The new year always makes me want to start with a fresh palette... but which colors to say goodbye to and which to keep? This week I thought I'd spend some time on color trends as I see them for the year ahead - following my instincts and forecasts to put together my picks for 2009!
While Pantone declared the color of the year to be
Blue Iris, I'd have to say that purple reigned supreme in 2008.
This dining room from
Domino inspired me to use this color in decor again. Before this space, I never would have thought of painting the walls any shade of purple! When paired together, this dress from
Marchesa and clutch by
Anya Hindmarch make a similar statement in a little reverse
Rooms from the Runway style.
Prediction: A simple saturated true purple will stay in style through spring and early fall. 
Shades of plum and wine also ruled runways and rooms. Nobody did color better than
Proenza Schouler's Fall 08 Collection, and the top dress is an example of perfectly paired shades. The two rooms via
Living Etc, and bottom room via
Domino mimic the look in their own ways, and a stunning ring from
Julius Cohen couldn't have captured the varying tones of this trend any better! Ballet slippers from
J.Crew, and
DVF on the runway.
Prediction: Berry tones will remain popular, but I think they will be more in the blue and red realms than purple. Heavy jewel tones will start to make their way out. 
An
almost Iris Blue shade paired with lilac creates a sweet summery feel in contrast with the many jewel tones we saw over the fall. Lovely lisianthus make for a beautiful bridal bouquet via
Michelle Rago. A watercolour look from the runway by
Roksanda Ilincic and
Maloles slippers make for some dreamy ways to incorporate the colors into your wardrobe.
Prediction: Lilac is taking over, so you can expect to see it paired with even more this year. 
Fuschia with a dash of plum - easily my favorite vibrant shade of '08 - was captured perfectly by another look from
Roksanda and a sparkly dress from Oscar de la Renta. Home decor gets punched up a bit when this color enters the room, as you can see in the bedroom via
Desire to Inspire. For a similar look top a
lamp with a fuschia shade, upholster a
daybed in plum or pop a
pillow or two into your life. For temporary color infusion, try a brilliant bouquet like this one captured by
Aaron Delesie.
Prediction: Strong pinks will be replaced by fuschias and reds. Keep this color around! To Watch for 2009:
Lots of lilac on the runways (summery
Halston dress anyone?) for Spring. Like this bedroom from
Jay Jeffers, we've seen soft lilacs in interiors for a while now, and its return to fashion is coming on strong.
While the overabundance of the deeper jewel die down, we'll still seeing plenty of punchy color like this shade from Isaac Mizrahi's
Pre-Fall collection. Used sparingly in decor, like in this retro inspired dining room by
Pierre Yovanovitch, it's playful and perky. Expect to continue to see brights like this continue throughout the spring and early fall.
The question now is, what will be the reigning color for 2009? My predictions coming soon... but I want to hear yours first!
