The Color of The Year

Let's talk about the "Color of the Year" phenomenon - you know, that annual moment when every paint company announces their chosen shade? Since Pantone kicked this off in 1999, it's grown from a simple industry forecast into something that fills our social media feeds every January. And while I love the conversations it sparks, I've noticed something interesting in my years of working with clients.

Here's the thing - when Pantone, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams each announce different colors as THE shade of the year, it actually highlights something important: color is deeply personal. These predictions are planned months, sometimes years in advance, but your home lives in the present moment.

In my experience, the magic happens when we stop asking "What's trending?" and start asking "What works for your space?" I've seen the same color take on completely different personalities depending on how we use it.

*Pantone Color of the Year Mocha Mousse*

Picture this: That bold terracotta that looks amazing in your sun-drenched living room might feel entirely different in a north-facing bedroom with no direct natural light. Or that trendy sage green might look sophisticated on cabinetry but overwhelming on all four walls.

Even simpler choices like white paint colors can be tricky. Take Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace, for example; while it's a fresh white color with cooler undertones, it can make a space with artificial lighting feel very cold and sterile. On the other hand, a white without undertones, such as Benjamin Moore Simply White, will work wonders.

For a super bright space with lots of natural light, Benjamin Moore White Dove will warm up the room and give it that cozy feel we're all after. And if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, consider exploring a Limewash from Color Atelier, like Chèvre, or Roman Clay in Gem by Portola Paints to add a bit of movement and texture to that same space.

Besides considering natural light vs. artificial light, purpose, and mood of the space, it's essential to keep existing elements in mind when choosing the right paint colors—things like furniture and permanent fixtures such as counters and cabinetry.

*Portola Paint Custom Roman Clay color created for John Legend & Chrissy Tiegans Home Design by Jake Arnold*

A few years back, around 2017, a personal mishap taught me a great lesson. It was during the era of greige paints, and BM Revere Pewter HC-172 was hailed as the "queen" of them all. This iconic soft warm gray with slight green undertones seemed perfect, so I decided to paint my bedroom this color.

My room had lots of natural light, my furniture was fairly neutral, and the carpet was a warm beige. I couldn't wait to witness the cozy space I was creating.

To my great dismay, once the painting was completed, the walls looked light purple—not one of my favorite colors! The lesson I learned (without getting too technical) was that when a warm gray is placed next to a neutral color like a beige carpet, the gray will look relatively more blue or violet. Back to the drawing board we went, having learned that color behaves in relationship to the colors and surroundings around it.

What fascinates me most is how versatile color can be! Sometimes the most impactful use of a trending color isn't on your walls at all - it might be the inside of your kitchen drawers, or that ceiling medallion nobody expected, or even just a few carefully chosen textiles or an accent chair. It's about finding those moments where color can surprise and delight.

When clients come to me excited about a Color of the Year, I love to explore questions like: How does this color make you feel? How will it play with your existing spaces? What story do you want your home to tell? Because at the end of the day, trends come and go, but your connection to your space is what truly matters.

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