2016 Color(s) of the Year Announced!

Impatient Pink? That’s how designers felt waiting for the announcement of the 2016 Pantone Color of the Year (upholsterers were on “pins and needles” in anticipation!) Just hours ago, Pantone designated two colors of the year: Rose Quartz and Serenity. How does this announcement affect you? You’ll see the color everywhere and on everything from furnishings to footwear for the next few years.

 

Why? The Pantone company is the world-renowned authority on color and provider of industry-wide accurate color systems from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.

In general, they’re color gurus who are considered the authority of naming the “it” color of the year. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explains, “A  new color captures attention and keeps product lines relevant in the consumer’s eye.” An enticing color has the power to excite, persuade, and ultimately sell a product.

Each year Eiseman and other Pantone experts study colors used internationally in fashion, film, art, automobiles, technology, and other areas. Eiseman says, “It’s important to understand the impact that always-morphing innovation has on color and design trends,” Eiseman explains, “It’s not just the way the color stands alone but what you are using it with that makes it perceived as something new and fresh. We look at which colors motivate and influence people.”

“We wanted compassion, which today a lot of people are looking for,” Eiseman says. Pantone’s news release describes the colors as “inducing feelings of stability, constancy, comfort and relaxation,” and argues that they “create balance in a chaotic world.” Eiseman emphasizes that Rose Quartz and Serenity are not baby pink and blue. “These shades don’t have a wimpy feel,” she says, “they were chosen to convey rosy warmth and tranquility.” Eiseman says the two colors are so often seen together that they are a natural pairing. “From a business perspective, two colors offer an opportunity to make extra combinations,” says Eiseman. “They make a perfect combination for home interiors. She predicts that paisley and plaid designs will use the color combo.

But don’t fret if you don’t like Pantone’s top colors for 2016. Although their Color of the Year announcement attracts the buzz, Pantone released their 2016 Home and Interiors Color Palettes named, “Innovation and Impact.” The collection includes nine palettes, plus individual color and material direction, for home furnishings and interior design in 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Forms

Unambiguous colors, including shades that are curated from natural sources such as warm rosy clay and sheepskin beige, give us Natural Forms.

Dichotomy

Dichotomy reinforces the concept that opposites do and can attract as silver metallic, sunny yellow and bright cobalt blue combine with calmer versions of the hues.

Ephemera

Pastel-focused Ephemera blends delicate shades of soft blue, pale peach and tender yellow.

 

Lineage

Lineage is a palette where shades of navy, black, tan and regimental green co-mingle with touches of brighter colors.

 

 

 

Soft Focus

Soft Focus reveals subtle and/or muted colors, sometimes described as “smoky” and always versatile.

 Bijoux

In the French language, Bijoux means “jewelry” – a fitting title for this palette that gleams with drama and intensity across many jewel tones.

 Merriment

Merriment is full of joyful shades including vibrant greens and yellows contrasted with pinks and oranges.

 Footloose

Capricious color combinations with vacation-destination blues and blue-greens create Footloose – a palette that supports the idea of throwing off the constricting scheduling of everyday life and simply enjoying the freedom of the outdoors.

 Mixed Bag

Mixed Bag is an assortment of eclectic patterns and prints, with exciting and unique colors like pirate black and mandarin red as well as violet and florid orange.

What palette do you prefer?

As you plan your home or office renovation, you may be inspired by one of Pantone’s 2016 palettes.

Let us know if we can help you with your project ~ Please Request a Free Consultation or call us today at (812) 479-5850. Make Plans with Popham!