A Prominent
Pantone Pairing
2021. A year of healing. A year of learning. And a year of hope. This year is definitely a unique one. Which is possibly why this year’s Pantone Color of the Year is, in fact, a color pairing. Exceptionally, Pantone has selected two colors to immerse and influence the world… Ultimate Gray (17-5104) and Illuminating (13-0647), to be precise.
Two Colors
So, why two colors? Why yellow and gray? The Pantone Color of the Year is more than just a color, and, this year, Pantone reported that the two colors together best express the mood and message for 2021. This is “A color combination that gives us resilience and hope.” Fair enough. These contrasting colors portray a rock solid base with an optimistic light, supporting and highlighting one another. The idea that two very different elements can come together in support, unity, and unexpected beauty is one that our society needs right now.
2021 Pantone Color For Interiors
When it comes to interiors, this color pairing can have the same effect, providing a practical neutral with a warming brightness. Incorporating this color palette is simple and easily personalized. Using the gray tone to set a base creates flexibility and versatility for your space, and this neutral foundation offers longevity that can stay with a room for years. What’s more, the gray base makes it easy to add color highlights: a light fixture, a piece of furniture, wall decor pieces. Yellow additions prevent your gray space from getting boring; rather, the bright focal points encourage movement, allowing your eye to dance around the room.
However, if large areas of gray are not to your taste, painting entire walls and rooms the colorful yellow will perk up a dark space. Bring the solar power indoors! As the rich light bounces through the space, a juxtaposition of achromatic furniture and decor keep the room from becoming too busy, effectively neutralizing the loud yellow.
Additionally, this Pantone pairing plays nice together. A gray and yellow pattern can be large or small, but sincerely complementary. Printed wallpaper or textiles contribute an eye-catching piece that is both comfortingly solid and joyfully golden. A bold print like this lends itself to a plethora of possibilities, from glowing yellow to colorless gray and beyond. You can have the best of both worlds.
Like previous annual colors, Pantone has chosen the Ultimate Gray and Illuminating pair from research on the influences of global trends, color psychology, current cultural climate, and all types of art and design. In turn, the Pantone Color of the Year influences the same designs and color trends, creating a symbiotic cycle that we witness year after year.
Influence
Just as these famous colors of the year are affected by global trends and vice versa, we find ourselves in the same cycle: we influence everything around us, just as we are influenced by the things and people around us. Thus, putting thought and effort into creating your space transforms mental and emotional health, relationships, work environments, and lives. This is why it is vital that designing interiors moves from the back burner to the forefront when it’s time to make a change.
