Rebel, Rebel

Rebel, Rebel

The last of our Colour Futures 2016 trends is entitled The Grid & Letting Go. To describe it in a handful of words words, it's unexpected, lively, yet controlled - freedom within a framework, if you will.

Like all of our Colour Futures trends, the idea for The Grid & Letting Go was conceived by Akzo Nobel's global colour teams, who also drew on research by independent professionals in the trend forecasting industry. They not only looked at trends and patterns in the field of interiors and colour itself, but within architecture, fashion, technology, culture and lifestyle.

The idea for this trend in particular sprung from the increase in offbeat events that seemingly 'rebel' against the everyday monotony of urban life; office workers go to morning 'raves' before work while digital agencies host knitting clubs to get back in touch with hand skills and crafts.

Inspired by society's growing desire to go off grid in order to find oneself in the modern world, our colour team have created a vivid and playful palette, grounded by a 'serious' black and white backdrop. Full of contrasts and of the unexpected, the trend goes against conventional 'rules' in colour scheming and application. Here, we look at the trend's palette and paint effects in situ.

Acid bright shades such as 60YY 55/504 (Sweet Citrus) and 50YR 32/460 (Flame Frenzy) can be used as a clever technique to draw the eye through awkward spaces and corridors when played off against a crisp white such as 10BB 83/017 (Chalk Dust). Highlight architectural irregularities and make a statement out of them with bold blocks of solid colour.

Colour blocking on a larger scale by using different shades for adjacent walls and surfaces (including the ceiling) makes for a powerful - but not overwhelming - scheme. Teaming clean, bright colours such as 30BG 43/163 (Blue View), with more muted shades such as 30YY 56/060 (Knotted Twine) maintains the balance between orderly and playful.

Broken down, hand-drawn-style geometric paint effects within a more rigid frame softens the impact of bold shades and adds an element of pattern and texture.

Oversized shapes and multi-faceted surfaces bring an unexpected appeal to a scheme, but still retain a methodical edge. Unusual colour pairings such as 70YR 56/190 (Sumatran Melody 4), 50YR 32/460 (Flame Frenzy) and 53RB 76/067 (Patisserie Pink) bring yet more twists on the norm to the space, while monochromatic schemes and graphic elements are softened by subtle pastel shades.

Structures and patterns are employed to highlight rogue elements and breakaway motifs, giving what would be a neat and orderly effect a playful spin and raise a smile. Muted shades can look youthful and dynamic when used in a polka dot or 'confetti' effect - this is 30YY 41/700 (Sun Dust 1), 53RB 76/067 (Patisserie Pink), 30YY 56/060 (Knotted Twine) and 70YR 56/190 (Sumatran Melody 4).

Find out more about Dulux Trade Colour Futures by visiting the Colour Futures site, or explore our other trends Words & Pictures and Dark & Light.

This August, Dulux Trade partner Material Lab have brought The Grid and Letting Go to life in its windows. Find out more here