Pale pastels, bold graphics set to colour home decor and fashion in 2014

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Breath of Fresh Air, the Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year for 2014, is seen on the walls while paint colour White Dove is used as the trim in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Benjamin Moore

TORONTO - Whether you're seeking to make a minor ripple or sizable splash in your home or wardrobe in 2014, prognosticators are hoping to help make the new year a stylish one with predictions of noteworthy new looks in decor and fashion.

Suzanne Dimma, editor-in-chief of House and Home Magazine, Benjamin Moore colour expert Sharon Grech and Lisa Tant, vice-president, fashion editor at Holt Renfrew share their views on notable trends and suggestions on how to incorporate the changes within your interiors, apparel and accessories.

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1. Cool hues. Colour trendsetter Pantone opted for vibrant pop with the selection of Radiant Orchid a purple hue infused with hot pink as its colour of the year for 2014.

But the ultra-bold shade seems to be the exception rather than the rule with a sleek yet more subdued palette of colours emerging for home interiors.

Paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore selected Breath of Fresh Air a pale, sky blue hue as its colour of the year. While there were several examples of deep blue, teal and purple featured in its 2014 Colour Trends Guide, the company's standout hue for the new year was among a vast array of softer shades like Distant Gray, Peach Parfait and Lavender Mist.

Grech said the intention was to create a collection of colours which weren't specific to one particular style as has been customary in the past.

"Even though it's often the most economical part of your design project, it takes up a lot of space. And if you get that too strong, that's what you'll notice," she said in reference to paint colour choice. "Even if you spend a ton of money on your new sofa or your Carrara marble countertop, if you get the paint colour wrong, it throws everything off."

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Pale pastels, bold graphics set to colour home decor and fashion in 2014