AkzoNobel showcases 2018 color and styling trends for wood coatings

Robert Haley, Color Trends Manager for AkzoNobel's Wood Coatings business, presented the color and design influences driving the industry in the next year. He explained how specific styles within the wood market are moving into 2018.

In his talk, Haley identified the importance of the open home design concept that is dominating new home construction and home renovations. "Open spaces provide opportunity for a flow of styles between areas within the home due to the absence of distinct rooms. This flow impacts design elements including building products, flooring, cabinetry and furniture selections. It also provides infinite combinations in design, creating distinct and individual living spaces," said Haley. 

In his presentation, Haley identified four wood finishing trends for 2018 that transcend design:

• Historically Modern – Dominate wood tones, mixing contemporary looks with historically relevant pieces
• Reclamation – Products that are weathered, raw and organic that show the imperfections in wood
• Pearl & Metallic – A mix of modern and transitional that sparkle with a contemporary shimmer
• Opaque – The style dominating cottage and lodge design, with two-tone looks that can also be used to create a dramatic contemporary style

"These trends influence many designs," says Haley. "Our job is to help our customers translate these trends into interesting colors, unique techniques and wood finishing processes in support of their business objectives. Sharing how the company's Color of the Year, Heart Wood, can be expressed on different wood substrates and used in a measured tonal value provides product designers an on-trend and broader palette to consider."

Designers were enthusiastic about the trends research and presentation. "Collaborating with the AkzoNobel Color Studio helps my team and me create unique looks for our product development work" said Dudley Moore, President, Otto & Moore, Inc., an award-winning boutique furniture design company. "The finish on a furniture collection is an important selling feature and our work with AkzoNobel is important to my business, given the research they do on color trends and finishes. The Color Studio team is connected to manufacturers we work with, so a custom look created for a prototype piece in the US can be made locally or overseas and AkzoNobel is there to support the customer and ensure a beautiful finish on the collection."

Haley's presentation was delivered at a client appreciation gathering hosted by AkzoNobel at the Market event, with nearly 200 industry leaders from around the world in attendance. Customers engaged with studio artisans to review the finishing trends and see different species of wood panels displayed in novel and unique ways.  The exhibit was completed with a vignette interpreting the 2018 Color of the Year in furniture, cabinetry, flooring and building products to provide inspiration for guests. 

About AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people's lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.

SOURCE AkzoNobel

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