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What is Color of the Year and how do I incorporate this into my home décor?
Developed by Pantone®, a “…global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries,” the Color of the Year (COTY) selection is “… a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.” www.pantone.com
Indeed, in the psychology of color, colors evoke emotions and responses, with each hue conveying a distinctive message and meaning. Feelings associated with “Greenery,” Pantone® 2017 COTY, include: balance, harmony, growth, renewal, vitality and peace. It follows then that incorporating some Greenery into the home should have a positive effect on its inhabitants!
According to color expert Amy Wax (www.Color911.com), a color is considered neutral if it does not overshadow but, rather, supports other colors. Greenery exemplifies this; it can be paired with classic neutrals like white, beige and gray, it also complements primary colors red, blue and yellow, and it coordinates brilliantly with secondary colors purple and orange. Versatile Greenery plays remarkably well with almost every hue on the color wheel; it is indeed “nature’s neutral.” www.pantone.com
So, how to use Greenery in your home?
When deciding on how to introduce a new color to your environment, choices run the gamut from changeable to permanent. For those who are more reserved, start small. For example:
• Pots and pans/teakettle
• Placemats and cloth napkins
• Accent furnishings: side table, ottoman, lamp, chair, bench
• Artwork: framed posters/botanicals
• Real greenery, i.e., live plants! Try a grouping of tall cacti or place trailing plants atop taller furniture.
• Accessories: vase, throw blanket, decorative pillow, lampshade, area rug
Remember that smaller items have more visual punch when placed in groupings or layers.
For those who wish to be more expressive, take a leap:
• Paint the front door
• Upholster/slipcover a chair or ottoman
• Outdoor furnishings such as a bistro set
• Paint the kitchen cabinets — that’s a commitment!
• Paint or wallpaper an accent wall
• Custom window treatments
• Refresh a powder room
Bringing a new color into your décor is a great way to refresh and revitalize a space, as well as your mood. Don’t fear the color, embrace it!
With nearly two decades of experience in the design industry, Amy owns and operates Decorating Den Interiors in Williamsburg, a design firm specializing in residential interior decorating and kitchen design. A freelance writer in her chosen field, Amy puts her former English teacher skills to work.