AkzoNobel sees sales in China account for 60% of Asia-Pacific coatings market

Smoky gray garments, baby blue tie, dusty pink shirt, jet-black brogues and amber wristband, Lin Liangqi's look is on the colorful side of the dress-code spectrum. The president of AkzoNobel China and managing director of Decorative Paints China and North Asia is sitting on a sofa in front of a denim-drift colored wall.

This is not just a coincidence. His relaxed demeanor and precise location carry a message. Denim drift is the Color of the Year 2017, according to Color Futures by Dulux, AkzoNobel's decorative paints brand, "a color that is both calming and inspiring, which is a good choice for study, or a child's room", said Lin.