2013 marks 80 years for Dulux, one of Australia’s leading paint brands. To commemorate this birthday, Dulux is sharing their top selling colours and the styles that dominated each decade since the company first opened in 1933. Thanks for the present Dulux, it’s a perfect resource for recreating a retro look at home.
1930s
The 1930s saw simplistic colour with flashes of bolder colour highlighted in wallpapers, flooring and melamine accessories. Coloured kitchens with painted doors were very popular.
1940s
The 1940s interiors tended to be quite minimalist and the colours worked alongside this theme. Soft blues and greys, creams and pinks were popular. Bolder colours were often found in floor coverings and also in furniture.
1950s
Major colour trends for the period included a wide range of pastels and brighter ‘modern’ colours, such as vibrant yellow, electric blue, red, black and white. A sophisticated Scandinavian colour palette, including shades of brown, cream, grey and green were also popular.
1960s
The 1960s interiors were created with a sense of freedom and boldness that embodied this era. Strong yellows, deep reds, bold blues and often a combination of all in one space.
1970s
The 1970s saw the emergence of strong wall colours with white trim, or a solid ceiling colour with white walls. Top selling colours were Moon Yellow, Mexican Pink and Zenith Blue.
1980s
The 1980s saw a move away from the bright, bold colours of the 1970s, with a new range of colour collections reflecting nature in all her moods. The Dulux ‘Moods of Nature Collection’ included the subtle hues of ‘Strawberry Fields’ to the cool serenity of ‘Alpine Mists.’ Colour began to be injected by use of furniture or cushions to complement the calmer tones of the paint.
1990s
The 1990s were all about colouring your home with confidence and saw the feature wall phenomenon begin. Painting single walls and sectional areas was the flavour of the decade with bright and bold colours making a comeback. Fireplace surrounds, window and door frames, living room and bedroom walls and hallways were the perfect canvas for colour.
2000s
The 2000s brought with them a move away from the stronger colours of the 1990s and saw whites and neutrals come to the fore. Cool, cream, neutral and classic whites coordinated beautifully to create the mood – from clean and crisp to warm and serene. Shades of Dulux whites created a timeless palette to enhance a range of styles – classic or contemporary interiors. Australia’s favourite paint colours were Antique White U.S.A., Whisper White and Hog Bristle.
2010s
The 2010s are beginning to make a change from the whites of the 2000s to a deeper, more moodier palette. There is also a trend of “pop” colour being introduced in smaller volumes, in bright and saturated tones to balance the space.
