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Colour trends 2007: Opulent chic and natural comfort Canadians want to re-connect with nature. This is what colour experts have discovered unveiling this year's colour trends which are focused on nature-inspired tones, from earth browns, foliage greens, and ocean-inspired blues, to deep floral shades like rich purple-reds, oranges and corals. According to the Color Marketing Group, people have a desire to get closer to nature in order to find tranquil relief from today's erratic world. Canada's largest paint manufacturer, Sico Paints agrees. "Consumers today are increasingly sensitive to the environment, with a stronger passion for preservation and recycling than ever before, and this is reflected in their choice of paint colours," said Dominique Pépin, Senior Brand Manager of Sico and a Chairholder of the international colour forecaster Color Marketing Group. As a result, says Pépin, the 2007 paint palette is highlighted by rich, deep and soothing back-to-nature tones, including: Browns "The new `must' have in home décor," she says. "Brown is a rising star in paint colour for 2007. Dark, purple-infused browns in particular will be big, inspired by the increasing popularity of dark exotic woods." The demand for browns is so strong Sico has announced the addition of two new brown tones to its 2007 colour collection-- Heart of Bronze (6234-83) and Cloak (6232-83). "Combining browns with soft pastels like baby blue, light pink, or red, orange and chartreuse will be especially hot, as will a growing use of browns mixed with greys," she adds. Neutrals Still the top choice among consumers, neutrals for 2007 will be infused with more colour than in the past. "Earth tones like deep sand, chestnut and taupe-inspired by such materials as stone, bamboo and pebbles-- create an environmental look that consumers are after," Pépin explains. With Sico's best selling paints continuing to be neutrals Silk Paper (6195-41) and Portobello (6185-41), the company has launched eight new rich neutrals, included in its 2007 collection-- Mantra (6222-42), Pyramid (622442), Shiatsu (6222-31), Seashore Pebble (6230-31), Whitish Clay (6213-21), Flawless Grey (6212-31), Urban Grey (6212-63), and Roman Ruins (6231-52). Greens Inspired by nature's foliage, and reflecting the growing interest in organics and eco-friendly products, the new palette is filled with a range of natural greens. Pépin says the new greens are more cooled down than in past years, shifting from yellowgreens to more blue-based and grassy greens, with a calming environmental influence. The year ahead will see greater use of dark, rich and botanical greens. Topping the list of Sico's greens for 2007 are Spring Fern (6140-42), Zen Green (6168-73), and Marjoram (6141-31). Blues Like greens, the new blues are more saturated, with turquoise and teal front and center. Blues such as Sico's New Brunswick Sky (6153-31), Lazuli Bunting (6160-41) and Polynesian Blue (6003-73) will have you thinking of the ocean, bright sky and tropics when adorning your walls. Reds, oranges and corals Purple-infused red-- such as Sico's Black Rose (6049-85)-- is the newest addition to the 2007 palette, while deep orange, and orange-infused corals like Sico's Calcutta Silk (6060-63) and Lip Gloss (6058-42) will be growing in prominence. More information on the paint colour trends for 2007 is available at sico.ca. --News Canada