“Historically, when money is tight and there is a concern for the longevity of a given color, people have a tendency to play it safe with neutrals,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute's executive director

The button-tufted cushions from Three Hands are saturated in trendright neutrals with a hint of luster.

Looking ultra-sophisticated, the tan Akris ensemble features a gray reflection.

Pantone's take on this palette is titled Tinged Neutral. The tones are considered the most directional neutrals for 2010 and include Olive Gray, Taupe Gray, Silver Gray, Charcoal Gray, Tea, Bog, Champagne Beige and Angora.

“Some are tinged with green or blue, and there is, as always, a classic off-white,” Eiseman said. Neutrals also begin to venture in a new direction with touches of luster as seen with Champagne Beige, she added.

Brown and cream scrollwork ardorns a background of gray on The Rug Market's design.

Lamb translates this to mean deep colors, such as Nautical Navy because people trust deep, sophisticated hues.

A Calvin Klein advertisement displays garments washed in safe, classic neutral hues such as white, beige and grayish-blues.

“Neutrals are thought of as a blank canvas and they become pivotal as they sit between two groups,” said Leslie Harrington, executive director of The Color Association.

Texture plays just as an important role in the palette as color, she said. “Color names such as Zinc, Stone, Mica and Silt remind us that these are materials found in nature, where color and texture are inseparable elements,” Harrington said.

The Color Association predicts that grays will gain importance and become the neutral of the season. “There is a noticeable shift towards browns becoming more taupe with several variations appearing in the group, each containing subtle differences,” Harrington said.

Color Forecast: Great Escape:
Color Forecast: Radical Rules:
Color Forecast: Natural Embrace
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