Virtual Re-Mix

Picture a look that's the visual equivalent of a "greatest hits" CD with all your favorite tunes from decades gone by. Nostalgia is going strong, with elements and colors that borrow freely from the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s. The new spin this time around is that there are no rules. "Eclectic is the key word," says Eiseman. "We're mixing rather than matching."

It's more than a look; we're hooked on a feeling – the cozy comfort of a retro kitchen stocked with colorful Fiesta Ware or the warmth of a family evening spent over a classic board game. "This is a very emotional palette," Eiseman says. "It offers something to resonate with every age group."

Looking back with wistful fondness is perhaps inevitable given our uncertain present. "No question about it," Eiseman says. "Vintage is not new, but it's a movement that has gained momentum." Our nostalgic mood emerged just before 2000 amidst apprehension about the millennium bug, then escalated after Sept. 11. "It's had legs ever since," she says. "It's not going away."

And unlike previous retro revivals, our nostalgic mood is irony-free. "It's not tongue-in-cheek - we're not making fun of the past," says Zara Stender, owner of ZaraDesigns and vice chair for the Western Region of the Color Marketing Group. "We're revisiting it with respect."

Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect Sherwin-Williams paint colors. To confirm your color choices, visit your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams store and refer to our in-store color cards.