Blog: Fabulous Forecast: How Colors Capture Style Attention
If you’re familiar with a certain 2006 film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway or the book that inspired it, then you’re familiar with one of its key lessons: trends do not emerge by accident. As detailed in The Devil Wears Prada, trends are carefully cultivated through a bit of sophisticated soothsaying that anticipates cultural shifts, lifestyle changes, and our collective design consciousness.
Similarly, the professional development of designers and forecasters responsible for these selections is no accident either. Guided by years of training and experience, these experts possess the enviable ability to see the future—or at least the future of style trends. Taking into account everything from global events to social media patterns, fashion runways to architectural movements, they annually perform a broad examination of varying factors that can narrowly predict which hues will resonate in tomorrow’s homes.
The Return of Teal
As with most trends, the popularity and promotion of color is cyclical. If Behr’s 2026 Color of the Year “Hidden Gem” is any indication, a beloved shade often associated with the mid and late 20th century is popping again on what seems to be a roughly 30-year rotation: teal.
If you’ve seen more teal of late, you’re not alone. Teal speaks to our current cultural moment: a desire to feel both grounded and optimistic. It’s a shade that bridges the calming psychological qualities of blue with the rejuvenating organic energy of green, creating spaces that offer sanctuary and exude celebration.
A Deeper Dive: Ocean Jade
This year, our introduction of Ocean Jade—a lavish teal finish—exemplifies how astute trend analysis translates into portfolio expansion that feels both in the moment and undeniable.
Developed by Medallion for arrival in our updated color collection in early 2025, the release of Ocean Jade’s rich, luxurious aquamarine has proved prescient. (You may notice a resemblance between our blue-green beauty and the aforementioned Color of the Year for 2026.)
Whether used as an intriguing complement or a dramatic style statement, Ocean Jade delivers the kind of confident composure that defines forward-thinking design. It’s another demonstration of how Medallion’s internal team of design pros leverage our own trend forecasting to stay ahead of what the consumer covets and where the industry is going.
Real-World Applications
Of course, we wouldn’t tease Ocean Jade’s capabilities without offering up a little inspiration.
Across door styles—from the clean lines of our Dana Pointe and Jarrett profiles to the depth and shadow of Monona—Ocean Jade effortlessly draws the eye. In action, it conveys striking contrast against warm wood tones and neutral backgrounds, able to anchor even the most idiosyncratic style palette.
By introducing Ocean Jade ahead of broader market adoption, designers gain the advantage of offering clients something that feels both current and cutting-edge. It’s the difference between following trends and leading them—a distinction that separates exceptional designers who foresee the future of style from those who simply react.
Appreciate Ocean Jade and more gorgeous, contemporary color at Medallion.com