Bring the Look and Feel of Iconic Summer Travel Destinations Inside the Home This Summer

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2014) - Ace Hardware, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry, is sharing the season's top design and color trends to bring a touch of three of the world's premier travel destinations into the home this summer. Whether looking to bring back memories of vacations past or simply evoke the feeling of places yet to be experienced, Ace's Design Experts, Nathan Fischer (Orange County, Calif.), Julie Richard (Boston, Mass.) and Katie Reynolds (Dallas, Texas) hand selected their top color recommendations along with design and décor tips to bring these locales into the home and make every day feel like a vacation.

With a combined 30 years of interior design and color selection experience, Ace's Design Experts curated three alluring palettes featuring colors from the Clark+Kensington® paint+primer in one line. Each palette draws from the trends of popular summer travel destinations including Southern California (Fischer), Nantucket (Richard) and the Mediterranean (Reynolds). "Ocean sunsets, sailboats on the open sea, charming streets and other memorable vacation scenes can be great inspiration for bringing the feeling of these popular destinations into your home," said Fischer. "Our tips and recommendations will enable homeowners to bring elements of these gorgeous escapes into their homes to be enjoyed year-round!"

Featuring a mix of timeless and exotic hues and quick décor updates, Ace's Design Experts recommend the following summer travel inspired color palettes and design tips:

• Southern California - Modern, Upbeat & Bright
  • Blue isn't the only color that evokes the shades of the sea. When it comes to your décor, mix in silvers and light grays with weathered greens like Pop Quiz 29A-3 for a truly ocean-inspired look.
  • A summer sunset over the Pacific Ocean creates a brilliant display of coral, burnt orange and grapefruit tones. Use these powerful colors to transform a small room such as a powder room or bonus room by painting all of the walls in Precious Peonies 06D-4, a bold combination of these three tones.
  • Southern California summers are all about water and sun and it's easy to bring in both of these elements with the right combination of colors. Cool, water hues such as Palace of Versailles 30A-2 work well in most homes. Add a sunny contrast with an accent wall, ceiling or painted furniture by using a gorgeous, bright yellow like Lemon Meringue 20C-6.
  • Most contemporary beach houses along the coast keep a neutral, monochromatic exterior color scheme and add in small doses of bright color as accents. To achieve this look, keep your home's exterior white, gray or neutral and add color to your entry door, planters or outdoor patio furniture with hues such as Amarylis 10-C7, a rich, burnt orange, or Swiss Chard 29D-5, a lush and stately green.
  • Potted citrus trees are common on the west coast and can add charm to a yard, entryway or kitchen. The splash of green with yellow or orange adds a touch of color and gives any space an organic feel. Use a matching pair to flank an entry, driveway or door.