2016 Pantone Color of the Year is…Rose Quartz and Serenity.
This is the first year Pantone has had two colors selected for the Color of the Year. Their reasoning is quoted here…
“As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.
The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association.
In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.”
Throughout parts of history, Pink has been associated with men. The ‘red’ from blood and wartime was considered more on the masculine side while the ‘blue’ was associated with the Virgin Mary and somewhat more feminine. Somewhere along the way, the color association switched sides and we all saw the color line drawn in the sand. Today more than ever, people are experimenting with color more and more in their everyday lives. We’ve seen men wearing Pink shirts for years and I know I thought nothing of it.
When it comes to home décor, it can get a little tricky. How many of us are really comfortable designing with shades of pink outside a nursery? Done correctly, I think it’s a great color to use. One client loved it so much we painted her whole condo pink. Now, it wasn’t a vibrant pink or even cotton candy pink, but the lightest shade of pink before going white. It was more like a ‘hint’. It was just enough to warm her space.
Blue, on the other hand, has been in home décor for years and is quite beautiful. Many of us have seen the ‘blue and white’ china and lamps for decades. Or the ‘Hamptons’ feel with blue, white and sand; one of my personal favorites. This year, I feel these colors are more relatable than those of the recent past. However, when choosing a color either as a primary or accent, make sure it’s right for you. Have fun and as always, enjoy!