Warming up

“Even though there is generally a bigger movement in 2009 into blue, blue-green and purple, warm is not going away,” Eiseman said. Pantone Color Institute's Solar Energy palette lends a bit of warmth to the '09 forecast.

“This palette, titled Solar Energy, figuratively captures the dynamic power inherent in the sun, depicting the rays of color that have come to symbolize an alternative to fossil fuels,” Eiseman said. “When you have a color like orange, which has been a slow, steady grower, reinventing the hue is key to keeping the look new and fresh,” she said, suggesting color combinations such as orange and gray for an updated glow.

Mandarin Orange, Flame Orange, Artisan's Gold, Celery, Fuchsia Red, Wineberry, Ash and Blue Radiance make up the Solar Energy palette.

“Variations of mandarin and flame orange remain strong for future, with radiating gold and green-based yellows reinforcing the vitality,” Eiseman said. “A mulled purplish wine, fuchsia-red and electric blue add an interesting dimension to the mix, while an ashy gray provides a calming neutral influence to this volatile mix.”

Leslie Harrington of The Color Association said there continues to be a warm color focus, which underlies most of the 44 colors in the forecast and stays in synch with ongoing environmental concerns. The Color Association's color direction titled Vegetable Garden includes 28 warm mid-tone hues, ranging from vivid tomato reds to reddened purples. Also included are bronzed yellows, earthy browns and leafy greens.

“Healthy greens that are found so extensively in farm produce and natural landscapes still resonate as popular choices for interior spaces and products, while vibrant orange, yellow and reddish tints are all vital product hues,” Harrington said.

Expect bronze to reign in the metal category, but with a refined attitude. “Bronze was singled out to be the most influential metal and as likely to exert a strong effect on other hues as a bronzing effect,” she said.

Warm orange tones radiate from the Agatha fabric panel from Paragon's Platinum Collection.

Making a juicy statement is the mandarin orange ensemble from Versace.

The Cite Imperiale Collection table runner from Le Jacquard Francais features a Chinese themed pattern in a brilliant Poppy colorway.

Intricate designs punctuated by vibrant pops of orangey-reds adorn this vessel from Urban Trends Collection.