The 2011 edition of Crown Paints’ Colour Influences has been launched, featuring vibrant colours, inspirational finishes and different textures to offer a personalised effect for public spaces, commercial environments and retail areas.

Produced by The Crown Paints’ colour panel, a team of nine creative experts from backgrounds including design and architecture, the influences were unveiled at London’s Chiltern Studio and will go on to inspire Crown Paints’ portfolio across the professional sector. The panel pinpointed a range of trends, including the Natural Primary palette, which is inspired by nature and focused on greens and reds, with wood-stained in light natural tones, complemented by softer shades and light textures.

Other trends included the contemporary Paper palette, emphasising contrasting shades, whilst Amethyst centred on mineral colours from nature, and Space created a metallic age, high-technology feel.

Vernon Kinrade, Crown Paints’ specification sector support manager, said: “Crown continues to lead the way in colour forecasting. Expect to see these influences finding expression in a wide variety of commercial environments, including hotels, retail centres, offices, restaurants and public spaces. Ultimately, colour in the commercial environment is becoming more dynamic, individualistic and experimental.” He added: “We are seeing a definite change in the way colour is viewed by the industry, including architects, interior designers, facilities managers and specifiers – the choice is becoming more personal.”

Crown Paints offers specifiers a dedicated colour service, offering a range of features including the bespoke colour scheme service for high-value projects, which provides a visualisation programme for clients, using CGI software. Face-to-face consultations and interior schemes utilising computer aided design are also provided.

Vernon continued: “Crown Paints’ systems for specifiers, namely our Crown Trade interior range, Sadolin woodcare and Sandtex Trade exterior solutions, deliver the necessary performance and durability characteristics for a wide-range of environments, with a wide selection of colour choices and textures.

“Although colour is a personal choice, professional help can pay dividends to create an inspired environment. Aside from colour, it is important high-quality paint is selected to ensure a durable and longer-lasting result, to maintain an attractive finish – and the Crown Paints colour service can help specifiers get the best aesthetic and performance solution for their project.”