Tangerine Tango has served us well this year. But alas, we must always look forward. So what is going to be the “it” color for 2013? In an earlier post, I predicted it would be from the emerald green family. But now I’m second guessing. Perhaps it will be a blue. Blue is the complimentary color of orange, so it would make sense for the pendulum swing to be a blue hue. Here are a few blues from Sherwin Williams that could be possible contenders:

After the high-voltage energy of 2012′s orange-y hue, perhaps a more neutral, whisper-quiet color is in order. The gray tones of “Mountain Stream” are just the response to swing the pedelum in the other direction.

Or, perhaps something more heavenly, with a cloud-like hue that makes one think of calm, optimistic skies?

A Carribean ocean is warm and clear, like this playful blue that could be invigoratingly energetic when placed next to the complimentary orange.

But ultimately, I’m thinking something more marine-like,…that is a happy medium between the grayed and the brilliant tones. It’s a nostalgic hue that looks classically refined with cream, funky with raspberry, and can still hold it’s own with last year’s Tango.  A little bit preppy without being stuffy? It definitely seems like the right choice for this American’s Veteran’s Day (observed).

See how great it looks in this mirror from Oomph? It would look equally great on an orange or a taupe wall,…so that’s my pick.

That is, if I’m pinned down to blue, and not green. But then there’s always plum…

I honestly have no idea how Leatrice Eiseman does this every year!

Comparison of 2012 Color of the Year

Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango has been chosen by Pantone as the Color of the Year 2012. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute said in a press statement:

“Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Now, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but orange seems a relatively “safe” choice for the color of the year. Think about it – Orange has been fairly common in packaging in recent years to denote a young, energetic, or modern product ranging from energy drinks to electronics to printing. Bright and cheerful, it’s a pick-me-up for the winter doldrums, and is as comforting as a bowl of tomato soup.

USB Stick Package Design By Tom Lancaster

Orange has been in the shelter mags for sometime as the added “pop” that every space needs. I have no doubt that it will be more prevalent than last year’s color, Honeysuckle. It looks great with neutrals ranging from khaki to gray, and it is a fantastic foil for the navy blues I’ve been seeing more of.  One of the finest shelter blogs in the business, Apartment Therapy, has known this for years….

This reddish orange could be said to also rival the red trend I was seeing emerge at the Fall 2011 Furniture Market in High Point.

Read more about how you’ll be seeing the color in the runway from the Pantone Fashion Color Report 2012.

What are your thoughts on this color choice? I love the cheerfulness, and it’s a color that men and women seem to like,…but does it seem safe to you? (or is it just that it’s also the color of Crossing Guard Vests?)

As January is rolling forward, I wanted to review some of the big color announcements and compare/contrast them with each other. As a company that works with color every day, we don’t always see the trends immediately. We are a little different. So before I unveil what we see, I wanted to review what three big names in color are touting as their “color of the year”.

Pantone’s Color Of The Year for 2011

Pantone’s Color Of The Year for 2011 is “Honeysuckle”.  Read their official press release with comments from Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, at http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20824&ca=10 . Where I live, honeysuckle flowers are yellow or white, but this color is a fun, coral-y pink.

• A vibrant & energetic pink
• Creates a healthy glow in clothing
• Adds a shot of excitement to home accents

Glidden’s Color of the Year 2011

Glidden Professional released their Colour of the Year 2011. What is interesting about this one, is that, like the Honeysuckle, it is fairly bright and cheerful. #89YY 78/269 is particularly airy and light with a feel of “fizzy sherbert” and “new growth”.  Sounds fun. Download their report on Colour Futures at http://www.glidden.com/inspiration/colour-futures.do .

• Light and airy
• Citrus greenish notes
• Appreciation is the theme
• Accent with deep berry violets, crisp blues, or other airy pastels

Benjamin Moore Color for 2011

Benjamin Moore announced their color for 2011, and it’s called “Vintage Wine” The swatch, on its own, looks very taupe/gray, but in environments it’s a sophisticated purple with flexible brown notes. See it in room environments at http://www.benjaminmoore.com. Definitely a different direction than the above two colors, but wouldn’t this be great as the “ground” for the other two to use as pops of color?

• Comfort of a brown
• Luxury of a smokey violet
• Soulful
• Accent with yellow green (see Glidden’s color above?), cream, teal, or terra cotta

In my next blog post, I’ll share with you the Dreamwalls prediction for 2011, based on what we’re sampling for designers and architects these days. Will it be close to one of the above?

In design, color has the power to set a mood, spark inspiration, nurture renewal and ignite culinary passions.

As Leatrice Eiseman pointed out, combinations are key to creating unique effects.

Textures are getting more complex, pastels are dusty & soft and we are seeing more vibrant color in kitchen & baths. Turquoise, Pantones color of the year, in glass ware is simply amazing.

3 indicators for 2011 color :

exquisite

exclusive

expressive

So how have you used color in 2010?

Visit our Facebook Page and post pictures of your most colorful projects and we will feature select Designers and their firms in future posts.

Leatrice Eiseman is executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and founder of the Eiseman Center for Color Information & Training. Lee has been named in the group of 50 top style makers by HFN for the fifth year in a row. Fortune Magazine has featured her as one of the top decision makers. Lee has authored seven books on color, including “Color: Messages & Meanings, a Pantone Color Resource” and “More Alive With Color“.

Visit her blog for some colorful inspiration.

L e e’ s   B o o k s

Color Messages & Meanings:
A Pantone Color Resource

The Color Answer Book

Colors For Your Every Mood

Pantone Guide
To Communicating With Color

More Alive With Color

Alive With Color
(Out of Print:
Limited Availability)

The Pantone Book of
Color
(Out of Print:
Limited Availability)