The second color trend of 2011 recognized by Sherwin-Williams is entitled Gentle Medley which is inspired by hard times = soft colors. Characteristics include innocence, youthfulness, honesty, fresh, airy. Warmth and security come from memories of the simple life; nostalgia with memories of a less than demanding lifestyle and are shown using vintage cookbooks and aprons, confectionary cravings (cupcakes with colors of frosting mimicking softer, sweeter times).
Elements of this design include: vintage florals, dragonfly, butterfly and leaf motifs, mismatched flea-market finds, hand-tinted photos, maps.