2021 Pantone Colour Of The Year
Image Credit - Mayesh
After living through quite possibly the worst year ever, we look back on a year in which we wrestled with a global pandemic, illness, economic distress and social upheaval. It’s not all doom and gloom though - the end of the year brings one of the most eagerly anticipated announcements for the design communities: Pantone’s Colour of the Year. This year, trend spotters at the Pantone Colour Institute have selected colours: Ultimate Grey and Illuminating. The selection of two independent colours highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness, that is both enduring and uplifting. The union of Ultimate Grey with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude.
The annual colour is chosen based on what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time. Ultimate Grey and Illuminating are taking centre stage, so expect to see this colour combination a lot this year. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope. This year we need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit. The reassuring qualities of these thought-provoking colours highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation as we cross the threshold into the new year. The Pantone Colour Institute said it recognised feelings of instability gripping the world today, from the United States to the United Kingdom and across the globe.
The two colours join together to create an aspirational colour pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine-filled 2021.
PANTONE COLOUR INSTITUTE
There is no Colour of the Year crystal ball, but there is Pantone
The Pantone Colour Institute highlights the top seasonal runway colours, selects the Pantone Colour of the Year and forecasts global colour trends. Pantone’s colour of the year has been running since 2000; this process requires deep contemplation on colour psychology and trend analysis. To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone’s colour experts at the Pantone Colour Institute comb the world looking for new colour influences. These influences stem from new technologies, art, upcoming media, movies, socio-economic and political conditions, travel destinations, fashion and lifestyle choices among others.
"Typically, trends that we see in colour are reflecting big macro trends that are taking place in culture," Pressman explained.
Pantone's Colours of the Year are a vibrant start to 2021, influencing product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including home furnishings, fashion, and industrial design. The name is also a significant factor; it has to resonate with the colour. Ultimate Grey is described as emblematic of solid and dependable elements that are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. Whereas Illuminating is described as sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. The marriage of which represents strength, optimism, and fearlessness following a markedly challenging year.
INCORPORATING ULTIMATE GREY AND ILLUMINATING
Image Credit (left to right) - Coco Lapine Design, Pinterest, Better Homes & Gardens, Pinterest
Ultimate Grey and Illuminating are a great combination to set the mood at home while maintaining a level of sophistication. The colour pairing is both genderless and seasonless, making it accessible and alluring for people in all walks of life. They are colours you can dive into, creating an impressive design statement that always feels fresh, endlessly versatile, and effortlessly stylish. Yellow and grey colour stories will bring a sense of happiness and calm to any room, which will be important as we continue to focus on making our homes our sanctuaries in 2021.
Offering different vibes so that any room can benefit from a pop of this 2021 colour combo. We recommend juxtaposing Illuminating with Ultimate Grey in home accessories including a statement rug, textiles, or large statement furniture pieces. The hues work well when paired with light natural woods and merge well with an industrial interior style. When people are inspired by colour they should play around with different ways to bring colour into their space and pull it all together. Illuminating and Ultimate Grey is an ideal combination for a home office, with Ultimate Grey providing the firm foundation for Illuminating, a vibrant yellow that heightens awareness and enhances intuition, lighting the way to the intellectual curiosity, originality, and resourcefulness of an open mind.
Here at Lilla Rugs we specialise in high-quality Persian rugs and other Oriental Rugs, all are beautifully detailed and come in an array of different styles, colours, shapes and sizes. Below are a few rug suggestions from us, following the 2021 Ultimate Grey and Illuminating colour trend:
