IT’S always good to know that there’s a color of the year, which one can use as a basis for the home, furniture, beddings, kitchen, appliances and everything else.
For 15 years, Pantone’s color of the year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. Last year’s color was Radiant Orchid.
The Color of the Year selection requires careful consideration and, to arrive at the selection, Pantone combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the fashion and entertainment industries, including films that are in production, the world of art, popular travel destinations and other socioeconomic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, the availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.
If you’re considering a major renovation at home or simply intent on changing the look of your abode, you might be interested to know that Pantone’s 2015 color of the year is marsala—a naturally robust and earthy wine red that is said to enrich the mind, body and soul.
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. “Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth,” Pantone Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman said.
Marsala is a tasteful hue—much like the fortified wine that gives marsala its name, this embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.
“Nurturing and fulfilling, marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room—making it ideal for tabletops, small appliances and linens throughout the home,” Eiseman said.
One can 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.
“This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors,” Eiseman added.
“The hue will be especially prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed placemats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.” According to House designer Jennifer Ott, “Marsala color is to stimulate senses and appetites, so it’s a good choice for a dining area.” If your furniture has a lot of red hues, you should have a white or yellow ceiling and walls, to keep the space light, happy and bright.
If you have more rust in it, which is so deep, dark and a bit muddy then, your space would need lots of white and natural light to keep it upbeat.
“Use marsala color in small amounts, for niches, nooks and built-in cabinetry.
“The less you use of it, the more versatile the color will be. By that I mean, you can more easily work in other hues you love without going overboard on color. And small amounts of color are much easier to change in the future should you desire a different look,” Ott said.