. One of the best parts? Colour swatches of course! I came across some sample pages from Sydney Harbour’s 2012 Interior Exterior Fan Deck and fell in love with the well-curated, saturated hues. They prove that colour (beyond expected neutrals) can be chic, sophisticated AND vibrant…

(photograph via sydney harbour; spotted on architectural digest)  

Paint made from paint that has been thrown away? That’s downright brilliant. Newlife Paints rescue waste paint from landfills or incineration and reprocess it back into premium grade emulsion. And they can match any colour! Working with the eco paint manufacturer, Mini Moderns has launched a new line of 12 paint hues to match their textile and wallpaper designs. I love the neutral yet bright palette and how the swatches are styled as colourful lids on a modern backgammon wallpaper…

(photograph via mini moderns; spotted on we heart)  

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada, a holiday saturated in warm autumnal hues. I have always loved this photograph by Chris Glass featuring maple leaves gathered from the same tree, arranged in spectrum order and matched with Pantone swatches. The changing leaves of autumn are one of the best palettes in nature…

(photograph via chris glass)   

I posted about brilliant modern embroidery talent Karen Barbé last year and after yet another visit to her inspiring site, spied this image of embroidery thread spools. I fell in love with the palette created and decided they felt like colours of the 1960′s made fresh. I can almost see some fabulous Mad Men scene starting…

(photograph via karen barbe)   

I love when strong wayfinding, a unique colour palette and beautifully detailed typography come together and this show signage by Raw Color pulls that trifecta off with aplomb. Created for the “Eating by Design” exhibition exploring all avenues of food design, Raw Color was inspired by commercial signage and supermarket shelving. I love the 11 shade palette and sublime CNC milled plywood typography. I wouldn’t mind one of those giant letters hanging on my wall as art. As always, I love the popsicle stick process Raw Color uses to find the perfect hue range…

(images via raw color)

I love the way Dutch studio Raw Color created and presented their colour scheme to architecture studio Merkx+Girod for the pilot store of The Royal Dutch Touring Club. Striking, glossy popsicle stick swatches and autumn hues mixing beautifully with watery summer hues. The seasons really do blend seamlessly, don’t they?

(photograph via raw color)

I love when designers and brands find a way to highlight their colour collections in an innovative way. Case in point: decorative plywood company Ichiro’s 2012-2013 catalog designed by the Irobe Design Institute. A gorgeous collection of nine mini-books, I love the scale of swatches and the way the hues are integrated into images that speak to their inspiration. Also fabulous? The Ichiro Japan Shop 2012 by Torafu Architects – a showcase space of prototypes and plyboard hues. I love the thought of a living, breathing swatch book customers can explore and hope more brands embrace a similar dedication to colour…

(spotted on spoon & tamago) and trendland)

It feels like over the last few years, navy blue has gone from being considered stodgy and traditional to a true “new neutral” that is modernly mixed with many colours. This shift is the topic of my latest post for Rena Tom. Neons, tropicals, metallics, pastels – virtually any palette looks smashing with a dash of elegant deep blue. Remember when mixing navy blue and black was considered a faux pas? No longer. The pair looks like it will be a big trend this fall season and into the future. Yep, navy blue manages to mingle with any colour and is universally flattering and elegant. To read more, pop over to my post here.

(photographs via apartment therapy, linconnuedeindochine, we are twice, australian interior design awards, scotch and soda,  convoy, design sponge and anagrama)

Whoa – a long and unexpected break from colour posting this week. Let’s just say I departed for beige territory but I’m happily back in happy hue land now! I spotted these gorgeous shots styled and photographed by one of my favourite creatives, Dietlind Wolf , and realized yet again why I love poppies. The crispy scarlet-red and that mysterious blue-purple shade of black makes one smashing combo…

(photographs via dietlind wolf)