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California Paints Issues
‘20th Century’ Colors

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

California Paints (Andover, Mass.) announced the release of a “historic color program” that includes the company’s new 20th Century™ Colors of America color palette.

The company, a manufacturer of paints, zero-VOC coatings, and exterior stains, said it has partnered with Historic New England—a regional heritage organization—to introduce what it calls “the most authentic historic color collection ever created.”

“Historic New England preservationists have partnered with the colorists at California Paints to provide historically accurate documentation for each color in the new palette,” the company said in announcing the program.  The program “represents authenticity in interior, exterior, and decorative color.”

California Paints describes Historic New England as the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation. “They bring history to life while preserving the past for those interested in exploring the authentic New England experience from the 17th century to today,” California Paints said.

Historic New England has provided California Paints with supporting color documentation, including the use of color at the 36 historic home museums the organization operates, the company said. Historic New England Preservation Specialist Sally Zimmerman said that in creating the palette, “Historic New England has drawn solely from highly relevant architectural paint sources. Our 20th-century museum properties and our archives of 20th-century paint and wallpaper documentation were the basis for pinpointing the actual use of these colors in the 20th century home.”

The 20th Century Colors of America features 130 colors, including 12 off-whites, and “captures the vibrant tones and subtle shades of the past,” the company said. Each color of the palette comes with its own unique biography and includes the cultural themes that influenced its emergence in the nation’s collective color history. All biographies can be read at California Paints’ website, www.californiapaints.com.

“The 20th century palette is a road map to recreating the past through design”, said Maryellen Mantyla, director of marketing for California Products Corp. “Anyone looking to replicate an authentic interior or exterior color palette referencing the architectural styles of the 20th century can do so with ease using this collection” she said.

California Paints said it ensures that each historic color is accurately replicated through color quality and precise color reproduction.

The entire Colors of America collection showcases 279 accurately reproduced historic colors and features the new 20th Century Colors of America and California Paints’ Historic Colors of America.

California Paints is a division of California Products Corp., a manufacturer of paints, coatings, and sports-surfacing systems. California Products brands include California Paints® and Storm Stain® architectural coatings.

More information: www.californiapaints.com.