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Colour trends for 2007: natural comfort/opulent chic From stirring color combinations to hues that warm the soul, this year's color trends contain palettes that work independently as a daring "statement color" or as a subtle backdrop where home furnishings and accessories can take center stage. According to industry colour experts, this year's colour trends include three major themes-- comfort, opulent chic and a return to nature. "Many of these palettes will find a home in rooms across the country as they appeal to people on so many diverse levels," said Dominique PÈpin, Senior Brand Manager of Sico and a Chairholder of the international colour forecaster Color Marketing Group. "What I find the most interesting about our palette grouping this year is the organic, nature-like quality found in the hues." Here are some highlights from this year's colour trends with an attention to their appropriate applications in your home's different living spaces: This is a palette of classic colours devoted to our creature comforts. They evoke warm sand, natural wood and ageless stone. Sico's Mantra (6222-42), Pyramid (6224-42), Shiatsu (6222-31), Seashore Pebble (6230-31), Stone Temple (6224-31), Flawless Grey (621231) and Roman Ruins (6231-52) are just a few of the comfort colors that will envelope a room with warmth and promote a stress-free space. The comfort color palette is an especially good choice for kitchens, bedrooms and family rooms. Like the dazzling colour of a fine wine or the exquisite tailoring of a classic ensemble, this palette of daring, yet restrained colours conveys an unmistakable quality known as luxury. From dark teals and deep plums to the sophistication of black and white, this color group works both as an accent and as an elegant backdrop for many living spaces. Colours in this grouping include purpleinfused red-- such as Sico's Black Rose (6049-85), Indigo Denim (6004-83), Cosmic Violet (6046-73), Cloak (623283) and Polynesian Blue (6003-73). PÈpin says combining a deep brown such as Cloak with soft pastels like baby blue is a popular trend for 2007. Dining, living rooms and especially powder rooms will benefit from this bold and luxurious palette. From earth browns, leaf-like greens, and ocean blues, to floral shades like corals, this colour palette works together to bring the outdoors in. This palette is highlighted by colours like Sico's Zen Green (6168-73), Aventurine (6138-53), New Brunswick Sky (6153-31), Low Tide (6164-21) and Calcutta Silk (6060-63). Bedrooms and bathrooms are perfect places to incorporate these back-tonature hues or in rooms where an accent wall is employed. More information on paint colour trends is available at sico.ca. --News Canada