One of my favorite things to read about are color trends. It is amazing to watch how colors change from decade to decade and you remember each decade from the colors in style in those decades. Color trends change due to world events, technology advancements, fashion and design.
I just finished an article by Benjamin Moore explaining the color trends over three centuries. Here is my summary of the article.
1880's
This was the time of High Victorian era. The changes in the world that decade were the Second Industrial Revolution, The Brooklyn Bridge opens and the Eiffel Tower is opened at the 1889 Paris Exposition. The use of ships and trains made travel more easy and trade between countries around the world. People were moving to America and brought an eclectic mix of style and home interiors.
The colors were lighter as you see above the soft pinks and purples.
1890's
The events that era was the 1893 Chicago World Fair, the new patented on the incandescent light bulb and the emerging social classes. The Victorian tastes/styles were getting rejected and the new trends were to functional space.
The colors were richer and more organic. Art Nouveau style influenced the colors of the decade. Use of gold, orange, brown, blue, olive green and poppy reds.
1900's
A new century which brought lots of new innovation into the world. It was a era of luxury living for the wealthy. The Cubist art movement started and influences the decade. WW1 began and a new desire for women's rights began. Clothing became more utilitarian. The Bauhaus school started which stressed the design concepts of straight edges, absence of ornamentation and function. The Arts and Crafts style started this decade as well.
The colors were still organic. Yellows, teal/green, and orange were popular.
1910's
The colors of this decade is influenced by society shifting to a very practical mindset. The Arts and Craft style still influenced design and the US was starting to be seen as an industrial power.
Colors shifted more deep and rich. Ochre, olive greens, browns, red and a little blue.
1920's
Radio networks start and there is a large influence on new technology and materials.
The colors are cooler, hazy and more grayed. Pastels and neutral colors become popular.
1930's
The great depression affects this decade and becoming thrift is the way of life.
The colors become organic again since the culture is shifting to back to the basics. Use of muted tones of beige, brown, and rusts are used.
1940's
WW11 is in full force and the women move into the workforce. the ideas of "Waste not Want Not" and "Make Do and Mend" are the way people live. After the war ends the baby boom begins at the end of the era.
Color options are limited due to the war. They are influenced by the war and are brown based. Use of khaki, green, tan and hits of red & navy blue appear.
1950's
The US is in the glory of WW11. The Civil Rights movements begins and the baby boom continues. Television becomes the new medium for entertainment and changes the design of the family room.
The colors in this decade are more sky blue, baby pink and are a little more upbeat.
1960's
Kennedy is president and pushes the ideas of prosperity and innovation. Baby boomers are teens and the space age begins.
Colors are more futuristic and playful. you see copper, brighter psychedelic colors
1970's
Civil rights, space exploration and women's rights advance and a new concern for the environment affects the US. Disco dominates the music as well as a punk and funk movement.
The colors of the decade are unforgettable. The use of earth tones, browns, gold orange and avocado. Oak is the wood of the era.
1980's
It as know as the decade of excess "more is more". The economic boom triggered the use of pastel and white in design and fashion.
The colors in that decade were cooler and more gray. Mauve, dusty blue, mint green and black and white granite.
1990's
It was the electronic age and the introductions of the web, email and texting. There was also a green movement as the concern for global warming began.
The colors shifted more organic. The use of jewel tones like burgundy, jade green, navy blue and golds.
2000's
A new century begins and 911 changes everything. The economy shifts and the housing market drops and the US moves into a recession. The decade also sees a movement of mass customization and an Individualism. The computer influences and dives a very fast pass lifestyle with a balance of environmental dearness.
The colors used in this decade are silvers, orange white, red, and lots of shades of greens ranging from acid to grayed.
I do love following color trends and I will write soon about the interior color trends of 2012. There is a shift to more grays and not as much brown and lots of blues, yellow and greens.
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