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December 2007
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Chill Series

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

(click image to Chill out)

CMG
Hot color trends for 2008
What will the top color trends be in 2008? What's driving those trends? According to Color Marketing Group, the leading international association of color design professionals, genuine concern for the environment remains the strongest influence on the colors we'll see and buy next year.

"Our members specify color for everything from paint and furniture to cars and carpets," said Jaime Stephens, executive director of CMG. "They track trends several years ahead, and they've rarely been wrong in more than 43 years."

So what's in store - and in stores - for 2008? According to CMG:

1. Looking "Green" -- People want things they wear and things they use now to look "green," no matter what color they are. In 2008, looking stylish means looking natural. Materials will look hand-made, un- dyed and unbleached. Products will look more like what they're actually made of, with lots of texture and all the natural imperfections proudly showing through. Off-whites, sandy and linen-y colors, rock and soil colors, brownish-greens - the colors of nature are seriously fashionable now.

2. There's News in Blues in 2008 -- The "trust me" color will continue to show up on candidates' ties this election year. But in all areas of decor, blues that remind us of sky and water -- inspired by environmentalism -- remain prominent, even in the kitchen. New next year will be the emergence of a much blacker blue inspired by technology -- a deep, vibrant navy so dark you'll swear it's black.

3. Specialized Finishes, Warmer Metallics -- Advances in technology have made shimmery, specialized finishes really hot. But in 2008, metallics will go warmer. After so many years of brushed chrome and nickel, look for warmer shades -- coppery, bronze-y tones -- to prevail.

4. More Ethnic Accents -- Globalism continues to inspire our love for ethnic accent colors. They're coming to us from India, China and Latin America. To Moroccan reds and glowing oranges, add rosy pinks, sunny golden yellows and lots of turquoise. Already here in fashion and home design, these ethnic accents will show up as "punch" colors in hotels, restaurants and retail environments, too - often paired with rich browns as neutrals.

Color Marketing Group forecasts color trends up to three years into the future for its members, many of whom must plan ahead for product, space and materials introductions.
Medina
Medina is as distinctive as it is versatile!
Designers tell us they love Medina because it is so attractive and distinctive and has so many options for ease in planning. These are the reasons they choose Medina:
  • Stylish and comfortable
  • Plus Size availability
  • Offers hard to find multiple seat units (i.e. seat- table- seat; seat-seat-table, etc.)
  • Two seat settees
  • Matching end tables

Solid Solutions
Solid Solutions
The Solid Solutions Collection expands the range of leather and faux leather products available through HBF Textiles. For luxury...look to Upper Crust, an aniline leather begging to be touched. For practicality...look to Faux Real, a high performance PVC-free polyurethane. For a great surprise...check out Double Take Suede, a well-priced alternative to high-end suede materials.

From boardroom to guest room, HBF Textiles offers you a "Solid Solution".
Color Pulse 2009
As a design professional, it is critical to have the earliest access to leading color trend information. To keep you at the forefront, Benjamin Moore is proud to bring you the fourth annual issue of the international award-winning COLOR PULSE for 2009..

Have a happy and prosperous New Year,

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Bill Meyer
Contract Specialities, Inc. (CSI)

phone: 954-389-1295 or 800-808-8274