Benjamin Moore recently released its 2015 Color of the Year – Guilford Green HC-116, a silvery green that complements both modern and traditional styles in a seamless manner. In addition to unveiling the Color of the Year, Benjamin Moore introduced Color Trends 2015, a curated palette of 23 colors consisting of green, blue, blush and berry shades that can transform a space.

Taking cues from trends in fashion, textiles and the arts, the Benjamin Moore Color Studio team spotted the common thread of balanced palettes and a design sentiment that continued to reflect a sense of optimism.

“Through our travels we noticed the four prevalent color families, but the green family was the most constant – the new natural,” said Andrea Magno, Color & Design Expert, Benjamin Moore. “One color in particular stood out to us through its versatility and the way it works with an array of other colors and decorative styles. We see this silvery green as a new natural, coordinating with colors outside a window – the perfect thread to tie spaces and color schemes together in a seamless manner.”

The Benjamin Moore design team was influenced by a number of trends.  We were inspired by the array of multiple shades within a single color family; we were intrigued with the way ratio and proportion contribute to design options within a room, or a whole home,” said Magno. “We observed a monochromatic trend emerge in retail, in fashion, and in merchandising – whether intentional or accidental, we asked ourselves the question, “How would this play out in a house?” We began to see the many possibilities – if you change ratio and proportion from room to room, one color can be a highlight and in the next room it can play a hero color. We set out to find examples of this. With a monochromatic color scheme throughout a floor plan, each room can have a very distinctive look making it almost imperceptible that there is only one color at work. Monochromatic can be anything but boring – rather an opportunity to layer through color, texture and materials making this another approach in creating successful spaces.”

Benjamin Moore’s design finds inspiration in all facets of the arts. “Benjamin Moore’s color team travels domestically and abroad recording their impressions,” said Magno. “ICFF, Salone del Mobile and Maison d’objet to name a few. We also look for movements in design, fashion, auto industry, merchandising, books, music and various cultures.”



Andrea Magno is a Color and Design Expert for Benjamin Moore & Co., a unit of Berkshire Hathaway, and North America’s most respected interior and exterior paint companies.  As part of Benjamin Moore’s color innovation and design team, she develops materials, color tools and inspirational assets that further position Benjamin Moore as a color and product authority for both professionals and consumers. 

In her tenure at Benjamin Moore, Magno has also become an authority on color and its application in commercial properties across the United States.  Soon after joining the company, she shifted to developing marketing efforts targeting the architect and designer community.  She developed events and presentations for trade, designer-focused publications, instituted numerous educational offerings and conducted extensive research in color trends.  In 2008, Magno also managed the opening of designer showrooms in Chicago and New York, and worked with architects and contractors to bring more of a Benjamin Moore presence to major design centers. 

Prior to Benjamin Moore, Magno worked in the European Furniture Department at Christie’s Auction House in New York City and Ingrao, Inc., a high-end interior design firm.  She has a BA in Art History and English from Lafayette College and a degree in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design.  Magno is also an Allied member of ASID and an industry member of IIDA.