Sunday, December 21, 2014

2015 Color of the Year


Drum roll, please! Pantone recently announced that the 2015 Color of the Year is “Marsala.” A naturally robust and earthy wine red, Marsala enriches our minds, bodies and souls. Marsala is touted as:

 

-A Unifying Element: The impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as a strong accent to many other colors.

 

-A Tasteful Hue: Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.

 

-A Hearty, Yet Stylish Tone: Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint. Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the color is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture.

 

While Pantone Radiant Orchid, the captivating 2014 color of the year, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

 

"Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors."

 

I’ve always wondered who gets the interesting job of choosing names for paint colors and who actually has the authority to choose the Color of the Year for the world. The entire world of fashion, automobiles and interiors takes their cue from this company. They don’t take their job lightly. Thousands of hours of research and filtering are done to determine what the color of the year will be. Pantone has been the world's color authority for nearly 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers.

 

Let’s try incorporating this great color as a statement piece, a small pop of color or all over. I’d love to hear how you are planning to use Marsala in your world. Send me an email at jessica@webbercoleman.com.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

2015 Color Trends




            I recently had the opportunity to attend the 2015 color trends release by Sherwin Williams. They have an incredible team of researchers who spend countless hours pulling information, attending shows and talking with designers to determine what the color trends for the future will be. Here are their predictions for the upcoming 2015 color trends.

 

Chrysalis: Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, we’re poised for change. As modern life and technology rush at us, we seek an oasis where we can find balance, mindful living and tempo giusto (the “right time,” or the steady, regular beat of the heart).

 

We look to earth and sky for inspiration, finding raw beauty in striations and gently blurred hues and patterns. Artisans break the mold, creating objects that aren’t what they seem. Shapes are layered and deconstructed. In this moment, silence is the greatest luxury, and metamorphosis is the mother of invention. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/chrysalis/

 

Voyage: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” That phrase was fantasy when it was born during the Sputnik era. Today we’re living it. The sci-fi dreams of the past have become everyday reality — from space tourism to undersea resorts. No longer confined to our earthly plane, we look to the beyond and find colors that are supernatural and magical.

 

Unusual atmospheric events, including a decade-best aurora borealis and a rare sequence of “blood moons,” will keep our focus on the heavens in the months ahead. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/voyage/

 

Buoyant: Happy days are here again! We’ve weathered the recession. Our revived good spirits echo the optimism that followed World War II, when GIs returned home from exotic locales. Like that era, we’re expressing ourselves with bright florals, but today, our fascination with the tropics runs deeper.

 

We’re exploring the secrets of the rainforest, applying the medicinal and cosmetic benefits of its botanical bounty. We’re looking to the natural world in other ways, too, incorporating green spaces into even dense urban environments — trusting in nature to keep our spirits bright. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/buoyant/

 

Unrestrained: Life is a Carnival, and we’re eager to celebrate: from bold, ethnic-inspired colors, designs and crafts to the Bohemian lifestyle. But today’s wandering nomads aren’t starving artists — they’re fusing the carefree spirit of the gypsy with the sophistication of the jet set.

 

Artisans and purveyors of luxury goods are getting in the spirit, putting an irreverant spin on their work. South Africa and its colorful art scene exert a strong pull, while the 2016 Summer Olympics will rivet the world’s attention on Rio de Janeiro. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/unrestrained/

 

Many thanks to Sherwin Williams for their work and for sharing the information. Whether you are creating a new space or just trying to pull together your existing space, use this cutting edge information and you are sure to hit a home run. You can view more details on their website at http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/ I’d love to know which trend is your favorite! Send me an email at jessica@webbercoleman.com or leave a comment below.