When city living gets too cloistered and confining, it's time to head out-of-town. In Pique-Nique, the mood is festive, the theme is casual and the combinations are delicious and inviting. The need to explore the outdoors may be as close as a picnic in the park or a patio party.

Pantone has unveiled its eight most directional color palettes for the home furnishings market for 2006. "In 2006, home furnishings colors will show some interesting new directions, especially in very original, intricate and not-at-all-formulaic combinations," says Leatrice Eiseman. "Among the eight palettes, there are three major pathways encompassing a sophisticated 'uptown' look, a fun and funky 'downtown' look, and other palettes that are heading 'out-of-town' to bucolic settings or more exotic destinations."

Each palette features a combination of colors from the Pantone system for fashion and home color.

The most directional color palettes for 2006 are Pique-Nique, Stiletto, Renaissance, Romantic Notions, Grounded, Paradiso, Primitif and Pastille.

Renaissance is an updated take on tradition, with elegant, eclectic mixes of Old World and New Age. The styling might feature a rococo chandelier with a simple sofa, or a classic chair frame covered in a contemporary texture.

Fun, full-bodied and stylish, Romantic Notions heads downtown, where the look is seldom serious. The message is: "Don't take your surroundings too seriously." Combinations are like bright bits of confetti.

Grounded connects with nature while engendering a feeling of security and reality. But these are not typical earth tones; they are organic and genuine, as they suggest minerals, ores, stones and striated rock formations in subtle, artful blends of uncontrived simplicity.

Heading further out-of-town - much, much further - Paradiso promises exotic destinations filled with balmy days and star-filled nights. The dream vacation expressed in home décor. The colors are evocative of sun-drenched skies and soothing sea foams.

Mysterious and dramatic, Primitif is tribal, filled with handicrafts and artifacts, symbols and statuary. Some are highly embellished, while others are deceptively simple.