In the fall, paint and color companies announce their signature colors for the next year as a prediction. You will see a variety of hues that all tell the story of our current times and feelings that color suggest. It is interesting to note that the companies do not formulate the colors but choose a color already in their extensive palettes. For 2021, there is a definite move away from white and gray and toward warming up your home with color.
Benjamin Moore – Aegean Teal 2136-40
This color has been included in their color palette going back decades. Benjamin Moore suggests that Aegean Teal will make you want to “reflect and reset” and it is “intriguing, balanced, deeply soothing and creates natural harmony.” The company chose this color before the pandemic and speculated that people would want to spend more time at home. They were right on target for reasons unknown at the time.
To show how things have changed, the color they announced one year ago for 2020 was First Light 2102-70, a soft airy pink suggested as an alternative to white and beige.
Sherwin Williams – Urbane Bronze SW7048
This company decided to choose a bolder neutral. Sherwin Williams invites you to, “Tap into nature with a hue whose warmth and comfort breathe down-to-earth tranquility.” Urbane Bronze will allow you to “create the ultimate retreat”.
Last year, Naval SW6244 was the 2020 Color of the Year which was popular with homeowners. I specified Naval for contrast islands in two different kitchens this year and my clients were pleased.
Pantone – AI Aqua 098-59-30, Rust 18-1248 and Marigold 14-1050
Not a paint company, they started in 1963 with the Pantone Matching System which became a standard in the printing industry to color match ink. (I used Pantone decks back in my graphic days.) By the late 1980s, they expanded into digital, fashion and home décor palettes to provide customized systems and standards across materials and finishes. Pantone is one of the reasons there is color integration across industries. For example, you will see the same color on small kitchen appliances and in other company’s kitchen accessories.
Pantone selects their Color of the Year much earlier than paint companies. In March 2020, they described AI Aqua the 2021 Color of the Year as “a positive hue, that is both sporty and trend-forward.” Recently the 2021 Spring/Summer Fashion Palette was introduced which includes marigold and rust. I have already heard several nationally known designers who are citing these colors as new favorites for homes. To quote Pantone, the palette was designed to “combine a level of comfort and relaxation with sparks of energy that encourage and uplift our moods”.
According to a New York Times interview with Joa Studholme, color curator for high-end paint company Farrow & Ball, “There is a tendency to crave warm tones in challenging times.” I am a believer that color can influence your mood so gray rooms may be making you feel, well, . . . gray or less than optimistic. If by simply painting walls you can become soothed, tranquil and uplifted, why not? It’s worth a
Recent Comments