Los Angeles – October 01, 2026 -- Dunn-Edwards Corporation has designated French Press Coffee (DEBN07), a deep brown with a subtle plum undertone, as its 2027 Color of the Year, signaling a commercial shift away from the cool grays and flat beiges that dominated paint specifications in recent years.
Dunn-Edwards color experts identify a market pivot toward warm, earthy neutrals
The company's internal color team tracked a decisive move away from stark whites and charcoal tones, positioning French Press Coffee as a moody neutral alternative to black that is gaining traction in upscale residential and commercial interiors.
Lauren Hoferkamp cites the color's layered undertone as a key differentiator
"French Press Coffee is the kind of color that reveals itself gradually," said Lauren Hoferkamp, Color Marketing Manager at Dunn-Edwards. "As light shifts throughout the day, its subtle plum undertone emerges, adding complexity you don't always see in a neutral."
Specification guidance targets four commercial sectors
Dunn-Edwards is marketing French Press Coffee for cross-sector commercial use in hospitality, multifamily, workplace, and retail projects, citing its adaptability as a foundational background tone where durability and long-term aesthetic performance are specification priorities. On exteriors, the company positions the hue as an elevated substitute for black on doors, shutters, garages, and trim.
The color anchors Dunn-Edwards' full 2027 Color Trends collection
French Press Coffee serves as the lead neutral in the broader 2027 palette release, intended to let companion colors read against a grounded backdrop. The launch arrives as Dunn-Edwards, a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka-based Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. (TYO: 4612), marks its 100th year in operation, with distribution through more than 170 company stores across California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, plus over 100 domestic and 350 international dealer locations spanning 14 countries.