Exclusive Look at the Dulux Colour Forecast 2016.

We’re super excited to share with you an exclusive look at the Dulux Colour Forecast 2016 – Design Age. This year’s four colour palettes explore influences of the past, the future and the unknown, in a series of super real images that stimulate the senses and capture the passion, energy and spirit of colour.

To celebrate the dawn of the Design Age, Dulux has carefully selected influential makers to create bespoke products, each representing one of the four trends of the Dulux Colour Forecast 2016.

Bree Leech is the creative director behind the Dulux Colour Forecast. She collaborated closely with Dulux trend forecaster Andrea Lucena-Orr to create the trends and Heather Nette King to produce & style the images. An interiors stylist and writer for leading Australian and international interior titles, Heather Nette King’s love of colour is an important influence on the Dulux colour forecast imagery and ideas. Collaborating with Bree, Heather has conceptualised, styled and produced the images for the past 3 years.

Related Post: Dulux Colour Forecast 2014.

Bio Fragility – Dulux Colour Forecast 2016.

Bio Fragility // Nature represents the perfect balance – the delicate skeletal structure of an insect wing, rock formations stacked inexplicably on a hill top as if weightless, the cracked surfaces of parched earth. Bio Fragility takes its colour cues from natural and living matter – flesh tones, lichen and moss and stone influence the subtle hues of the palette which are derived from chalky brittle elements rather than soft textures.

Porcelain Bear created the elegantly balanced Porcelena bowl for Bio Fragility.

Infinite Worlds – Dulux Colour Forecast 2016.

Infinite Worlds // The lure of unexplored worlds captures the imagination and brings about design opportunities as well as scientific advances in biomimicry. Dulux’s fascination with the deep ocean and infinite space inspires visions of creatures glowing with phosphorescent light against dark coloured backdrops and celestial objects such as planets, moons, exploding stars and vast nebular clouds.

Dark colours form the majority of the palette juxtaposed with flashes of brilliant reds, pinks and coral and space age metallics. Fashion is an influence as we watch futuristic designs on the catwalk reflecting 70’s sci-fi style. Glowing hues are used as accents to help recreate the eerie effect of deep uncharted worlds.

Elise Cakebread created bespoke otherwordly colours in her Pile High Club floor cushions for this trend.

Future Past – Dulux Colour Forecast 2016.

Future Past // The Future Past look is luxurious and detailed; craftsmanship is valued with an eclectic edge influenced by the industrial age. This theme takes its cues from Steampunk references merging with modern design to create a new version of the old. Design explores analogue processes, customising and reinvigorating old techniques with the enhancement of new technology. A distinct European influence results from the contrast of crumbling aged architecture against twenty-first-century designs. Deep and decadent traditional hues are made modern with the addition of mustard, pink and purple. The scents of tobacco and leather are reminiscent of an 18th century explorer’s lounge, evoking visions of luxurious browns and rich timbers.

For the Future Past trend Emma Leah created an intriguing room scene that is bold yet refined and Luxurious.

Retro Remix – Dulux Colour Forecast 2016.

Retro Remix // No longer only captivated by the Memphis movement, Dulux widen their inspiration to include design from the post-modern era. Inspired by the 60s and 70s, a time when colour began to permeate our spaces in unexpected combinations and the introduction of modern materials such as plastic were explored resulting in new technologies and fluid forms. Less of a nostalgic trend this theme explores a more youthful expression, with new generations discovering these influences for the first time and creating their own remixed style. Fun and playful this palette celebrates the lighter aspects of the new retro movement. Experimentation in colour combinations leads to acid brights clashing with faded, muddied colours such as browns and olive greens. The colours are happy and nonconformist, optimistic and energetic.

Grazia & Co designed the post-modern influenced David Ottoman and Bowie side table, together known as the Bowie Remix for Retro Remix.

[Images courtesy of Dulux. Creative direction & styling by Bree Leech & Heather Nette King. Photography by Mike Baker.]