Paris & Paint

I don’t often look at clothes these days – I’m too busy sorting out the house.

I’m also not adding any new paint colors but this past week I found myself browsing the Spring 2012 ready-to-wear shows in Paris. Another day, on a quick dash through my local Lowe’s, I stopped for a pick-through at the Valspar paint counter. I can never resist paint swatches.

Talk about harmonic convergence? The paint colors were really close to the clothes colors even though they were an ocean away. So if anyone thinks trends just “happen” think again.

Here’s what I found so amusing (though I must post a disclaimer on the variation of colors in computer monitors: they look comment-close in mine).

The great Valentino has always been known for his reds [top]. This strapless evening beauty links up with Valspar’s Scarlet Sun (1011-1). This would make a great accent wall.

Sapphire is huge now, which thrills me because I’ve always loved it and it was out of sight for many years. This ‘60s-inspired day look from Louis Vuitton seems keyed to  Precious Sapphire (4010-7). One of my friends painted her bedroom this color to get rid of 40th floor skyscraper glare.

The house of Moncler Gamme Rouge loves color and these acid-y greens just don’t go away. Valspar’s Can’t Miss Lime (6011-10), top, and Sassy Green (6009-10) coordinate  wonderfully. These have been home catalog accent colors for so long there’s not much more to say since they’ve been used everywhere.

I was riveted by the color of this Chloé skirt, which appears to be midnight blue with a brown undertone and at the same time almost black. Royal Navy (4011-4) has the same effect. I could see it used in a study with natural linen upholstery for contrast.

(Source: style.com, Valspar)