Chesapeake Home

Are you looking for an affordable and easy way to revamp your home? Paint is widely known as an inexpensive accessory that can dramatically transform the appearance of a room. But selecting the perfect color can be more than just a little daunting.

Paint and home improvement stores are stocked with literally thousands of options. How do you know which one is right for you? The selections featured in BEHR’s 2011 Color & Design Trends forecast might just come in handy.

Erika Woelfel, director of color at BEHR paints, describes the 2011 colors in BEHR’s collection as more cheerful and hopeful than the 2010 colors. But the colors still have a conservative angle, which makes them easy to use in any room and harmonize with other colors.

“Our trend team finds inspiration in fashion, culture, travel and entertainment for each year’s new décor themes,” says Woelfel. The 2011 collection includes four different themes: Boudoir Goth, Rock ‘N Roll, Tokyo Pop and Danish Twist, each with its own set of unique colors.

Boudoir Goth can best be described as “Victorian-era meets gothic glam” with darker colors, such as Blood Rose, which is a deep raspberry and Grayve-Yard, an intense gray.

Woelfel says the inspiration for Boudoir Goth came from theatrical dramas featuring vampires, such as the best-selling novel and movie series “Twilight” and the hit TV show “ The Vampire Diaries.” The vivid colors work well in a dining room setting, bedroom or living room.

Meanwhile, Rock ‘N Roll showcases a relaxed vibe with contemporary neutrals, such as Wild Thing, a rich burgundy, and Drum Solo, a burnt orange. “The Rock ‘N Roll palette is our masculine, man-cave theme, inspired by the artwork found on vintage rock albums,” Woelfel says.

Tokyo Pop is my favorite collection with its bright, bubble-gum colors that give off a fun and youthful energy. The line is inspired by Japanese anime and includes a funky purple called Harajuku Girl (which I love) and a sunshine yellow known as Lizard Breath. The colors would look great in a bedroom, bathroom or even a modern home office setting.

Danish Twist, inspired by Scandinavian design, offers a clean and crisp combination of colors that are perfect for a kitchen or living room, but work well just about anywhere. The collection uses colors, such as Fjord, an organic green, and Starlit Night, a midnight blue, paired with a soft, creamy white known as Lucky Potato to create a living space that is simple, yet inspiring.

For more information about BEHR’s 2011 Colors & Trends collection and design tips, please visit behr.com.