MARBLE HILL, GA.—Business experts agree one of the ways to be successful is to prepare for the future. One of the services provided by Wools of New Zealand (WONZ) that help its brand partners do this is its annual color forecast for carpets and rugs.

Elise Demboski, executive director, said the colors are one year ahead of current trends and are used by manufacturers to create fashion-forward floor coverings made with New Zealand wool. She noted that retailers and distributors who sell New Zealand wool products should be aware of this forecast to be better prepared for what mills will be offering down the road.

Colorscape—Natural New Colors for Natural New Carpets is the name of the 2010 forecast and was inspired by Scottish landscape artist James Wheeler, who began his career as a carpet designer. “Wheeler’s exceptional use of color to create light and atmosphere is truly inspirational and depicts how mixing and applying shades can bring landscapes to life in a new and innovative way,” Demboski explained. “His work, inspired by the natural beauty of Yorkshire, the Lake District and his native Scotland, straddles the contemporary and timeless.”

Joanna Ramsden, WONZ’s creative manager and an experienced colorist herself who sits on a number of influential international forecasting panels, added, “Colorscape encompasses an eclectic palette of 89 organic colors.”

In looking at the forecast, a number of themes pop out. The eight most popular include:

• Influences of cool grays complement the warm soft neutrals, ecological greens and rich, dark tones that center the 2010 palette.

• Barely there pastels, frozen naturals and powdered minerals morph into meteorological-inspired tones of stormy grays, teals and midnight blues.

• Fresh vegetable greens blend into herbal shades of olive.

• Old and mellowed golds diffuse into warm aromatic spice tones of cinnamon, saffron and burnt orange.

• Nostalgic and romantic hues of faded rose and mulberry intersperse with rich shades of wild berries, plums as well as violet.

• Sumptuous tones of coffee, caramel, cocoa and melted chocolate blend with soft warm naturals.

• Vibrant and energizing bright accents, to be used in a controlled manner, adding a touch of zest and bring the palette to life.

• Black and white enhance fashion opportunities.

“Nature continues to dominate the forecast, underlining the trends already signaled for 2009,” Ramsden said. “And, a host of new shades, associated with the earth’s natural habitats, are integrated into an extended palette of hues, embracing colors synonymous with both natural elements and atmospheric conditions.”

For more information on Wools of New Zealand or its 2010 color forecast, call 800.367.0462.