Decorating with Pantone’s 2016 colors of the year

Every December, the arbiters of style at the Pantone Color Institute look into their crystal ball and forecast the hot color trend for the coming year. This year, for the first time, the global color authority has named not just one, but two colors: Rose Quartz and Serenity.  

Pantone’s annual announcement inevitably has its naysayers (people are still upset about last year’s wine-hued Marsala), and initially I, too, was disappointed by this year’s choices. At first glance, Rose Quartz and Serenity seem just a fancy way to say pale pink and powder blue, in other words, “baby nursery.” 

But according to Pantone, these colors were chosen to challenge, not reinforce, gender stereotypes. “In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design,” Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone’s executive director, said. “This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity.” 

So they’re upending the notion that pink is for girls and that blue is for boys, which I like. In fact, prior to World War II, blue was the recommended color for girls and was considered more dainty, while pink — derived from red — was seen as a stronger color and, therefore, more appropriate for boys. 

So how do these two colors work in the home besides getting us all riled up about gender stereotypes? Happily, they look great on furniture and décor. Both pastels are so soft that they fall in the neutral category. And as neutrals, they go with practically anything.

Expect home furnishing companies to jump on the bandwagon and begin offering more products in these cotton candy shades over the next year. In the meantime, here are a few to whet your appetite. The year 2016 is looking like a beautiful one indeed. 

SERENITY

1. Rectangular Tray from Accents by Jay (above)

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