Pantone Colour of the Year 2016 is…

Here in the interiors world we literally waited with baited breath for Pantone to announce the Colour of the Year 2016. Although it might seem slightly sad to get quite so excited about this particular news, it’s all relative if you work in the Interiors industry. It’s like The Oscars, but for colour. Well, not really – but you get my point.

Senn colourful dining chair

 

Pantone, the colour authority and dominant trend forecaster choose the colour of the year every year. It is then this colour that influences everything from fashion and interiors even through to the appearance of food. This year Pantone gave us a bonus ‘gasp’ when they disclosed their choice – not one but two colours!  

 

Rose Quartz and Serenity

This year’s colour choice is steeped in political and philosophical currents, with Pantone citing that this dual decision is about social progress not indecision. So, tell us more Pantone. What do you mean? 

Well, for the first time ever we see a blend of two colours Rose Quartz (a baby blush pink) and Serenity ( a light sky blue). Pantone have illustrated the harmonious blend of colour on their website brilliantly. They appear to flow into each other so that its difficult to see where the merge takes place. Where does Rose Quartz begin and Serenity end? It’s a seamless union.

Colour of the Year 2016

Why These Colours?

So, why choose 2 colour for colour of the year? Explaining their choice, Pantone commented on ‘societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity. The consumer’s increased comfort with using colour 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 colour usage.”

I like this idea! It is true that in recent years gender lines have blurred quickly. Stereotypes don’t really exist anymore. Even with children’s toys, clothes and decor, it’s less of the ‘pink for girls’ and ‘blue for boys’ and more of the ‘whatever floats your boat’. So perhaps the time has come to banish the girl/boy divide?

Our Surrey Sunset

Political Influences

I like to think that Pantone are giving us a joining of colours that resemble our world and reflect social trends. To capture them in a shade that we can then move forward with into 2016. Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, said: “Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue. As a result reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”

The colour choice is timely and thoughtful, offering a combination of gentle colours. A message of gender equality as well as a soothing comfort in times of insecurity and global stress. These beautiful soft pastel colours work well with other tones and hues from the colour wheel, so don’t be afraid to combine them with other colours. For more information on how to mix and match the new Colours of the Year and integrate them into your home, check out the Rose Quartz and Serenity colour pairings created here for you by Pantone.

Here at Danetti, not wanting to honk our own horn, but as always, we had been watching the trend forecasts for quite a while and it is no accident that we introduced our Sky Blue Senn Colourful Dining Chair to our collection in the early Summer. Or that we have just taken delivery of our brand new Eames style chair colours which unsurprisingly includes the new Coral colourway. A stunning blush pink colour.

So what do the colours mean:

Eames Style Chair 

 

Rose Quartz is a soft pink shade, described by Pantone as ‘a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure’.

Eames style chair 

 

Serenity is light blue, described as, ‘weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us. Bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times’

It’s fascinating how nature puts these two colours together naturally in the colours of the sky on a weekly basis! 

Rene Magritte

 

So, in conclusion, next time you see a beautiful sunset, look out for the marshmallow clouds and the pale blue sky. Watch as they merge and you’ll be enveloped with a feeling of peace, calm and unity….good choice on Rose Quarts and Serenity, Pantone! We love the 2016 colour of the year.