Color of the year

Each year Pantone picks a color of the year. This year they have chosen Marsala.

Here is what their website says about this color and why they chose it.

"Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.

The Versatility of Marsala

• Equally appealing to men and women, Marsala is a stirring and flavorful shade for apparel and accessories, one that encourages color creativity and experimentation
• Flattering against many skin tones, sultry and subtle Marsala is a great go-to color for beauty, providing enormous highlight for the cheek, and a captivating pop of color for nails, shadows lips and hair.
• Dramatic and at the same time grounding, the rich and full-bodied red-brown Marsala brings color warmth into home interiors
• An earthy shade with a bit of sophistication, texture is the story in print and packaging. A matte finish highlights Marsala’s organic nature while adding a sheen conveys a completely different message of glamour and luxury."                 

This season there is a move toward the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum. An eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights, pale pastels and nature-like neutrals take center stage as designers draw from daydreams of simpler times. Remembrances of retro delights, folkloric and floral art, and the magical worlds of tropical landscapes restore a sense of well-being as we head into warmer months.

“Many feel compelled to be connected around the clock because we are afraid we’ll miss something important. There is a growing movement to step out and create ‘quiet zones’ to disconnect from technology and unwind, giving ourselves time to stop and be still. Color choices follow the same minimalistic, ‘en plein air’ theme, taking a cue from nature rather than being reinvented or mechanically manipulated. Soft, cool hues blend with subtle warm tones to create a soothing escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.”

Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute^{®
We got to meet Leatrice a couple years ago at a show in Las Vegas and hear her speak about the the Pantone Color Institute and how they go about choosing the colors, it was very interesting!
What colors "pair" with marsala?
Well they have come up with a selection of colors they call "plein air" which is perfect for us since so many of our artists are doing plein air paintings!}

In some upcoming posts we'll show some pieces we have at Carolina Creations that will go with these  chosen colors, so you'll be right in style! But for now how about a beautiful painting by Brenda Behr?

Some chalcedony jewelry from Anna Balkan....

Hand crafted pottery by Geoffrey Lloyd...

Blown glass by Berni North....

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In the beginning Pantone was primarily used in the printing industry to tell you how to mix a particular color. I worked in the printing industry in the 70s and early 80s and always had a deck of pantone chips by my desk. 

To read more about Pantone and what they do visit their website.