Have you ever asked yourself where colour trends originate, and how they eventually saturate the wider marketplace? There are a number of key influencers in the world, including The Pantone Colour Institute. For those not au fait with who they are, here’s a description in their own words.
‘The Pantone Colour Institute is the business unit within Pantone that highlights top seasonal runway colours, forecasts global colour trends, and advises companies on colour for product and brand visual identity. Through seasonal trend forecasts, colour psychology, and colour consulting, the Pantone Colour Institute partners with global brands to leverage the power, psychology, and emotion of colour in their design strategy’.
Pantone’s Colour of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions across the past 20 years, in a range of industries, including home furnishings, fashion and industrial design; the inspiration has also flowed through to product, packaging and graphic design. The Colour of the Year selection process isn’t taken lightly. It requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis by Pantone’s colour experts who closely examine new colour influences across the globe. These may be inspired by the entertainment industry, art, fashion and a number of key design areas, amongst others.
Living Coral (16-1546) has taken out the highest honours in 2019; it’s a colour that’s been described by experts as energetic, optimistic and spirited, symbolising our inherent desire for optimism and joyful pursuits. From soft, terracotta iterations to deep shades of peach and blush, it’s a colour that teams perfectly with bold aqua’s and shades of blue to create
So how can you incorporate this into your home styling and interiors to make sure you’re en pointe in 2019? There are a multitude of ways, dependant on how bold you want the statement to be.
Some of the more understated ways are through soft furnishings and accessories within the home. Think cushions, throws, rugs, and bed linen, as well as artwork, vases, lamp shades and other decorative pieces. If it’s a less subtle approach you’re aiming for, there’s the option of painting an entire room (or at least a wall or two to start with) or investing in individual furniture pieces including sofas, bed heads, table tops and either occasional or dining chairs; velvety fabrics will again play a role in accentuating the warmth of the chosen tone.
Outdoors, there are also a number of ways to include the colour in your space. For a more forward approach, consider using it on some of your external house or retaining walls; it looks great on a rendered texture, creating a slightly Mediterranean look, especially when teamed with the likes of aqua and turquoise accents. For a softer approach, terracotta pots can add a touch of the colour, as can outdoor cushions and other accessories.
Summer is always a popular time to entertain, so why not tie the tone into your next gathering, whether it’s a formal dinner, or informal drinks alfresco style. An interesting centrepiece or an eye-catching vase of flowers is a great place to start, and this can be complemented by napkins (linen or paper depending on the occasion), crockery, serving ware or glassware; and of-course a signature cocktail that ties into the colour theme.
We are spoilt for choice in Victoria’s Eastern suburbs when it comes to stores that cater to interior design and homewares. Consider visiting the below retailers next time you’re looking for that special piece:
- Acorn Nursery | 673 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills
- Banyan Tree | 1539 Toorak Road, Camberwell
- Bountiful Home | 130 Main Street Croydon
- Buchanan Design | 190 Canterbury Road, Heathmont
- Buffet & Hutch | 1829 Ferntree Gully Road, Ferntree Gully
- DCB Designs | Building 7, 428 Mt Dandenong Road, Kilsyth
- Fudge Gifts Home & Lifestyle | 19 Brentford Square, Forest Hill
- Lavish Abode | 325 Main Street, Lilydale
- Maison on Maling | 127 Maling Road, Canterbury
- Zabecca Living | 51 Tunstall Square, Doncaster East
A change is as good as a holiday they say and transforming your colour scheme can be just the thing you need to revitalise yourself for the coming year. Enjoy the journey.
