The ‘Arabian’ colour trend from Jotun Paints’ Be Home palettes draws its inspiration from across the Middle East

Home is at the heart of all our lives, and that is why ‘Be Home’ is this year’s theme for Jotun Paint’s Colour Trends Volume 3, which was launched earlier this year. Colour trends don’t happen by accident, says Jotun, adding that the inspiring palette for Jotun Colour Trends was thoughtfully created and carefully put together by a group of talented design professionals from around the Middle East and North Africa, called Jotun Colour Ambassadors.

There are three stylish new palettes for the customers to choose from under the ‘Be Home’ theme. These include the authentically rich colour palette of ‘Arabian’, the romantic aura of ‘Beauty’ (featured in MEI’s June 2012 issue), and the deep tranquility of ‘Cruising’. Each of these trends allows one to sit back, relax and just ‘Be Home’, Jotun adds.

The Arabian colour trend was created by Yasmin Medhat, and interior designer for Jotun Paints, Egypt, Kateri Mignogna, the chief interior designer and project manager for Boudoir Interiors, Abu Dhabi, UAE), Diyali Bhalla, a Dubai-based professional artist and fashion designer, and Suzanne Khayat, a Saudi-based freelance interior designer and architect. “These four diversely talented professionals had one common goal – to bring the traditional culture of Arabia into one’s home with a fresh, modern twist,” the spokesman continues.

“Inspired by historically and culturally rich features from across the Middle East and North Africa, the Arabian colour trend palette draws on the nostalgia of leather, the timeworn texture and colour of ancient pottery and stone, the glitter of silver and bronze coins, the iridescent colour of glass lamps and the various shades of shifting sands.”  Medhat explains further: “We wanted to demonstrate all  the beautiful elements of our culture. For example, the pottery that is available across all the countries. Honey, gold, and yellow, tie this palette together… and also pearl, that’s available in the seas.”
But while the trend draws on the roots of the past, the look is firmly rooted in the present. It allows you to reinterpret the essence of Arabia into your home in a modern, sophisticated and luxurious fashion.” Mignogna is passionate about the trend’s contemporary appeal: “I love mixing modern with traditional, sleek lines with ethnic elements, European design with Middle Eastern flavour; basically feeling like a space has travelled through time and the world – Arabian colour trend palette combines all of that.”

Essence of Arabia: Honey, gold and yellow tie this palette together

Transforming and refreshing the look of one’s home is not always about doing drastic renovations or buying expensive new furniture. As Khayat explains: “To add an Arabic culture to the home we don’t need to put in classic furniture or obtain old and traditional accessories. All we need to do is add a colour to the walls. Use one or two colours from this palette and in this way one can achieve an authentic Arabic look and feel while maintaining a modern style.”

Regional marketing director of Jotun Paints, Per Olav Ramstad, shares a simple advice: Your walls are your biggest furniture, when you give it a fresh and trendy colour, it will surely speak for itself. Jotun is seen as a leader in colours. Our quality paints are further enhanced by our credible colour trends palette, which are very much in line with the latest trends in interior design and decoration, and customised for our unique Middle East region.

“With our yearly colour trends, we are not just selling paint; we are offering our customers a mood, a lifestyle and an ambience that fits their personality.

The ‘Be Home’ Colour Trends Volume 3 paint colours are available in ‘Fenomastic’ at all Jotun Multicolour shops and Inspiration Centres across the Middle East.