Pantone Color of The Year 2011:Honeysuckle

This week Pantone announced their forecast for 2011. Dubbed the Color of the Year, I introduce Honeysuckle.

"A Color for All Seasons

Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it." While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.


“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”
Eiseman continues, “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”
Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It’s a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women’s apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men’s ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway.
My thoughts? IT'S PINK!
While I applaud the vibrancy and cheerfulness, I will only use it when its appropriate. In Interiors, that means sparingly. I prefer to pair it with silver rather than chocolate, creamy beige rather than black and white.

But PINK is a classic color. I have been sick for a week and am introducing my youngest sister to joys of classic movies. Tonight its Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire circa 1957.
Anything below look familiar?

 

Why look, it's honeysuckle :)

Classic Movie, Classic Color

The first scene is "Think Pink!"

Think pink! think pink! when you shop for summer clothes.

Think pink! think pink! if you want that quel-que chose.

Red is dead, blue is through,

Green's obscene, brown's taboo.

And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce

or chartreuse.

Think pink! forget that Dior says black and rust.

Think pink! who cares if the new look has no bust.

Now, I wouldn't presume to tell a woman

what a woman oughtta think,

But tell her if she's gotta think: think pink”!

Thank you, Pantone and Audrey Hepburn for providing inspiration and class for the last 50ish years.

Time for Turquoise

via Sparkle Power

Pantone announced yesterday that it had selected Turquoise (15-5519) as the color of the year for 2010

"Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.
Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens."

Images via the one and only Sparkles Forever

I applaud Pantone for their choice of Turquoise for reasons that have little to do with aesthetics or interior design. ALL OF US have had am interesting year, mostly due to the economy. Businesses have worked harder than ever before. We need a chill pill! Hence, Turquoise.

Before you can say "Trend", allow me to introduce the Hermitage. I toured President Andrew Jackson's Historic estate in Nashville, TN during the winter of 2006. Notice colors used in....1820.

The silver sage aqua goodness of Restoration Hardware fame may have been a precursor. Interior Design color trends tend to begin in fashion shows. The catwalks of New York, Milan, and Paris affect what you see on the shelves in Home stores 1-2 years later.

If you find Pantone's recommendation too much to paint on the walls (and always use low VOC paint), then enjoy these other methods of introducing a little turquoise into your home.

Rugs from Chandra

and Delos

Chesterfield inspired from High Fashion Home, Houston's "IT" store for stylish homes.

Horchow's offerings

Color is a deeply personal, often spiritual, process. You either LIKE a color or you don't. You can lighten up to aqua, deepen into teal, whatever reflects YOU.

Shine Home

The same philosophy applies to amount of color used. I am of the nuetral wall color persuasion, preferring color in textiles. Some people prefer accessories-possible color  commitment phobia:)

Zgallerie

Of course, Anthropologie

Thomas Paul (and more Chandra)

Last but never least, trying something new can be very safe and affordable at Target.