Pantone Color of the Year 2024: Peach Fuzz

Yeah, no! We are not referring to the fine hair many women grow on their faces, known as Vellus hair. (And no, removing by shaving or other means will NOT make it grow back thicker or darker.) Rather, we are somewhat entranced by the latest Pantone Color of the Year, labeled Peach Fuzz (13-1023).

According to the influential color consultancy, “Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It's a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.”

“In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless.” Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute™

Everything’s Peachy with Pantone 2024

While these descriptions may seem a bit of a reach for a mere color, the company is not pulling its punches and refuses to settle for less. “In home design, Peach Fuzz creates a welcoming ambiance … and can promote feelings of warmth whether it is used on a painted wall or as an accent within a pattern.” (HomeAccentsToday.com)

“A cozy peach hue softly nestled between pink and orange … Peach Fuzz brings belonging, inspires recalibration and an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm, offering us a space to be, feel, and heal and to flourish from whether spending time with others or taking the time to enjoy a moment by ourselves,” expounded Ms. Eiseman.

“Drawing comfort from Pantone Peach Fuzz, we can find peace from within, impacting our wellbeing. An idea as much as a feeling, Peach Fuzz awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth.”

Whether you believe a gentle, cozy, and warm color like Peach Fuzz (13-1023) can achieve all of these things through the use of paint, wallpaper, furniture fabrics, rugs, and such, is a valid question. Yet, we do know this: each year the Pantone Color of the Year tends to shape “product development and consumer decisions in fashion, industrial and interior design, product packaging and other industry areas” every year. (npr.org)

There is little reason to doubt that next year will be no exception.

As always, Ted remains available for business consulting to the trade, whether you have questions about the various colors of the year for 2024 or basic business practices. Simply… Contact TD Fall today.

Interior Design Trends – Do They Even Matter?

This is the time of year when we are not only told what the Color of the Year will be in 2024; we are also deluged by so-called experts regaling us with what is supposedly trending in every category of our existence. Interior design trends are no different, of course. Yet, while we are cognizant of the fact that we must share some of these with you, we can’t help but wonder just how important such generalizations can be.

You see, a generalization is simply “The formulation of general concepts from specific instances by abstracting common properties.” (Power Thesaurus) Or, in other words, it is the broadening of specifics to abstractions or concepts.

And so, if you accept the declaration of a trend, you must then turn around and reduce it to something specific to apply it. That is, you must articulate a definitive use of the overall trend to meet each of your individual clients’ needs.

That’s a lot of work when you think about it. Especially when you consider color trends for example, as paint manufacturers declare various shades of blue, or green, or gray, or something else to be the next Big Thing.

Statistically, generalizations and trends matter – until you encounter a specific need or purpose for them. Then, they become nothing but a guide for your approach to a particular situation, or for an individual (i.e., a client)

And yet, we share articles and posts about interior design trends and other popular directions in luxury furnishings on the regular. And no, that does not make us hypocrites. Rather, we think it’s important to know what consumers and homeowners are being told about the latest trends in home design and furnishings so that we may guide you and you may guide them in their choices.

With all of that in mind…

Home Design Trends Happening Now

Again, interested homeowners regularly search for trendy solutions to their home design needs. For many, Houzz.com is a priority in their quest. Since it’s important to know what consumers are being told, we’d like to share a few of those things with you.

In the article linked above, author Mitchell Parker offers seven trends, of which three affect us directly: trending colors, tones, and styles.

As always, there are conflicts evident in not only trending colors but also in the shading and tones that seem to be popular. While you can never go wrong with neutral, earthy colors, combining them with vibrant tones can create contrasts that may lead to conflict and/or discomfort. You should be especially careful when following these trends.

“While warm neutrals are popular, some designers say they’re hearing a lot of requests for bold, saturated jewel tones,” he writes.

Backing farther away from his own declaration of the popularity of bold colors, Mr. Parker declares the ongoing celebration of timeless style in home design. Claiming that “Old is new again,” he quotes designer Alex Thies of Adelyn Charles Interiors as saying. “We are seeing a lot of even our most modern clients incorporate ‘old’ elements such as brick, handmade clay tiles, rustic wood elements, and arches everywhere. It’s a new eclectic ‘earthy modern’ vibe that we are here for.”

In other words, this particular trend is a departure from “trendy design styles” with an “appreciation for more timeless design choices.” As if resisting trendy home design choices is something new among designers and their clients. (Yeah, right!)

What Does This Mean?

Stated simply, while they can sometimes illuminate, declarations of home design trends merely illustrate that homeowners need a guide for the choices they are going to make. Since this is a pretty good job definition for interior designers and furnishing dealers, you should be aware of them but not let them control the choices you offer your clients.

Ted remains available to offer guidance when it comes to using conflicting home design trends to better serve your clients. With more than a quarter-century of experience in the trade, his business consulting services may be just what you need in these challenging times. Simply… Contact TD Fall today.

Is Your Business Website Mobile-Friendly? (It had better be!)

If the key to real estate sales truly is location, location, location, then the key to online marketing is access, access, access. So, our online marketing tip for today is – your business website must be accessible to everyone – including the increasingly large numbers of those who use mobile devices to research and shop. In other words, make sure your business website is mobile friendly.

In addition to this critical factor, Google began using “mobile friendliness” as a ranking factor for all websites in 2015. Known as Mobilegeddon in the world of SEO, the search engine giant made it clear to us that being mobile-friendly was now very important for future website rankings in the search results (SERPs).

Since then, Google has increased the importance of mobile-friendliness with an “update to mobile search results that increases the effect of the ranking signal to help our users find even more pages that are relevant and mobile-friendly.”

While this is obviously important for business-to-consumer marketing, it begs the question of value for B2B businesses. The simple answer is that you should be mobile-friendly to all potential clients and customers.

Mobile Search Exceeds Desktop Search

So, beyond the importance Google places on this characteristic, why should you care?

Again, the answer is simple because, as of October 2016, mobile traffic officially surpassed desktop traffic on the internet. (AugustAsh.com)

While this may not be the case for you, or others you know, that is irrelevant to ensuring your business website is mobile-friendly.

According to the business data website Statista.com, mobile commerce and shopping have grown by almost staggering numbers, just three of which are compelling for your online marketing strategy:

• 82% of online users in the US used a mobile device for online shopping

• 35% of online users in the US are mobile-only online shoppers

• 57% of online shoppers in the US say they will not recommend a business that offers a poor mobile experience

For B2C businesses, being mobile-friendly can be even more important, because:

• 88% of US consumers research products online to buy in-store

• 63% of US shoppers perform online product research and price comparisons while in-store

While many of you may think the need to be available through mobile devices applies exclusively to retailers, this is definitely not the case.

Just think about your own experience with using your smartphone or tablet to research a business online. Sure, much of that time is spent “shopping” for consumer goods but you’ve also spent time checking out the websites of competitors, suppliers, your own social media, and engaging with visitors to your website.

If you're using your own mobile devices more than ever before, so are your clients and prospects.

There is a very easy way to find out if your website is mobile-friendly, just click here: Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.

Ted remains available for business consulting to the trade, including online marketing tips and the mobile friendliness of your website. Simply… Contact TD Fall today.

6 Common Designer Mistakes Made With Custom Furnishings

We all make mistakes. Regardless of our training and experience, we may get lazy or feel indifferent to a client’s needs. It’s just human nature to “take a day off” when working now and then. And, as Architectural Digest writer Kelsey Mulvey reminds us as his lead-in to the 6 Common Designer Mistakes To Avoid With Custom Furnishings.

“There’s more to furnishing a room than picking out fabric swatches or conducting a sit test: It’s a careful mix of palettes, proportions, and materials—and finding the right balance can be easier said than done.”

He goes on to suggest, “If you’re struggling to find items that are at home in your client’s space, a custom design may be your best option. Admittedly, enlisting a vendor to build a banquette or dining room table from scratch can be a timely and costly endeavor; however, the result is often well worth the investment.”

Personalized Furniture versus Custom Furnishings

Is there a difference between “personalized” and “custom” furnishings? We believe there is. For example, changing the stain and/or finish on a client’s Chiffonier makes it a personalized piece of furniture. However, ordering that elegant chest of drawers with a unique design, and having it built to your client's specifications will make it a custom furnishing.

In an effort to make the difference clearer, you might be choosing between a store-bought sofa with personalized fabric for example. On the other hand, custom furniture takes a piece that does not exist except in someone’s imagination and must be built by a craftsman who can take it from concept to reality.

A great example of the difference between the two is the high-quality, custom designs, and artisanal craftsmanship of the luxury furniture from Michael Trent Coates, perhaps better known as MTC Studio Designs.

Below we’d like to offer a few examples of where MTC Studio Designs has grasped an abstract concept that has been realized and built to order.

Whether you choose to label this piece a Chiffonier or simply a chest of drawers, you have to agree with us when we say the craftsmanship is obvious, the hardware is unique, and a statement is made for the owner.

Is it possible for dining in to be as elegant as dining out? We think this image speaks for itself, declaring an emphatic “Yes” with this customized design from MTC Studio Designs.

If this image doesn’t grab your attention and make you go, “Aah”, we may not be able to help you. This room is a combination of dramatic, uncommon, and extraordinary. It’s almost like this space is saying, “Come in. Or else.”

MTC Studio Designs from TD Fall & Company

We are very proud to represent the MTC Studio Designs line of truly unique, compelling, luxury custom furnishings. We are also happy to help you design truly custom furniture for your clients and use MTC Studio Designs to have it realized.

Stay tuned for more of our takes on designer mistakes made with custom furnishings in future posts.

Now, designing a piece and taking it from abstraction to reality is not easy. But, if you can see it clearly in your mind, we can help you realize your vision. Simply… Contact TD Fall today.

2024 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year – Upward into the Blue

With their 2024 Color of the Year concept broadened to a group of paint colors, one of which is named Persimmon, mentioned here previously, the Sherwin-Williams Color Collection of the Year also offers Upward SW6329. Described rather poetically as “a breezy shade of blue” by Anne Flynn Wear, Assistant Managing Editor of Home Accents Today, we’ve labeled the hue as simply lovely.

Having said that, Upward appears to be quite a versatile shade, as are so many of the innumerable tones of blue available from virtually every paint, textile, and floor and wallcovering manufacturers.

To be honest, we have always found the concept of declaring a “Color of the Year” by anyone to be more than a little bit arrogant, as well as decidedly pretentious. After all, it’s not as if the entire industry will accept said color and use nothing else, regardless of which entity proclaims it to be The One.

So yes, it does make at least a modicum of sense for Sherwin-Williams to offer a “Color Collection of the Year”. And why shouldn’t they? It makes just as much sense, and creates as much confusion, as trying to decipher the contrasting and conflicting choices presented by the many paint manufacturers relative to each other.

Onward and Upward for the New Year

As we said before, we find Upward (SW6329) to be a lovely and subtle hue that offers a homeowner a sense of tranquility, if not downright serenity, regardless of the space in which it is used. When combined with other colors from the Collection, such as Waterloo (HGSW9141), Friendly Yellow (HGSW6680), Pearly White (HGSW7009), or even the previously mentioned Persimmon (HGSW6339), the homey shade of blue appears to be the perfect anchor color for any space.

And, so, we offer these declarations from the manufacturer themselves: 

• “A HINT OF SILVER LINING – Introducing Upward, a breezy, blissful blue. The color found when we slow down, take a breath, and allow the mind to clear.

• RELAXED + CAREFREE – A sunny-day shade for spaces brimming with positive energy, creative thinking, and total contentment.”

From kitchens to living rooms and from bedrooms to bathrooms, we are convinced this enticing shade of blue can be used as the center point of any color palette. Whether used as a calming background for more striking colors and patterns on furnishings or as the carefree focus of more laid-back spaces, we wholeheartedly approve of the choice made by Sherwin-Williams for next year.

From the moment we saw it, we had no trouble imagining how Upward (SW6329), the 2024 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year, might be exploited by interior designers and furnishing dealers to reimagine the client’s spaces. However, if you can’t quite see it, feel free to ask for a design business consultation with Ted. Simply… Contact TD Fall today.

You ARE a Happy Business Owner (Whether you know it or not!)

Did you know that, as a business owner, you're happier than your employees? That’s right, the latest research indicates that despite the trials and tribulations of starting and running your own business, “entrepreneurs are happier and healthier than employees”. OK, so what?

Well, we love to work with happy entrepreneurs; creative people who find joy in the work they do because they’ve discovered a variety of ways to help and support clients who need them. And, according to more from Inc.com, “Despite the uncertainties of starting up, entrepreneurs on the whole actually report higher mental well-being than those comfortably ensconced in a steady job.

That said, however, we’ve also found that entrepreneurs who are forced into unfamiliar areas of running their business are far less happy. Just a few examples of these might be strategic marketing, lead generation, and writing a blog.

In fact, experience tells us that, once a new business reaches a certain level of success, these areas can become overwhelming and can suck the energy and joy from running your own business. In other words, if your expertise lies in designing and realizing spaces for living more comfortably or filling those spaces with luxury furnishings, it’s highly unlikely you’ll have the time (or inclination) to learn the fine points of say, online marketing.

That’s why we’ve been sharing a few business practices that we, and Ted, believe can help to smooth things out for you!

Ted Fall’s #1 Practice for Small Business Owners

It’s not at all unusual for a highly focused, energetic entrepreneur to suddenly feel overcome and defeated by the demands of promoting their business. Even those who recognize and accept that they can’t be everything to everyone will often try to do it all themselves. (Remember, you also can’t be all things to yourself!!!)

And so, we’re forced to ask, as a business owner, do you feel like…

• Your endless to-do list is getting the best of you, robbing the joy out of a business you once loved.

• You are drowning in projects you know you should do, but can’t find time for.

• You need help but don’t want to try one more mediocre design apprentice, only to be disappointed.

• You’re tired of the revolving door of support, where you’re the only one who can really run your business.

First and foremost, Ted’s advice is this: stick to what you love and do best. If you hire good people to support you while focusing on client acquisition and satisfaction, your revenue and profits will take care of themselves.

We would never claim that we could do what you do better than you, but we can confidently declare that we can support you by doing the things you either can’t or do not want to do. The things that are critical to your long-term growth and success – and which will enable you to focus on the things you do best – servicing clients, designing gorgeous spaces, offering the best home furnishings money can buy, and increasing profitability.

Learn More from Ted Fall Consulting

Virtually every interior designer and luxury furnishing dealer will experience frustration from the demands of running their business. This is normal. However, that does not mean you can’t find the support you need that will enable you to focus on the reason you started your firm – helping your clients live better, more comfortable lives.

If you’re struggling with the daily demands of building or running your business, Ted can help. Simply… Contact TD Fall today for professional business consulting to the trade.

New from Lee Jofa – The 200th Anniversary Collection

One of the few recognizable names in luxury home furnishings that are older than Kravet happens to be Lee Jofa, one of the more prominent lines so dearly held within the Kravet family of brands. To celebrate this unprecedented milestone, the Lee Jofa 200th Anniversary Collection presents a full eight generations of industry-leading luxury and craftsmanship, along with freshly imagined traditional designs.

From iconic and lasting patterns to fresh, not to mention refreshed, fabrics and wallcoverings, the collection spans and blends the familiar with the new in ways that only Lee Jofa can imagine.

Happy 200th Anniversary, Lee Jofa

Mentioned prominently in an article from our friends at Business of Home, we get an enticing peek at what this quintessential brand is bringing to the home furnishings market.

“In honor of its bicentenary, Lee Jofa dropped the 200 Collection. The celebratory series spans more than a hundred SKUs in a range of categories, including 16 archival textile patterns re-imagined in fresh new colorways, 69 sophisticated area rugs, and furniture pieces ranging from a fully upholstered English arm sofa to a provincial-style cocktail table with a scalloped apron.” (emphasis added)

Celebrating 200 Years of Masterfully Designed Luxury Home Furnishings

With further guidance taken directly from the Kravet website, we offer the following about the collection: new from Lee Jofa:

“Discover reimagined favorites and archival treasures amidst the iconic offering of textiles that showcase the heritage of the storied brand.

Long-standing favorites such as the hand-blocked Tree Of Life and Hollyhock enjoy new colorways and will be released as printed wallcovering for the first time in the forthcoming wallcovering collection.

Coordinating pillows, handsome furniture, and perfectly complementary carpeting round out the robust anniversary collection, encouraging grand designs brimming with Lee Jofa.”

Always one of our favorite lines, thanks in large part to the traditional yet forward-looking vision and unparalleled quality, of their textiles, we are delighted to continue representing the Lee Jofa line, and to feature the new 200th Anniversary Collection.

If you have questions or are curious about all the looks and feels we have available, feel free to… Contact TD Fall today.

Business Practices – Dealer and Designer Priorities to Make Life Easier

Among all the possible business practices to choose from, what is your Number One: either your greatest headache or your greatest joy?

It should go without saying that for interior designers and luxury furnishing dealers, helping their clients reimagine and realize a space brings them the most satisfaction. Yet, there are so many other aspects to running a business that make doing so possible. That is, the business practices and procedures specific to your needs that cannot be ignored by any business owner to be successful.

To illustrate just a few of these, our Hero and Mentor Ted offers a short list of things to consider:

• Hiring/recruiting the right talent for the right position and fit

• Systematizing and Creating manuals for each part of the business

• Creating strong relationships with reps and vendors

• Software for workflow

• Rates and how much to charge as well as how to justify it

Oh yeah, these look like fun! And remember, this is Ted’s shortlist!

Practice Building Value in Your Goods and Services

For as long as people have exchanged goods and services, whether by barter or coin, a basic truism has existed: Price is what you pay while value is what you receive.

Whether it happens regularly or just occasionally, if you have clients questioning your interior design rates or furniture pricing, you’ve failed to convey the value of what you have to offer. Now, while it’s true that some folks simply enjoy negotiating the cost of everything, overwhelmingly the above is true. In other words, it is up to you to convince them of the value they will receive from doing business with you.

To make the sale, the value must exceed the price, or they simply won’t buy. Stated even more simply, you must address their Number One concern by answering the question, “What’s in it for me?”

Frankly, if you can make a client or prospect understand the value of your reputation and the quality of the work you do, as well as the quality durability, and style of the furnishings you are recommending, you should receive little or no resistance to the cost of a project.

Designers Who Stress Value to Justify Their Rates

We found further insight into this question in an article at BusinessOfHome.com. Titled “4 ways to respond to a client questioning your rates”, and written by BOH contributor Marina Felix, two of the four designers she spoke with stressed their value specifically, while the other two did so implicitly.

For example, “If a potential client is trying to haggle, they probably can’t afford my rates or the additional furniture, décor, and contracting, either, and that is a preview of a rough client relationship. I also want to work with clients [who] don’t just love my work, but also see my value and respect what I bring to the table. That means paying my rates. The price is the price. Period.” - Amber Guyton, Blessed Little Bungalow, Atlanta

She also emphasized her willingness to say "No" to a potentially difficult client: “Once you have the experience and confidence to stand your ground, you’re OK telling those potential clients no, asking them to consider executing their design in phases to meet their budget or just wishing them well [and moving on].”

The same is true for Melinda Trembly of Rincon Road Design Studio in Carpinteria, CA, who shared her thoughts thusly: “I typically run into two types of clients: those that value what I bring to the table and trust me to be the expert – those [who] are happy to pay for high-level services and product – and those [who] second-guess themselves at every decision. They don’t trust themselves enough to trust me, which inevitably runs into extra time and costs. Those are the clients who tend to come to me with unrealistic expectations, including pricing.”

Learn More from Ted Fall

Virtually every interior designer, as well as luxury furnishing dealers, will experience questions about the cost of a remodel, furniture, floor coverings, and wall coverings. If you’re struggling to answer such questions or with building the value intrinsic to your work, Ted can help.

Simply… Contact TD Fall today for professional business consulting to the trade.

Colors of the Year – Will Paint Companies Contrast or Conflict? Yes!

As we shared in an earlier post, Valspar Paints is marketed separately from its parent, Sherwin-Williams. Yet, even so, we were still a bit surprised at the contrast (née conflict?) between the two companies' choices for their latest Colors of the Year.

Without even seeing them, the names alone tell much of the story, with a bold name like Ironside from Valspar contrasting with the far softer-sounding Persimmon from Sherwin-Williams.

Sherwin-Williams 2024 Color Collection of the Year

In addition to its new Color of the Year, as mentioned above, the paint manufacturer has also unveiled its 2024 Color Collection of the Year, Renewed Comfort. Filled as it is with gentle neutral colors that are “restful and restorative”, Persimmon sets the mood, as well as the foundation for the Collection as an “earthy terracotta infused with tangerine tones”.

With a nod of the head to the folks at HomeAccentsToday.com, and including extensive quotes from the paint company we share the following: “The Renewed Comfort Color Collection is composed of shades that embody tranquility, comfort, and rejuvenation.”

“The … Collection is restful and restorative with an expressive touch to showcase unique personal style – bringing a sense of comfort into the home with a new, refreshed outlook,” said Ashley Banbury Sherwin-Williams color marketing manager.

“Customers can mix and match shades from the Color Collection to make a statement, giving space to feel renewed with comfort,” she added.

Sherwin-Williams 2024 Color of the Year

“Persimmon is a grounded earthy terracotta shade that feels energetic and refreshing…. [with] warm, earthy elements [that] add an uplifting personal touch to the home.”

“Persimmon balances the energy of tangerine with grounded neutral undertones, making it perfect for spaces like living rooms and kitchens as it promotes positive relationships and conversation. The beautiful shade helps rejuvenate a space while bringing unique design visions to life,” Banbury said.

Available exclusively at Lowe’s stores, the designer-inspired 2024 Color Collection of the Year includes 10 neutrals combined with bright shades that create a new twist on traditional color combinations. Persimmon, the 2024 Color of the Year, brings a sense of comfort into the home with natural hues to soften the space, according to Ms. Banbury.

As you can see, our cautionary notes were valid, considering the broad range and contrast of colors from two brands covered by a single umbrella.

As always, Ted remains available for business consulting to the trade, whether you have questions about colors or basic business practices. Simply… Contact TD Fall today.

Color Trends for 2024 – Paint Companies Jump the Gun!

Just last week we shared our surprise that paint companies in the US had already begun sharing what they believe will be the color trends for 2024; that is, their colors of the year. Whether we believe it’s too early for such predictions is irrelevant. They’re doing it and, as usual, we can only react.

Interestingly, though Valspar Paints is a Sherwin-Williams brand, they are marketed as a separate brand that offers its own 2024 Color of the Year and is sold exclusively at Lowe’s.

While perusing the internet for information on such, we stumbled upon HouseDigest.com where insight is offered into the importance of color for interior designers:

“Color is one of interior design's most important factors. Beyond creating an aesthetically pleasing room, color can help set the mood. Enveloping a room with the right color creates a setting that can relax or energize. However, choosing the right paint color can be an overwhelming choice for many homeowners. Luckily, many paint companies, including Valspar, choose a Color of the Year that's meant to forecast the interior design trends for the upcoming year.”

Having shared an even dozen “Colors of the Year” last year, Valspar has decided to select one color for 2024. Labeling it “Renew Blue”, Valspar has chosen a color that “is an incredibly versatile and all-season shade that anyone can envision in their space. The inspiration is rooted in nature and wellness, which can be achieved to help alleviate the anxiety in life.”

Valspar Offers a Sense of Wellness and Comfort

Even more important, Valspar offers a clearly stated reason for choosing Renew Blue as their Color of the Year for 2024:

“WHY IT’S TRENDING: Most of us are seeking an end to feeling overwhelmed – less stress, less information, less technology, fewer choices. Simplicity. Here, we can slow down and create the peaceful place we seek.”

Colorful yet welcoming, Renew Blue from Valspar can be used to gently say, “Welcome to our home” to guests or, perhaps more importantly, deliver a loving “Welcome home” to family.

“The Valspar Color of the Year for 2024 is Renew Blue, ‘a balanced blue with a touch of grayed sea-green that focuses on wellness and comfort,’ according to the paint company. The shade is meant to create a restful feeling to transform a home into a place meant to prioritize self-care and well-being.” (House Digest)

And, this living room definitely looks like a comfortable place to feel well.

“Inspired by fleeting elements like fog, mist, clouds, and glacier lakes, Renew Blue elevates the everyday mood, encourages self-expression, and evokes a feeling of balance and calm, with a twist of unique spontaneity,” explains Sue Kim, Valspar Director of Color Marketing. “Blue is a classic shade that has become the new neutral for today's home and can be mixed and matched to fit a variety of design styles and applications.”

And, what better place to elevate one’s mood than the most popular room in virtually everyone’s home, their kitchen?

All of that said, it’s likely best to allow the paint company to speak for itself concerning Valspar’s 2024 Color of the Year:

“A nourishing, green-influenced blue that creates a sense of peace wherever you place it.”

A quick cautionary note: Don’t be surprised by the variety of colors, some of which will definitely contrast in both look and feel with those of others.

As always, Ted remains available for business consulting to the trade, whether you have questions about colors or basic business practices. Simply… Contact TD Fall today.