A colleague is taking a night course in beer tasting and he came to work the morning after a recent class with a new understanding of his girlfriend. Having spent the evening trying to distinguish between flavours with the slightest differences, he finally got how she could spend hours poring over paint chips, when to him, they all looked pretty much alike. Beer, like paint, is made with different undertones and finishes. But only one of them looks appropriate on your wall.Â
We’ll raise a stein to usher in the new year before you know it and Brand Managers at the major paint companies have revealed their picks for the top colours for the new year. Although their choices are all beautiful, they vary, but if there’s a common thread it’s that we’ve still got the blues, in a positive way.
Para Paints looked to the heavens for its 2015 colour pick. The dark, celestial blue Spectrolite was, “brought forth by Canadians on a quest for a more secure and positive direction for the future.” Spectrolite would add an otherworldly presence to a feature wall or showpiece of furniture.
A more daring use of colour in our homes next year is in the Dulux forecast. Ruby Ring (red), Stage Fright (plum) and Blazer Blue are among the standouts in its 2015 collection. The Dulux colour of the year is the clear blue shade Tropic Night. 
Martin Tustin-Fuchs, Brand Manager for Dulux, says they look at everything from fashion to electronics to the world mood when determining which colours will reign supreme.
“For example, all the turmoil and uncertainty in the world means a need to create happiness and peace and those come out in colour opportunities for 2015.”
A shade that works in all settings, from contemporary to heritage, got the nod from Benjamin Moore’s collection as their 2015 colour. Guilford Green is a rich but not overpowering silvery shade. The company’s colour trends forecast includes 23 hues in greens, blues, blush and berries that are bolder and deeper than the pastels of 2014.
SICO Paint’s experts say Canadians are ready for confident, bold colour choices in the year ahead. Beautiful blues dominate four distinct colour combinations from SICO. Comfort Zone marries the natural and synthetic worlds with deep, earthy neutrals coexisting with muted blues and pinks. The Tempo colour group is playful and vibrant, with raspberry reds and turquoise blues. 
Pattern Play features deep jewel tones that work well as a team in decor projects based on geometrics and Eastern tapestries. And Introspection dials down the room noise to mellow, with soft pastels and washed-out blues and greens.
Ocean blue is king of the blues according to CIL’s colour forecast, which also centres on berry reds, dramatic yellows, and softer greens and violets. Brand Manager Alison Goldman says the mega-trend for 2015 is “possibility”.
“The colours for 2015 are varied along two main paths – vibrant, bright, energetic colours and soft, quiet, nuanced pastel colours. The brights respond to our love for the positive, the optimistic, the hopeful. The neutrals are all about creating silence in a space the constant agitation and chatter in our world.”
Goldman says colours in home decor trends are changing every three to five years.
“Luckily a few well-placed, trendy pillows, table runners and artwork can bridge that gap.”
Choosing a paint shade for a special room or an accent wall is still an intimidating process for many people and it need not be. In addition to forecasting trends, each of these companies offers loads of free advice and information on their websites and in stores. It’s not quite child’s play – have you ever seen what a child does when they’re given paint? But it can be as easy as popping the cap on a cold beer.