The transformative power of colour to improve the look and feel of any home was explored on the final day of #DesignWeekJa2025, Sunday, October 12, at Hardware & Lumber (H&L) Rapid True Value, Lane Plaza, Constant Spring Road.

The event, handled with aplomb by master of ceremonies Talia Soares-Brown, opened with True Value Colour Specialist Dawn Garrett, who shared insights into colour psychology under the theme ‘Bring Colour Home’. “Colour is the inseparable thread that links design, art, and nature. It’s that important. From the clothes we wear to the houses we live in, colour influences mood, perception, and even decision-making,” Garrett explained.

“The mind makes connections with colour and shapes. Why do you think one room looks so much better than the next? It’s because whoever designed and painted that room got the shapes and the colour correct.”

Garrett covered several practical aspects, including how colour affects mood, the importance of proportion and scale, lighting, and strategies for selecting shades to brighten a living space. A notable focus was her emphasis on colour theory, which she deemed critical to understand. Using a colour wheel, she illustrated the relationship between primary colours (red, yellow, and blue) and secondary colours (orange, green, and violet) and demonstrated how to combine them effectively.

“The colour wheel is split by warm colours and cool colours. So, your warm colours are red, yellow, and orange. And your cool colours are purple, blue, and grey. A great way to decorate is by incorporating complementary colours, [which] are on the opposite end of the colour wheel,” Garrett said. “For instance, the colours green and red don’t have to be used at full intensity. Try soft pink or jade for a beautiful palette.”

Additionally, Garrett highlighted the strategic use of analogous colours (groups of shades adjacent to each other on the colour wheel, like red and orange) and monochromatic colours (using the same colour in different variations). She noted that the monochromatic approach is the most popular way to paint, as its various values can easily enhance a space.

Garrett’s presentation culminated with a reveal of the 2026 colour trends that will focus on warm undertones with a nature-inspired palette. “Green is going to remain really big… Comfort and grounding are the central themes, classic beige will join the party, and complex neutrals are not going anywhere,” Garrett revealed. “Blues and greens were really big in 2025, and they are moving forward in 2026.”

Garrett’s interactive presentation saw audience participation in voting for True Value’s colour of the year. The selection — nature green — won by a majority, drawing lusty applause from the crowd. Concluding her session, Garrett underscored the importance of using colour to achieve harmony within a home.

“[Colour] should bring you joy, it should bring harmony to your house, and it should, most importantly, bring beauty. It should make your house a home, and you do that by bringing colour home.” Following a video about the H&L Colour Centre, True Value International Sales Manager Steve Terpstra presented a second video on the Easy Care Premium Paints line. He emphasised its key benefits: High quality, environmental safety, and remarkable heat-withstanding capabilities. Plus, its user-friendly value for vulnerable persons, including those with asthma and allergies, as well as pregnant women.

Shifting the focus from colour to window treatments, the Regency Blinds team presented on the theme, ‘Frame Your View: Window Treatments for Every Space’. Office Manager Angela Marr outlined the company’s evolution, starting with vertical blinds and later expanding its product line to include horizontal blinds, roller shades, zebra shades, and contemporary awnings. Next up was technical sales representative Robert Parsley, who utilising the remote-operated function, highlighted the key benefits of zebra shades: Namely, being static resistant. Plus, when the blinds are closed they allow optimal use of air-conditioning units. He also spoke to their ability to regulate the home’s interior climate.

“During the course of the day, you can have [the blinds] open so that it filters light, and then at night, when fully closed, keeps the heat out completely. It reduces the glare and the heat, so that the air-conditioning unit works much better,” Parsley said.

Bringing the focus back to the colour trends for this year and the next, Marr explained that Regency offers customisation, noting their ability to provide blinds that perfectly complement a room’s intended colour scheme.

“The colours for 2025 and 2026 are muted, warm colours. So if you create your space with bright colours, Regency certainly can provide colours that will complement them. We will be able to [provide] accents because we’ll have beautiful blues if your colours are [for example] greys,” Marr said.

Bringing the proceedings to a close was Annelies Denny, H&L chief category officer. After thanking key stakeholders, she encouraged customers to continue collaborating with H&L to transform their insights into actual dream spaces.

“Thank you for trusting us with your vision. Let’s keep bringing colour home: Colour that works, that shines, that welcomes people into spaces they love. We can’t wait to see what you create next,” Denny said.

The appreciation was certainly well-received as customers put their new knowledge into practice through interactive stations, including sampling EasyCare Premium paint colours at the paint station. While engaging in these activities, they enjoyed catering from Moveable Feast and libations from AU Trading Limited, providing a fitting close to a week of design conversation.

Photos: Karl Mclarty

Taking the stage, True Value International Sales Manager Steve Terpstra presented the comprehensive benefits of the products under the EasyCare Premium Paints portfolio. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Regency Blinds team members, Office Manager Angela Marr and Technical Sales Representative Robert Parsley, showcased the capabilities of the company’s zebra shades. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

H&L Chief Category Officer Annelies Denny concluded the event by thanking stakeholders for their contribution to the company’s success. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

National Rums of Jamaica CEO Martha Miller’s knowledge of colour earned her a gallon of EasyCare Premium Paint. Making the presentation was H&L Promotions Coordinator Shaneil Hay (right). (Photo: Karl Mclarty)