"Our latest Lifestyle Collection embraces earth-inspired trends and consumers’ environmentally focused ways," said Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. "As our daily interactions with culture, commerce and technology, both at home and abroad, continue to evolve, so does our source of color inspiration."

The 24 hues selected by Sherwin-Williams color experts for 2009 transcend fluidly across four palettes: Global Tapestry, Local Momentum, Conscious Luxury and Techno-Color.

Global Tapestry
While the comforts of home are undeniable, consumers can stamp a passport – and then balance out their carbon footprint – to a broader color journey with the Global Tapestry palette. Its exotic hues weave together a brilliant patchwork of colors inspired by many regions, including Russia, East Asia and Latin America.

This palette dances a festive tango with bold shades of orange, red, gold and green; and also waltzes with balancing browns in roasted and sandy tones.

Local Momentum
Closer to home, the heart of the Local Momentum palette asks one question: What is your local?

Color inspiration can come from a variety of personal sources – everything from seashells and driftwood on a nearby beach to a rainbow of locally sourced produce at a farmer’s market to a snow-swept ski slope. Discover a palette inspired by the handiwork of local artisans and the beauty of the natural resources that abound in all of our communities.

"Local Momentum celebrates our personal surroundings," Jordan said. "The colors of our neighborhood landscape and architecture help to build our unique definitions of local."

Shades of urban, eco-rooftops inspire the grassy and yellow greens in the Local Momentum palette, while the tranquility of water and sky stir a serene blue. And the influence of raw, natural materials like sand and wood are found in this palette’s neutral hues.

Conscious Luxury
There is a new side of affluence emerging in the world of design, with environmental consciousness being a rising, must-have consumer trend. Think of the five-star resorts built to be eco-friendly and the finest silks and cashmere accented with natural dyes. The Conscious Luxury palette draws its inspiration from this new twist on design – evoking a feeling of luxury and sophistication while also reflecting a conscious investment in preserving our surrounding landscape.

"Conscious Luxury shows how being ‘green’ is translating into being chic," Jordan said.

This palette blushes with sophisticated, cosmetic-inspired pinks, purples as well as a blue that reflect the brilliant sheen of conflict-free gemstones.

Techno-Color
Technology is not only expanding our reach worldwide, it is also extending the world of design. With fiber technologies such as linen, bamboo and hemp on the rise, colors of these natural materials are giving eco-fashion and home décor a new look and feel.

"Our Techno-Color palette draws inspiration from the new color possibilities that technology creates. As technology continues to drive innovation, it is also driving an evolution in the world of color and design," Jordan said.

Catch the next color wave with the eye-catching pinks, blue and green in this palette; then go industrial with concrete and stainless-steel grays. Bright colors are a key element, providing a dramatic contrast when used with the darker, more subdued tones that are also part of this palette.

Ask Sherwin-Williams™
Sherwin-Williams is the nation's largest specialty retailer of paint, stains, coatings, wall coverings and sundry items. With more than 3,300 neighborhood stores in North America, the company is dedicated to supporting the do-it-yourself consumer with exceptional products; resources to make confident color selections; and expert, personalized service that's focused on the do-it-yourselfer's unique project needs. Sherwin-Williams brand-name products can only be found at Sherwin-Williams stores. You’ll be amazed what happens when you ask. Visit sherwin-williams.com.

Editors’ note: Room images and color swatches of the Sherwin-Williams 2009 Lifestyle Collection are available on CD. All of the 2009 Lifestyle Collection colors and inspirational idea cards are available at Sherwin-Williams stores nationwide.