Leading paint manufacturers have released their colours of the year, and one spicy hue is already inspiring designers and homeowners to give their home a warmer tone. The colour is Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate: “a delicate mix of heathered plum and velvety brown that mixes modern sensibility with soothing familiarity.”
“Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate is warm and comforting – yet muted, making it soft and inviting,” says Chris Irvine, owner of Irvine Carpet One Floor and Home.
This tone, and its earthy colour palette, wasn’t a surprise to Chris or his team. Trends have been gradually moving away from basic neutrals like grays and whites for a few years now, as we look for ways to add warmth and character to our homes again.
“The movement has shifted flooring choices too,” he adds. As the go-to flooring supplier for Barrie and surrounding communities since 1960, Chris and his team have borne witness to many interior design trends. “Where grey flooring was once extremely popular, now we’re seeing more warm natural tones in everything from hardwood to laminate flooring and tile.”
This year’s colour of the year is reminiscent of 1990s style trends, which leaned on bold burgundy and forest greens, but with much more white mixed in to subdue the shades and make them more livable long-term. “Unlike in the 90s, the trend is to use colour as an accent, adding it to a feature wall, cabinetry or to showcase one room, like a dining room.”
Trend wisely
While Benjamin Moore considered longevity and timelessness when selecting Cinnamon Slate, he says you can’t expect any trendy colour to be in vogue forever. It’s important to remember that trends do come and go. What matters most is that you love your home’s style and that it will continue to serve your family for years to come.
Choose a colour that fits your needs. If you are redecorating your home, choose a colour that reflects your personality and lifestyle. If you are painting for resale, choose a neutral tone that will appeal to potential buyers.
Focus on flooring
It’s exciting to talk paint colour, especially as Benjamin Moore releases their favourites – but, if you’re planning a new build or remodel, Chris suggests holding off on picking your paint until you settle on other, more permanent home features.
“Fixed elements like flooring should always come first,” he explains. “Unlike paint, which can be changed at any time, your flooring is much more permanent.”
In addition to tone and texture of your floors, Chris says you want to consider how your home is used, and who it is used by. “If you have kids and dogs, or live close to the beach or ski slope, we’d suggest a water-resistant laminate or vinyl plank floor that will be able to withstand toys, paws, sand and road salt.”
While many homeowners opt to use one type of flooring throughout their home, cottage or chalet, there are no hard rules for selecting your flooring. Carpet is starting to come back in bedrooms, as buyers look for added comfort and sound dampening. And tile remains popular for kitchens, bathrooms, entranceways and laundry rooms, where durability matters most.
The Irvine advantage
Not only does Irvine Carpet One’s retail layout make matching your flooring and paint selections easier, but they also have a deep Rolodex of trusted trades and a talented team of in-house installers, so installation is always stress-free.
“Our in-house designers and decorators can help you make the right choice for your home.”
As a Carpet One dealer, Irvine Carpet One also offers what they call “The Beautiful Guarantee.”
“Our Beautiful Guarantee is our commitment to ensuring your floor matches the beauty of your dreams. Should it fall short, we’ll replace your floors for free,” says Chris. “Nobody else in the industry has that warranty.”
Whether you’re building or renovating, visit Irvine Carpet One, explore their selection and consult one of their seasoned team members on how to make your dream a reality.
“With nearly 65 years in business, we’re here to give you trusted, personalized guidance and unmatched customer service, so you can love your home for years to c
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE
PHOTOS DANIEL WEYLIE PHOTOGRAPHY
