Decorex reveals Plascon colour forecast for the year ahead

Anne Roselt

Interpreting the four themes will be Laurence Brick, of Laurence Brick Creative Direction and trend consultant to Decorex SA, Lisebo Mokhesi and George Boorsma of Ink Studio, Greg and Roche Dry of Egg Designs and interior designer Yvonne O'Brien, from The Private House Co. All will decorate a room within the Plascon Trend House, demonstrating how straightforward it can be to use the latest paint colours in creating or revamping your living and working space.

Moreover, in a first this year, fashion designers will form part of the event. Craig Jacobs of Fundudzi, Anisa Mpungwe of Loin Cloth and Ashes, Lunar and Tiaan Nagel will all be creating fashion garments inspired by each of the palette themes.

"Using colour to bring harmony"

Plascon colour manager Anne Roselt says she worked closely with international colour experts and local décor, trend and fashion experts in compiling the 2013 Plascon colour forecast. "Décor continues to be heavily influenced by fashion - especially the pastels in the new palette, for example.

"This year's forecast explores how we use colour to bring harmony when everything around us is constantly changing. Whether it is the calm in the Pause and Simplicity palettes, or the energy of Contrast and Dare, we can always find balance in colour. This Forecast is about the power of colour, but, more than that, it is also a statement of our identity in the modern world."

In compiling the 2013 Plascon colour palette, she worked with both local and international advisers. In South Africa, she continues to work with stylists and creative consultants Laurence Brick and Cathy O'Clery as well as Jodi Robertson of International Trend Information This year she invited fashion designer Themba Mngomezulu of Darkie to join the colour panel.

"Ever since our first forecast in 1999, the company has been driven to bring colour inspiration to South Africans in an interesting and accessible way. This involves distilling input from colour experts, international research and interior, design and lifestyle trends and this year's palette is a prime example."

Other colourful events

Plascon has sponsored Decorex SA since its inception 19 years ago and each year the team dreams up new ideas with which to inspire visitors to the country's largest décor, design and lifestyle exhibition.

It also offers other attractions; talks and demonstrations on the latest in colour trends and paint techniques at the Plascon Inspire Theatre, coffee and cake in styled and painted surroundings at the Plascon Colour Café, plus the release of the latest edition of Plascon Spaces magazine at the Plascon Trend House showcasing the 2013 Colour Forecast.

This year, the company also sponsors Decorex Design Dialogue, a series of design conferences hosted around the country, featuring international colour guru Leatrice Eiseman as well as a host of local décor and design experts. For more, go to www.decorex.co.za.