November 28, 2022

It’s that time of year when paint manufacturers launch their fresh palettes of up-and-coming colour trends. And while the hues of 2022 revolved around more subdued shades of green and nature inspired tranquil tones, the 2023 colours of the year appear to be bold and all about self-expression.

Benjamin Moore’s 2023 palette went outside of the box with a small collection of deeply saturated colours and its poster child, Raspberry Blush, a vivacious red-orange that is unapologetic in its boldness. But what is extraordinary about this new collection is that the paint company personified its colours and gave them a vibe through music.

“This is a big switch from past few years, but we felt confident in going bolder as we were seeing more expression and people not being afraid to incorporate colour into their space,” says Sharon Grech, colour and design expert for Benjamin Moore in Canada. “I’m sure a lot of it has to be from being cooped up in our space for a lot of time. Even getting new art, painting an accent wall or moving things around became so important. We definitely noticed that designers, homeowners and colour savvy people were becoming more experimental, and that brought us to this, a bolder palette.”

She continues, “We felt inspired by artists and their ability to communicate with colour, space, shapes and sound. So we went out of our regular sensorial tactile experience and felt that there was a connection with music and how music and colour evoke such emotion.”

Benjamin Moore collaborated with Spotify and Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo to underscore the punchy palette with playlists for each of the colours. And Chromeo was commissioned to write a song called Raspberry Blush and produce video that features a dancer moving from room to room, with each space featuring the colours of the palette.

“We call Raspberry Blush ‘Not a Wallflower’. It’s the life of the part and it’s personified in the song for sure,” says Grech. “This palette is warmer in general, but the Starry Night has an ethereal feeling like being underwater and seeing those colours from that perspective, and with Tofino Sunset you’re seeing a nostalgic kick back sort of feeling. Even the neutrals, although their common, when you look at them individually they’re strong on their own.”

What triggered the idea for this smaller palette of such bold shades was the trends they were seeing on social media. The 2021 palette was neutral and more muted, but Rosy Peach, a deep rich red tone, got online attention. And then when they launched the 2022 collection, Pale Moon, Mysterious and Wildflower, another red-orange hue, all received a lot of interest.

“We’re always going to sell Grey Owl, Chantilly Lace and October Mist. People have been using those colours forever because they're calming and relaxing. But people also need some punchy colours in their space. Walls have been a backdrop for so long. And now we’re seeing people doing murals again and even using wallpaper or patterns,” says Grech. And with colours like the new 2023 palette, she says that the wall can become the main event in a room. “It’s time to have fun and be more playful with colour.”

Each of the Spotify playlists for the colours can be downloaded from the company’s website www.benjaminmoore.com.