Another party heard from on color is the venerable Crescent Cardboard Company, maker of many of the matboards we use at The Frame Maker. Crescent makes a vibrant line of rag mats great for designs involving rich color schemes.

For 2008, Leatrice Eiseman, Director of the Pantone Color Institute, (noted as “the source of the world’s most used color specification system”) gives pleasantly concise “overviews” of different color palettes, or groups of colors to work with as a set. For instance, she describes the “High Profile” palette like this:

Inspired by the styles that have managed to survive the fads and foibles of the past, the High Profile palette presents classic shades of Very White, Raven Black, Claret and Neutral Grey. It gets ts glamorous accent with an impact of Cranberry, Majestic Purple, and glimmering Silver-Renaissance….”

Each palette has a second set of “Design Tip” commentary by “Nationally Renowned Interior Designer” Barbara Schmidt, whose syndicated columns appear in over 50 publications. She has this to add about the “High Profile” collection:

These colors are so contrasting that they force the eye to the art. High Profile is perfect when artwork leads the decor. Its silver and gold tones create texture and shine- another trend we’re seeing with the metal, glass and laquered furniture that is so popular today. Vintage posters are great for this palette….”

Check out the rest of their picks for 2008, beautifully illiustrated at http://crescentpro.com/trends.html.