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An Active palette demands colours that are filled with bursts of energy. Many of the “call-to-action’ colours lean to the warmer side of the spectrum, as heat is perceived as more energy-producing. This does not preclude the use of cooler tones. Still, if they are chosen, it is best to utilize the brighter variations, such as electric blue or vibrant turquoise. This palette is exactly the right place for “special effects” colours found in neon or fluorescent finishes characterized by names such as lime punch, racing red, fiery orange, blazing purple, solar yellow, and flaming fuchsia.

The need for a green palette testifies to the inevitable and life-affirming connection between humans and greenery, providing critical food, water, oxygen, and remedies.

Holistic and harmonious living is linked to the efficacy of the yellow-greens, blue-greens, and greenish yellows. Food and beverage trends, lifestyles, and well-being are all closely connected to this colour family. It is the largest of all hue groups, ranging from the lightest frost and sea spray to the deepest of evergreens; from sunny limes and bright chartreuse to deep lush mossy greens; from succulent aloe to sweet pea.

The blue-greens bring yet another wide extension of the green family in turquoise and deep teal to honeydew and cockatoo.

Holding on to some vestige of the past is deeply satisfying and reassuring to many. This is an “old school” kind of appeal, one that is rooted in deep to mid-tones of colours such as navy and cadet blue, regimental red, maroon, mahogany, hunter green, antique gold, mallard, teal, London fog, and gunmetal.

Whites are not pristine, bright, and bleached clean, but are slightly warmed to a parchment or ivory. Yellows are mellowed cornsilk and chamomile, while the orange family favours the softer tones of a prairie sunset, and pink is reflected in the shifting shades of evening sand.

When we gaze outside the earth and surrounding atmosphere, we can behold light shows more spectacular than any we view on earth. The Milkyway is lined with glittering white lights seen against a wide range of blues, from mid-tone periwinkle to the most profound cosmic blues of the universe. Sapphire blue stars twinkle abundantly, and vaporous blue and silver plumes issue forth from shooting comet trails. At the same time, a tinge of yellow gold encircles the solar system. The aurora borealis splashes wide varieties of emerald and glassy greens, majestic purples, and radiant orchids in breathtaking and dramatic displays.

Glamour is such an evocative word, filled with images of svelte and perfectly coiffed Hollywood stars. The very meaning of the word Itself suggests a certain allure and attraction, a thrilling promise of bright lights, glitter, glitz, and glam. Sheen and sparkle in lustrous surfaces and metallic finishes reflect enticing hopes of what any product encased in these colours can deliver: sultry reds and lavish wines, absinthe and cognac, purple to the more sensual red side of the spectrum, fuchsias and hot pinks, accented by cheeky blush tones and complementary turquoises. Gold and copper complete the picture of this warm and opulent palette.

These are the natural shades associated with feats of ancient architecture, the enduring temples, monuments, and statuary that have withstood the test of time.

These are the hotter colours of chill-pepper red, blood orange, saffron, cayenne, persimmon, and Tandoori spice, harmoniously mixed with turmeric, cumin, and Dijon mustard. For added impact and flavour, there is purple-tinged basil and sage as well as unique new purple veggies and drinks. As a final touch, there is an ample splash of lemon and lime.

Hearty wine hues also play a big part in the deliciousness of this palette, as in a savoury stew of coq au vin. It is redolent with shades that are tempting to both the eye and the taste buds with evocative and tempting names like Beaujolais and burgundy, sangria and syrah, pomegranate, port and purple plum, chablis and chardonnay, raspberry and boysenberry. Supporting shades are roasted coffee browns and vineyard greens.

Coral reefs and the ever-present sunlit yellows provide the warming touch to this palette, promising an island paradise.

Reaching beyond what Is generally referred to as “spicy, the Piquant palette is an intriguing potpourri of tastes and colours that reflect current day trends to more adventurous selections of foods, seasonings, and condiments.

This lively, joyful, exuberant grouping of colour is an invitation to come out and play. These are energizing, “up” colours that elicit a smile and are inherently understood by both kids and grownups who are young at heart. Irrepressible fun and spontaneity are expressed through this mash-up of jelly bean colours, including shades that would beg for sweetened or tarted-up names like orange popsicle, pink lemonade, lollipop red, dewberry purple, lemon zest, kiw], daiquiri, and just to cool things down a bit, a blue-green [age-of] Aquarius.

There are times when a discordant mood in colour combinations best expresses the intention or Impression to get a concept across to a viewer. Perfect harmony is not always the goal, especially when some irreverence is called into play. Bright shades might be mixed with delicate tones, and widely divergent colour families can be juxtaposed. A deliberate choice of clashing colours might be the attention-getter that will make the product or environs seem more unique than anything else in the surroundings—and that might be precisely the intended goal. It can express whimsy or a kind of impudent, impertinent, cheeky, or not taking-yourself-too seriously kind of a mood.

The concept of power is personified by all that is strong, forceful, weighty, and impactful. Often, just two assertive colours, such as all empowering black used with imperial purple, black with royal blue, or black combined with a well-fortified red gets the message across. Black stung with yellow instantly arouses as it signals us to be wary of bumblebees or predatory animals, while black with deep green reminds us of the power of hard cash. Three shades used in combination in any of the above-mentioned colours can pack an even bigger punch. A solid banker’s grey can stand in for black as can the authoritative shades of military green and navy blue.

The Provocative palette is replete with tantalizing and tempting tones. By definition, provocative means that which incites, arouses, allures, and seduces, whether in the colour of a garment, in cosmetics, in food, or beverage, and most of all, in attitude. The shades are mid- to deep and/or bright tones. This is not the place for shrinking violets but a perfect setting for passionate purples, spicy reds, succulent oranges, hot pinks, pungent curries, and rich chocolates, often against a background of potent black. The message Is suggestive, captivating, daring, and definitive; it strives to be irresistible and most often succeeds.

The dictionary definition of “reliable” is: “something (or someone) that is dependable, well-founded, authentic, honest, genuine, loyal, constant, and true.” As these are the qualities often ascribed to the blue family, there are many examples of that hue, from light to mid to dark, included in this palette, as well as other hues that are blue-based. Rather than a volatile red, there are more serious cordovan shades. The blue-based purples are less pinkish or passionate and a bit soberer. Greens are inclined to the bluer teals, and rock-solid grey has a strong positioning in this trustworthy and upstanding group.

Rich is a word that is rich in meaning. Applied to the sense of taste, it suggests the deliciousness of a chocolate mousse, a sip of fine wine, or piquant olives in a long-stemmed martini glass. Rich can be tasteful as well as tasty; it is resonant, sumptuous, and above all, plentiful. A portrait rich in colour can be painted in artful shades of aubergine, plum, berry, claret, sauterne, olive, café au lait, maroon, and cacao brown. It is similar in tone to the Robust palette, but the Rich palette adds more sparkling grape, vinous red, and the power of a distinctive caviar black.

Robust is a palette of flavorful and full-bodied shades, especially in the berry and grape family.

The Romantic palette aptly depicts intimacy, tenderness, and love. Idyllic images of picturesque spaces (think of the diffused light of candle-lit dinners for two), the romantic mood is filled with softened shades that range from pastels to mid-tones. The palette embraces both warm and cool tones of creamy white, forget-me-not blues, corn-silk yellows, and discreet green. As they are descended from the most sensual shades of red and purple, variations of rose and lavender are the most plentiful in the palette. But these charming, acquiescent, and agreeable tones are perceived as far more subtle and affectionate than blatantly seductive, more demure than voluptuous.

To soothe is to create a gently calming effect, inducing a tranquil, restful, peaceful, relaxed, and reposeful mood. A passive rather than active palette, it is based in the cooler side of the colour wheel balanced by some natural, quieting tones like a tactile, plushy angora white, or a dove grey. A rosewater pink brings just a splash of warmth while an ecru almond oil smooths and soothes. Lightly bracing cool tones, like cresting wave and sea-spray greens, aquamarines, frosted lavenders, and dew touched blues, refresh and revive. Above all is the colour of a placid blue sky.

Sophisticated is the cooler opposite, both in attitude and tonal value, of the more sumptuous Glamorous palette. Colours for the Sophisticated palette are considered cosmopolitan and worldly-wise, the essence of elegance and above all, understated stylishness. Quintessential black is an essential statement in this refined grouping. Polished is another word to describe the desired effects of the colours. All of them done with a subtle glimmer that is found in cultured pearls, with appropriate names like pearlescent pink and rose, opalescent blue and green, champagne, sparkling sherry, lustred lavender, and mauve mist. Adding the final glimmer of patina to the palette is both a pewterized silver and a shiny silver.

Just as the name implies, Subtle is a nuanced group of hues that is understated and upscale.

Even though the expression “power clashing” was more recently invented as part of the language of women’s fashion, there is some history of deliberately mismatching colour, pattern, and design, both in interior décor and interestingly in men’s fashion, that is now extending to all areas of design.

Both thoughtful and thought-provoking, this pensive palette is based in contemplative blues, enigmatic purples, dusky mauves, ephemeral greys, and wispy off-whites. The hues seem to have a floating quality, seemingly weightless and lighter-than-air. There is an air of mysticism and/or spirituality present in the combination of hues, somewhat magical, contemplative, mysterious, and otherworldly, implying that the tones take us beyond the physical realm into the metaphysical world.

With the muted shadings of shifting sand. In addition, there are ancient statues or artefacts often covered with a weathered greenish patina.

Blatantly bright shades will not find a home here as the mood Is muted, subdued, quiet, and contained, yet at the same time, the goal is not to make the palette so unobtrusive that it becomes boring. There is an artful simplicity that is expressed with a range of neutrals and shades like hazy aqua and celestial blue finessed into combinations with mellow mauves, greyish lavenders, and weeping-willow greens. The effect is composed and cool in colour, temperature, and attitude.

An Urban palette expresses a metro feel, with tall buildings and the dark shadows they throw; a cool concrete jungle filled with cement and paving. Mirrored against the glossy steel surfaces and multiple reflecting windows are the colours of the sky, from the greyed blues of dusk through the clear blues of daylight, culminating with moody twilight blues or vague purples. Big city black adds some sophistication while charcoal grey reminds us there is serious business to be transacted here. However, there is a touch of nature, as more cities embrace the therapeutic concept of green-pocket parks and rooftop gardens.

Toasty and whole-grained tans, bran brown, mushroom, and mineral grey, offer a grounded presence. Greens are well-represented in lichen, loden, seagrass, and vintage khaki.