COLOR WATCH

"We're looking for colors we can wrap ourselves in-a feeling achieved through classic neutrals as a base, accented with rich hues," says Leatrice Eisman of Pantone, a leading authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industry. "Half of the palette is expressed in basic chestnuts, all very approachable."

Vibrant colors add depth and harmonize with neutrals, Eisman says. Top colors include frost gray, apple cinnamon, pale khaki, red mahogany, vetiver, purple magic, golden ochre, mineral red, simply taupe and bijou blue.

For 2007 Pantone anticipates a surge in colors that are natural, even earthy, and respond to a general desire to slow down. Here's what you can expect to see:

Lumens dazzles with water-borne blues, emerald or opaline greens, ultra violet, vibrant rose, metallic silver and bright white.

Simply Elegant, in which color treatments in blends of mahogany silvered mink, silvery blues, elegant purples and deep bronzed tones are set off by the glint of pale gold, frosty almond and copper.

Fresh Air suggests inventive mixes-for example, green pesto, vibrant yellow and yellow-greens combining with cyclamen pink, purples and violets, sky blues and snow whites.

Aux Naturale goes organic with creamy whites, sandy beiges, essential tans, taupes, gray and mellow browns accented by subtly shaded roses, lily pad green and denim-like blue.

Classic Chic, in which gray provides a real presence in both light and deeper tones, while silver and lustrous champagne add sparkle. Mineralized yellow and a sensuous red excite cappuccino brown while classic black and white, often used with the cappuccino colors, holds its own.

Grass Roots looks to indigenous crafts and materials for these colors: variations on a green theme, mineral blue, and various wood tones enhanced by unexpected combinations including grape, rose and terra cotta.

Mélange is reminiscent of a summer salad, flavored by melon, apricot, strawberry and orange. Along with these fruity offerings, rustic khaki grounds toasty tan, vibrant poppy red, vivacious yellow and blue.

Light Touch speaks of softer colors calming an increasingly noisy world. Updating a pastel palette entails taking classic aquas and greens, pinks and lavenders, powdery blues, sun-tinged yellows and angora whites to the next level by infusing them with a touch of champagne, or by introducing the sophistication of a silvery gray or rosy taupe.

Also, keep your eye peeled for orange in varying shades, from blood orange to the color of koi. Blue remains a stalwart color, especially inspired by the sea in aqua light to darker tones.