With little more than a month until the IDEA 2020 winners are announced, we’re talking trends with a few of our favourite industry leaders. This week, it’s paint trends with Haymes Paint.

Founded in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1935, Haymes is now on its fourth generation, supplying paint to more than 300 independent paint specialists and outlets across the country.

With more than 80 years under its belt, Haymes knows a thing or two about the colours that define this country. Forget Pantone. As one of Australia’s only locally made and owned paint brands, Haymes’ colour volume releases are tailor-made to suit our sentiment, mood and design aesthetic.

They’re also carefully curated by one of my favourite design doyennes, Wendy Rennie, colour and concept manager at Haymes.

Wendy is behind the Australian paint brand‘s latest colour library – Embrace, released at the end of 2020 as an exploration into how we can use colour to relieve stress and promote mental wellbeing.

Wendy describes the set of three unique colour palettes as “offering not just notions of aesthetic beauty, but also certain sensibilities of ‘groundedness’, tranquility and energy”.

Haymes also happens to sponsor the IDEA Colour awards – a category that is perfectly suited to the company as it looks at whether a project has used colour, including black and white, to the best possible outcome – be it aesthetics, form delineation, utility or brand presence.

Like everyone else in the A&D community, Wendy and I are eagerly awaiting to see who will be crowned this year’s colour champion at the IDEA Gala on 19 February 2021 in Melbourne.

But in the meantime, I thought I’d get the scoop from Wendy on what colour trends she anticipates for 2021 and what she’d love to see designers do more.

ADR: Hi Wendy! Welcome to ADR! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Wendy Rennie: At university (many moons ago) I did a Bachelor of Fine Arts followed by a Diploma of Art and Creativity. I went on complete an Advanced Trade Certificate in Sign Writing.

I’ve worked with colour for 20 years in various roles, including colour consulting at paint brands, which led me to my role at Haymes.

I am lucky to be able to support and influence the development of our palettes and love the challenge of inspiring everyone from passionate DIYers to professional specifiers who are extremely discerning customers.

What is your favourite thing about the IDEA Gala?

WR: I think seeing all of the beautiful entries leading up to the announcements is always inspiring and shows the dedication and calibre of the work.

I also love the idea of a fun event that is well hosted and very animated on the night. It all feels very exciting and great to see everyone dressed up and feeling celebratory.

What colour trends have you noticed in this year’s IDEA competition?

WR: I think the standout has really been the colour palettes, which all seem to have an affinity for the use of greens and blues.

A feeling of a connectivity to nature also runs through the majority of the 2020 entries – the link between indoors and out seems linked intrinsically with the palette and materials selected and almost frames some of the spaces to embrace the natural aesthetic even more.

All of this year’s projects feel very confident in their choice of colour and then tie seamlessly into the textures and materials, adding an overarching feeling of a more natural aesthetic.

If you had to choose one colour trend to define 2021, what would it be?

WR: Wellbeing! Spaces that incorporate the psychology of colour and design to them.

I think designs that are unique and personalised are key. The designs need to be in direct response to the needs of the individuals within the space.

I also think experimenting with colour and pushing boundaries in commercial areas will also become quite instrumental in driving design this year.

What would you like to see designers doing with colour in 2021?

WR: Using colour with complete confidence. Also by combining textures and colour, I think designers can create seamless designs that feel completely immersive.

I also think design needs to continue to feel connected to nature and be as nurturing and soft as possible.

To refresh your memory, here are the projects shortlisted for this year’s Colour award.

Stay tuned for more trends as we catch up with our other design leaders on the road to the IDEA 2020 Gala.

Lead photo: Soothing tones of creamy green and blue with muddied peach, pink and rusts from Haymes’ most recent colour library palette, The Calm Mind palette.