ICI Dulux Paints ColourFutures specialists vote for their favourite colour for 2007

Following in-depth research and palette tests, an international panel of colour consultants at ICI Paints has unanimously chosen pink as the "Colour of the Year 2007" as part of its ColourFutures™, an ongoing worldwide colour trend research, forecasting and development.

Releasing the ColourFutures™ trends in the UAE, Philip Mathew, General Manager, Al Gurg Leigh Paints (AGLP), points out: "Leading designers are now using pink for the latest hotel, restaurant and interior projects. It is elegant, retro and appeals to all people. Our research shows that pink is a highly desired colour and is being appreciated for its remarkable versatility with different palettes."

In their quest to find the colour of the year, the ColourFutures team draws on a variety of sources - from research groups, colour marketing and trade and retail exhibitions to design influences from the worlds of fashion, technology, architecture, music, nature and popular culture. This results in a contemporary colour palette which is driven by society's changing moods and interests.

Pink, associated with everything avant-garde, innovative, versatile, creative and cultured, will replace this year's favourite, kiwi green. The designers felt that pink was increasingly being used in innovative ways globally to create the most dramatic and adventurous of modern interiors.

ColourFutures features a palette of 100 colours divided into eight separate families, notably greens, violets, cool neutrals (such as black, grey and charcoal), blues, warm neutrals (such as khaki, brown, or beige), oranges, reds and yellows.

Explaining the new developments for 2007, Amna Saqib, Colour and Design Manager at the Dulux Decorator Centre in Dubai said that the major change this year was that colours are less contrasting and more mid-toned overall - some of the paler tones have moved a little deeper.

"This particular shade pink has a calming effect on people," says Saqib. "While it has had different connotations over the years, this colour has now evolved its own distinctive identity and character. We are confident of seeing its increased and creative use in home décor over the next few months."

Al Gurg Leigh's Paints manufactures protective coatings under licence from Leigh's Paints, UK. High-quality Dulux decorative paints are manufactured under licence from ICI Paints, UK. AGLP manufactures and distributes the full range of paints under the Dulux, Leigh's, and Firetex brands.