Sherwin-Williams Releases Industrial Wood Coatings Trend Forecast

Furniture World News Desk on 8/13/2018

Pictured above is a page from the Colormix trend forecast, featuring the Naturalist theme.

The Sherwin-Williams Industrial Wood Division, through its Global Color & Design Center in Greensboro, NC, recently announced its Colormix Forecast, built to inspire designers and manufacturers of wood products to select finishes in line with consumer preferences. This year’s forecast is divided into six themes: Shapeshifter, Wanderer, Aficionado, Enthusiast, Naturalist and Raconteur. Together, each theme combines wood finishes with the 42 Sherwin-Williams paint colors that are key for 2019.

“From bleached and contemporary to distressed and eclectic, these wood finishes interwoven with complementary paint colors each tell their own tale,” said Lauren West, Global Color Manager for Sherwin-Williams Industrial Wood. “Consumers look to holistically create spaces in their homes that are reflective of who they are. Our 2019 forecast gives producers of wood products an inside look at how we see consumer preferences trending throughout the next year based on global, cultural, and economic influences.”

As part of the Color Forecast Team, West, who leads color and design for the Industrial Wood Coatings division, worked in collaboration with color experts from the Sherwin-Williams Paint Stores Group, led by Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing. This team has identified colors from free-spirited wanderers and old-world storytellers, while drawing inspiration from every corner of the globe extending to the cosmos. The result? An organic and spontaneous, yet cohesive palette.

Color Themes:

Shapeshifter
There are those who always seem a little ahead of their time. Visionary and creative, this palette reaches into the cosmos and returns with a whole universe of inspiration. Shapeshifter’s aesthetic is about the mystical, from the deep sea to the galaxy and everything in between and is rooted by strong geometrics and clean lines.

Bleached or whitewashed contemporary wood finishes create an ethereal look when combined with atmospheric wisps of color.

Wanderer
This palette is for those who will never be fenced in, who need to soak in the endless horizons and subtle earthy tones of the high plains. Clays, caramels and browns come from canyons to worn leather and woven wool blankets of the true New West. The Wanderer palette is sun-washed and warm, with distressed wood finishes that convey a hint of eclecticism, inspired by the unbridled adventure and the carefree bohemian lifestyle.

Aficionado
Like a bookcase of leather-bound literary classics, this pedigreed palette evokes nostalgia and timeless traditions. Copper and gold anchor merlot and gray. The tailored tones are tasteful and elegant, with classic wood finishes that are sophisticated and reminiscent of mid-century bespoke and the appreciation for the well-worn and rare.

Enthusiast
For those who go against the grain, break the rules or are more free-spirited than the status quo, the Enthusiast palette brings maximum attitude and yet produces harmonious results. The proof is in this palette, which features bold pops of vivid blue, green and red, accented by texturized wood finishes that are equally as lively to create a uniquely cohesive look.


Naturalist
Nature lovers can connect with the wonder of the world in full bloom. This collection’s lush, sophisticated tones poke out from the rainforest as colorful tendrils. Ranging from mushroom to passionate pink, the focus on botanicals is slightly classic, with bold details. Wood finishes are reminiscent of the French countryside, and finishes feel organic and sophisticated – with whispers of color that bring that outdoors in.

Raconteur
From ancient rhetoric to today’s on-screen webcasts, there is a desire and appreciation for stories and the storytellers behind them. From Africa to the New World, human origins have been translated into this rich palette that spans space and time. Wood finishes are deep and grounding, inspired by luxury safaris and global spice markets.

More about the Global Color & Design Center: The Global Color & Design Center (GCDC) is a fully functioning wood operation located in Greensboro, NC, the heart of the wood finishing industry. The GCDC works with designers and manufacturers in the kitchen cabinet, furniture, flooring, architectural millwork, and specialty industries to not just offer the latest in trending wood finishes, but also assist them in bringing these finishes to life on their products.

The color and design experts at the GCDC evaluate color palettes to ensure comprehensive color offerings, provide hands-on finish training and color styling, offer solutions to save steps in the finishing process, and help customers gain a better understanding of the critical role finish plays in product design.

“Our team of experts is constantly immersed with designers and manufacturers to uncover trends, consumer preferences and new application techniques,” said West. “We know color means everything when it comes to finding their competitive edge and design cycle deadlines can be incredibly demanding. Through our forecast and other services offered at the GCDC, we strive to make it easier for them to go to market with the right finishes, customized to fit their unique needs.”

To learn more about the GCDC, visit oem.sherwin-williams.com/gcdc.

More about Industrial Wood Coatings Division of Sherwin-Williams: Since 1866, Sherwin-Williams® has provided manufacturers and finishers with the coatings they need to make their products look better and last longer, while helping their operations meet productivity and sustainability goals. For industrial wood markets, our innovative solutions go beyond coatings to include knowledge, tools, equipment, supplies and industry-leading support. We’re more than a coatings provider – let us show you how we will be your coatings solution partner. For more information, visit oem.sherwin-williams.com.