Trend Tuesday: ICI’s Color of the Year Icy Blue is Icy Hot

This week I thought we’d take a break from the hoop-a-la that surrounds the holidays and introduce you to ICI’s Color of the Year 2010. 

Here’s what ICI had to say about their choice:

“In keeping with our overall theme of ‘Reclaim’, we are looking towards the qualities of truth, integrity, openness and hope. The Colour of the Year is an airy and optimistic blue that symbolises infinite horizons, new beginnings, renewed energy and a positive dynamic.

This clear, transparent shade encapsulates a sense of purity and goodness – a hopeful and chemical free colour full of possibility. It puts over an image of vast skies, breezy ozone freshness and the energy and essentiality of water. Given these associations plus the fact that it is a receding colour it will always create a sense of space.

Blue, in colour psychology terms, is the colour associated with sky and sea. Airy light blues are recognised as being refreshing, soothing and liberating. They are good in helping to combat mental strain and stress, physical tiredness and feelings of exhaustion whilst at the same time being re-energising and encouraging fresh starts. They are also thought to enhance powers of communication which can help to promote feelings of confidence.

A balance of the spiritual and the intellectual is represented by the allusion to air, sky and water – the freedom of the spirit married to the rationality of the mind; the vision of the artist to the knowledge of the scientist. Both in interior and exterior settings this blue has an important role to play. It complements perfectly the contemporary materials and modern neutrality of glass, steel and concrete, but also works with stronger and more traditional interior shades such as crimson, burgundy, plum, teal, pewter and gold.

This colour speaks of hope and clarity – a pure, clean and unpolluted direction for the future of our planet; a chance to reclaim possibility with renewed vigour and energy – the clear new horizon of tomorrow.”

As I was reading ICI’s forecast this weekend all I could think was how extremely inspiring in nature this color is and how this color brings the feeling of freedom, relaxation, calm, and openness into a space. It also got me thinking about some great rooms I’ve seen lately and some of my favorite designers. So as Kate and I sit here in Atlanta, GA (getting ready to teach our Color Certification Course tomorrow at ADAC) I felt it was only appropriate to share some rooms by one of my new favorite (Atlanta) designers Janie Kirsch who’s icy blue designs are truly icy hot!  Oh and on top of that I added a few extras from one of Americas most well-loved TV designers, Candice Olson, and some shots from the best home mags around. 

To download your copy of ICI’s 2010 color forecast go to  colourfutures.com